Project ESA Columbus MTFF

[4throck]

Hi all,

I've been working on, based on the idea that it might be fun to have a space station with a VC, so that you could sit in it and watch (or control) docking for example. To try that, I started modeling the ESA Columbus Man Tended Free Flyer (MTFF) space station project. (here's some info about the project: http://www.astronautix.com/craft/colrmtff.htm ) I went for the last proposed design, which is the simplest, with just a Spacelab like module and a propulsion and power module at the back.

Here are some images of it. I will improve the mesh and texturing in the future.

It was suposed to be serviced by the Hermes shuttle and possibly to dock from time to time with Space Station Freedom. That would be something nice to try to recreate. Also, some versions of the project featured a robotic arm.

For the interior, I've used Spacelab as a guide. There will be a place on the wall for 2 MDFs displays and perhaps a porthole.

Any coments are welcome!

 

[Urwumpe]

Could you shape it to be launched on an Ariane 5?

And don't use MDFs. MFDs are better inside a spacecraft. And more important than MFDs inside the free flyer would be experiment racks, since the MTFF will be unmanned during the microgravity experiments.

 

[4throck]

I'm using the referenced dimensions, that are consistent with Spacelab and the ISS Columbus module. It also docks OK with the Hermes. I haven't seen any drawing of the launch configuration, but of course the the panels are supposed to fold. And yes, a launch scenario would be nice !

When I mentioned MDFs, I was thinking about two small black screens integrated into the racks. See the texture I'm preparing for the walls, the MDF "squares" on the left are too big but you should get the idea:

In the future this might be a good thing to have, if some MDF could manage experiments, for example. Perhaps the CameraMDF could be used to control a robotic arm outside the station, etc. I'll not be adding the arm now, but I'd like at least to have the mesh and textures prepared for that possibility. Dont' worry I won't put in a cockpit !

 

[Urwumpe]

MDF = Medium Density Fiberboard, an important part of any simpit. I doubt you plan to use MDF panels in a real spacecraft.

And if you want to use wood applications as decoration in a spacecraft, please use mahagoni... it just looks better.

 

[4throck]

:rofl:LOL!

I didn't catch that! Actually I'm slightly dyslexic and English is a second language, so.. I confused the initial. Of course I meant Multi Functional Display - MFD ! :lol:

As for mahagoni, well, I'll use it if I do a Julius Verne inspired 1800's moon lander !

 

[4throck]

Made some more progress with MTFF. It will be a very simple addon, with the station in orbit and one docking port. The idea is to provide an alternate destination besides the ISS.

The only real problem is the VC and MFDs (see the bottom image). They are correctly positioned but way too big. Any advice?

 

[Urwumpe]

The only real problem is the VC and MFDs (see the bottom image). They are correctly positioned but way too big. Any advice?

Make the screen area smaller and put buttons and knobs around them, but make both MFDs looks alike then. With maybe some grips at the side for pretending IVA capability. And fix the UV texture coordinates for each MFD. Each MFD needs to have 0/0 in the upper left and 1/1 in the lower right.


Or replace them outright by a notebook on a support, which would then allow a bigger screen area. But this would be pretty annoying for standard orbiter MFDs, and would work better with custom rendering, like also intercepting mouse clicks on the screen area.

 

[mc_]

Idea is interesting.

Some day UMMU's will be able to walk inside a ship, and this project will be a starting point of it

 

[4throck]

Thanks for the advice, I needed to texture the polygons were I wanted the displays to be. They are ok now.

Here I'm using CameraMFD to simulate an external view while undocking from the ISS. Really cool in fact .

And here is the Hermes shuttle visiting the MTFF:

I've tried to simulate the Ion engines on MTFF, but they are weak for large maneuvers. From the documentation I've read, it was really supposed to be that way, and it should work for keeping attitude and orbit over time. Docking with suck small speed changes will be a challenge.

I just have to correct some texturing and scenarios (Atlantis, Hermes, ISS and solo orbit) and it's almost done.

 

[4throck]

Here's the final version of the MTFF model with more detailed texturing and correct orientation regarding the Earth.

 

[Submariner]

This is great! I've been waiting for a station module that you could sit inside, although a porthole would REALLY be nice, to be able to look out at the beautiful earth. When will this be released?

 

[4throck]

Patience ! I'm working on this and other stuff, so it's getting done.
No point in releasing something that is poor.

There is a porthole, quite small but it there. It's the blue circle bellow the docking port. But field of view is limited. Anyway this space station was supposed to be unmanned most of the time.
BUT you can use CameraMFD and simulate an exterior camera :thumbup:.
This addon is more of a test to this concept than a fully functional station.

 

[PhantomCruiser]

Dude! Fantastic work.

 

[Urwumpe]

Could you maybe permit installing experiments on the outside via UMMU?

 

[4throck]

It's released ([ame="http://www.orbithangar.com/searchid.php?ID=4570"]Columbus Manned-Tended Free Flyer (MTFF) - v1[/ame]). Don't expect anything too fancy, but of course you can dock with it !

I appreciate the suggestions made, but for now I have other Orbiter projects that need to get done and this one is good enough for a first release, I think.

Please report any problems you find, missing files, etc.

Of course, if someone wants to improve on it, by creating more interesting scenarios or making a custom .dll , adding UMMU, just let me know. I'm all for it and will help as much as I can in releasing an updating version with those features.

 

[mc_]

Nice work, but, i think, it will be better with UMMU.

 

[4throck]

The project is open to participation, as I mentioned before. The mesh might need some more work for the airlock to work, but it's there already.

If someone adds it, I'll surely release a new version with those new features, giving proper credit of course.