Space Station Aldrin Collab/Challenge. Final stages.

[Saberus]

Note: Mods, if this isn't the right place for this, by all means give it a kick to the appropriate board.

Greetings, fellow builders. I wish to propose a collaborative challenge turn-based project to build out a waystation for use in future challenges. (If completed)

I'd like for you to meet Aldrin, the core of this future waystation:

http://imgur.com/a/XHGhj

You can view all images at full size here. I'm using slightly smaller ones here, for the sake of our low-bandwidth friends.

"Hello, I am the Alpha Link Director of the Regional Interplanetary Node, or ALDRIN.  
I will be the main computer system controlling the future interplanetary colony.  It is a pleasure to meet you."

Thank you, Aldrin. Please, tell the audience a bit about yourself.

"Here are the vital statistics of my construction, to better assist you in designing nodes to dock with me:"

Power generation and storage:
8 x Gigantor XL solar panels as a primary power source
8 x PB-NUK RTG units as a secondary power source
2 x Z-4K battery units

"With these systems, I can produce enough power for several nodes, and still have enough for myself."

Guidance and control:
8 x P-A 7 linear RCS ports
4 x RV-105 4-way RCS ports
16 x Inline reaction wheels
1500L total capacity RCS fuel

"I may be big, but I am nimble."

Docking:

10 x Clamp-o-tron Sr ports
8 x round spot lights.

"All docks are easily accessed with standard 2.5m docking collars, or via adapters."

Total mass: 23.32T
85 parts.

Yes, Aldrin is a big boy, but he's relatively light on parts, so he shouldn't create too much lag.

Now, you seem pretty out there, Aldrin. Wouldn't it have been easier to be a bit closer to Kerbin?

"The engineers saw fit to place me in a near kerbostationary orbit.  
I do not understand this logic, as an orbital distance of 300 km would have been more ideal, 
and less taxing on designing lifters for new nodes.  I have mentioned this, but the lead 
engineer rebutted with a mumbled reply regarding reduced delta-vee and stress to get to 
the final destination.  Perhaps he did not like the flaw in his logic being pointed out in front of the team."

Ah, yes, bruised ego... it happens.

So, once we get everything designed, flown up to you, and connected, what's next?

"Once the required and supplementary nodes are docked fully, 
I will be deployed into Solar orbit between Eve and Kerbin as a waypoint 
for future missions to the inner solar system."

Alright! Ladies and gents, Aldrin needs your help to get ready for his permanent mission. We're going to need the following additional nodes:

Habitation nodes - Ideally there should be space for ten permanent scientist-kerbonauts, and enough room for visiting kerbonauts to have a place to stretch their legs when they visit.

Power nodes - Aldrin has plenty of power to start, but ultimately there will be a need for at least one auxillary solar farm and power storage.

Fuel pods - Flights to and from the inner solar system would benefit greatly from having a chance to top-off before progressing, so having 5 near-full Jumbo 64 tanks would be nice, and more would be better. And don't forget the RCS and Xenon!

Docking arms - Some ships just don't have room for the large docking clamps, and some just don't feel safe to pilot too close to the station. Arms with multiple ports are always a good thing.

Maneuvering - Aldrin can spin on a dime or become rock solid at the drop of a hat, but once everything is connected, having all the maneuvering power in one spot is going to make the whole station wobble like mad, so we need something to help keep the whole station steady and let us perform simple station keeping.

Something else? - maybe you have an idea that's not here? Lab spaces, comms arrays, probes, tugs, and meteoroid defenses have their uses.

So, the challenge part of this is getting out to Aldrin, and docking. Some might call it cake, others hopeless.

Rules:

1) Each player's contribution needs to be reasonable with parts, so that lag is kept down as much as we can. Try to keep it under 50 parts per node.

2) For each docking port your node uses, provide another docking port, so we don't run out. These can be of any size.

3) A turn is 72 hours. When your turn is up, the save must be zipped and uploaded so the next player can access the current file.

4) If you destroy/damage the station during your turn, you may revert.

5) If you cannot dock your node before your turn is up, you must provide the save from before your attempt. You may request to be moved to the bottom of the list and try again.

6) You may not change Aldrin's orbit. The only exception will be for whoever takes the challenge to move the completed station out to between Kerbin and Eve orbit.

As there are ten ports to start, the initial list will be for ten slots. If you wish to participate, post what you intend to design and send up.

And of course, pictures! Show off your design in the VAB (or SPH, if that's your bag), and show off the connected part, and anything else you feel like sharing from your attempt! In the interest of fairness, please keep your nodes stock only.

Sign-ups:

1) M.Wolfy - Hab modules. Total station part count 127.

2) Octagon - Fuel pods/expandable depot. Total station part count 265.

3) M. Wolfy - AMMES tug/escape pod. Total station part count 365.

4) Captain Sierra - Guppy Orbiter tug/shuttle/escape pod.

5) SkyRender - Comms array

6) chrischambers - xoknight's MMU (Manned maneuvering units)

7) Captain Sierra - Docking arms

8) The Error - Rescue ship

9) Briansun1 - ion fighter/PDV (Proximity Defense Vehicle)

10) Cadenza - Probe bay

11) Brody Peffley - Power Node.

The starting save-file is here, complete with the craft file for the core being used.

http://s000.tinyupload.com/index.php?file_id=37022382975641382517

Edited October 19, 2013 by Saberus

[M.Wolfy]

Ooooh, Sign me up, I'll get A habitation module up, perhaps two to make it symmetrical?

Also, do the ports on the end of the module have to be a specific size?

Edited September 16, 2013 by M.Wolfy

[Saberus]

Welcome aboard! You have first go, M.Wolfy.

Your 72 hours begins now, good luck!

The ports you provide for future expansion can be of any size.

[M.Wolfy]

The Station Now:

The Save: http://s000.tinyupload.com/index.php?file_id=82262106228371219220

There is now 11 crew on the Aldrin (including Jeb, Bill and Bob), Perfect symmetry and now 14 Spare docking ports and there is also still space left for 13 crew (it can hold 24 crew total, each hab was 21 parts total, so 41 parts added to the station)

It has been a Pleasure, I may come back to this, but I'm not going to hog it. so, see ya in a bit or something

Also, the habitation Modules were made and launched in about an hour or so happy building.

Edited September 16, 2013 by M.Wolfy

[Saberus]

Phenomenal work, M.Wolfy! And fast! If you want to take another spot later, please let me know!

[M.Wolfy]

hmm...

Okay, I can't help it , just one last thing, i'll make a tug/escape pod hybrid (a bit like the TKS) tommorow (lol, its 11:59 P.M here). because big stations need tugs and also need a escape pod...

[chrischambers]

this looks like a intertesting project, I will keep a eye on it and I will think of something and then post.

[Saberus]

hmm...

Okay, I can't help it , just one last thing, i'll make a tug/escape pod hybrid (a bit like the TKS) tommorow (lol, its 11:59 P.M here). because big stations need tugs and also need a escape pod...

Sure thing, just post again when you're ready to take a turn!

this looks like a intertesting project, I will keep a eye on it and I will think of something and then post.

I look forward to seeing what you can come up with. Just reply when you're ready to start.

[The Error]

I'll do a power module when the need arises.

[Saberus]

I'll do a power module when the need arises.

Awesome, want to join the list?

[Octagon]

Nice challenge, I'll add some fuel tanks. I'm ready to do this right now if you need.

Edit:

Can I use the system I developed for the space station that I'm building?

It allows to add an unlimited number of fuel tanks.

Edited September 16, 2013 by Octagon

[lancefoxcia]

i'll join but idk what to put in yet.

[Guest Brody_Peffley]

I'll put up the power nodes, Im great with solar panels

[M.Wolfy]

i'll go after Brody and get the AMMES (Aldrin manned manuevering and escape system) pronounced how ever you want to pronounce it (). I think we all should name our modules, also in case of emergency AMMES will only be able to save 4 crew (might get cut down to 3 [for reasons]) so a escape module will be needed to evacuate all the crew

Edited September 16, 2013 by M.Wolfy

[Captain Sierra]

I thought of doing something like this for a base building game. Perhaps I can get that running soon.

[Saberus]

Nice challenge, I'll add some fuel tanks. I'm ready to do this right now if you need.

Edit:

Can I use the system I developed for the space station that I'm building?

It allows to add an unlimited number of fuel tanks.

You can use your system, the modularity is always handy for a fuel depot. You can start now, too! use the link in M. Wolfy's success post:

http://s000.tinyupload.com/index.php?file_id=82262106228371219220

I'll put up the power nodes, Im great with solar panels

I'll add you to the list, after Octagon.

i'll go after Brody and get the AMMES (Aldrin manned manuevering and escape system) pronounced" am mess." I think we all should name our modules, also in case of emergency AMMES will only be able to save 4 crew (might get cut down to 3 [for reasons]) so a escape module will be needed to evacuate all the crew

You're up after Brody, then!

Edited September 16, 2013 by Saberus

[Captain Sierra]

I'll submit my guppy orbiters as a tug/crew shuttle/escape vehicle. They are still being worked over and they require a standard docking port but I can go probly by the weekend.

[Saberus]

I'll submit my guppy orbiters as a tug/crew shuttle/escape vehicle. They are still being worked over and they require a standard docking port but I can go probly by the weekend.

You're on the list!

[Captain Sierra]

back me up behind whoever is doing the docking arms. Else I'll have to do that too just to dock them. If you want any info on them, link in sig.

EDIT: nevermind on the tug. The Guppies can't maneuver CoT Sr. ports. I'll have to design a custom tug for that. I think I can manage a few crew rotation vehicles and some tugs but I'll have to supplement it with a custom docking zone.

Edited September 16, 2013 by Captain Sierra

[M.Wolfy]

heyyyy.....

I'm doing the tug! the AMMES is a tug and a escape pod

[Captain Sierra]

heyyyy.....

I'm doing the tug! the AMMES is a tug and a escape pod

Fine with me. You do the tug, I'll send up about 4 crew rotation vessels, each holding 7 crew and under 30 parts a piece.

[M.Wolfy]

uh...

currently the station can only hold 24 kerbals, there are 11 in it now, the tug will also have spare space for 4 crew, 8 total (4 pilots and 4 passengers) so i think that'll be a bit too much vessels to send up

Edited September 16, 2013 by M.Wolfy

[Saberus]

back me up behind whoever is doing the docking arms. Else I'll have to do that too just to dock them. If you want any info on them, link in sig.

EDIT: nevermind on the tug. The Guppies can't maneuver CoT Sr. ports. I'll have to design a custom tug for that. I think I can manage a few crew rotation vehicles and some tugs but I'll have to supplement it with a custom docking zone.

Anyone want to step in with docking arms?

If there are no takers I have some designs in my head for some probe/RCS controlled adapters that can shuffle around. If necessary I'll take a turn before you to put a few of them up.

[Octagon]

You can use your system, the modularity is always handy for a fuel depot. You can start now, too! use the link in M. Wolfy's success post.

Roger that commander, beginning mission.

[Guest Brody_Peffley]

Sorry guys for letting you wait, I can be the last one in the line, Im really having troubles.