KerbalX

Built in the VAB in KSP version 1.7.3 (DLC REQUIRED)
- Breaking Ground DLC
- Making History DLC
- Squad (stock).
Root part is Size3.Size4.Adapter.01.

Inspiration

Modules: Vulkan LEK (Lunar Expeditionary Complex) (Russia)
Launcher: Long March 9 (China)

Description

The “M-Exploration Komplex”, or MEK project, is a cooperation between the TianPin Collegiate and Woomerang Design Bureau, with minor technological input from KSC, as a way to put an outpost onto Munar and Minmus surface, including that of the Polar region.

Utilizing semi-monolithic design, it was composed of the “MEK-LHM” Labatory and Habitat module, and the “MEK-FEM” Factory and Equipment module, each powered by on-board solar panels and detachable “K-Nuc” Mobile nuclear reactors. On their own, the LHM and FEM will function sufficiently, but putting them close to each other maximize the potential of the outpost.

To launch both modules, the TianPin Collegiate’s Xinhai SiCC launch vehicle was used; its ample TRW and Delta-V allows a dual-manifest of both modules, each carry a K-Nuc to anywhere on Mun, even its Polar regions.

Note on deployment

The deployment scheme is tested for two orbit in a both equatorial and polar Munar orbit, with the worst distance apart of 2km. That is to say, once in landing orbit, the LHM (which is on top) seperate and descent first, and then the FEM landed. Equatorial Orbit is naturally easiest, while Polar Orbit is most difficult.

Real life Notes

After the cancellation of N1 and firing of Korolev’s successor, Valentin Glushko of NPO Energia proposed the construction of Vulkan rocket in lieu of N1 (which failed 4 times), and use that not just to send Russian to space, but also to create a lunar base, known as Lunar Expeditionary Complex - LEK. It would consist of a laboratory-habitat module (represented by the LHM module), and a laboratory-factory module (represented by FEM module) that would not just carry out biological and physics experiment, but also utilize lunar soil to generate oxygen. To support the outpost, a heavy Lunokhod will also be delivered and have the means to move lunar soil and loading/unloading operations. A 3-crew cosmonauts would arrive the base with a direct ascent lander.

However, the Soviet’s Academy of Science favor projects with national economic importance, and thus Vulkan was converted to Energia for Shuttle Buran. However, Glushko never really let go of his moon dream: the Energia Lunar expedition project is an adaption of LEK for short term stay, with the Energia LEK being the original direct lander converted for Lunar Rendezvous and to be launched on Energia Rocket.

Maker’s Note

While I did briefly considered making a Vulkan (aka inline Energia rocket), due to its close similarities to Fogin SaCC (SLS clone) and the existing of Xinhai SiCC (which I ended up using), I did not bother as it will be heavily overlapped.

The design process is actually a work backward, in that its research started out from the Energia LEK lander, and then combined with a version of an Apollo-based bases I was testing. Effort shifted to this design mainly due to the factory module, which can easily translate to an ISRU module in KSP — something I myself needed for reusable Munar/Minmus landers.

The Heavy Lunokhod will be released as a seperate craft.

Details

• Type: VAB
• Class: base
• Part Count: 234
• Pure Stock