Skip to main content

Skylab B

I did a series of add-ons that depict the planned Skylab B international space station, a follow up to the historical US Skylab program.


In reality the Skylab B hardware exists and is on museum display. It was identical to the flown Skylab, since it was its flight spare.

For this add-on, an alternate reality is considered, based in several proposals by NASA made in the 1970's.

The main changes are the lack of the Solar Observatory, the additional docking ports for Soviet spacecraft, and the alternate solar panel positions. This configuration would allow the station to accommodate extended docking or servicing by Apollo, Soyuz, Progress, Salyut and eventually the Space Shuttle.


Besides the Skylab B station, the addon also has a AMU "jetpack", a LEM derived Apollo Telescope Mount, a Resupply Module, EVAs and custom cargo, and even a Skylab-Soyuz mission scenario!













Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Space Station Freedom interior resources

Although the project was canceled and evolved into the ISS, at least some mock-ups and trainers were built. Being the late 1980's not much reference photos exist on the web. I'm posting the all the images I could find for the convenience of having them together at a single place. This way the general layout of the station can be understood. Some of the solutions found their way into the ISS, others didn't. On general the station seems bigger and the concept would make a nice virtual cockpit for a "alternate history" simulation. Mock-ups: The four long modules running left to right contain the three laboratories and the habitability area. Between these are connecting capsules, and at far right can be seen the station commander's observation cupola. The colored spheres in the foreground assembly are gas containers, with oxygen, nitrogen and other gases for experimental use. A variation of the above arrangement 1989 mock-up with American, Eu...

Gemini B cockpit layout

The Gemini B was the military version of the Gemini spacecraft, adapted for use on the MOL (Manned Orbiting Laboratory) program. The general cockpit layout was similar, but many instruments were changed. I'm doing a 3D model of the cockpit, and as part of that I need to recreate the dashboard layout. For the normal Gemini we have great detailed instrument layouts, but for Gemini B we must work based on photos. I've identified as much labels as possible. Some probably have errors, but still I think you get the idea of the general operation. The main difference from the stock Gemini is that gauges and switches are more protected perhaps from accidental touching. Also you have controls for the MOL laboratory on the right hand panel. Left panel Center panel Bottom panel Right panel I'm working mainly based on two reference photos: (http://www.nro.gov) (unknown origin)

Orion cockpit layout

In preparation for my Constellation program add-on, I collected some images about Orion's cockpit panel layout. These are quite interesting and you can see how it is evolving. 2012 (NASA Systems Engineering Simulator) 2014  layout I assembled this view  from a NASA video showing most parts of the panel and LCD displays. Resolution is good enough to read most of the labels. 2014 Mockup 2015 Mockup The 2015 mockup shows some diferences from the 2014 version. The design seems less monotonous and with a few less flip switches. Image sources: NASA