No Shortage of Dreams | A KSP Skylab Alternative History

[DG1]

Let him cook

[TruthfulGnome]

 

Skylab 14 | SLM-13 | STS-21 | February 13-22 | 1985

 

Orbiter: OV-099 | Challenger

 

Entering the year 1985, Challenger starts it off with Phase 4 of the Skylab Reuse program with the delivery of the permanent Spacelab module. Built by the European Space Agency, this Spacelab module is modified for permanent attachment with Skylab, once Phase 4's goals are complete those of which include Science Pallet Spacelab installation, new airlock installation, and thermal shield wrap it will allow crew to stay onboard for months and crew rotations which haven't been seen since Skylab 2-4. Phase 4 will demonstrate key features in unmanned and manned technology for NASA.

 

After Skylab 14, Skylab 15 launched by Discovery which is the Orbiters first entry into the Skylab program will deliver the thermal shield wrap and strongback truss. The thermal shield will keep Skylab at a cool temperature and shield Skylab from solar activities, the strongback truss is for supporting the future Service Truss Platform on Skylab planned to begin construction in 1986, TRS spacecrafts will rendezvous with a satellite and dock it to STP allowing an easier platform for the servicing of satellites and removing the need of costly separate launches. NASA stated this platform will allow the servicing of the upcoming Hubble Space Telescope scheduled to launch within a year. Canada is also building a RMS for the STP.

 

With challenges arising for the USAF with their space program, SRB-X currently has higher than originally projected costs due to using a Centaur and Titan stage, this has brought Boeing to study a Next Generation Upper Stage for SRB-X hoping to reduce costs, the USAF has also stated that they hope SRB-X can help with future resupply missions to Skylab.

 

Challenger ready for a significant mission in America's space program with the Moon watching her.

 

 

 

 

 

Liftoff of Space Shuttle Challenger!

 

Challenger soaring on track to Skylab

 

 

 

 

 

Solid Rocket Booster separation.

 

Challenger starting her roll

 

 

 

External Tank separation nominal

 

Challenger's payload bay opens revealing the permanent Spacelab module.

 

 

 

Rendezvous burn.

 

Arrival at Skylab awaiting Spacelab deployment

 

 

 

TRS releases Spacelab and begins docking procedures

 

TRS docks Spacelab to MDIM and Challenger docks with Skylab. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TRS undocks and maneuvers to dock with PM for power transfer demonstrations, a key use in future Teleoperator servicing missions

 

 

 

View of the Spacelab module from Challenger's payload bay camera.

 

Undocking

 

 

 

 

 

Hours after departing from Skylab, Challenger landed smoothly at KSC SLF marking the end of Skylab 14. The achievements of this mission have been met with global applause as it has demonstrated a significant step in international cooperation.

Edited May 5, 2023 by TruthfulGnome

[LucalisIndustries]

this is going so coool!!!, theres some plan about using an ET as in the skylab reactivation plan?

[raptor-m]

Absolutely amazing this, I love it

[TruthfulGnome]

1 hour ago, LucalisIndustries said:

this is going so coool!!!, theres some plan about using an ET as in the skylab reactivation plan?

Possibly..

[LucalisIndustries]

1 minute ago, TruthfulGnome said:

Possibly..

interesting...

[Raptor22]

How did you get the new docking adapter module to look like that? The one included in BDB is far, far skinnier. I'm guessing that you kitbashed it together, but I can't find parts in BDB that would fit that size.

[TruthfulGnome]

 

Skylab 15 | SLM-14 | STS-22 | March 11-20 | 1985

The Coat

Happy 50th Skylab anniversary in our timeline! and one year of this thread!

 

 

Orbiter: OV-103 | Discovery 

 

Continuing shortly after Skylab 14, Space Shuttle Discovery will begin her first flight into the Skylab program helping speed up Skylab Reuse missions while Columbia is down for maintenance and onwards. On this mission Skylab 15 will deliver the fabric thermal shield and strong back truss, on EVA-1 Discovery's crew will begin attaching the strong back clamps to support the fabric shield and the future service truss. Once completing EVA-1, the crew will undeploy the famous parasol that once saved this faithful Skylab program from the OWS allowing shield wrapping. On EVA-2 the crew will begin stretching the shield around the OWS and tighten the cables to add rigidity to the structure. In the future if needed, this assembly will allow the attachment of LDEF experiment trays laid across the shield requiring EVAs with a Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU) to retrieve these trays, if NASA goes through with LDEF trays, the trays will have years of lifetime onboard the station. 

 

 

Martin Marietta has begun studying the possibility of docking an External Tank to the Skylab station as a technology demonstrator for the next space station after Skylab, the Orbiter would stay attached to the External Tank modified with a docking port in the LOX nose and berth to an APAS node, in this study Martin Marietta has also stated a Centaur stage could refuel at the ET and be reused for GEO or Lunar satellite missions.

 

 

Discovery in her unique livery awaiting her flight.

 

 

 

 

 

Liftoff of Space Shuttle Discovery! a new Orbiter in the Skylab program!

 

 

 

Pitch program.

 

 

 

 

 

Booster sep

 

 

 

 

 

Discovery belly down roll complete.

 

External Tank sep

 

Orbit circularization 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rendezvous burn

 

 

 

 

 

Soft dock

 

Hard dock to Skylab confirmed.

 

 

 

 

 

Parasol being undeployed from inside.

 

After parasol undeployment Discovery's crew will remain in Discovery as the OWS temps begin to rise.

 

 

 

Thermal shield and truss strong back attached to Skylab after EVA-2 

 

Skylab now returning to normal temperatures

 

 

 

Skylab's fresh coat

 

Discovery leaves Skylab and lands at Edwards Airforce Base shortly after ending a significant mission.

Edited May 15, 2023 by TruthfulGnome

[LucalisIndustries]

This is going hard, I can't wait to see what happens with the ET

[Raptor22]

How did you get the new thermal shield on there? Was it made with flags, or is it a development thing for BDB, or a custom part, or what?

[TruthfulGnome]

7 hours ago, Raptor22 said:

How did you get the new thermal shield on there? Was it made with flags, or is it a development thing for BDB, or a custom part, or what?

Edited the texture of curved solar panels 

[Raptor22]

On 5/15/2023 at 12:22 AM, LucalisIndustries said:

This is going hard, I can't wait to see what happens with the ET

If I recall correctly, they planned to use it as a hangar of sorts. So, I'm guessing they'd probably have some cutting done in orbit to remove one of the ends. Maybe they'd use the LH2 tank for the hangar and then the smaller LOX tank for a pressurized module for crews to work in. It could probably be done with Near Future Launch Vehicles' cargo bays - I was able to replicate a "close enough" sized structure with it. Though, the real problem is figuring out just how on earth it's supposed to attach to SkyLab; I haven't been able to find any drawings or anything anywhere that could give me a clue, so it will probably involve a fair amount of creativity from @TruthfulGnome- but, seeing how well the rest of their work has turned out so far, I have no doubt they can pull it off.

[Rutabaga22]

1 hour ago, Raptor22 said:

they planned to use it as a hangar of sorts

What would it be a hangar for? Docking can be done in the open. 

[TruthfulGnome]

6 hours ago, Raptor22 said:

If I recall correctly, they planned to use it as a hangar of sorts. So, I'm guessing they'd probably have some cutting done in orbit to remove one of the ends. Maybe they'd use the LH2 tank for the hangar and then the smaller LOX tank for a pressurized module for crews to work in. It could probably be done with Near Future Launch Vehicles' cargo bays - I was able to replicate a "close enough" sized structure with it. Though, the real problem is figuring out just how on earth it's supposed to attach to SkyLab; I haven't been able to find any drawings or anything anywhere that could give me a clue, so it will probably involve a fair amount of creativity from @TruthfulGnome- but, seeing how well the rest of their work has turned out so far, I have no doubt they can pull it off.

From all of the studies I've seen I have not seen a mention of the ET being used as a hangar and as of currently I don't have plans for it being used as an hangar but I do have some fun things in mind.

4 hours ago, Rutabaga22 said:

What would it be a hangar for? Docking can be done in the open. 

A hangar would mostly protect said spacecrafts inside 

[LucalisIndustries]

20 hours ago, Raptor22 said:

If I recall correctly, they planned to use it as a hangar of sorts. So, I'm guessing they'd probably have some cutting done in orbit to remove one of the ends. Maybe they'd use the LH2 tank for the hangar and then the smaller LOX tank for a pressurized module for crews to work in

this is so crazy that i absolutely love it

[LucalisIndustries]

15 hours ago, TruthfulGnome said:

From all of the studies I've seen I have not seen a mention of the ET being used as a hangar and as of currently I don't have plans for it being used as an hangar but I do have some fun things in mind

oh, well, anyways it gonna be interesting!!

[Raptor22]

19 hours ago, TruthfulGnome said:

From all of the studies I've seen I have not seen a mention of the ET being used as a hangar and as of currently I don't have plans for it being used as an hangar but I do have some fun things in mind.

A hangar would mostly protect said spacecrafts inside 

I've seen it mentioned in a document about general repurposing of the shuttle's tank, among other things like using it for the body of a space telescope or as an orbital fuel depot, along with the aft cargo carrier concept. I have seen some mentions in the BDB documentation about a shuttle external tank with Skylab.

For general tank reuse stuff, I recommend reading through the Space Studies Institute's report on it: https://ssi.org/reading/ssi-report-on-tank-applications/ 
If that page is awkward to read it on, here's just a normal PDF version: https://ssi.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/ssi_externaltanks_gimarc.pdf

There's also plenty of things on the No Shortage Of Dreams blog (IIRC earlier you said this had no relation with it) that talk about ET utilization: https://spaceflighthistory.blogspot.com/2023/03/space-shuttle-external-tank-et.html

And via Astronautix: http://www.astronautix.com/s/stsexternaltankstation.html

Judging by the graphics you used in the post above with the new solar shield, I'm betting you've read this document, but if you haven't: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19790011998/downloads/19790011998.pdf It's worth reading!

[TruthfulGnome]

1 hour ago, Raptor22 said:

I've seen it mentioned in a document about general repurposing of the shuttle's tank, among other things like using it for the body of a space telescope or as an orbital fuel depot, along with the aft cargo carrier concept. I have seen some mentions in the BDB documentation about a shuttle external tank with Skylab.

For general tank reuse stuff, I recommend reading through the Space Studies Institute's report on it: https://ssi.org/reading/ssi-report-on-tank-applications/ 
If that page is awkward to read it on, here's just a normal PDF version: https://ssi.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/ssi_externaltanks_gimarc.pdf

There's also plenty of things on the No Shortage Of Dreams blog (IIRC earlier you said this had no relation with it) that talk about ET utilization: https://spaceflighthistory.blogspot.com/2023/03/space-shuttle-external-tank-et.html

And via Astronautix: http://www.astronautix.com/s/stsexternaltankstation.html

Judging by the graphics you used in the post above with the new solar shield, I'm betting you've read this document, but if you haven't: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19790011998/downloads/19790011998.pdf It's worth reading!

Thanks I have already seen these but I will give them a read again! still have only seen the ET used as a tech demo on Skylab and not a hangar

[Raptor22]

1 hour ago, TruthfulGnome said:

Thanks I have already seen these but I will give them a read again! still have only seen the ET used as a tech demo on Skylab and not a hangar

There is a VERY rough diagram of the ET attaching to Skylab (literally just shown as a rectangle) on page 67 / III-23 of the SSI external tank applications paper (the first one I linked). From what I'm seeing, the pressurized attachment would be made from a module in the aft cargo container on the bottom of the ET, and looking at the shuttle attachment hardware, it seems that it would be attached shuttle side away from the station - my guess is that the shuttle docks it in position there before detaching and then docking to the normal docking port on the front of the station.

There's not a whole lot of detail, so you'll likely have to improvise a lot. Though, it at least gives a good idea of how ENORMOUS the ET would be and how much it could add to the station.

Here's a few other images for reference:

Spoiler

It looks like they had some plans to re-use Centaurs as OTVs. Some of the hangar concepts are able to pressurize, while others don't.

The Near Future Launch Vehicles cargo nose cone would be a good option for having the front of it open up as a hangar, or you could rotate it 180 degrees and have it come out the aft. I'd like to see what your creativity can do!

Edited May 22, 2023 by Raptor22

[TruthfulGnome]

Skylab 16 | SLM-15 | STS-24 | June 17 - 27 | 1985

 

 

 

Orbiter: OV-103 | Discovery

 

 

With Discovery's first flight in the Skylab program ending in high success, she is ready to take to the skies again for another mission to Skylab. On this mission, Discovery's crew will deploy a TRS (Teleoperator Retrieval System) based satellite into orbit attached to an IUS stage and dock to Skylab to perform sciences and experiments days later. In other developments, the airlock intended to be attached to the Skylab station in 1986 has faced problems and has been pushed back to 1987 and SRB-X is promised to launch in 1989.

Due to the publics' previous worry with Apollo 13 and Apollo era Skylab missions and the current goals of NASA to send crew onboard Skylab for months without an escape vehicle docked at the station with Shuttle launches for crew rotations, many are raising safety concerns around this however, NASA states it is a simpler, more efficient and cheaper option.

 

 

 

Discovery as she awaits her launch.

 

 

 

Discovery nearing liftoff time.

 

Liftoff of Discovery!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ascent and SRB sep

 

Roll over

 

ET sep

 

 

 

Discovery's doors open revealing the IUS stage

 

 

 

IUS erected and ready for deployment

 

 

 

IUS deployment

 

 

 

 

 

TRS based satellite gliding on IUS awaiting solid ignition.

 

Ignition

 

TRS based satellite deployment

 

 

 

 

 

Rendezvous burn to Skylab

 

Discovery approaching her station

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Soft docking

 

Hard lock and dock to Skylab's MDIM adapter

 

Skylab in her new position of pointing the forward APAS unit down towards Earth

 

Skylab seen with her new coat

 

 

 

 

 

Discovery undocks from Skylab

 

 

 

 

 

Discovery lands at Edwards Air Force Base and finishes off another mission.

[LucalisIndustries]

4 hours ago, TruthfulGnome said:

without an escape vehicle docked at the station

talking about relatively bad ideas...

 

anyways, I loved this chapter, I can't wait for the next one

[Raptor22]

On 6/20/2023 at 6:08 PM, LucalisIndustries said:

talking about relatively bad ideas...

 

anyways, I loved this chapter, I can't wait for the next one

Perhaps they can have a stripped-down Apollo (Maybe a Block III?) carried up in the Shuttle's cargo bay and berthed to the zenith port of Skylab? IIRC, back in the early days of planning Space Station Freedom and later the ISS, there were proposals for reviving the Apollo capsule as an Assured Crew Return Vehicle to be kept at the station; its role was later replaced by Soyuz.

There was another ESA proposal for a scaled-up Apollo that held 8 crew and had a funky Soyuz-Alike system with no service module below it, but rather a small one above it that had the docking adapter and propulsion, and would be jettisoned before re-entry. It would have looked something like this:

Note the manipulator grapple nodes located on it. It seems that it would have used a CBM docking port, which Skylab here doesn't have.

The easiest option, IMO, would be having a Block III Apollo carried inside the Shuttle's cargo bay. It uses a roughly 1/3 to 1/2 sized Service Module, which is enough for short orbital jaunts (perhaps to another nearby station and back? IIRC, during the beginning of Mir, a Soyuz was used to carry crew from Mir to Salyut 7, grab some equipment, return back to Mir with it, and then return to Earth), or for returning back down to Earth / Kerbin.

Just attach some manipulator grapple nodes on there - or, optionally, fly it unmanned out of the orbiter's cargo bay - and dock it to Skylab.  With the position that the shuttle docks at, it would be incredibly easy to move it from the bay to the zenith port, since the bay would be directly facing it.  Using the 5-seat pod, it could be used such that a crew can remain on the station continuously; 7 astronauts can launch on the first shuttle up with it, and 5 stay behind while 2 return. Each launch after, five swap out with five new ones, and 7 return back. With the Apollo Crew Return Vehicle docked there, the 5 full-time crew can stay there until the next shuttle arrives, with the assurance that they can evacuate the station and return back home at any time using the ACRV.

Currently, that port is either empty or used for holding the TRS, but seeing as the Power Tower has four structural docking nodes (which currently aren't used for anything), and the TRS doesn't require a pressurized connection, any future stowage of one could probably be put up there, allowing the Crew Return Vehicle to occupy the remaining Apollo-Era cone-and-drogue port.

[ninthninja05]

On 6/22/2023 at 5:33 PM, Raptor22 said:

Perhaps they can have a stripped-down Apollo (Maybe a Block III?) carried up in the Shuttle's cargo bay and berthed to the zenith port of Skylab? IIRC, back in the early days of planning Space Station Freedom and later the ISS, there were proposals for reviving the Apollo capsule as an Assured Crew Return Vehicle to be kept at the station; its role was later replaced by Soyuz.

There was another ESA proposal for a scaled-up Apollo that held 8 crew and had a funky Soyuz-Alike system with no service module below it, but rather a small one above it that had the docking adapter and propulsion, and would be jettisoned before re-entry. It would have looked something like this:

Note the manipulator grapple nodes located on it. It seems that it would have used a CBM docking port, which Skylab here doesn't have.

The easiest option, IMO, would be having a Block III Apollo carried inside the Shuttle's cargo bay. It uses a roughly 1/3 to 1/2 sized Service Module, which is enough for short orbital jaunts (perhaps to another nearby station and back? IIRC, during the beginning of Mir, a Soyuz was used to carry crew from Mir to Salyut 7, grab some equipment, return back to Mir with it, and then return to Earth), or for returning back down to Earth / Kerbin.

Just attach some manipulator grapple nodes on there - or, optionally, fly it unmanned out of the orbiter's cargo bay - and dock it to Skylab.  With the position that the shuttle docks at, it would be incredibly easy to move it from the bay to the zenith port, since the bay would be directly facing it.  Using the 5-seat pod, it could be used such that a crew can remain on the station continuously; 7 astronauts can launch on the first shuttle up with it, and 5 stay behind while 2 return. Each launch after, five swap out with five new ones, and 7 return back. With the Apollo Crew Return Vehicle docked there, the 5 full-time crew can stay there until the next shuttle arrives, with the assurance that they can evacuate the station and return back home at any time using the ACRV.

Currently, that port is either empty or used for holding the TRS, but seeing as the Power Tower has four structural docking nodes (which currently aren't used for anything), and the TRS doesn't require a pressurized connection, any future stowage of one could probably be put up there, allowing the Crew Return Vehicle to occupy the remaining Apollo-Era cone-and-drogue port.

Scott Manley did a video on the various ACRV proposals. The pic he used for the Apollo variant looked a lot like the Block III Apollo, so I agree it would be a good stand-in. https://youtu.be/82YHM12n2JI

He mentioned the Apollo ACRV at 7:55.

Edited June 24, 2023 by ninthninja05

[TruthfulGnome]

Although it's cool, with limited funding and no options to buy flights from others until the mid 90s there is very very little chance of an ACRV happening at least for Skylab

[Raptor22]

16 hours ago, TruthfulGnome said:

Although it's cool, with limited funding and no options to buy flights from others until the mid 90s there is very very little chance of an ACRV happening at least for Skylab

If the Challenger disaster happens in your timeline (Judging by the fact that Challenger disaster happened on January 28, 1986, and the fact that you're up to June 1985, with flights every 3 months or so, then the 2nd flight after this would line up with Challenger), would that change their decision to have the ACRV? Or, if they don't want to invest in resurrecting the Apollo capsule for an ACRV, have Soyuz come and dock with the station? After all, if you have the Challenger disaster happen in your alternative timeline, there'd be a 21 month period (Jan 28, 1986 to October 3, 1988) where Skylab would be inaccessible. 

Plus, if there was enough funding to re-activate Skylab, add three major modules to it, add a new sun shield, and who knows how much equipment inside of it... surely they'd earmark some funds to have a lifeboat, right? 

Or, who knows. If you really want to cut corners, you could use the "KOOSE" mod's ELK system to replicate the use of the real-world proposed MOOSE (Man Out Of Space Easiest) system.

I've used it from time to time, and you have to be very precise about your attitude control to prevent the Kerbal from burning up, but it works if you want a life boat on a shoestring budget.