International Manned Laboratory: Imaginary Space Station Inspired by International Skylab

[D0m1nu2]

Introduction

Hey, I would like to welcome you here! This Space Station was inspired by Kevin Gustafson's series about International Skylab. After seeing it I decied to create my own version of IS. It will not be exact copy of IS but there will be some similar things to IS. I really like to recreate space stations in KSP, before IML built whole Mir station and currently I'm recreating all ISS missions like in real life, I already got to the end of 2016 but now I'm taking break from ISS recreation. 

First parts of IML. It's going to expand more over years.

 

Mods

The main bits are:

• Raidernick's mods: Skylab, Salyut Stations, Soviet Rockets, Soyuz spacecraft and US Rockets
• Principia
• Real Solar System
• Realism Overhaul
• RSS-CanaveralHD and Canaveral Pads
• Procedural Parts
• BDB
• Tantares

Note: As of now, I am playing in 1.10.1 because RO/RSS doesn't support newer versions - I will say when I switch to 1.12

Here's the Full modlist as of November 1st:

Spoiler

ClickThroughBlocker - 0.1.10.15
Filter Extensions - 3.2.6
Harmony - 2.0.4
KSPBurst - 1.5.5.1
Toolbar - 1.8.0.5
ToolbarControl - 0.1.9.4
KSP-Recall - 0.2.0.6
AECS_Motion_Suppressor - 1.3.3
Advanced Jet Engine - 2.18
Ambient Light Adjustment - 2.6.3.8
Stack Inline Lights (SIL) - 0.8
AtmosphereAutopilot - 1.5.17
Aviation Lights - 4.1.2
B9 Part Switch - 2.17
BD Animation Modules - 0.6.6
Benjee10Suits - 1.0
Bluedog Design Bureau - 1.8.1
CameraTools - 1.17
CanaveralPads - 1.1
Community Category Kit - 5.2
Community Resource Pack - 1.4.2
ConformalDecals - 0.2.8
Connected Living Space - 2.0.0.6
CustomPrelaunchChecks - 1.8.1.1
Deadly Reentry - 7.9
DistantObjectEnhancement - 2.0.2
DockingCamKURS - 1.3.8.2
Easy Vessel Switch - 2.1.7366.39779
Environmental Visual Enhancements - Redux - 1.11.3.1
Ferram Aerospace Research - 0.16.0.2
Firespitter - 7.17
FShangarExtender - 3.6.0.1
HullcamVDSContinued - 0.2.0.1
HumanStuff - 1.3.1
JanitorsCloset - 0.3.7.7
RasterPropMonitor - 0.31.5
KAS - 1.7.7516.37663
Kerbalism - 3.14
Kerbal Joint Reinforcement - 3.5.2
KerbalKonstructs - 1.8.3
HyperEdit - 1.5.8
Kerbal Inventory System - 1.26.7504.42051
Kopernicus - 1.12.1.59
kOS - 1.3.2
Kosmodrome - 1.1
KramaxAutoPilotContinued - 0.4
KronalVesselViewer - 0.1.1
KSC Switcher - 2.0
KSP-AVC Plugin - 1.4.1.5
KSPWheel - 0.16.14.33
ModularFlightIntegrator - 1.2.7
Docking Port Alignment Indicator - 6.9.1
NearFutureProps - 0.6.4
PatchManager - 0.0.17.2
PlanetShine - 0.2.6.3
Procedural Fairings - 6.1
QuickIVA - 1.3.0.7
RCS Build Aid - 1.0.3
RealAntennas - 2.1
RealChute - 1.4.8
RealFuels - 13.3.1
Real Heat - 5.1
RealismOverhaul - 14.6
RealSolarSystem - 18.1.5
ReentryParticleEffectRenewed - 1.9.1.1
ReStock - 1.2.1
ReStockPlus - 1.2.1
ROCapsules - 1.5.3
ROEngines - 1.8.2
RSS-CanaveralHD - 1.0
RSSDateTime - 1.10.1
Shabby - 0.0.0.6
Simple Adjustable Fairings - Plugin - 1.12
SolverEngines - 3.11
ButtonManager - 0.0.1.1
SpaceTuxLibrary - 0.0.6.1
VesselModuleSave - 0.0.1.2
Surface Mounted Lights - 1.19.7854.4854
TextureReplacer - 4.5.2
ThroughTheEyes - 2.0.3
TrackingLights - 0.0.2.1
Kerbal Alarm Clock - 3.13
TexturesUnlimitedFX - 1.0.2.3
Tundra Space Center - 2.0.2
TweakScale - 2.4.5.9
VaporVent - 1.1.11
WASDEditorCameraContinued - 0.7.0.1
Waterfall - 0.6.7
ZeroMiniAVC - 1.1.0.2

 

My Inspiration:

• Kevin Gustafson and his amazing video series about Skylab, International Skylab, Mir and ISS.
• @AmateurAstronaut1969 and his recreation of Freedom Station
• @Jacktical and their awesome series on the IRL concept of Space Station Freedom that goes by the name of Space Station Liberty
• @Kuiper_Belt and his amazing recreation of ISS

 

Missions:

Here is sheet of missions: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/15KqxBlGhPIZGjXyhS7G0sBkqKcARwTeU/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=116076471860135443825&rtpof=true&sd=true

They will be updated as times goes on.
Some things about sheet:

• All times are in UTC.
• Soyuz/TKS - A means Soyuz/TKS has APAS docking port
• Dynasoar -
  • UR> Uncrewed Resupply
  • CR> Crewed Resupply

 

I would like to thank everyone for support!

Edited December 1, 2021 by D0m1nu2

[D0m1nu2]

Skylab - May 14, 1973.

 

Skylab is the first module of IML. Becuase of this reason solar panels has been doubled so it can support more modules that will be docked to IML in future. Skylab is specially redesigned 3rd stage of Saturn V launched vehichle.

Skylab  and upcoming mission Skylab 2 on launchpads 39A and 39B night before launch.

Saturn V with Skylab lifted-off shortly after 17:30pm UTC . 

2 minutes and 8 seconds into the flight center F-1 engine is shutted down to lower acceleration.

T+2:50, S-IC separates from second stage.

Shortly after separation 5 J-2 engine are lit up and skirt is jettisoned.

T+9:09, engine on second stage shutted down. 30 seconds later Skylab was separated with final orbit 52° inclanation. 445km apogee and 430km perigee.

 

Upcoming launch: Skylab 2 with first crew of IML.

Edited October 1, 2021 by D0m1nu2
visual edit

[Wubslin]

Nice! You should try bringing up some Soyuz boats and doing some flyarounds to show all the angles of the station off.

[D0m1nu2]

3 minutes ago, Wubslin said:

Nice! You should try bringing up some Soyuz boats and doing some flyarounds to show all the angles of the station off.

Soyuz comes next after Skylab 2

[Jacktical]

This looks great! I'm excited to see where you take this  You've earned yourself a follow.

[D0m1nu2]

1 hour ago, Jacktical said:

This looks great! I'm excited to see where you take this  You've earned yourself a follow.

Thanks! I'm really happy you like it.

[D0m1nu2]

Skylab 2 - May 20, 1973

Skylab 2 is first crewed mission to IML, Union Docking Node was launched together with Apollo CSM. Union Docking Node will allow docking of Soyuz and TKS spacecraft. On Starboard side it has SSVP Female docking port, on Port side it has APAS-95 which will be used by Soyuz and later by US vehichle and possible also Space Shuttle.

Litoff of Skylab 2!

Apollo spacecraft and Union module few meters from Skylab.

Day after the docking, astronaut Pete Conrad deployed antennas on Union module during EVA #1.

 

Next mission: Soyuz 16-A.

Edited October 2, 2021 by D0m1nu2

[D0m1nu2]

Soyuz 16-A - June 7, 1973

Soyuz 16-A launched from launchpad 1/5 Gagarin's start at Baikonur cosmdrome at 12:47am UTC. This is first Soviet crewed mission to IML. On-board of Soyuz 16-A are cosmonauts Anatoly Filipchenko and Nikolai Rukavishnikov. The A in name means that Soyuz has APAS insted of SSVP.

Soyuz 16-A on launchpad 40 minutes before launch

Liftoff of Soyuz 16-A!

Fairing jettison

Soyuz separated from 3rd stage

After normal 2 day rendezvou Soyuz 16-A reaches it's destination... IML!

Few meters from docking port.

Hard capture!

 

Next mission: TKS 2.

Edited October 2, 2021 by D0m1nu2

[D0m1nu2]

TKS 2 - June 15, 1973

TKS 2 launched from LC81/24 at Baikonur cosmodrome. This is second uncrewed test flight of TKS spacecraft. It carries food and water supplies and also fuel for Soyuz 16-A.

Launch of TKS2

Separation from 3rd stage of Proton launch vehichle.

After only 21 hour rendezvous, TKS reaches IML station.

and docking

 

Next mission: Progress 2-A

Skylab 2 Return

10 days after TKS 2 docked to IML, Skylab 2 undocks to return back on Earth.

Skylab 2 performed flyaroud of IML after undocking to take picture of IML.



After few hours and de-orbit burn, Command Module is separated from Service module.

On May 20, 1973 2:46pm splashes down near Mexico.

Edited October 3, 2021 by D0m1nu2

[D0m1nu2]

Progress 2-A - September 15, 1973

 

Progress 2-A launch at 12:50am from Gagarin's start at Baikonur Cosmodrome on Soyuz-U rocket. Progress 2-A was second flight of Progress spacecraft, it carries food and water supplies for IML.


Launch of Progress 2-A



After only 22 hours Progress reaches Skylab

At 11:35pm Progress docks to Skylab Nadir 1 port



Next mission: Skylab 3

 

Soyuz 16-A Return

At 8:20am on 23rd September 1973, Soyuz 16-A with Anatoly Filipchenko and Nikolai Rukavishnikov on-board undocked from IML. To return back on Earth.

Due to electricity issue on service module, orbital module had to be decoupled after de-orbit burn insted of leaving it in orbit.

At 11:09am Soyuz lands on Earth

 

Progress 2-A re-entry

Progress 2-A undocked from ILM at 2:00pm, after 2 hours it burned up in atmopshere.

Edited October 3, 2021 by D0m1nu2

[Kerbal Productions]

They say pictures are worth a thousand words, but I say pictures are worth a TOTM (Thread of the Month) Nomination.

Looks great! 

[D0m1nu2]

4 hours ago, Kerbal Productions said:

They say pictures are worth a thousand words, but I say pictures are worth a TOTM (Thread of the Month) Nomination.

Looks great! 

Thanks! I'm really happy somoene likes it.

 

[Kuiper_Belt]

I've been loving the series so far! I'm impressed with all of this being conducted in RSS! I would always have trouble in real scale due to lack of competence lack of struts . This series actually helped solidify my desire for me to make a RSS install again! Keep up the great work!

Edited October 4, 2021 by Kuiper_Belt

[D0m1nu2]

16 hours ago, Kuiper_Belt said:

I've been loving the series so far! I'm impressed with all of this being conducted in RSS! I would always have trouble in real scale due to lack of competence lack of struts . This series actually helped solidify my desire for me to make a RSS install again! Keep up the great work!

Thanks! 
RSS/RO is awesome, I play it all the time and I never get bored, so you should play it.

 

[D0m1nu2]

Skylab 3 - October 10, 1973

 

Skylab 3 launched from pad LC39B at Cape Canaveral with Alan L. Bean, Owen K. Garriott and Jack R. Lousma on board. Inside Apollo spacecraft module adapter there was ADA- APAS Docking Adapter, which will be docked to APAS port on Union module, Skylab 3, 4 and 5 will dock to it, then it will be removed to allow dock for Soyuz, TKS and Progress spacecraft.

Skylab 3 launch.

After 2 days Apollo reached IML.

At 12:15am on 12th October, Skylab 3 docked.

 

Next mission: Soyuz 17

 

Raduga
2 weeks after Skylab 3 launch, Soviet Union launched geostationary satellite called Raduga it was launched on Proton LV with Blok D stage.

 

Skylab 3 return

After 112 days docked to IML, Skylab 3 undocked and returned back on Earth.

[D0m1nu2]

TKS 2 return

TKS 2 was first planned to return after about 100 days but due to good health of spacecraft ground tems decided to test it for longer. Finally on February 4 1974 TKS 2 undocked from IML

De-orbit burn

VA Capsule separation

Re-entry

Due to software issue parachutes were cut too early and VA capsule splashed down at speed of 120m/s which destroyed the spacecraft.

 

Soyuz 17 - February 16, 1974

Soyuz 17 was launched from launchpad 1/1 Gagarin's Start at Baikonur Cosmodrome with Aleksei Gubarev and Georgi Grechko on board. Soyuz 17 is first spacecraft to test fast rendezvous.

Launch of Soyuz 17

After only 4 hours Soyuz 17 got to IML

 

Next mission: Progress 3-A

Edited October 19, 2021 by D0m1nu2

[D0m1nu2]

Progress 3-A - March 28, 1974

Progress 3-A was launch on Soyuz-U rocket from Baikonur cosmodrome. It carries food, water and lithium hydroxide supplies.


Launch occured at 11:46am from launchpad 1/5 Gagarin's Start.

After 1 and half day flying alone Progress successfuly reached IML.


 

View from Soyuz 17 on-board camera

 

Soyuz 17 return

After 3 months Soyuz 17 undocked from Union Starboard docking port leaving IML uncrewed for some time before Soyuz 18 docks to station.

Orbital module separation before de-orbit burn.

Instrument module separation shortly before re-entry.

After re-entry Soyuz deploys drogue and later main chute to softly land near Baikonur.

Next mission: Salyut 4

[lemon cup]

On 10/2/2021 at 6:34 AM, D0m1nu2 said:

Skylab 2 undocks

Love this shot! Did you get this by integrating an IVA from another mod?

And I am really digging the design of your Union module 

[D0m1nu2]

On 10/31/2021 at 5:45 PM, lemon cup said:

Love this shot! Did you get this by integrating an IVA from another mod?

And I am really digging the design of your Union module 

Thanks!
This IVA comes with RO Capsules Apollo module.

[BekfastDerp13]

Looks amazing!

[OrbitalMechanic]

This is great work! DIdn't even know about the series that inspired this, so thanks for introducing me to that!

[D0m1nu2]

2 hours ago, BekfastDerp13 said:

Looks amazing!

 

2 hours ago, OrbitalMechanic said:

This is great work! DIdn't even know about the series that inspired this, so thanks for introducing me to that!

Thanks! I'm really happy you like it!

[D0m1nu2]

Salyut 4 - August 5, 1974

Salyut 4 was launched on 5th August from LC-81 at Baikonur cosmodrome on Proton rocket. 

Fairing jettison

3rd stage separation from Salyut 4 station.

At T+00:45 Salyut 4 deployes it's solar panels shortly after orbit circulization burn done by engines on station.

Salyut 4 will now stay in 380/378km orbit and wait until Soyuz 18 arrives to perform checks before it can rendezvous and dock with IML.

Next mission: Soyuz 18

[D0m1nu2]

Soyuz 18 - August 7, 1974

2 days after Salyut 4 launch, Soyuz 18 launches from Baikonur cosmodrome with really hard mission for them... Pyotr Klimuk and Vitaly Sevastyanov will have to rendezvous and dock to Salyut 4, check and activate on-board system and then they will have to rendezvous and dock with IML.

At 8:38am Soyuz 18 was launched.

After 10 minutes Soyuz is separated from third stage of Soyuz-U rocket.

Thanks to perfect planning (totally not random) after only 2 and 40 minutes Soyuz get to Salyut 4 station.

After another few minutes Soyuz 18 sucesfully docks with Salyut 4.

After air check Pyotr performs short 2 hour EVA to check exterior of station. During EVA there were no issues found so crew could safely activate all onboard system.

16 hours into the mission crew of Soyuz 18 is instructed to undock from Salyut 4 and prepare for rendezvous with IML.

After really short 1 hour free flight Soyuz 18 gets to IML.

At 3:48am on 8th August Soyuz 18 successfuly docks to Union Starboard SSVP port.

 

Next mission: TKS 3-A

[D0m1nu2]

Salyut 4 docking 
Few days after Soyuz 20 left Salyut 4 it performed rendezvous maneuver and 45 minutes later crew of Soyuz 4 got view of Salyut 4 from IML station.

When Salyut 4 got to about 200 meters from IML Vitaly took control of it and started to slowly get closer to docking port on Union docking node.

View from on-board camera.

Few minutes after Salyut 4 successfuly docked to IML!



TKS 3-A launch and docking tommorow!