Topaz II
Topaz II is a large space station constructed and operated by Izistan. The construction period was small(months!) due to the large modules and the payload abilities of Izistani rockets.
Contents
Mission
The Topaz II is designed to study methods and technology of long duration Zero-Gravity flight, it also serves as an orbital deport, labratory and observitory. Topaz II Heavy Space Station.
The Topaz II is a far larger station then the earlier Aleutian and Topaz I station(s). The components were designed with the use of heavy lift rockets in mind. The first Topaz II module was launched on March 15th 2004, construction was completed January 6th 2005.
Modules
The station is composed of three main modules(and one seperate).
The Habitat Module: The area were the crew lives, eats and plays. The station normally hosts six cosmonauts in spacious (for a space station) quarters, it may also host up to twelve in overflow situations.
The Laboratory Module: Contains scientific equipment and material for a variety of fields, it also houses the communication equipment for the station.
The Airlock/Docking Module: The lightest part of the station, weighing in at 25 tonnes. It houses the airlock for EVA activities and four docking portals for up to four visiting spacecraft.
The Telescope: Actually not connected to the station, but orbiting 15 kilometers away for ease of servicing . The images taken by the telescope are often featured in Izistani media.
The two main station modules weigh in at around 250 tonnes each, this allows for much space and equipment. They are about 40 meters long each and 10 meters wide, the docking module is about 10 meters in length, and 5 meters wide. The modules were launched to 185 kilometers and pushed by boosters to a attitude of 405 kilometers where they were assembled by Izistani RSTS shuttles, crews arrive viva the Bypak crew transporter space plane. Resupply is accomplished by the Produce resupply craft. A onboard crew bailout system is provided in case of damage to the Bypak.
There is talk of fitting the newly completed station with a nuclear powered ion thruster capable of maintaining orbit without the need for a friendly craft to boost it up further. The upcoming lunar mission will relay data through the station and a series of satellites.
Specifications
Typical Crew Size: 6.
Total Length: 135 meters.
Maximum Diameter: 10 meters.
Total Mass: 530,000 kilograms.
Orbit Attitude: 405 kilometers(Earth).
Electrical System: Solar cells (A 5MW Vapor Core nuclear reactor was coverty installed with the station, it is suspended at the end of a 25 meter long robotic arm and rotates; this information was not released to the international community).
