ISS Adventures: A Kerbalized Recreation of Missions to the International Space Station

[Pointblank66]

3 hours ago, lemon cup said:

I can try to get that for you guys here in a bit, and yes I forgot to mention that the end effector is also from SOCK/htRobotics, the idea is that it’s compatible with the Shuttle’s common PDGFs. And all of the parts utilize stock robotics, courtesy of benjee_10’s modding prowess.

I see, Never really used the stock robotics as I've used the Inverse Kinematics mod, but looking how you used it from the screenshots, I think it's not that difficult to learn how to use it

[lemon cup]

16 hours ago, Pointblank66 said:

but looking how you used it from the screenshots, I think it's not that difficult to learn how to use it

Looks can be deceiving! Robotic parts can be a bit of a pain, set traverse rate to very low, like 1-3. And lock all robotic parts before leaving the scene or switching vessels, even then they can be Kraken-bait...!

Here is a picture of the CanadArm1 from SOCK next to our kitbashed CanadArm2. You can see they use the same end effector.

@OrbitalManeuvers
OH! Well in that case a picture of my GameData folder would not help you, since I have the exact same problem! I've gotten so used to it though and just accept it lol. Yeah, there must just be a missing texture Module that would usually be referenced in a .cfg maybe, though I have no idea what specifically that would be. 

[OrbitalManeuvers]

31 minutes ago, lemon cup said:

since I have the exact same problem!

*sniff* I thought I was alone in the universe. Hello. I don't want to derail your thread any more but this is good to know. I'm used to it too, but then I wanted to make a video about building a thing and it's just fugly and bummed me out so I thought I'd ask. Will keep you in mind if a solution presents itself!

[D0m1nu2]

First mission of 5th page is... Progress M1-9 launch! I would like to thank to @lemon cup and @Kuiper_Belt for allowing me to join this amazing project! 
 
Departure of Progress M-46

After 87 days spent docked to ISS, Progress M-46 undocked from Aft port of Zvezda module to make way for Progress M1-9 that was launched just few days after undokcing.

 

Progress M1-9

On 25th September 2002 Progress M1-9 lifted-off from Site 1/5 Gagarin's Start at Baikonur Cosmodrome.

Progress M1 is special version that is made to carry big amount of fuel and just small amount of food, water and other supplies.

After nearly 4 days Progress M1-9 successfuly reaches International Space Station and slowly began automatic docking.

Progress M1-9 carried about 2,5 tons of supplies of which 1,5 tons was fuel propellant.

Docking occured on 29th September 2002

 

Coming up, Space Shuttle Atlantis delivers the next Truss Segment on STS-112! For real this time.

Edited December 6, 2021 by D0m1nu2

[Patko]

Really cool job I love it , but how did you made Hab Tech 2 Parts Shiny ? 

[lemon cup]

2 hours ago, D0m1nu2 said:

First mission of 5th page is... Progress M1-9 launch! I would like to thank to @lemon cup and @Kuiper_Belt for allowing me to join this amazing project! 

Welcome to the project! Great mission

[lemon cup]

23 hours ago, Patko said:

Really cool job I love it , but how did you made Hab Tech 2 Parts Shiny ? 

A mod called TexturesUnlimited provides a framework for recoloring parts, and a mod called “MagpieMods” is a set of configs to go with it, that makes tons of parts shiny.

of course only some parts should be shiny, so upon installing MagpieMods most people go in and delete the files for stuff they don’t want. For instance Space Shuttle shoudn’t be shiny, so the config file for SOCK should be deleted etc.

[Kuiper_Belt]

Cool, eh?

STS-112 and The S1 Truss Coming Soon...  (Radiator Included!  ) 

[Kuiper_Belt]

STS-112 and The S1 Truss - October 7th 2002

Space Shuttle Atlantis set the stage for the Integrated Truss Structure with STS-110 and the delivery of the S0 Truss. Now, Atlantis stands again at Pad 39-B six months later with the next component of the ITS and the International Space Station as a whole. The Starboard 1 Truss is a semi hexagonal Truss that will attach to the S0 Truss and provide a triple radiator panel that can pivot to expose as little of the radiator to the sun as possible. This triple radiator set is one of two (The second is mounted on the P1 Truss) large radiators that will assist the stations ability to regulate temperature.

STS-112's crew of six consisting of Commander Jeffry Ashby, Pilot Pamela Melroy (Currently the NASA  Deputy Administrator), Mission Specialists Piers Sellers, Sandra Magnus, Davis Wolf, and Russian Cosmonaut, Fyodor N. Yurchikhin boarded Atlantis and prepared for liftoff. Mounted on the External Tank for the first time was "Rocketcam". A Camera pointed at The Space Shuttle Orbiter for the public to enjoy ascent from a different perspective. STS-112 prepared for liftoff on October 7th 2002 at 2:45 PM Eastern Standard Time.

If you want some more images from the mission, check out the Imgur Album!

A Rocketcam-esque shot. A couple more of the ascent soon.

After Booster Separation, Rocketcam was covered with residue from the separation motor rendering its view useless. 

After Atlantis reached orbit, the crew perfected the orbit for a docking on Flight Day 2. Meanwhile on the ground, engineers were investigating an anomaly on ascent. During liftoff a 4 by 5 by 12 inch chunk of foam from the external tank had broken off and recollided with the left SRB ET attachment ring resulting in a 4 inch diameter dent that was 3 inches deep. (Note: this is made of rather thick steel) Despite the problem, NASA continued with the existing launch schedule without adding risk of "foam strikes". The decision to continue would culminate with the second shuttle launch after STS-112 when Columbia on STS-107 was struck by a foam on the leading edge of its left wing and disintegrated on reentry.

On Flight Day 3, Atlantis coasted towards the ISS making small adjustments to close in with PMA-2

Atlantis docked to the International Space Station on October 9th at 15:17 UTC. After the pressurization checkouts Peggy Whitson of Expedition 5 asked Commander Ashby if he had brought her snacks (She specifically wanted Salsa). Upon hearing that Ashby did have the Salsa she responded "Ok we'll let you in".  After gifting snacks the crew began to prepare for the work of Flight Day 4. 

Flight Day 4 was a busy day consisting of moving the S1 truss from Atlantis' payload bay to the starboard side of S0 using CanadArm 2. Afterwards the first of three spacewalks completed by David Wolf and Piers Sellers would secure S1 to the rest of the station permanently and begin to connect ammonia, electrical, and data cables.

At 14:36 UTC four bolts were activated and locked the S1 truss in place. The crew of EVA-1 got prepared for the spacewalk. At 16:21 UTC the crew of EVA-1 exit the airlock and began the work of integrating S1 with the rest of the station. 

EVA-1 ended at 22:22 PM UTC on October 10 after an issue with CanadArm 2 necessitated a manual journey out to the end of S1 instead of being able to ride the end of CanadArm 2. This resulted in the EVA clocking in at 7 hours and 1 minute. Flight Day 5 saw the joint crews moving experiments and resources from Atlantis to the ISS and vice versa. The crew also prepared their EVA equipment for EVA 2 on Flight Day 6. EVA 2 started at 14:31 UTC consisted of work continuing to integrate S1 with the rest of the station. More launch restraints were removed and a TV camera was installed.

EVA 2 ended at 20:35 UTC after 6 hours and 4 minutes of work. Flight Day 7 consisted of more transfers from the Shuttle to the Station. Oxygen and Nitrogen were transferred to Quest's storage tanks. The crew began to prepare for the third and final EVA scheduled for Flight Day 8. EVA 3 started at 14:08 UTC and  consisted of final installation of S1 and an assortment of get ahead task such as removing a stuck bolt left by STS-110 and the installation of S0.

After 6 hours and 36 minutes on EVA Sellers and Wolf reentered the ISS at 20:44 UTC and with the crew and prepared for Flight Day 9, where the crews would prepare for the departure of Atlantis and perform various get ahead tasks. (I am not sure when the central S1 radiator was deployed but I assume it would be on Flight Day 9).

October 16th Atlantis and the crew undocked from PMA-2 and the ISS on October 16th 2002 at 13:13 UTC after spending 6 days and 21 hours aboard the orbital outpost. The crew would back off the ISS and then do a fly around and take pictures to document its progress and use it for engineering data. 

After the fly around, Atlantis backed off completely from the ISS and coasted alone for 2 days before reentry and landing at Kennedy Space Center.

Atlantis touched down at Runway 33 at the Shuttle Landing Facility in Florida at 10:44 Eastern Daylight Time  on October 18th after 10 days an 19 hours of flight. Atlantis would be prepared for her next Mission STS-114 to deliver supplies to the ISS with an MPLM but due to the impending Columbia Disaster, Atlantis would not fly again until 2006.

This was one of my favorite missions to make. I had a lot of fun with the challenge that was the CanadArm movements and I think I took some of my best screenshots ever with this mission. It was horrible to choose which ones to put in the thread and I must admit I may have added too many  but there are more with the Imgur album. I hope you've enjoyed reading and viewing this mission as much as I enjoyed making it .

After STS-112 Expedition 5 would spend their next couple weeks doing experiments in the orbital outpost. Among other things, Expedition 5  was awaiting the next Soyuz to replace the approaching 6 month old Soyuz TM-34. However, this next Soyuz would be different from any old Soyuz TM replacement.

Up Next, Soyuz TMA-1!

Edited December 11, 2021 by Kuiper_Belt

[lemon cup]

On 12/12/2021 at 12:05 AM, Kuiper_Belt said:

Beautiful. This reminds me of the ET bicycle scene, except "ET" stands for something else here 

[lemon cup]

Soyuz TMA-1   -   October 30th, 2002

Launching just after sunrise from Baikonur Cosmodrome on October 30th, 2002 was the first of a new generation of Russian Soyuz vehicles, the Soyuz TMA. Differing from older Soyuz TMs only in its internal display components, the "A" in TMA stands for "Anthropometry" which refers to an enhanced crew awareness due to the addition of "glass cockpit" digital displays. The TMA upgrade was very similar to the upgrades that the Space Shuttle fleet was also undergoing at the time.

TMA-1 was a routine taxi mission to the ISS, with the primary goal being rotating an old Soyuz vehicle, used as the station's lifeboat, with a new one. As such the three crewmembers would only be staying for 9 days along with the Expedition 5 crew, who had been in charge of the ISS for nearly 5 months at this point.

The Soyuz crew consisted of cosmonauts Sergei Zalyotin and Yury Lonchakov, and German ESA astronaut Frank De Winne.

This was the first use of the "Soyuz-FG" launch vehicle to lift a manned Soyuz spacecraft. The FG had flown three Progress missions prior to this, but from this point on, would be officially replacing the Soyuz-U launcher in every capacity.

On the outside, the Soyuz TMA is identical to the older TM.

A standard 2-day coast followed the successful orbit of TMA-1, with ISS rendezvous occurring on the first of November.

It was 10:00am in Moscow at Roskosmos Mission Control when positive docking was confirmed with the Pirs module.

 

Departure of Soyuz TM-34 and End of Mission   -   November 9th-10th, 2002

At the conclusion of the short ISS/Soyuz taxi mission, the 3 crewmembers took command of the older Soyuz TM-34 vehicle docked to the bottom of Zarya, and departed.

The landing of TM-34 on November 10th, 2002 marked the last use of the Soyuz TM vehicle, starting with Mir in 1986.

Expedition 5 would soon be drawing to a close with a new crew arriving - along with the next piece of the Integrated Truss Structure - in just a couple of short weeks.

Up next, Expedition 6 and the P1 Truss are sent up on STS-113!

[GalacticDissonanta]

12 hours ago, lemon cup said:

Soyuz TMA-1   -   October 30th, 2002

Launching just after sunrise from Baikonur Cosmodrome on October 30th, 2002 was the first of a new generation of Russian Soyuz vehicles, the Soyuz TMA. Differing from older Soyuz TMs only in its internal display components, the "A" in TMA stands for "Anthropometry" which refers to an enhanced crew awareness due to the addition of "glass cockpit" digital displays. The TMA upgrade was very similar to the upgrades that the Space Shuttle fleet was also undergoing at the time.

TMA-1 was a routine taxi mission to the ISS, with the primary goal being rotating an old Soyuz vehicle, used as the station's lifeboat, with a new one. As such the three crewmembers would only be staying for 9 days along with the Expedition 5 crew, who had been in charge of the ISS for nearly 5 months at this point.

The Soyuz crew consisted of cosmonauts Sergei Zalyotin and Yury Lonchakov, and German ESA astronaut Frank De Winne.

This was the first use of the "Soyuz-FG" launch vehicle to lift a manned Soyuz spacecraft. The FG had flown three Progress missions prior to this, but from this point on, would be officially replacing the Soyuz-U launcher in every capacity.

On the outside, the Soyuz TMA is identical to the older TM.

A standard 2-day coast followed the successful orbit of TMA-1, with ISS rendezvous occurring on the first of November.

It was 10:00am in Moscow at Roskosmos Mission Control when positive docking was confirmed with the Pirs module.

 

Departure of Soyuz TM-34 and End of Mission   -   November 9th-10th, 2002

At the conclusion of the short ISS/Soyuz taxi mission, the 3 crewmembers took command of the older Soyuz TM-34 vehicle docked to the bottom of Zarya, and departed.

The landing of TM-34 on November 10th, 2002 marked the last use of the Soyuz TM vehicle, starting with Mir in 1986.

Expedition 5 would soon be drawing to a close with a new crew arriving - along with the next piece of the Integrated Truss Structure - in just a couple of short weeks.

Up next, Expedition 6 and the P1 Truss are sent up on STS-113!

Mean this is so cool, also, where I can find this fancy decals you using on Soyuz? I really want it :3

[lemon cup]

5 hours ago, GalacticDissonanta said:

Mean this is so cool, also, where I can find this fancy decals you using on Soyuz? I really want it :3

Hey and thank you! Well for most of our decals we use a mod called “Conformal Decals” but for the Soyuz, those are actually part of the textures that it comes with.

 

Edited December 15, 2021 by lemon cup

[D0m1nu2]

 

 

 

STS-113 Coming soon! (Hoperfully tommorow)

 

Edited December 21, 2021 by D0m1nu2

[lemon cup]

53 minutes ago, D0m1nu2 said:

 

 

 

STS-113 Coming soon! (Hoperfully tommorow)

 

Woot!

Dat Truss tho... 

[pTrevTrevs]

On 12/20/2021 at 1:44 PM, D0m1nu2 said:

 

 

 

STS-113 Coming soon! (Hoperfully tommorow)

 

Hmm, and this is the last we’ll be seeing of the shuttle for awhile since the Columbia incident is just around the corner, no?

[D0m1nu2]

20 minutes ago, pTrevTrevs said:

Hmm, and this is the last we’ll be seeing of the shuttle for awhile since the Columbia incident is just around the corner, no?

Yep, more in mission report.

[D0m1nu2]

STS-113 and The P1 Truss - November 24th 2002

STS-113 was the 16th American (ISS-16-11A) assembly flight to the International Space Station (ISS). The primary mission was to bring the Expedition 6 crew to the ISS and return the Expedition 5 crew to the Earth. In addition to the crew exchange, STS-113 was the next flight in the assembly sequence to install a major component, the Port 1 (P1) Integrated Truss Assembly. Three spacewalks were carried out to install and activate the truss and its associated equipment.
There were 7 crew members on board of Endevaour: Commander Jim Wetherbee, Pilot Paul Lockhart, Mission Specialists Michael Lopez-Alegria and John Herrington.
Launching crew of Expedition 6: Kenneth D. Bowersox, Nikolai M. Budarin and Nikolai M. Budarin.
Landing crew of Expedition 5: Valery G. Korzun, Peggy A. Whitson, Sergei Y. Treshchov.

The earlier planned launch on Nov. 11 was postponed when higher than allowable oxygen levels were detected in the orbiter's mid-body. Launch was tentatively set for no earlier than Nov. 18 so that technicians could troubleshoot and repair the leak. A fatigued flexible hose was found to be the cause and was replaced, along with another similar hose.
Another problem surfaced when a platform used to access the oxygen line bumped the robotic arm in the payload bay. Inspections of the arm for damage postponed launch until Nov.
The launch was again postponed 24 hours to Nov. 23 due to poor weather conditions at the Transoceanic Abort Landing sites.
Finally on 24th November at 0:49 UTC, STS-113 blasted of from launchpad LC-39A at Cape Canaveral.

Max-Q

MECO and ET separation

Few minutes later Endeavour performs first is 2 OMS burn to circulize orbit.

After reaching stable orbit orbiter cargo bay doors were opened.

During the first two days of the mission, periodic engine firings gradually brought Endeavour to a point about 9 ½ statute miles (24.6 km) behind the station, the starting point for a final approach to the station.
About 2 ½ hours before the scheduled docking time on Flight Day 3, Endeavour reached that point, about 50,000 feet (15,240 meters) behind the ISS. There Endeavour's jets were fired in a Terminal Intercept (TI) burn to begin the final phase of the rendezvous. Endeavour closed the final miles to the station during the next orbit.

As Endeavour closed in, the shuttle's rendezvous radar system began tracking the station and providing range and closing rate information to the crew. During the final approach, Endeavour could do as many as four small mid-course corrections at regular intervals. Just after the fourth correction was completed, Endeavour reached a point about half a mile (900 meters) below the station. There, about an hour before the scheduled docking, Commander James Wetherbee took over manual control of the approach.
He slowed Endeavour's approach and flew to a point about 600 feet (182.9 meters) directly below the station.

For Endeavour's docking, James Wetherbee maintained the shuttle's speed relative to the station at about one-tenth of a one-tenth of a foot per second (3 centimeters per second) (while both Endeavour and the space station were traveling at about five miles a second), and kept the docking mechanisms aligned to within a tolerance of three inches (7.6 centimeters). When Endeavour made contact with the station, preliminary latches automatically attached the two spacecraft. Immediately after Endeavour docked on November 25, 2002, the shuttle's steering jets were deactivated to reduce the forces acting at the docking interface. Shock absorber-like springs in the docking mechanism dampened any relative motion between the shuttle and the station.


Once that motion between the spacecraft had stopped, Michael Lopez-Alegria secured the docking mechanism, sending commands for Endeavour's docking ring to retract and to close a final set of latches between the shuttle and station.

The following day, Michael Lopez-Alegria and John Herrington began spacewalk preparations while James Wetherbee used the shuttle's robotic arm to lift the huge P1 Truss out of Endeavour's payload bay to hand it to the station's Canadarm2 under control of Peggy Whitson inside Destiny. She then carefully installed it on the port side of the S0 Truss. Capture bolts structurally mated the two trusses after a claw-like device on the S0 grabs a fixture on the P1 segment. The procedure was timed so that the two spacewalkers did not exit the station's Quest Airlock until the mating process is complete.

Once Ca2 captured P1 truss Orbiter Ca was moved away

When P1 truss was in place EVA No. 1 began, it took 6 hours, 45 minutes -- Mission Specialists Michael Lopez-Alegria and John Herrington hooked up electrical connections between the P1 truss and station, installed spool positioning devices that will ensure quick disconnect devices in fluid lines function properly, and released launch locks on the Crew and Equipment Translation Aid (CETA) cart. They also installed Node Wireless video system External Transceiver Assembly (WETA) antennas allowing reception from spacewalkers' helmet cameras without a shuttle present.

Crew while releasing CETA cart launch locks

Before then end they also installed WETA on Unity module.

This concluded first EVA of this mission.

Between EVA No.1 and No.2 Canadarm 2 was temporarily moved from MBS onto Destiny module.

EVA No. 2: 6 hours, 10 minutes -- On Thanksgiving Day, Lopez-Alegria and Herrington connected two fluid jumpers between the P1 and S0 trusses, linking plumbing for ammonia in the station's cooling system. They move CETA  Carts from P1 to S1 truss. They also installed a second WETA, this one on the P1 truss. They released launch locks on the P1 radiator beams.

one of CETA carts while being moved from P1 truss to S1 truss

Both CETA carts next to MBS on S1 truss.

This conculeds EVA No.2

EVA No. 3: 7 hours -- Herrington and Lopez-Alegria successfully completed installation of 33 spool positioning devices around the outside of the station. Herrington also troubleshooted the stalled railcar (Mobile Transporter). He freed and deployed a UHF communications antenna that had snagged a trailing umbilical mechanism on the MT. The MT was able to reach its destination, Worksite 7. Herrington completed his assigned tasks without using the Canadarm2, which was to have transferred from the U.S. Lab to the MT to maneuver Herrington through some of his tasks.

UHF and WETA on P1 truss

This was the last EVA of STS-113.

The next day the shuttle and station crews completed transfer work and get-ahead tasks for future assembly flights. The Expedition 5 Crew had to bid farewell to its home for five months and the shuttle crew had to bid its Expedition 6 replacements bon voyage as the hatches were closed on Flight Day 10.
Once Endeavour was ready to undock, Michael Lopez-Alegria sent a command to release the docking mechanism. At initial separation of the spacecraft, springs in the docking mechanism pushed the shuttle away from the station. Endeavour's steering jets were shut off to avoid any inadvertent firings during this initial separation.
Once Endeavour was about two feet (61 centimeters) from the station, with the docking devices clear of one another, Paul Lockhart turned the steering jets back on and fired them to very slowly move away. From the aft flight deck, Paul Lockhart manually controlled Endeavour within a tight corridor as she separated from the ISS, essentially the reverse of the task performed by James Wetherbee just before Endeavour docked.

Endevaour shorly after undokcing

While leaving one of crew member took this amazing photo of ISS

The mission was extended three days due of bad weather on Cape Canaveral (KSC).

On flight day 13 Orbiter fired it's OMS thruster to bring Perigee into atmosphere so shuttle could land at Cape Canaveral.
Re-entry!

Endevaour reached Cape without any problem.

Touchdown!

Endevaour safely on ground.

STS-113 was the last mission during which cosmonauts flew on-board of US Space Shuttle.

STS-113 was the last successful mission before STS-107, during which all 7 crew members (Rick D. Husband, William C. McCool, David M. Brown, Kalpana Chawla, Michael P. Anderson, Laurel B. Clark and Ilan Ramon) that flew sadly died on re-entry due to damage on heatshield caused by foam that fell of from External Tank at lift off.
After Columbia disaster Space Shuttle was grounded until July 2005.

Up next, Progress M-47 with supplies for crew.

Edited December 23, 2021 by D0m1nu2

[D0m1nu2]

Aight, the rest of mission was added!

I would also like to wish y'all Merry Christmas and also thank for the amazing support from you!

[tinyspy44]

On 8/26/2021 at 8:42 AM, Kuiper_Belt said:

STS-100 & CanadArm 2, April 19, 2001

This mission was quite long and I've got an Imgur Album with more of the screenshots taken during the mission with an explanation of what's occurring.

STS-100 was a monumental mission for the ISS. Delivering a legendary component that would be paramount for its construction, The Space Station Remote Manipulator System or more popularly known as CanadArm2, A robotic arm designed to move among other things, modules, people, and other components around the ISS . Along side CanadArm2 was Raffaelo, both the second flight and constructed MPLM containing science and resources for the outpost.

This missions crew of 7 (including the acclaimed Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield) flying with Endeavour, would launch to the ISS from Pad 39-A at Cape Canaveral, Florida. The ISS had just moved around several spacecraft and was no ready to receive the crew of STS-100. Endeavour and her crew stood by awaiting a launch at 2:40 PM Eastern.

After reaching orbit, Endeavour began its phasing orbits to rendezvous with the ISS.

Endeavour docked with the ISS via PMA-2 at 13:59 UTC on April 21st. At which point they became the first Shuttle to visit the ISS while  Expedition 2 was underway. Though docked, the crews wouldn't get face to face until flight day 5. The Shuttles Atmosphere was at lower pressure to prepare for EVA-1. While preparation was underway the SpaceLab Pallet (Containing CanadArm2) was lifted from Endeavor's Payload bay and temporarily mounted on the space facing side of destiny.

After being attached, Astronauts, Scott Parazynski and Chris Hadfield began EVA-1 at which point Hadfield was the first Canadian to conduct a Spacewalk. Their objectives included the mounting of an Antenna to Destiny and the unpacking, unfolding and activation of CanadArm2.

After removing launch restraints, unfolding, and installing "Super Bolts" to CanadArm2 the crew ended EVA-1. Now inside the crew lifted Raffaelo out of Endeavor's Payload Bay and berthed it to Unity's nadir port. The crews opened hatches on flight day five and began the join operations.

At the end of Flight Day 5, hatches were closed to prepare for EVA-2, this would involve the connection of the Power and Data Fixture to CanadArm2 as well as removing various components from the ISS for return to Earth. The astronauts also watched as CanadArm2 took it's first steps across the station.

Afterwards, hatches were opened and the unloading and loading of trash and experiments for return to Earth resumed. In addition came a very important moment for, the ISS, Canada and Robotics. CanadArm2 handing off its SpaceLab pallet back to CanadArm1.

CanadArm1 after a flawless handoff from Canadarm2 returned the SpaceLab pallet to Endeavour's payload bay. Next to return was Raffaello.

Endeavour fired its Attitude Control System to boost the ISS orbit before it's 8 day stay at the ISS would come to an end. On April 29th at 17:34 UTC Endeavour undocked from the ISS leaving behind CanadArm2.

Endeavour Reentered on May 1st 2001 and landed at Edward Runway 22 at 9:11 AM Pacific Time. Afterwards Endeavour would be fitted to a Shuttle Carrier Aircraft and flown back to Cape Canaveral.

Endeavour would be refurbished and fly again as STS-108 brining crew and supplies to the ISS.

Authors Note: This was the hardest mission I've ever documented and there's a lot to talk about! First: That beautiful CanadArm & SpaceLab pallet is designed by fantastic visionary that is @lemon cup! Though for STS-100 it is stored folded up. I took the design and modified it (what I've coined as CanadArm1.9) for the early parts of the mission but it's switched after its been unfolded by crew on EVA-1.  I'd just like to acknowledge that and thank Lemon for providing those masterpieces. We work together on the whole station but I just want to really hammer those home! Second: I got to finally use the SCA for a mission!  I haven't used it since the Shuttle Adventures Approach and Landing Tests. Third: After this mission I'm going to work on overhauling a lot of how my screenshots look. For example I'm cooking up my own TUFX configs, they look a little like Lemon's and the current ones I'm using combined, and I'm looking forward to share these as I develop them. Hopefully this mission was worth the wait and if you want to see more screenshots from the mission check them out here. I had way too much fun making this!

Now that the ISS was armed with new the Space Station Remote Manipulator System, construction could now rapidly advance. Though the first Soyuz to visit the ISS, Soyuz TM-31 was approaching its expected lifetime and was needing to be replaced.

Up Next, Soyuz TM-32!

This is very very cool. What mod do you use for the SCA?

[Kuiper_Belt]

ISS Activities in 2003 Coming Soon!

Hello! I planned on getting this installment out before the end of the year but I just didn't have enough time . Luckily we can start this next year off strong with some posts! I would like to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for the support for this series and making 2021 such a wonderful time for my KSP enjoyment and just a great year in general! This series isn't even six months old and we've already covered 4 years of the life of the ISS! Thank you again and have a Happy New Year!

Edited January 1, 2022 by Kuiper_Belt

[Kuiper_Belt]

The International Space Station In 2003 - A Year of Tragedy and Recourse

STS-107 -  February 1st, 2003 13:59:32 UTC

Space Shuttle Columbia on flight STS-107 had spent nearly sixteen days in orbit conducting experiments and was reentering the atmosphere when on February 1st, 2003, at 9:00 AM, fifteen minutes before scheduled touchdown, Columbia disintegrated due to a flawed Thermal Protection System. After a collision with stray external tank foam, a hole on the leading edge of the left wing resulted in decreased thermal insulation which resulted in the entire crew being killed and the orbiter destroyed. The Space Shuttle Program was grounded resulting in all planned missions being effectively canceled and the construction of the International Space Station being halted indefinitely.  Space Shuttle Atlantis was slated for launch to the ISS as apart of the original STS-114  mission just one month later and Columbia would have flown to the ISS later that year as a part of the original  STS-118. The future of the Laboratory was in doubt as the station was still incomplete. In addition due to the lack of resupply missions from the Space Shuttle the ISS would accumulate significant amounts of waste, inhibiting work. The agencies began to formulate the procedures for the following years as NASA investigated the Columbia disaster and worked to get the fleet ready for flight. At the moment the only other nation launching missions to the ISS was Russia leaving them the sole launch provider to the ISS in any capacity for the time being.

The Departure of Progress M1-9 - February 1st, 2003

Progress M1-9, just two hours after the disintegration of Space Shuttle Columbia, prepared for undocking from the ISS carrying waste from the Expedition 6 mission. Undocking from Zvezda's aft port at 16:00:54 UTC Progress M1-9 retreated from the ISS after its 125-day stay at the station. It proceeded to deorbit and reenter the atmosphere on February 1st, at 20:00:28 UTC, just 6 hours after Columbia disintegrated.

With the newly freed aft port, Expedition 6 now prepares for the arrival of its next resupply.

The Launch and Docking of Progress M-47 - February 2st, 2003

Standing at Site 1/5 of the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Progress M-47 atop a Soyuz-U carrier rocket awaits the first launch after the Columbia Disaster. Carrying scientific experiments, food, water, oxygen, and other supplies, Progress M-47's Soyuz engines spool up to flight speeds and lifts off at 5:59 local time about 23 hours after the disaster.

After reaching orbit, M-47 coasts to the ISS over a period of two days approaching the aft port of Zvezda for an eventual capture at 14:49 UTC on February 4th.

After docking, Expedition 6 opens the hatch and unloads all the supplies to the station, and prepares for their replacement by Expedition 7.

The Launch and Arrival of Soyuz TMA-2 & Expedition 7 - April 26th, 2003

For the first time since Expedition 1, a Space Shuttle would not be delivering an Expedition to the ISS. In addition, this would be the first of several expeditions hosting only two crew members. Composing the Soyuz TMA-2 crew and the Expedition 7 was Yuri Malenchenko, Space Station Commander and Flight Engineer Ed Lu. Expeditions 7 through 12 would only host two crew members for the duration of the Space Shuttles grounding and reinstatement. the primary objective of these missions was to maintain the ISS and conduct limited amounts of experiments. Due to the decreased crew size, only 15 experiments would be conducted over the six-month period. 

Standing atop the Soyuz FG carrier rocket, Malenchenko and Lu counted down for their launch. As the engine wound up to flight speed the crew lifted off from Site 1/5 of the Baikonur Cosmodrome at 8:53 AM local time.

Once in orbit, Soyuz TMA-2 would coast for two days, perfecting its rendezvous with the ISS. Once in close range, Soyuz begins its final approach of Zarya's nadir port.

Soyuz TMA-2 and the Expedition 7 Crew docked to the ISS and greeted the Expedition 6 crew on April 28th, 2003 at 23:17 UTC. The crew spent nearly five days together exchanging the rolls and preparing to end Expedition 6. 

The Departure of Soyuz TMA-1 & Expedition 6 - May 3rd, 2003

Following the six-month stay aboard the station, Nikolai Budarin, Kenneth Bowersox, and Donald Pettit boarded Soyuz TMA-1 and closed the hatches marking the end of Expedition 6.  At 22:43 UTC Soyuz TMA-1 undocked from Pirs, ending the 183-day stay aboard the ISS, leaving the two crew members of Expedition 7 alone in space for the next six months.

Soyuz TMA-1 backed away from the ISS and prepared for its reentry burn 3 hours later.

Due to a technical error, Soyuz automatically aborted the much more crew hospitable aerodynamically controlled reentry for the much harsher ballistic trajectory which resulted in the spacecraft being 300 miles away from the predicted landing zone. 

After touching down in Kazakhstan at 8:04:25 local time, the crew of Soyuz TMA-1 lost communications with Mission Control due to an antenna being shed during reentry and several not deploying. Eventually, communication was restored after landing via an emergency transmitter. As a result, all following missions would be supplied with satellite phones for the quicker establishment of communication should it be lost. Expedition 7 would now spend time doing limited experiments and maintaining the station until they received their next resupply.

The Launch and Docking of Progress M1-10 - June 8th, 2003

Progress M1-10 was the first resupply for Expedition 7 and carried fuel food water oxygen experiments and other supplies for the 2 man crew. Standing by for launch from Baikonur Cosmodrome's Site 1/5 Progress M1-10's Soyuz U carrier rocket engines spools up to flight speed and prepares for liftoff at 16:34 local time.

After reaching orbit, Progress M1-10 coasted to its rendezvous with the ISS over a period of 3 days. 

Progress M1-10 docked to Pirs on June 11th, 2003 at 11:14 UTC. The Expedition 7 crew began to unload the delivered cargo and continue with their duties on the station. 

The Final CAIB Report - August 26th, 2003

The Columbia Accident Investigation Board released the final report of the Columbia disaster's cause and the appropriate course of action onward. 29 total recommendations were made to keep Shuttle flights safe for future flights including but not limited to, the elimination of foam shedding, increasing the orbiters ability to sustain minor damage, developing a practical way to inspect and repair the Thermal Protection System of the Shuttle while on orbit (This would manifest as the OBSS) and developing better simulations to assess foam strikes.  Columbia was described by astronaut Sally Ride as having "echoes of Challenger" in the sense that both accidents were caused by "failures of foresight."  If you would like to read more about this subject I would recommend this NASA document. 

The Departure of Progress M-47 - August 27th 2003

Progress M-47 had spent approximately 204 days docked to Zvezda's aft port. After being filled with waste from the station M-47 undocked on August 27th, 2003, at 22:48 UTC and proceeded to back away from the ISS  and prepare for its deorbit burn around three hours later. Progress M-47 burned up over the Pacific Ocean at 2:37 UTC on August 28th.

With the departure of Progress M-47, the crew of Expedition 7 could prepare for their final resupply mission for their mission on the station.

The Launch and Docking of Progress M-48 - August 29th, 2003

Progress M-48 would deliver the final cargo resupply to the ISS while it was crewed by Expedition 7. Progress M-48 carried Food Water Oxygen and additional supplies such as experiments to the station. Standing by at Baikonur Site 1/5 Progress M-48 began its flight with liftoff at 7:48 AM local time.

After reaching orbit, Progress M-48 coasted in orbit for 2 days after which it began to close in on Zvezda's aft docking port.

Progress M-48 reached the ISS and docked to the Zvezda aft port on August 31st, 2003 at 3:40 UTC. At which point Expedition 7 prepared to open hatches and access the equipment and supplies brought by the Progress. This would be the final time Expedition 7 oversaw an arrival of Progress but they would see one last departure.

The Departure of Progress M1-10 - September 4th, 2003

After 85 days attached to Pirs, Progress M1-10 disconnected from the International Space Station at 19:41 UTC on September 4th, loaded with waste generated by the Expedition 7 crew.  Progress M1-10 would back away from the ISS and stay in orbit for an additional month as a part of an earth observation experiment.

After a month had passed, Progress M1-10 fired its engine and deorbited on October 3rd, 2003. M1-10 burned up over the Pacific Ocean at 12:38 UTC, ending its 117-day mission. Expedition 7 was coming to an end with their replacements coming in about 2 weeks. 

 The Launch of Soyuz TMA-3 and Expedition 8 - The Last Launch ISS Bound of 2003 - October 18th, 2003

Soyuz TMA-3 would launch the second expedition after the Columbia disaster, Expedition 8. Once again crewed by 2, Station Commander Michael Foale and Flight Engineer, Aleksandr Kaleri. Along with two expedition crewmates was Pedro Duque, an ESA astronaut who would fly with the pair to the ISS but then leave with Soyuz TMA 2 and Expedition 7. 

The crew of Expedition 8 sat in their seats aboard their Soyuz-FG carrier rocket awaiting launch. Roaring to life at 11:38 AM local time, Soyuz TMA-3 and their crew lifted off from Site 1/5 of the Baikonur Cosmodrome.

 After reaching orbit,  Soyuz TMA-3 coasted for two days until they reached the ISS at which point they began to close in on Pirs.

Soyuz TMA-3 docked with Pirs on October 20th, 2003 at 07:16 UTC and opened hatches shortly thereafter. The joint Expedition 7-8 crew began to prepare the station for the switch and did join experiments, Pedro Duque conducting experiments specifically commissioned by ESA which went by the name Cervantes. Expedition 7 and Pedro Duque prepared for their departure in just a week.

 The End of Expedition 7 and Departure of Soyuz TMA-2 - October 27th, 2003

After 182 days and 16 hours as Expedition 7, Yuri Malenchenko and Ed Lu relinquished their leadership of the International Space Station to the crew of Expedition 8. Alongside Pedro Duque of ESA, the trio entered Soyuz TMA-2 and closed their hatches. The crew undocked from Zarya's nadir port, ending their 182-day 17 hour time docked to the ISS.  The crew backed away from the laboratory and prepared for reentry in about 4 hours.  

After 184 days in space for the Expedition 2 crew and 9 days for Pedro Duque, the crew reentered the atmosphere via the planned aerodynamic reentry method, proved the Soyuz TMA vehicle and landed in Kazakhstan on October 28th, 2003 at 8:40 AM local time.

The Columbia Disaster severely changed the planned road map for the ISS. With its completion now delayed significantly and no U.S. launch option, Roscosmos would do the heavy lifting in terms of launching crew and cargo to the orbiting laboratory. 2003 was rather conservative in nature with no planned EVAs and designed to keep the station in working order until construction could resume but there was still a lot of work to be done by NASA to get the Shuttle Fleet back off the ground. 

Up next, The activities of the ISS in 2004!

Edited January 1, 2022 by Kuiper_Belt

[Kuiper_Belt]

On 12/26/2021 at 11:34 PM, tinyspy44 said:

This is very very cool. What mod do you use for the SCA?

Thanks! The SCA is comprised primarily of parts from STX Neist Air and Conformal Decals to paint the entire plane. A tone of tweak scaled parts as well.

[Kuiper_Belt]

International Space Station Blueprints - Documenting Canceled ISS Components

The International Space Station is the largest, most complex, and most expensive thing ever launched to orbit. One nation would find making a Laboratory the size of the ISS quite the challenge, but contributors from several nations, the bill can be split but with the cost of complexity and having to create fair deals.  The ISS is composed of many of such deals, for example Nodes 2 and 3. Harmony and Tranquility were fabricated by the European Space Agency in exchange for the U.S. Launching the European laboratory module, Columbus, on the Space Shuttle. At the end of the day, money is the deciding factor many things, and the ISS is subject to that idea as well.  Many things have been canceled over the course of the ISS' life. 

Currently in our place in the ISS Adventures thread, the Space Shuttle is grounded. To add some variety to the thread while the Shuttle is grounded, we'll be covering the axed plans to the ISS. Currently in 4 to 5 installments . 2 dedicated to U.S. Segment and canceled Shuttle Flights, then 2 to 3 to the Russian Segment. We'll be covering things from the Science Power Platform to the X-38 Crew Return Vehicle and hopefully everything in-between.

The screenshots I'm showing are currently my initial designs of the Original ISS Configuration outlined in the original agreement. There were several changes over time on both segment and we plan to document everything we can find. The first installment planned is the canceled modules of the U.S. Segment Hopefully everyone is as excited as I am and I cant wait to share this with you guys!

[lemon cup]

Here is a good look at some of the planned components in a handy breakdown 

The most notable of the bunch being the SPP (Science Power Platform). It would have allowed the Russian Segment to be powered independently from the US Segment, thus freeing up extra power for more modules to be added. 

By my guess, this full station would have only required 3 more Shuttle missions and either 3 or 4 more Proton launches.