Can somebody direct me to a tutorial explaining space stations and how to design/launch one?

[Heartstrings]

So for my very first forum post, I'm asking for help. While I have a grasp of basic mechanics and can, in science mode, put a ship into orbit or get it to the mun/minmus and sometimes back, I have little to no knowledge of anything beyond that. I can't figure out how to build a ship large enough to reach another planet, and while I'd like to try to set up at least a small space station, I have no idea where to start at all. Let's focus on that last issue. Can somebody direct me or show me how to put together a space station around Kerbin?

Edited January 4, 2015 by Heartstrings

[The Yellow Dart]

Here is one from the man himself, Scott Manley. If you haven't watched a Scott Manley video yet you are in for a treat. I haven't watched this particular video yet, and it is a bit dated, version-wise but you are sure to learn a few things about KSP and space in general.

Once you have the basics down, just scale up to make a larger station or add some legs for a Mun/Minmus base.

Edited January 4, 2015 by The Yellow Dart

[CalMacDa]

Here is one from the man himself, Scott Manley. If you haven't watched a Scott Manley video yet you are in for a treat. I haven't watched this particular video yet, and it is a bit dated, version-wise but you are sure to learn a few things about KSP and space in general.

Once you have the basics down, just scale up to make a larger station or add some legs for a Mun/Minmus base.

got that right. I was just about to suggest Scott until I saw you had alt

ready done that

[Heartstrings]

Right, thanks! I'll watch that tomorrow, it's late. I'll probably ask later for other things like interplanetary ship design...

[Pecan]

There's nothing special about a space-station except, possibly, that it doesn't need heavy engines so it's easier than other things you put into orbit. What it does need, to be at all useful, is docking ports - plenty of them.

Chapters 7 and 8 of the tutorial in my signature, but you may well want to read the rest as well.

[Scarecrow88]

I made my space stations modular, so that they could be built to suit purpose. Minimum on most was habitation modules, refuelling ability - fuel and RCS -, solar panels and comms to give it some semblance of feasibility. Foundation of each was a frame that was fitted with senior docking ports that the modules were subsequently attached to.

The downside of this approach to building a station is that the parts have to be launched separately and put together in orbit, which requires you to have mastered rendezvous and docking and can be one of the trickiest aspects of the game to master, but also probably one of the most useful.

This is the framework on the launch pad.

This is the finished station in orbit, after the modules have been attached to the framework.

Edited January 4, 2015 by Scarecrow88