Space Station Liberty: A Kerbalised Version Of Space Station Freedom From The 1980s

[Jacktical]

An introduction

In the 1980s, NASA proposed a concept for a permanently crewed Earth orbiting space station, dubbed Space Station Freedom. Freedom would be the US counterpart to the Russian Mir. But as time went on, and support for the idea dwindled, space station freedom was canned. Luckily, this concept would eventually evolve into the International Space Station that we have today, which you can find here documented in @Kuiper_Belt and @lemon cup's wonderful thread ISS Adventures!

 I decided to create this thread, to document the construction of my own version of the power tower concept.

So where to begin

As this is my first post and because I haven't made KSP images properly for people to see before, I am going to be starting of with some shuttle images I've created over the past few days. If you have any suggestions about where you would like to se me take this thread and how to improve it, don't hesitate to tell me!

Thanks

I'd like to give a huge thanks to @lemon cup for giving me advice on starting this thread, he is a HUGE inspiration to me and if you haven't seen his images, they're simply stunning. I would also like to credit some other creators who have greatly inspired me, so I highly recommend you check out their threads too!

@Jay The Amazing Toaster with the awesome Kānāwai: Ares to Mars!

@AmateurAstronaut1969 with  the fantastic ETS Space Station Freedom!

@Kuiper_Belt with the amazing Shuttle Adventures!

Enjoy!

The maiden launch of Space Shuttle Adventure on STS-10

 

 

 

Edited February 24, 2022 by Jacktical
Plans changed

[Jacktical]

STS-10 June 22, 1984

Space Shuttle Adventure launches from pad 39A on its maiden voyage, the shuttle carries some various exposed experiments and tests the still-in-development "BEATLES" (Big and Expensive test Article for Transportation of Large Experiments and Supplies) which will be a set of four large logistics modules to supply the upcoming Space Station Liberty with all it needs

Space Shuttle Adventure burns its OMS engines to place it in a stable orbit where the crew will carry out research for the next 12 days.

 

Space Shuttle Adventure performs a deorbit burn above the pacific ocean

And with another happy landing, STS-10 is brought to a close

I hope you liked my first post. If you have any tips make sure to tell me. The next post should be up in a few days  

Edited October 19, 2021 by Jacktical

[AmateurAstronaut1969]

Oh wow this is amazing. I’m glad to see people inspired by mine and others work! I expect great things here 

[Jacktical]

STS-16 October 11, 1985: The beginning of Space Station Liberty

Union is the first module of space station liberty, most of the core modules of the station are to be built by Boeing, with some modules being built by ESA and NASDA. CSA are to provide a special manipulator arm, named Canadarm2 to perform task around the outside of the station without the need for EVAs. Finally, the UK Space Agency will provide "BEATLES" (Big and Expensive transport Apparatus for Transportation of Large Experiments and Supplies)

Union serves as the main hub of the station, carrying six berthing ports for docking of other modules. Union will launch with two Pressurized Mating Adapters which are installed to the fore and aft nodes for launch. STS-16 will launch with another module, Harrison; a power and logistics module designed to hold supplies for later expeditions and to power the young station while it does not have its main solar arrays

 

The white room crew check Jedediah's life support and suit before helping him into the orbiter

 

The seven crew members lift off at 11:31pm from the Kennedy Space Center 

"Space Shuttle Independence you are go for throttle up"

Valentina looks out of her window, seeing the southern tip of Florida, getter further and further away...

The space station is put on a 28.6 degrees inclination as this is the easiest for the shuttle to reach from Kennedy Space Center

"SRB Separation confirmed"

The OMS engines are ignited briefly to put Independence into a stable orbit.

Sorry for not being able to document the in orbit activities, I am quite ill at the moment so when I get better I will be releasing part 2 of the Union launch. Hope you enjoyed  

 

[Neebel]

10 minutes ago, Jacktical said:

Sorry for not being able to document the in orbit activities, I am quite ill at the moment so when I get better I will be releasing part 2 of the Union launch. Hope you enjoyed  

Definitely enjoyed it, nice to see new mission logs like this pop up. Get well soon 

[Jacktical]

STS-16 Part II

In orbit, the canadarm grabs onto one of the power/data grapple fixtures attached to the fore PMA and attaches Union to the Shuttle docking assembly.

Data and power connections are tested and soon the Harrison module will be attached to the overhead berthing port of Union.

The module has to be spun around as it was placed backward in the payload bay because of the solar arrays

Slowly the arrays are unfolded.

The crew briefly enter the station to activate systems and to prep it for the next crew.

The crew depart the station at 3:36 AM UTC

Space Shuttle Independence lands at the Kennedy Space Center at 03:12am on the 19th of October

A new era has begun. And it's only going to get better from here...

 

[Jacktical]

Hey there everyone, I am currently making the next post and have gathered around 24 images so far, and this has only documented a few of the in orbit activities of this mission. So I would like to know, starting from this post and going on in the future, would you prefer:

1. Larger and longer posts which will most likely come out once a week.

Or

2. Shorter posts that would come out a couple times a week (i.e.. how there was a part two of sts-16)

There will be a poll so I would appreciate it if you could vote for me  

[Jacktical]

STS-22 13February, 1986: Expedition 1 (Fortune and Canadrone)

Fortune is the second module of space station liberty, a large lab module to carry out experiments only possible in space. The canadrone is Canada's addition to the station; it is a small spacecraft in its own right, capable of moving modules without the limits of an arm. An two-kerballed EVA would also be performed on this flight to make data and support system connections between the modules. The flight would be performed by space shuttle endurance, the second orbiter built.

The ROFI's ignite any unburnt hydrogen, and the SSME's each roar to life, to send the crew to their home for the next 3 and a half months.

"Houston, we have confirmed external tank separation."

The shuttle orbits alone for the next two days, before rendezvousing with the station .

"Hard-capture confirmed."

The canadrone is piloted by Ventsky Kerman and grabs onto to the fore PMA, moving it onto deck-side berthing port to make space for the fortune lab.

Canadrone is then moved to its starting position, before moving in to grab onto the fortune lab.

Bill and Ventsky perform a flawless three-hour EVA making data, life support and , before returning to the shuttle, to enter the station for the first extended stay.

The station is now able to perform its duties, the first American orbital lab since Skylab in 1974, 12 years ago.

I think these are my best images yet and I hope you think so to. This is also what the longer format will look if that is the option chosen. I hope you have enjoyed!  

 

[AmateurAstronaut1969]

8 hours ago, Jacktical said:

1. Larger and longer posts which will most likely come out once a week.

Definitely this option!

[Jacktical]

Expedition 1 Departure: RMC-1 (Remote Configuration 1)

3 and a half months after arriving at Liberty, Endurance departs from the station and deorbits itself over the middle of the pacific ocean.

The crew bring home some waste from the station to be disposed of back on Earth, or studied... Those scientists can be real thorough sometimes.

The reentry speed is a coooool 16000km/h. 

And gets down to about 2000km/h in only 20 minutes.

Jebediah: "Look at that Bill, right where we started"

Bill: "3 and a half months never felt so quick!"

Jebediah: "Went almost as quick as the time I-"

Valentina: "Jeb. Would you mind focusing on the HAC so we don't end up in the roof of the VAB? Thanks a lot"

Jebediah: "Sure think Val, just a few barrel rolls first."

Valentina: "Jeb..."

Jebediah: "What? You never think I've flown one of these things before? I practically AM the shuttle."

Valentina: "Whatever you say Jeb."

Jebediah: "Another happy landing, ay Val?"

Val: "Best yet Jeb."

Jebediah: "Just what I was thinking! and thank you for flying 'Jeb airlines' where we'll get you round the world in 90 minutes or under!"

 

 

Meanwhile, in SPACE...

The canadrone is being powered up so it can configure the station for expedition 2.

Canadrone slowly moves away from the fortune lab it was previously docked to.

It is docked onto the Harrison logistics module, where it will be moved to the fortune forward port to make space for the Z1 truss. 

It is then docked to the Deck-Side PMA to be rotated 180 degrees, to allowed to Canadrone the grab the Z1 truss out of the payload bay on a later mission.

Liberty over North India

Next up Expedition 2! 

Hope you have enjoyed.

Edited October 2, 2021 by Jacktical

[lemon cup]

These are looking really great! Awesome job so far.

So are you planning on basing your design on the “power tower” concept?

[Jacktical]

7 hours ago, lemon cup said:

These are looking really great! Awesome job so far.

So are you planning on basing your design on the “power tower” concept?

I was going to make my design more akin to the ISS, but If that is something people would like to see I'd be happy to have a go at it.

[TRAPPIST-1E]

Yes. Please do the Power Tower

[Jacktical]

"Its been a long way but we're here." -Alan Shepard

 

[Jacktical]

Just a heads up, there may be quite a few continuity errors while making this because I'm sorta figuring it out as I'm going. I will try to keep it to a minimum but the things I do change will be to improve the series  

[Staticalliam7]

Those graphics mods are absolutely beautiful

[Jacktical]

STS-24 4 July, 1986 :Expedition 2 and Z1 Truss

A space shuttle launch on the fourth of July? Can you get more patriotic?

STS-24 was due to launch off on the 3rd but due to bad weather conditions the launch was pushed back to the next day.

Space Shuttle Explorer will launch of at 10:24PM, carrying the Z1 Truss and two external storage pods. The Z1 Truss will the be the the temporary mounting point for the main solar arrays, providing more power for the early station than the Harrison module currently can, it will also maintain the ever growing station's orientation with its four large Control Moment Gyroscopes.

The crew access arm is slowly rotated away from the orbiter.

All that is holding down the shuttle now is some hold down bolts on the SRBs.

The orbiter transfer from ground to internal power at T-60 seconds.

The three SSME's ignite, shaking the astronauts in their seats.

"All engines are nominal."

Release!

Jeb: "If only we could see some fireworks."

Val: "Jeb, we're basically riding a massive firework."

Jeb: "You're right, but it's not like I can see it"

Bob: "You can certainly feel it!"

"SRB separation confirmed."

The orbiter rolls onto its belly for the rest of the ascent.

"External Tank separation confirmed."

Jeb: "Like butter."

#

Explorer begins its 2 phasing orbits to get to Liberty in a little under a day and a half.

Val: "Welcome home ladies and gentleman."

Bill: "Hopefully not permanent..."

And we're docked!

View from a little camera on the edge of the payload bay.

#T

The external storage pods and a decal Jeb insisted be put on all the shuttles after reading some book. Travellers manual to the solar system or something idk

The cable tray of the Z1 is opened to allow the canadrone to extract the module.

The antenna is rotated into place. Very slowly.

Canadrone then moves on to the external storage pods.

As you can see, they are installed on the outside of the fortune lab. Outside, external: get it?

A 5 hour EVA is performed by Jebrin Kerman (NASA). Natavey Kerman (ISA) and Gillie Kerman (ESA). This is the first time a multi person space walk has been conducted by a crew composed of three different nationalities. Natavey is also the first Iranian astronaut,

The crew make further data and power links between the Z1 truss and other modules.

The astronauts make their way back to the shuttle's airlock.

Natavey holds onto the side of the payload bay.

Jedrin poses at the back of the payload bay for a quick selfie.

The EVA members now make their way into Liberty to join the rest of the crew.

This will be their home for the next 2 months.

I hope you have enjoyed.

 

[davidy12]

How did I not see this sooner??? Love these alt. history timelines and I love Freedom Concepts!

[Jacktical]

Expedition 2 Departure: 5 September 1986

After a two month stay, Space Shuttle Explorer is ready to return home.

The crew coast for around 20 minutes before preparing for re-entry.

The flip around manoeuvre begins.

The Shuttle Landing Facility is now in sight.

"Touchdown."

The crew arrive home at 00:27AM.

I'm sorry its been so long since the last post. I've been busy messing around with something Red. I'm contemplating making another thread about it...

I hope you enjoyed.

Expedition 3 Coming Soon!

[crberus]

As always, eager to see further expansion to the station. Is it Mir-2 "something red"? Just blink if yes (but what of design iterations it could be...) 

[Jacktical]

12 hours ago, crberus said:

As always, eager to see further expansion to the station. Is it Mir-2 "something red"? Just blink if yes (but what of design iterations it could be...) 

Not quite...  

Something a lot bigger and a lot further away (That's all I'm going to say!)

[Jacktical]

STS-26 17 September 1986: Expedition 3 and SAW

Space Shuttle Endurance sits on pad 39A during the early hours of September 17th, only 12 days after Expedition 2 arrived back at Kennedy Space Center 

The sun has just come up. The wind speed is low the temperatures are currently quite mild. Hopefully it will warm up in the next few hours.

Technicians are finishing up final preps in the crew compartment and in the white room for the crew's arrival.

Expedition 3 will carry the first set of solar array wings (SAW) to the station to be temporarily installed on the Z1 Truss. Just one of these large solar arrays is capable of producing nearly 31 Kilowatts of power to Liberty.

"We have lift-off!"

                        

(I think this one above is so cool, you cannot tell me it doesn't look just like this real launch of endeavour!)

The crew rendezvous with Liberty on the 19th.

Final approach is made to PMA-2.

Docking is confirmed at 1:33PM EST.

Canadrone grabs onto the SAW's grapple fixture.

It was berthed to the Z1 truss a little over 25 minutes later.

An EVA is performed to make sure deployment of the wings goes as planned. The external storage pods were also used on this EVA to grab a screwdriver to tighten a loose screw on the Z1 antenna mount.

All went smoothly and the EVA members returned to the Shuttle before the crew-of-five entered the station for the next few months.

I hope you have enjoyed.

[Jacktical]

 

I'm baaaaaaack...

Sorry for such a long gap between the last post, I've been really busy with school and just haven't felt very motivated. But I'm back! And I hope to release the next mission in a few days  

[lemon cup]

@Jacktical
At least the groundskeeper at KSC has been keeping the grass nicely trimmed in your absence 

I was recently thinking about asking if you had anything else lined up for this! Still going forward with the Power Tower concept?

Edited November 30, 2021 by lemon cup

[Jacktical]

10 minutes ago, lemon cup said:

@Jacktical
At least the groundskeeper at KSC has been keeping the grass nicely trimmed in your absence 

I was recently thinking about asking if you had anything else lined up for this! Still going forward with the Power Tower concept?

Definitely! Tried out the power tower and it's going to be a complex challenge to overcome, but I'll give it my best go. Thanks for your interest in this, your a really big inspiration