FSS Vaiatea

Template:SpacecraftThe Feguan Space Station 1, FSS Vaiatea, is a space station launched by FAITO Aerospace Inc and owned by the Empire of Fegeland. The first module was launched in 2058 and the station is still under construction nowadays. At this point, the station is made of 4 different modules, plus a MTV-02 'Aito 2' vessel permanently docked on the station in case of emergency.

Composition and building

The station is built using a modular architecture. Several modules are launched separately then docked together in space. There are currently 4 main modules on the station, plus two separate ships :

• The Core Module, first one to be launched. It have 4 solar panels, storage capabilities, and an attitude control system.
• The Multipurpose Habitation Module. This module serves as an habitation for the crew of 4. It can also be used to conduct scientific experiments. Two docking ports and high-range antennae are also available.
• The Docking Node DN2 Unity, which provides 6 additional docking ports for adding modules. Two of the 6 ports are currently occupied, one for docking the node on the core module, the other for the solar array mast.
• The Solar Array Mast SA-05 'Mana Pae', which provides electrical power to the station.

Two spacecraft are also permanently docked on the station, and thus can be considered as part of it.

• The UTV-03 'Vini iti' tug, used for grabbing and placing new modules on the station
• The MTV-05B 'Aito 2' vessel, used for transferring the first crew members on the station. As a safety feature, it remained attached to the station. This ensure there's always a way to escape it in case of an accident.

All those modules were launched by either the STS-01 'Bora-Bora' Space Shuttle or by FRS-09C Falcon 9 launchers. Supplying of the station is provided by the MTV-07 Dragon A spacecraft, the successor of the Aito 2 for LKO missions.

History and future evolutions

The idea of a space station was born early in the Fegeland space history. But the first serious thoughts about it date from 2056, when the Falcon 9 launcher became operational in it's small version (FRS-09A).

Fegeland space engineers wanted to have something to launch in order to test their new launcher, before sending manned missions. At the same time, other development teams were working on a space shuttle project. The STS-01 Bora-Bora space shuttle development ended a few months after the station's modules assembly. That's why half of them were launched by the STS-01 instead of the Falcon. The shuttle proved her capability of building large space constructions by carrying consequent payloads to orbit. However, the high costs of a standard shuttle launch prohibited using it for routine missions, such as crew transfer and supplying. The automated Dragon spacecraft (MTV-07 Dragon A) was elected to that purpose.

Due to others projects and ambitions, the station construction was delayed after only 4 modules sent to orbit. But the most recent evolutions of space industry and the upcoming programs such as the Ta'atearoa Program revived the necessity of a space station. The construction should resume quickly before the end of the 2060' decade. Bigger solar arrays, larger habitation modules and science laboratories should also be added to the existing modules, as well as capabilities for refueling and storage.