The new rail system allows for some interesting new docking designs. Here are some ideas I had for expanding on a familiar theme.
This set consists of:
- One B-class “Buzzard” tug (new) in EVA Operations configuration: a Type “O” operations pod (new) stacked under a Type “Q” crew pod (new)
- One C-class “Condor” shuttle (new) in Ferry configuration: a Type “A” passenger pod stacked under a Type “E” Winch Pod
- One C-class “Condor” shuttle (new) in First Responder configuration: a Type “B” rescue pod stacked under a Type “M” Mission pod
The construction of the massive Moonbase Alpha was the pinnacle achievement of mankind in space at its time, but it was only the final phase of a much larger and complex space engineering program that spanned more than 15 years. To support such a large lunar construction endeavor planners realized early on that a low energy logistics pipeline between the earth and the moon would be a necessity if the project was to remain affordable and thus achievable.
This new Trans-Lunar Logistics Network would be built on four legs: 1) From earth to low-earth orbit, 2) from earth orbit to a new space station at the earth-moon L1 Lagrangian point, 3) from L1 station to a new station in lunar orbit, and finally 4) from lunar orbit to the lunar surface. Each leg produced its own unique set of technical requirements and challenges when it came to transportation. If the project was to succeed it needed a vehicle system that could satisfy all of the diverse requirements yet remain practical, serviceable and interoperable. After many designs were proposed and turned down the final winning bid for the Trans-Lunar Vehicle design went to a Kickstarter campaign founded by an international group of Lego enthusiasts with an incredibly novel yet simple idea: “Just snap different stuff together, like this.” Thus a new era of spaceflight was born.
The TLV specifications called for 5 vehicle classes sharing many component designs between them, most notably the same cockpit/command module and tubular spine construction:
- A-class “Avocet” Low Earth Orbiter. Instrumental in the construction of the massive LEO space station, it was the first reusable orbital spacecraft to both ascend and descend vertically under its own power. Early successes of the A-class program lead to the canceling of a rival lifter/glider program that many aerospace experts dismissed as a “pipe dream”. The Avocet was distinguished by its four tubular spines and long landing struts and would be the only TLV that stood upright. Piloting one took great skill and what would be the best crews of the Trans-Lunar Corp started out as “Avonauts”. As they are only rated for LEO flight they will never be found in trans-lunar space. Unless of course something has gone horribly wrong.
- B-class “Buzzard” Tug. Once the LEO station was operational work began on the L1 and lunar orbital stations. The B-class was well-suited for that role. The first spacecraft to be completely constructed in space, it was designed to provide highly efficient near-earth operations outside of the constraints of gravity. It was less than half the length of the Avocet with only a single tubular spine and much less powerful engines. It also introduced the standardized TLV “pod” concept which allowed the mission capability of an individual vehicle to be easily changed without remanufacture. Hundreds of Buzzards were produced over the years and they would go on to maintain a stellar track record of safety and achievement.
- C-class “Condor” Shuttle. With the L1 and lunar orbit stations complete planners knew it would be time to populate the facilities with the civilian classes, from administrators, bureaucrats and politicians to cooks, maids and janitors. While all provided necessary functions they would not be true astroneers and would expect a certain level of service and comfort in their travels. It was the job of the Condor to introduce easy space travel to the masses. Essentially a Buzzard augmented with a forward ventral docking “gate” it would become known as the first true “spaceliner” to the population at large. It was the ambition of many astroneers nearing the end of their careers to land a nice and cushy assignment in an orbit-to-orbit shuttle.
- D-class “Duck” Lunar Orbiter. The requirements of this vehicle were similar to those of the Avocet albeit at a much smaller scale due to the Moon’s lesser gravity. Its primary purpose was to haul personnel and material between lunar station and the surface during the early occupation phases – a rather unglamorous job initially managed by onboard pilots but eventually turned over to remote control and automation. While Ducks performed a vital role they did it mostly in the dark and without fanfare. At the end of their service lives they were frequently sold unceremoniously to the private sector as a source of parts, materials and collectables.
- E-class “Eagle” Transporter. With the preceding legs of the Trans-Lunar Logistics Network established it was time to enter the final phase with the construction of Moonbase Alpha. Planners realized that once the other facilities were complete there would be a wasteful overcapacity of vehicles in the network. To solve that problem and with an eye to future requirements they conceived a single highly-capable vehicle design that would be built from the dismantled components of the others and assume their prior roles. The Eagle would become the “Frankenstein” of the TLV program consolidating the best characteristics of all prior vehicles. From the Avocet it inherited component strength, engine power and atmospheric capability. From the Buzzard it inherited versatility, reliability and crew loyalty. From the Condor it inherited safety features, ease of use and what few comforts space travel has to offer. From the Duck it inherited automation, lunar survivability, and most notably its distinctive landing gear nacelles. Thus the Eagle would share in the success of all of its predecessors and become one of the finest machines ever built. Flawlessly performing a vital role in the construction of Alpha it would also come to symbolize mankind’s conquest of near-earth space, past, present and future.
The B-class Trans-Lunar Vehicle is the most common vehicle in near-earth space. Although designed specifically to transport TLV modular pods around and between orbital stations it has succeeded at many other applications as well due to its legendary versatility. Externally the Buzzard is bristled with life support, power and mechanical interconnects to facilitate EVA operations. It is quite common to see them mated with Type “O” EVA Operations pods within orbital construction zones.
As a predecessor of the Eagle the Buzzard shares so many design elements that it’s easier to quantify the few differences. They include:
- Improved flight deck visibility
- Maneuvering nacelles without landing gear
- Near Earth Orbit rated engines (lower power)
- Regulation navigation lights and high-visibility forward beacons
C-class “Condor” Shuttle
The Condor was adapted from the Buzzard and augmented with a forward facing docking interface compatible with all TLV docking ports. The docking “gate” module can be mated to the first ventral pod of a stacked pod configuration. The dorsal pod may be of any kind and is frequently a Type “E” Winch during short-term flights. Internally the Condor has added crew comfort features to accommodate longer orbit-to-orbit flights and extended deployments may be accommodated by the addition of a Type “Q” crew pod in the stacked dorsal position. The Condor is often the general public’s first experience with space travel and as such movies involving Condor hijackings and other assorted disasters are quite popular.
Mass: 57.6
Type “O” EVA Operations Pod
During orbital facility construction projects the EVA Operations pods serve as vital nexus points for life support and project management. It is not uncommon to see stacks of them combined with crew pods free-floating and scattered around construction zones. They are effectively mini-space stations with their own station-keeping and local space traffic control capability. Like the Buzzard they have a generous supply of external interconnects for life support consumables and EVA work crews never like to venture too far from them. Due to their spacious interiors they are second only to Type “H” Habitat pods in desirability by the private sector for conversion to zero-g residences.
- Large internal work staging areas
- Twin high-capacity airlocks
- Advanced capabilities for extended life support operations
- Some decent video games in the break area
Throughout the history of mankind, crews of vessels of all kinds from the earliest sailing ships to the latest interplanetary explorers have had two common complaints: 1) The bunks are too hard, and 2) the head is too small. The “Q” is the Trans-Lunar Authority’s honest albeit still somewhat lacking solution to those problems. Designed more with crew morale in mind than essential life support it manages to cram a small kitchen, a larger than usual refresher and four individual privacy suites into a single pod. Of course crews have still made moaning and bitching about them an art but in truth they’re always a welcome sight on tug loading out for an extended duty mission.
- Small kitchen
- Larger than usual refresher
- Four individual privacy suites
- Packs of cards and bottles of contraband liquid consumables hidden under the floor
Enjoy,
Davetheon
