Beyond: Kerbalkind's History of Space Exploration

[Kerbalsaurus]

'SKYFALL' CENTRIFUGE MODULE - YEAR 3, DAY 176

You spin me right round....

Expected to be done much later than now, an RBS sits on the launchpad ready to launch the next module of Kerman Station just two days after the launch of Expedition 5! Skyfall Industries' Centrifuge Module is a state of the art spacecraft, more advanced than anything launched into space before. As the name suggests, the module is in fact a centrifuge. But why's this so important? Kerbals ride on centrifuges in training all the time?

Well, this module will produce a concept long thought theoretical: artificial gravity. And learning and mastering this art is important for future missions to Duna. Kerbals will be spending upwards of 4 YEARS in space according to some estimates. The effect this would have on a Kerbal is insane. Bone and muscle atrophy is a huge issue when it comes to long term spaceflight. This new module is an important step towards future interplanetary exploration, and Beyond is proud to be working with several industries on the forefront of this development! Now , enough with the implications and stuff, let's light this... lantern?

"Liftoff on the RBS, carrying Skyfall to Kerman Station!" - Gene Kerman (CAPCOM)

"Successful startup and ignition on the S3-KS25X4 engine *phew*. Go for orbit." - Gene Kerman (CAPCOM)

"Successful deployment of the module! Switching control of the RBS to EDL teams. Good luck fellas" - Gene Kerman (CAPCOM)

I'd like to say that the RBS landing went well...

...

I forgot to turn on RCS on descent through the atmosphere, and the booster ended up streaking through the atmosphere. By the time we got to safe altitudes to deploy the chutes, the rocket was simply moving too fast for the parachutes to deploy in time. The booster smacked into the ocean full speed, and the booster was no more. Rest in pieces, RBS-003.

Back in orbit, the centrifuge module continues its standard business, and due to the advantageous position of the launch, the module is able to head off to Kerman Station only 20 minutes after liftoff!

"We are off to Kerman Station!" - Gene Kerman (CAPCOM)

"Starting breaking burn." - Chris Kerman (Engines)

And the centrifuge module successfully with Kerman Station! However, there's still work to be done before we can deploy it. Dalong Kerman goes on an EVA to oversee deployment of the module from the outside, as well as prep the station for said deployment. First, the solar panels aboard the Harmony module are retracted. The procedure wasn't too difficult.

After, that, Dalong Kerman heads over to the Skyfall Module and oversees its deployment, which goes...

...absolutely flawless! Dalong heads back into the airlock, and she, along with the rest of her crewmates, checks out the inside. They say it's bizarre to see Kerbin right below them yet still feel the same gravity. But to them, the comfort of gravity a welcome addition to Kerman Station.

Kerman Station is really starting to take shape now! Beyond sends its congratulations to @SkyFall2489 Kerman and the entirety of Skyfall Industries for their contribution to spaceflight, and we hope to work closely with you all in the future!

"The view from this module is tremendous!" - Jedsted Kerman

Edited January 14 by Kerbalsaurus
The newest page on the forum (at the time of writing this)!

[Kimera Industries]

Are the crew modules connected directly to the (I assume) inflatable airlocks? How was that achieved? Are they instead attached to pistons that extend at the same time as the airlocks?

[Watermel00n]

31 minutes ago, Kerbalsaurus said:

The booster smacked into the ocean full speed, and the booster was no more. Rest in pieces, RBS-003.

womp womp

We will be sending a replacement sooner or later. Hopefully this doesn't occur again.

[Kimera Industries]

11 minutes ago, Watermel00n said:

Hopefully this doesn't occur again.

Important breakthrough: quicksaves.  

[Kerbalsaurus]

37 minutes ago, Kimera Industries said:

Are the crew modules connected directly to the (I assume) inflatable airlocks? How was that achieved? Are they instead attached to pistons that extend at the same time as the airlocks?

@SkyFall2489 provided a download for the module. You can download it and look at the mechanisms yourself, as I barely understand robotics.

And I forgot to quicksave. 

Edited December 5, 2023 by Kerbalsaurus

[SkyFall2489]

1 hour ago, Kerbalsaurus said:

'SKYFALL' CENTRIFUGE MODULE - YEAR 3, DAY 176

You spin me right round....

Expected to be done much later than now, an RBS sits on the launchpad ready to launch the next module of Kerman Station just two days after the launch of Expedition 5! Skyfall Industries' Centrifuge Module is a state of the art spacecraft, more advanced than anything launched into space before. As the name suggests, the module is in fact a centrifuge. But why's this so important? Kerbals ride on centrifuges in training all the time?

Well, this module will produce a concept long thought theoretical: artificial gravity. And learning and mastering this art is important for future missions to Duna. Kerbals will be spending upwards of 4 YEARS in space according to some estimates. The effect this would have on a Kerbal is insane. Bone and muscle atrophy is a huge issue when it comes to long term spaceflight. This new module is an important step towards future interplanetary exploration, and Beyond is proud to be working with several industries on the forefront of this development! Now , enough with the implications and stuff, let's light this... lantern?

"Liftoff on the RBS, carrying Skyfall to Kerman Station!" - Gene Kerman (CAPCOM)

"Successful startup and ignition on the S3-KS25X4 engine *phew*. Go for orbit." - Gene Kerman (CAPCOM)

"Successful deployment of the module! Switching control of the RBS to EDL teams. Good luck fellas" - Gene Kerman (CAPCOM)

I'd like to say that the RBS landing went well...

...

I forgot to turn on RCS on descent through the atmosphere, and the booster ended up streaking through the atmosphere. By the time we got to safe altitudes to deploy the chutes, the rocket was simply moving too fast for the parachutes to deploy in time. The booster smacked into the ocean full speed, and the booster was no more. Rest in pieces, RBS-003.

Back in orbit, the centrifuge module continues its standard business, and due to the advantageous position of the launch, the module is able to head off to Kerman Station only 20 minutes after liftoff!

"We are off to Kerman Station!" - Gene Kerman (CAPCOM)

"Starting breaking burn." - Chris Kerman (Engines)

And the centrifuge module successfully with Kerman Station! However, there's still work to be done before we can deploy it. Dalong Kerman goes on an EVA to oversee deployment of the module from the outside, as well as prep the station for said deployment. First, the solar panels aboard the Harmony module are retracted. The procedure wasn't too difficult.

After, that, Dalong Kerman heads over to the Skyfall Module and oversees its deployment, which goes...

...the deployment was absolutely flawless! Dalong heads back into the airlock, and she, along with the rest of here crewmates, checks out the inside. They say it's bizarre to see Kerbin right below them and still experiencing the same gravity. But to them, the comfort of gravity a welcome addition to Kerman Station.

Kerman Station is really starting to take shape now! Beyond sends its congratulations to @SkyFall2489 Kerman and the entirety of Skyfall Industries for their contribution to spaceflight, and we hope to work closely with you all in the future!

"The view from this module is tremendous!" - Jedsted Kerman

Module looks great! I never tried the thing out with ReStock, glad to see it doesn't looks horribly clipped in some way.

  

1 hour ago, Kimera Industries said:

Are the crew modules connected directly to the (I assume) inflatable airlocks? How was that achieved? Are they instead attached to pistons that extend at the same time as the airlocks?

yep, there's pistons in there. The airlocks don't actually do anything, structurally.

[Kimera Industries]

Just now, SkyFall2489 said:

yep, there's pistons in there. The airlocks don't actually do anything, structurally.

Cool. Definitely looks good. The only disadvantage I could think of is that it doesn't work in FreeIVA. It bugs me how the airlock doesn't have an attachment node on both ends.

[SkyFall2489]

1 minute ago, Kimera Industries said:

Cool. Definitely looks good. The only disadvantage I could think of is that it doesn't work in FreeIVA. It bugs me how the airlock doesn't have an attachment node on both ends.

Perhaps a modified version could use docking ports or other things, to ensure the whole thing is fully connected

[Kimera Industries]

3 minutes ago, SkyFall2489 said:

Perhaps a modified version could use docking ports or other things, to ensure the whole thing is fully connected

I think Stockalike Station Parts has inflatable centrifuges that could sidestep this problem entirely.

[SkyFall2489]

10 minutes ago, Kimera Industries said:

I think Stockalike Station Parts has inflatable centrifuges that could sidestep this problem entirely.

yep, but I wanted something that didn't look like a normal ring, SSPXR does have a non-ring centrifuge, but it's very large (3.75m, I think 12 kerbals)

[Kimera Industries]

3 minutes ago, SkyFall2489 said:

3.75m, I think 12 kerbals

Yeah, I think that's the Hermes-inspired one.

[SkyFall2489]

8 minutes ago, Kimera Industries said:

Yeah, I think that's the Hermes-inspired one.

no, there's another one
called the "pilgrim" or something
3 multi-floor arms

[Kimera Industries]

2 minutes ago, SkyFall2489 said:

no, there's another one
called the "pilgrim" or something
3 multi-floor arms

Oh, I see. Yeah, the Mercury one is still kind of a ring.

The few times Matt Lowne does a small centrifuge (or any centrifuge for that matter) it's been a non-ring one pretty similar to the one you've designed.

[Hypersonic Was Taken Again]

Are you accepting commercial payloads? That is to say, are you accepting satellites or the like from external agencies

 

[Kerbalsaurus]

13 minutes ago, Hypersonic Was Taken Again said:

Are you accepting commercial payloads? That is to say, are you accepting satellites or the like from external agencies

A commsat? Yeah, I’ll except that. Just tell me you company’s name, send the flag, and send the KerbalX or adjacent link.

[Kimera Industries]

9 minutes ago, Kerbalsaurus said:

A commsat? Yeah, I’ll except that. 

What about something larger? Kimera Industries has developed a Minmus sample-return ship for another thread. (I think you know which one I'm talking about)

[Kerbalsaurus]

15 minutes ago, Kimera Industries said:

What about something larger? Kimera Industries has developed a Minmus sample-return ship for another thread. (I think you know which one I'm talking about)

I remember. However, I think we’re long past the point of needing a sample return craft. If you’ve read far enough back, you might remember Minmin 3, which was a sample return mission (I purposefully don’t eliminate the debris of the spent descent stage). Also, we’re getting ready to launch the first crews back to Minmus. However, there are still two spots left open for the station module submissions if you’d be interested in submitting something for that. Or a little commsat between 1 and 18 tons. Whichever sounds more fun to you.

[Kimera Industries]

1 hour ago, Kerbalsaurus said:

I remember. However, I think we’re long past the point of needing a sample return craft. If you’ve read far enough back, you might remember Minmin 3, which was a sample return mission (I purposefully don’t eliminate the debris of the spent descent stage). Also, we’re getting ready to launch the first crews back to Minmus. However, there are still two spots left open for the station module submissions if you’d be interested in submitting something for that. Or a little commsat between 1 and 18 tons. Whichever sounds more fun to you.

Well, not that one craft specifically, I just meant something of that scale. Tell me more about the station module submissions? (it's hard to find specific posts, especially if I don't know exactly what I'm looking for)

Edited December 5, 2023 by Kimera Industries

[Kerbalsaurus]

7 hours ago, Kimera Industries said:

Well, not that one craft specifically, I just meant something of that scale. Tell me more about the station module submissions? (it's hard to find specific posts, especially if I don't know exactly what I'm looking for)

Here’s the post: https://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/topic/210577-beyond-kerbalkinds-history-of-space-exploration/?do=findComment&comment=4331313

[Kerbalsaurus]

AURORA MINMUS HABITAT - YEAR 3, DAY 387

Take it from the top...

It's a busy day today at Cape Kerman, as two rockets sit on the launchpad. Both are Eve IIIs, but each carrying different payloads. In the background, on LC-39B lies an Eve II ready to carry Aurora 3, which will bring Kerbals back to Minmus. In the foreground is the rocket that will be launching today, an Eve II carrying the habitat the crew will live during transit to Minmus and their orbital stay. Launching with the habitat is also the lander, a modified version of the MLV-1, called the MEV-2. The difference is the increased cargo space inside of the lander, which will allow the crew to spend a prolonged amount of time on Minmus's surface, and perform exterior experiments that will allow for a more in depth look at Minmus and its history.

"Liftoff on the Eve III rocket!" - Gene Kerman (CAPCOM)

"Successful separation and ignition of stage 2." - Chris Kerman (Engines)

"Go for orbital insertion." - Gene Kerman (CAPCOM)

A routine liftoff! The Habitat and lander enter orbit successfully. However, the job is not done yet. The spacecraft still has to put itself into an orbit on the same inclination as Minmus. Not too hard, as we've had a lot of experience with missions to Minmus. But still difficult, as sometimes it seems KSP has its own plans as to how maneuvers are going to go.

"Stage 2 re-ignition successful, beginning plane change." - Chris Kerman (Engines)

And the habitat's plane is now exactly aligned with Minmus! After a few more correction burn, re-circularizing orbit and what not, stage 2 is detached, and AMH is freed. Now it'll sit in orbit and wait until Aurora 3. See you then, AMH!

[Hypersonic Was Taken Again]

23 hours ago, Kerbalsaurus said:

A commsat? Yeah, I’ll except that. Just tell me you company’s name, send the flag, and send the KerbalX or adjacent link.

Thank you! We are Noctilucent Aerospace Cooperative, or NAC. Our logo is https://imgur.com/a/kcZD7DL

We have two potential payloads, OORT-1https://kerbalx.com/HypersonicBuild/OORT-1-Orbital-Omnidirectional-Relay-Transciever

Or EMBARK https://kerbalx.com/HypersonicBuild/EMBARK-ElectroMagnetic-Braking-Application-for-Return-to-Kerbin

Good luck!

 

[Kimera Industries]

On 10/18/2023 at 9:35 PM, Kerbalsaurus said:

- Share your space program’s name

- Share you program’s flag

- Share a link to your Module on KerbalX

Any construction limits? Like, the module won't be anything outlandish, but there's gotta be some limits.

[Kerbalsaurus]

24 minutes ago, Hypersonic Was Taken Again said:

We have two potential payloads, OORT-1 or EMBARK.

Why not both?

5 minutes ago, Kimera Industries said:

Any construction limits? Like, the module won't be anything outlandish, but there's gotta be some limits.

The limit I'd say is a mass between 15 tons or less.

Edited December 6, 2023 by Kerbalsaurus
Fixed phrasing

[AerospaceBricks]

This is really cool, seeing what you do!

Edited December 6, 2023 by AerospaceBricks

[Hypersonic Was Taken Again]

3 hours ago, Kerbalsaurus said:

Why not both?

Works for me! Thanks!