To celebrate the anniversary of the CSS's launch even further, I thought I could finally share screenshots of Space Shuttle Mission-11, aka the first mission of Space Shuttle Olympic (named after the RMS Olympic) which launched the first module of the CSS.
This mission and station means a lot to me. For 9-10 years, I wanted to assemble my own space station in Orbiter. It was essentially my Orbiter dream, so to speak. But, until last summer, that dream was never feasible, for I lacked the knowledge and skill to put such a station in orbit.
A year ago, I decided to finally attempt to do proper space shuttle flights, so flights where I began on the launchpad and finished on the runway. I launched plenty of Space Shuttles before, but I never did much more with them. Not dock nor land. I knew how to dock, but not within the small margin of error of the space shuttle. And, I did not know how to land precisely on a runway, all my attempts usually ending up with the spacecraft (whether it be a shuttle or a DG) crash-landing in empty fields or the sea.
So, I installed STS2016 by gattispilot, created my own space shuttle (Space Shuttle Emerillon) and launched SSM-1. The mission had two goals: dock to the ISS and land. I failed to dock but landed successfully. On the next mission (SSM-2 with my second space shuttle named Adventure), I did manage to reach the ISS and dock.
It was then I remembered my old dream of assembling my own space station, and decided to go for it! SSM-3 to SSM-10 were all "training missions" where I familiarized myself more and more with the space shuttle. And then, for SSM-11, I loaded the first module of my very own space station in the cargo bay of the new Space Shuttle Olympic (my fourth shuttle) and prepared myself for launch.
And so, one year ago, Olympic took off for its inaugural space flight!
SRBs sep!
Space Shuttle Olympic on its very first orbit. The first module of the CSS is in its cargo bay.
With the help of the Canardarm, the module is released to fly freely.
And then, the PMA adaptor is attached. The solar panels are deployed.
And Olympic docks with the CSS! It was a very proud moment. I was grinning like an idiot. I now had my own space station in orbit! I was docked to it!
Olympic returned safely home, leaving place for a dozen flights to finish the assembly of the CSS.
I may have begun the assembly of its replacement yesterday, but the CSS still means a lot to me. So, if you want to play with it as well, go download it. It's here on the website!
https://orbiter-forum.com/resources/the-canadian-space-station.5467/