Skylab - friznit/Unofficial-BDB-Wiki GitHub Wiki

Skylab Top

Skylab is a large orbital lab supporting up to 6 scientists. Two wet lab variants and parts to build Spacelab from the Eyes Turned Skyward alternate history timeline are available (not to be confused with the the Space Shuttle Spacelab).

Tags: Hokulani

Basic Build Guide

Start by placing a Sarnus-S-IVB-IU Instrument Unit as the root part, then add the Hokulani-OWS Orbital Workshop and RMPS Radiator Unit below. Stack the ALM Airlock and MDA Multiple Docking Adapter above the IU. The RT90 Truss Structure attaches to a hidden node in the Airlock Module so that it sits over the top of Docking Adapter assembly. Finally, assemble the Telescope on the truss and add the external experiments, antennae, solar panels and RCS units. Make sure that the OWS Orbital workshop is not the root part. It causes a bug with the shield jettison.

Skylab Offset

From Top to Bottom:

  • Kane-OCO Telescope Mount Experiments
    • Hokulani EVE Lightbulb (placed on the block at the top of the ladder)
    • 4x Kane-OCO-PP Solar Panel (1x FMU config, 1x Triangle config)
  • Kane-OCO Telescope Mount (Ladder config on)
    • Kane-OCO-CA Command Antenna
  • Hokulani RT90 Truss Structure (attaches to hidden node in Airlock Module)
  • Hokulani-MDA Multiple Docking Adapter
    • 2x Kane-11-DDM6 Passive Docking Mechanism
    • Hokulani Experiments (see diagram)
  • Hokulani-ALM Airlock Module
    • 2x Hokulani-DCA Discone Antenna (rotated to extend at 45 degrees)
  • Sarnus-SIVB-IU Instrument Unit (must be the root part)
  • Hokulani-OWS Orbital Workshop
    • 2x Hokulani-PPA Solar Panel (these are installed off centre and the panel on the right sits just behind the longer raceway)
  • Hokulani-RMPS Radiator Unit
    • 2x Hokulani-ACT RCS Units (placed top and bottom on the flat part of the radiator)

Skylab Side Labelled

Skylab is surrounded by a sun shield with the white part of the Workshop facing 'up' towards the sun. Historically, the shield was accidentally torn off during ascent leaving a small panel of shielding underneath a single surviving solar panel. A parasol sunshield (Hokulani-UB22 "Brolly") was installed on EVA to provide emergency cooling. There is a B9 Switch to recreate the historical look:

  1. Launch as planned - Shield On (Auto Jettison Off); Panel On
  2. Launch as it happened - Shield On (Auto Jettison to simulate the accident); Panel On
  3. Ahistorical, all gold Skylab - Shield Off; Panel Off (Texture Unlimited mod required for extra shiny gold)

Skylab is launched on a two stage Saturn V rocket: the lower S-IC first stage and S-II second stage. Skylab itself replaces the S-IVB upper stage and Apollo crew module. Once in orbit, the Truss Structure is rotated to place the Telescope Mount in position (requires Breaking Ground DLC).

Skylab Launch Config

Wetlab

The original plan was to launch Skylab on a Saturn 1B rocket as a wetlab. Once in orbit, the modified S-IVB stage would be drained of fuel and converted into a lab. The ATM would be attached to a LEM Ascent Module and launched with the crew separately. This assembly replaces the S-IVB stage.

  • Replace OWS Orbital Workshop with a WWS Wet Workshop.
  • Replace RMPS Radiator Unit with an S-IVB Engine Mount and J2 Engine
  • Remove the Truss Structure
  • Replace the upper docking port with an Apollo Active Docking Port

Spacelab

Additional parts are provided to build the Spacelab concept from the Eyes Turned Skyward alternate history timeline.

  • Hokulani-RAM Adapter Module replaces the Airlock Module
  • Hokulani-PPAx Double Solar Panel replace the regular short panels
  • Hokulani-FRM Foreign Research Module - Flown up separately and docked to the end of the MDA
  • Hokulani-EALM Expansion Airlock Module - Also flown up separately and docked to the upper docking node. Final assembly requires some EVA to attach 4 EAS Struts.

Spacelab Assembled PS

Skylab Reactivation Proposal

A 1978 proposal using the Space Shuttle to reactive Skylab and extend its operational life.

  • Mission 1 STS-2A (Columbia) boosts Skylab to a higher orbit using a remote-controlled Teleoperator Retrieval System, adding five years of operational life.

image

  • Missions 2 & 3 attach a docking adapter, conduct repairs & replace worn system components. The adapter can be fitted with either Apollo Docking Mechanisms or APAS75 docking ports.

Skylab Docking Adapter

  • Mission 4 attaches a 25kw solar-powered Power Expansion Package built on two repurposed Hubble service modules. The 4x square Power Module Passive Berthing Ports are used for stowage in the Space Shuttle cargo bay. They also allow for deployment of the PEP in different orientations when used on the STS itself. The radiator is optional.

Skylab Power Tower

  • Over the next five years, Skylab is expanded to accommodate eight crew with a new docking module, additional logistics modules, Spacelab modules and pallets and an orbital vehicle space dock using the shuttle's external tank.

Skylab Reactivation Proposal