MIR space station

[Retired_for_now]

Well,
I found enough info, and enough existing bits to get started. I'll chronicle the evolution here if there's interest.

Google search was moderately helpful, but it was a lot quicker to locate pictures and information on Mir in the email list vault archives on Sven's Ninfinger site (from the Yahoo space modellers group).

Basic building blocks start with the ISS modules (which is an advantage as dimensioned drawings for ISS parts are posted on the NASA ISS pages):
Zvezda service module
Zvezda.jpg
Zarya Functional Cargo Block lab module
Zarya.jpg

The Zvezda is an evolved Salyut
Salyut6_Model.jpg

which we'll need to devolve into the intermediate configuration of the Mir Core Module
core_colcutaway.jpg

The remaining major Mir modules are variants on Zarya (which I'm still working on). Pictured is the Kvant-2.
quant2_colcutaway.jpg

The docking module, which provides a shuttle-compatible port as well as an additional Salyut parking spot, will be modified from the ISS Pirs module.
Pirs.JPG

And, of course, we've got to have something completely unique. The Kvant module - which may use some pieces of the core, or may not. Artist's (some what inaccurate) concept.
Kvant.jpg

So to work. Spacecraft are all conics and prisms - except for the dang greebles. If I build small (which brings its own challenges) I can get by with graphic simulations or near-net-shapes. Otherwise, there's some complex piles of cylinders, spheres, and boxes to do ...

Yogi

[BARX2]

Wow! Looks great! Can't wait to see more.

[jleslie48]

hubba hubba hubba, ...

[Retired_for_now]

Thanks guys.

Starting off (like the station did) with the core block - core module and Kvant, also did the docking module 'cause it was on the page. Building a little bitty one to start, just in case it's usable to display with the two-foot ISS.

Keeping with my educational focus/excuse, keep the parts count down. Well, few parts per module but a lot of modules.

Parts for the core module:
Mir-CoreParts.jpg

Kvant and the docking module:
Mir-KvantParts.jpg

Basic pieces assembled:
Mir-CoreKvantDock.jpg
Mir-CoreKvant_2.jpg

Next up is Kvant2, parts:
Mir-Kvant2Parts.jpg

And the assembly:
Mir-Kvant2v1.JPG

Needs some modification. The long greeble boxes (enclose a long cylinder) need to be sloped at the aft end to move them back tightly against the base cones. As is, they crowd the nose and forward greebles.

Haven't installed any slip rings to connect things yet. You could just glue everything together, but that would make the model un-transportable. Refer back to the overall picture of the Mir "starfish."

Back to the garrett.

Yogi

[Retired_for_now]

Made some progress on redrawing the modules.

Old (Kvant-2) vs. new (Krystall)
Mir-rework_on_Krystall.jpg

Seems to look a bit better. I looked at enhancing the greebles, but at this size I'd be making conics/etc. less than a quarter inch in diameter - exceeds the need I think.

Finished mounting solar arrays and instruments on Kvant, Core, Krystall, and the docking module. Friction fit on the slip ring connectors is sufficient at this size (1:165) but the entire station is going to be difficult to mount. This "little" one is going to end up just short of a foot across, foot high, and 6-8 inches deep. Starfish ain't the half of it.

Mir-TestFitTwo.jpg

mir_1996config.jpg

Yogi

[Retired_for_now]

So, rebuilt the the Kvant-2 module using the revised parts. Then put together Priroda. Major rework of my first design required [Note for Les] - somehow I drew it much too long. Did a Bomarc (cut in half, cut some more, glue back together, breathe) and fixed it. Still not too many parts but it needed some cylinder greebles.

Mir-Priroda.JPG
Mir-PrirodaNadir.JPG

Everything seems to fit together so far -

Mir-TestFit5.jpg
Mir-TestFit8.jpg

though if you look at in-orbit pictures of Mir, the Krystall module is oriented differently than the others (likely considerations for sun exposure on its cooling radiators). This causes interference between the Krystall radiators and the core solar arrays (wonder what the real-world answer was?). Just about every picture also seems to show the Krystall radiators accordianed shut - not sure I want to fold them that much - could make it difficult to keep them aligned. Oh well ...

Mir-Kvant2Fit.jpg
Mir-KrystallFit.jpg
Mir-PrirodaFit.jpg

Spektr up next (and of course two more tiny Soyuz and a Progress ...).

Yogi

[Retired_for_now]

Ok, just a spectre (or Spektr - no cyrillic fonts loaded). Last module in place - need to revise the patterns again to get the nose right and position the arrays better.

Mir-TestFit10.jpg

Stand design in progress (more to follow - it's drying now).

Mir-Stand2.jpg

Mir-Stand3.jpg

Ended up laminating a strong circle (several layers wrapped around a mandrel) then cutting it in half to make a cradle. It won't balance as shown (note small wire at bottom) but I think I can add another cradle reaching out from the main support to the Spektr (lower) module to hold it up - puts all the pieces in compression as well.

Eventually, it'll all come together (then print out another set and let them set for a month or so before I do another).

Mir-CentralNode.jpg

Yogi

[jleslie48]

she looks great.

[Retired_for_now]

Thanks Jon.

Put the stand together (still have two little Soyuz and a Progress shape to add). Seems to work as designed.

Mir-StandDetail.jpg

Now, back to various pictures for further corrections to graphics, greebles, and (in a few cases) positioning/dimensions. Priroda still looks too long and the forward arrays on Spektr need to move more toward the nose.

MIR.jpg

Fix, print, rest - then do a set for the planetarium (this set goes to the Emerald Coast Science Center).

Yogi

[paulhbell]

Nice work.