[WIP] NASA SLS - Released: Orion MPCV Core Module 1.0 [4/18/2015]

[YANFRET]

Update 8/8/2014

Since I discovered that I can reference photos directly into blender, and no longer have to guess the scale, I've redone the MPCV and Service Module.

Here is the mostly done MPCV and Service Module. The texture is mostly done on the Orion, I still need to do normal maps for it, and the textures for the Service Module should be started soon. I still need to model the service module fairings and solar panels (animations... I still need to figure that out).

http://imgur.com/a/KRlG8

Speaking of animations. Is it better to do the animations in Blender and import them, or do them in Unity, or is there a third option? Any recommendations?

Really, this is a quantum leap forward from the earlier renderings.

What if the windows and bandit mask were a bit larger and the heat shield had a rounded lip at the edge?

Edited August 7, 2014 by YANFRET

[sp1989]

Update 8/8/2014

Since I discovered that I can reference photos directly into blender, and no longer have to guess the scale, I've redone the MPCV and Service Module.

Here is the mostly done MPCV and Service Module. The texture is mostly done on the Orion, I still need to do normal maps for it, and the textures for the Service Module should be started soon. I still need to model the service module fairings and solar panels (animations... I still need to figure that out).

http://imgur.com/a/KRlG8

Speaking of animations. Is it better to do the animations in Blender and import them, or do them in Unity, or is there a third option? Any recommendations?

I don't know how you are with IVAs but something that pretty deserves a proper IVA and not just the stock MK1-2 IVA. Something with proper RPM supports etc. Something like ALCOR, maybe reach out to Alexustas, maybe he can give you an idea of how to one or maybe even step up himself. Doubtful as I can't speak for him and I know he is working a few other projects. But well done so far.

[YANFRET]

I don't know how you are with IVAs but something that pretty deserves a proper IVA and not just the stock MK1-2 IVA. Something with proper RPM supports etc. Something like ALCOR, maybe reach out to Alexustas, maybe he can give you an idea of how to one or maybe even step up himself. Doubtful as I can't speak for him and I know he is working a few other projects. But well done so far.

I agree. I think KSP needs a robust Orion IVA and I'd be willing to help texture such a project.

[noonespecial]

Really, this is a quantum leap forward from the earlier renderings.

What if the windows and bandit mask were a bit larger and the heat shield had a rounded lip at the edge?

Thanks, I'm still very much a novice at using Blender and I'm learning everyday. I am planning on rounding the lip at the edge of the heat shield for one specific purpose and just haven't decided precisely how I'm going to do it. Either as an additional part or built into the Orion model. The reason is this:

Deployable/inflating landing/flotation bags.

I don't know how you are with IVAs but something that pretty deserves a proper IVA and not just the stock MK1-2 IVA. Something with proper RPM supports etc. Something like ALCOR, maybe reach out to Alexustas, maybe he can give you an idea of how to one or maybe even step up himself. Doubtful as I can't speak for him and I know he is working a few other projects. But well done so far.

I agree. I think KSP needs a robust Orion IVA and I'd be willing to help texture such a project.

How am I at IVA? I don't know, I've never done one. I... actually have no idea how to do one. As with everything else, I cross that bridge when I reach it and I'll go see what tutorials I can find when I start planning the interior. Luckily, I do have a few pictures of the interior of the Orion. It's not much different than the interior for SpaceX's Dragon 2.

I found something just a moment ago that I think may warrant a complete redesign of the service module. I just found this on the ESA website dated mid-2013, which would make it the most recent service module concept (that I have seen). It has some distinct differences from earlier concepts. Notice the fuselage is a 12-sized cylinder instead of circular as well as the (leather?) sheath around the service module/mpcv coupling. The solar panels seem to be somewhat narrower as well. Opinions gentlemen? This news version of the service module or stick with the older one?

[NoMrBond]

The underlying fuselage still looks circular, the 12 sided layer looks to be stood off slightly from the body, perhaps being a reflective/radiative layer, or possibly even a micrometeor shield (or both)

[sp1989]

Thanks, I'm still very much a novice at using Blender and I'm learning everyday. I am planning on rounding the lip at the edge of the heat shield for one specific purpose and just haven't decided precisely how I'm going to do it. Either as an additional part or built into the Orion model. The reason is this:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7a/CST-100_at_Delamar,_2012.jpg

Deployable/inflating landing/flotation bags.

How am I at IVA? I don't know, I've never done one. I... actually have no idea how to do one. As with everything else, I cross that bridge when I reach it and I'll go see what tutorials I can find when I start planning the interior. Luckily, I do have a few pictures of the interior of the Orion. It's not much different than the interior for SpaceX's Dragon 2.

I found something just a moment ago that I think may warrant a complete redesign of the service module. I just found this on the ESA website dated mid-2013, which would make it the most recent service module concept (that I have seen). It has some distinct differences from earlier concepts. Notice the fuselage is a 12-sized cylinder instead of circular as well as the (leather?) sheath around the service module/mpcv coupling. The solar panels seem to be somewhat narrower as well. Opinions gentlemen? This news version of the service module or stick with the older one?

http://i.imgur.com/c9e2tI2.jpg

I think it should be an amalgamation of all the designs. Since there are so many you can just go with what you think looks best. Now that could just be an ESA concept as well. Also the fist picture with the flotation landing bags isn't the orion. Its the Boeing CST-100 you can see on the side its says Boeing and Bigelow on it, as in the Bigelow Station and the CST-100 that will take people to it. The Orion and CST-100 look very similar but the CST-100 is a little smaller if memory serves me right. I think the Orion is designed strictly for water landings again I could be wrong. Also the Orion is made by Lockheed not Boeing. This is what the Landing bags will look like on the Orion.

This is a good picture maybe you can find it useful

Edited August 8, 2014 by sp1989

[YANFRET]

The underlying fuselage still looks circular, the 12 sided layer looks to be stood off slightly from the body, perhaps being a reflective/radiative layer, or possibly even a micrometeor shield (or both)

You know what I think those are? Radiators

[noonespecial]

You know what I think those are? Radiators

I think you are right. This can only mean..... that the ESA uses KSPI!

[noonespecial]

I think it should be an amalgamation of all the designs. Since there are so many you can just go with what you think looks best. Now that could just be an ESA concept as well. Also the fist picture with the flotation landing bags isn't the orion. Its the Boeing CST-100 you can see on the side its says Boeing and Bigelow on it, as in the Bigelow Station and the CST-100 that will take people to it. The Orion and CST-100 look very similar but the CST-100 is a little smaller if memory serves me right. I think the Orion is designed strictly for water landings again I could be wrong. Also the Orion is made by Lockheed not Boeing. This is what the Landing bags will look like on the Orion.

http://www.wired.com/wp-content/uploads/images_blogs/wiredscience/2012/01/apollo_orion_uprighting_660.jpg

This is a good picture maybe you can find it useful

http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=29407.0;attach=430135;image

Indeed. Now the only question is: Built into the Orion or separate part?

Then, all I'll have to do is figure out how dtobi did this:

[sp1989]

Indeed. Now the only question is: Built into the Orion or separate part?

Then, all I'll have to do is figure out how dtobi did this:

http://i.imgur.com/iirHVVM.png

For the SDHI the floatation ring is built into the heat shield and deploys automatically. So maybe get in contact with dtobi and or Sumgai, because dtobi's plugin is required but Sumgai somehow figured out how to integrate the ring into the heat shield. I say you do something like that, intergrate it with one of the parts. http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/52362-0-24-x-Sum-Dum-Heavy-Industries-Service-Module-System-(V2-0-27-Jul-2014)

[noonespecial]

Update 8/10/2014

Finished the model, texture, and normals for the service model.

Javascript is disabled. View full album

[technerd89]

Looks pretty good, but in thinking ahead you might want to consider making your RCS blocks a separate part. That, or be prepared to have a plug-in that can handle them because I remember reading something about parts with "built in" RCS being problematic. It was solved by the guys that did the B9 pod/cockpits with integrated RCS, but I know thats a custom-written plugin for them.

Edited August 9, 2014 by technerd89
typo fix.

[R0cketC0der]

Update 8/10/2014

Finished the model, texture, and normals for the service model.

http://imgur.com/a/zeMLI

Looks good, but why isn't it round? In every picture I've found it looks round to me. Also the eight R-4D engines are missing.

[noonespecial]

Looks good, but why isn't it round? In every picture I've found it looks round to me. Also the eight R-4D engines are missing.

Concept from the ESA website, dated mid-2013. The round ones are all dated earlier.

[noonespecial]

Update 8/13/2014

I've finished all of the models for the upcoming Alpha 1 release. I've finished about half of the textures and normals, the complicated ones. The remaining ones are the easy ones, so should go pretty quickly. The part.cfg so far, I haven't really touched at all. There is just enough information to get them to load into KSP and work. Fuel, weight, etc., hasn't been balanced at all. I will do that before the release. Here is the line up for the Alpha 1 release, which I will hopefully be able to finish by the weekend. I still need to do the Single Engline Large Upper Stage assembly and the smaller ICPS engine assembly. I'm also working out the bugs in the animations for the solar panels. For some reasons, the part with the animation is SUPER laggy when loaded and only one of the four panels animate, despite all four panels being animated as a single model. Much to do.

Javascript is disabled. View full album

[sp1989]

Update 8/13/2014

I've finished all of the models for the upcoming Alpha 1 release. I've finished about half of the textures and normals, the complicated ones. The remaining ones are the easy ones, so should go pretty quickly. The part.cfg so far, I haven't really touched at all. There is just enough information to get them to load into KSP and work. Fuel, weight, etc., hasn't been balanced at all. I will do that before the release. Here is the line up for the Alpha 1 release, which I will hopefully be able to finish by the weekend. I still need to do the Single Engline Large Upper Stage assembly and the smaller ICPS engine assembly. I'm also working out the bugs in the animations for the solar panels. For some reasons, the part with the animation is SUPER laggy when loaded and only one of the four panels animate, despite all four panels being animated as a single model. Much to do.

http://imgur.com/a/0yf24

Beautiful work. But if you are going for a 100% accurate replica the fairings are slightly off. I didn't notice this until it was pointed out to me a few days ago. But they look or are going to look like this.

As is it looks wonderful and I can't wait to give it a try, but if you are going for high fidelity and accuracy that picture shows how its supposed to look.

[noonespecial]

Beautiful work. But if you are going for a 100% accurate replica the fairings are slightly off. I didn't notice this until it was pointed out to me a few days ago. But they look or are going to look like this. snip

As is it looks wonderful and I can't wait to give it a try, but if you are going for high fidelity and accuracy that picture shows how its supposed to look.

That's a nice concept picture. Maybe I'll add some of those features. But, it's really impossible to do a 100% accurate replica at this stage, as the finished design of the SLS has yet to be decided. There are dozens of concept pictures floating around, each one slightly different and maybe none of them will be exactly like the finished SLS.

For example:

and

Basically, I'm going for a "close-enough" paradigm of combining the elements I like from the various concept arts available.

[sp1989]

That's a nice concept picture. Maybe I'll add some of those features. But, it's really impossible to do a 100% accurate replica at this stage, as the finished design of the SLS has yet to be decided. There are dozens of concept pictures floating around, each one slightly different and maybe none of them will be exactly like the finished SLS.

For example:

http://www.thelaunchcomplex.com/common/images/future/sls_1.jpg

and

http://www.b14643.de/Spacerockets_2/United_States_1/Space_Launch_System/Gallery/SLS_4.jpg

Basically, I'm going for a "close-enough" paradigm of combining the elements I like from the various concept arts available.

I hear ya and I agree. I just figured I would point it out. You're right they keep changing the design, I have probably seen 10 different iterations of the SLS. I suppose if you are a modder or a modeler an amalgamation is probably the best way to go.

[Kerbal01]

Sorry if this is pointed out elsewhere and i Didn't see it. What diameter is the SLS going to be? 3.75-4.00 meter?

[YANFRET]

Beautiful work. But if you are going for a 100% accurate replica the fairings are slightly off. I didn't notice this until it was pointed out to me a few days ago. But they look or are going to look like this. http://imagizer.imageshack.us/a/img539/8341/3gU0wa.jpg

As is it looks wonderful and I can't wait to give it a try, but if you are going for high fidelity and accuracy that picture shows how its supposed to look.

I'm jumping in here because I'm responsible for disseminating that image over on my side; Actualy after doing further research it seems the tank fairings are not as angled. These two images below are up to date (linked format so you can zoom) and show a much more conventional DCSS 5 meter upper tank above the core stage adapter.

http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/oc_banner.jpg

http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/infographic3-revised2.jpg

... interesting that one of the graphics even has "revised" in the file name...

The one point which remains a critical departure form the very earliest renderings...like the ones above on this page... is that the orion service module fairings are larger than 5 meters, so there is the angled bit above the upper stage. I believe this is final because they've made the real part down at the Michoud Assembly Facility, it's in a box, you can see it.

That's the flight hardware for EFT-1 (delta IV), which should be common to EM-1 (sls) because of the upper stage.

Edited August 13, 2014 by YANFRET

[noonespecial]

Looks pretty good, but in thinking ahead you might want to consider making your RCS blocks a separate part. That, or be prepared to have a plug-in that can handle them because I remember reading something about parts with "built in" RCS being problematic. It was solved by the guys that did the B9 pod/cockpits with integrated RCS, but I know thats a custom-written plugin for them.

I've given this a test and can't seem to find any issues. What issue specifically so maybe I can find it?

Sorry if this is pointed out elsewhere and i Didn't see it. What diameter is the SLS going to be? 3.75-4.00 meter?

There are going to be two versions. One more geared toward RSS at full size (MPCV at 5m, Launch System as 8.4m), then one more geared toward stock at 0.64 scale of the RSS version.

I'm jumping in here because I'm responsible for disseminating that image over on my side; Actualy after doing further research it seems the tank fairings are not as angled. These two images below are up to date (linked format so you can zoom) and show a much more conventional DCSS 5 meter upper tank above the core stage adapter.

http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/oc_banner.jpg

http://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/infographic3-revised2.jpg

... interesting that one of the graphics even has "revised" in the file name...

The one point which remains a critical departure form the very earliest renderings...like the ones above on this page... is that the orion service module fairings are larger than 5 meters, so there is the angled bit above the upper stage. I believe this is final because they've made the real part down at the Michoud Assembly Facility, it's in a box, you can see it.

http://www.tallgeorge.com/mpcv/2013-06-xx%20Orion%20Delta%20adapter.jpg

That's the flight hardware for EFT-1 (delta IV), which should be common to EM-1 (sls) because of the upper stage.

Thanks Yanfret. I will adjust accordingly. I swear you guys want to keep me in development forever with all the mistakes you point out that I'm making. Making the MPCV windows bigger, change the fairings... (joking of course)

[Woopert]

Thanks, I'm still very much a novice at using Blender and I'm learning everyday. I am planning on rounding the lip at the edge of the heat shield for one specific purpose and just haven't decided precisely how I'm going to do it. Either as an additional part or built into the Orion model. The reason is this:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7a/CST-100_at_Delamar,_2012.jpg

Deployable/inflating landing/flotation bags.

I think that's the CST-100 in that picture. You could use Special Parts by dtobi to accomplish this, sumghai did it with his SDHI mod. Here is one of his pictures from the SDHI thread: http://i.imgur.com/Kjsxiaj.png

Special Parts mod: http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/84224-Klockheed-Martian-Special-Parts-V2-1-09-Aug-Dev-Thread-Wet-workshop

Oh, and do you plan on using the quad RL10 upper stage with Orion? The real one is using an ICPS with a single RL10B-2 for Block I.

Edited August 15, 2014 by Woopert

[noonespecial]

I think that's the CST-100 in that picture. You could use Special Parts by dtobi to accomplish this, sumghai did it with his SDHI mod. Here is one of his pictures from the SDHI thread: http://i.imgur.com/Kjsxiaj.png

Special Parts mod: http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/84224-Klockheed-Martian-Special-Parts-V2-1-09-Aug-Dev-Thread-Wet-workshop

Oh, and do you plan on using the quad RL10 upper stage with Orion? The real one is using an ICPS with a single RL10B-2 for Block I.

I'm not only going to do one configuration, but multiple configurations, so a player can use an upper stage suited for their payloads. I will be doing the 4x LUS, the 1x LUS, and the ICPS.

[noonespecial]

Update 8/17/2014

Well. I've finished the initial "payload" launch system, including various adapters, the 4x version of the LUS, fairings, etc. That being said...

I've restarted the MPCV (again, version 4 here). I keep having this problem. While doing other parts, I learn new tricks and become more proficient at blender. Then I go back, look at the Orion and shriek "Urgh!" at how bad I now think it is. This will, obviously, prolong the release, but hopefully also mean I will be able to produce a better quality Orion. Just to illustrate the differences:

MPCV v1:

MPCV v2:

MPCV v3:

I'm hoping v4 will be an equal improvement over v3 as v3 was an improvement over v2 and so on. Cheers

Not to mention... I seem to suck at doing animations so the service module portion of the MPCV is also delayed. I'll figure it out eventually.

[kenbobo]

Concept from the ESA website, dated mid-2013. The round ones are all dated earlier.

ESA Concept Pic Snip.

So, have you watched the vid of assembly of CM/SM (command and service module?) Seen at 0:01 of this vid.