KerbalX

Details

• Type: VAB
• Class: station
• Part Count: 61
• Mods: 3
• KSP: 1.11.1

Mods

• New Tantares
• New TantaresLV
• Squad (stock)

The second generation of Soviet space stations, Salyut 6 and 7, planned to go forward towards a modular concept and thus a number of module possibilities were suggested including a module with additional and newer scientific instruments. This module began life as one in a series of 37K modules which were designed to be able to fit in the planned Buran space shuttle bay and to either be docked to a space station, temporarily or permanently, or simply be a temporary module for the Buran space shuttle. The 37K series was cancelled by 1983 with only two remaining modules – the 37KE which would become the Kvant-1 and an instrumental module for the Buran.

The Kvant-1 module went several designs including a Big Kvant design for a larger space station design but was finalized into a smaller design. While it provided additional scientific instruments and life support systems it was also the first real test of the modularity’s success with the space station Mir. It was eventually launched in 1987 and encountered some docking problems due to debris left over from the last Progress spacecraft. However within two weeks it became the first semi-permeant module for the Mir thus making it a truly modular space station.

The Kvant-1’s experiments eventually required additional power requirements which came from stowed solar arrays that were attached to the Mir Core Module. A few years later the Kvant-1 became a test for space-based construction techniques when supports for future solar arrays and a propulsion unit were added. The module got its first solar panel array from the Kristall module followed by a brand-new array a few years later another new solar array replaced the older Kristall one.

The Quantum-1 is an approximation of the Kvant-1 built using Tantares parts and provides extra crew space, laboratory module, and scientific instruments. It is carried on a FCB tug as it doesn’t have its own propulsion which should remain attached until you are satisfied with the module’s docking position. It is docked to the rear docking port on the Kir Core Module which may interfere with the operation of the orbital engines so be careful in making orbital adjustments with them after the Quantum-1 is permanently docked.

While the historical Kvant-1 was used on Mir it could have been the first semi-permeant module on Salyut 7 and as such could also be docked to the Baruti 6 or 7 turning those into modular space stations. The docking procedure would be similar and it’d be docked to the rear docking port in either station.

Built in the VAB in KSP version 1.11.1.