Historic Spacecraft Historic Spacecraft Logo

Recent Updates

New Artwork and Photographs

Indian Rocket Graphics Updated

Indian rockets.
ISRO Rockets
An illustration showing several rockets developed and operated by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).
(View Larger Version)

Several new illustrations have been added to the Indian Rockets Page, including artwork of the SSLV launcher, as well as two recent versions of the PSLV.


Inertial Upper Stage (IUS) Photos Added

Photos of an Inertial upper Stage (IUS) on display at the National Museum of the US Air Force have been added to the Upper Stages page..

(Photos: Richard Kruse, 2022)

Inertial upper Stage (IUS). Inertial upper Stage (IUS). Inertial upper Stage (IUS). Inertial upper Stage (IUS). Inertial upper Stage (IUS). Inertial upper Stage (IUS). Inertial upper Stage (IUS). Inertial upper Stage (IUS).

Posted 3 June 2023

New SpaceX Starship Illustrations

SpaceX rockets.
SpaceX Rockets
An illustration of Falcon 1, Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, and Starship. With an astronaut for scale.
(View Larger Version)
SpaceX Starship compared to Saturn 5 rocket.
Saturn 5 and Starship
Side by side comparison of Starship and the Saturn 5 Moon rocket.
(View Larger Version)
SpaceX Starship compared to the SLS rocket.
SLS and Starship
Side by side comparison of the NASA SLS rocket and SpaceX Starship.
(View Larger Version)

Posted 19 April 2023

New Updates

James Webb space telescope illustration

James Webb Space Telescope

In December 2021, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) was successfully launched on an Ariane 5 ECA rocket.

The powerful infrared telescope will be deployed at the L2 Lagrange point. Among other interesting uses, the telescope will be used to observe exoplanets, generating data that will be used to characterize atmospheric composition and planetary conditions.

JWST uses a deployable sunshade to keep the instruments cool, unlike some earlier infrared observatories that used a supply of liquid helium to maintain low enough temperatures.

For more information, visit James Webb Space Telescope website.


Lucy spacecraft drawing

Lucy

The NASA Lucy mission will investigate several Trojan asteroids and a main belt asteroid. The mission is part of NASA's Discovery program of solar system exploration missions.

The mission was launched in October 2021, from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, on an Atlas V-401 rocket.

Scientific instruments include a visible imager, an infrared imaging spectrometer, a long-range reconnaissance imager, and a thermal emission spectrometer.

Because the mission will be operating over 5 AU from the sun, the spacecraft requires large solar arrays.

For more information, visit the NASA's Lucy website.


Posted 2 January 2022

Visiting Vehicle Graphic App Updated

The interactive ISS Visiting Vehicle graphic generator has been updated to include the new Multipurpose Laboratory Module (MLM), replacing the DC-1 docking compartment at the Service Module's nadir docking port.

For creating graphics of historical or future configurations, a radio button is available allowing users to choose from several configurations at the Service Module nadir docking port. Options include the DC-1, MLM by itself, or MLM and the soon to be launched Prichal node module.

The MLM, also called Nauka, was launched in July 2021. The MLM includes areas for scientific research, crew quarters, and waste management. The module also assists the ISS with fuel storage, attitude control, and provides support for the European Robotic Arm.

If all goes as planned, the Prichal node module will launch later this year. When docked to the MLM, the node module will provide additional docking ports for the station.

Sample Graphics Created with the App

Space Station Visiting Vehicles
Sample visiting vehicles graphic with the Nauka and Prichal modules.
(View Larger Version)
Space Station Visiting Vehicles
Sample visiting vehicles graphic.
(View Larger Version)

Posted 12 September 2021

New Photos Added

Apollo 6 Command Module (CM-020)

The uncrewed Apollo 6 test flight was launched on April 4, 1968. The spacecraft is currently on display at the Fernbank Science Museum in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photos: Greg Fieser, 2018)

Apollo 6 Exterior

Apollo 6 Capsule. Apollo 6 front. Apollo 6 side hatch. Apollo 6 drogue mortars. Apollo 6 drogue mortars. Apollo 6 forward. Apollo 6 optics. Apollo 6 detail. Apollo 6 thrusters.

Apollo 6 Interior

Apollo 6 left side of control panel. Apollo 6 control panel. Apollo 6 right side of control panel. Apollo 6 center of control panel. Apollo 6 interior, left. Apollo 6 interior. Apollo 6 interior, right. Apollo 6 interior. Apollo 6 interior. Apollo 6 floor. Apollo 6 interior. Apollo 6 interior. Apollo 6 wiring. Apollo 6 wiring.

Apollo 6 Umbilical Connections

Apollo 6 umbilical connection. Apollo 6 umbilical connection details. Apollo 6 umbilical connection bottom.

Posted 7 September 2020

Updated Illustration and New Photos Added

Rockets that have Launched Humans into Orbit
Rockets that have Launched Humans into Orbit
(View Larger Version)

Rockets for Humans Spaceflight

My illustration, showing all rockets that have carried humans into orbit, has been updated to include the Falcon 9 with Crew Dragon.

Photos Added

Apollo Lunar Module Ascent Engine

The following photos were taken at the EAA Museum. (Photos: Richard Kruse, 2017)

Top of lunar module ascent engine. Lunar module ascent engine details. Side view of lunar module ascent engine. Lunar module ascent engine. Lunar module ascent engine bell.

Apollo 15 Command Module

The following photos were taken at the National Museum of the US Air Force. (Photos: Richard Kruse, 2018)

Hatch on Apollo 15 capsule. Apollo 15 capsule. Right side of Apollo 15 capsule. Apollo 15 capsule. Sextant on Apollo 15 capsule. Left side of Apollo 15 capsule. Apollo 15 capsule.

Posted 7 June 2020

Artwork Updates

SpaceX Falcon Family of Rockets Illustration Updated

Illustration of SpaceX Falcon rockets.
SpaceX Falcon Rockets
(View Larger Version)

Falcon 9 with Crew Dragon has now been added to the Falcon rockets graphic.


ISS Visiting Vehicle Illustrations Updated

Comparison of several ISS supply vehicles.
Comparison of ISS Crew and Cargo Vehicles
(View Larger Version)

The ISS Visiting Vehicle illustration now includes updated graphics for Crew Dragon and Dream Chaser.

The Interactive ISS Visiting Vehicle Illustration Tool has also been updated with the improved artwork.


Posted 6 July 2019

New Photos Added

Titan IVB Rocket Photos

Images of the Titan IVB rocket on display at the National Museum of the US Air Force have been added to the Titan Rockets page. (Photos: Richard Kruse, 2018)

Titan IVB rocket. Titan IVB rocket. Titan IVB rocket. Titan IVB rocket. Titan IVB rocket. Titan IVB rocket. Titan IVB rocket. Titan IVB rocket.
Titan IVB solid rocket motor. Titan IVB solid rocket motor. Titan IVB solid rocket motor. Titan IVB solid rocket motor. Titan IVB solid rocket motor. Titan IVB payload fairing. Titan IVB payload fairing.
Titan IVB rocket engines. Titan IVB rocket engines. Titan IVB rocket engines. Titan IVB rocket engines. Titan IVB rocket engines. Titan IVB rocket engines. Titan IVB rocket engines. Titan IVB solid rocket motor base.

Agena-D Photos

Images of the Agena-D stage, on display at the National Museum of the US Air Force have been added to the Upper Stages page. (Photos: Richard Kruse, 2018)

Agena-D upper stage. Agena-D upper stage. Agena-D upper stage. Agena-D upper stage. Agena-D upper stage. Agena-D upper stage. Agena-D upper stage. Agena-D upper stage. Agena-D upper stage. Agena-D upper stage. Agena-D upper stage. Agena-D upper stage.
Agena-D upper stage. Agena-D upper stage. Agena-D upper stage. Agena-D upper stage.

Posted 4 February 2019

New Artwork

SpaceX Falcon Family of Rockets Illustration Updated

Illustration of SpaceX Falcon rockets.
SpaceX Falcon Rockets
(View Larger Version)

I have added the Falcon 9 Block-5 to the Falcon rockets graphic.


Posted 15 May 2018

SpaceX Falcon Heavy illustration

Falcon Heavy

Illustration showing comparison of Falcon Heavy and Space Shuttle.
SpaceX Falcon Heavy and Space Shuttle comparison.
(View Larger Version)

The Falcon Heavy is a heavy-lift launch vehicle based on Falcon 9 technology. The rocket features a modified Falcon 9 first stage, with two additional stages used as strap-on boosters. The second stage and fairing is similar to those used on the existing Falcon 9.

For most payloads, the three booster stages will be recoverable.

First Test Flight

The first Falcon Heavy test flight was flown on 6 Feb 2018. The successful mission was launched from pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center and placed the payload, a Tesla roadster, into a heliocentric orbit with an aphelion beyond the orbit of Mars. Attempts were made to recover all three boosters. Each of the side boosters returned to successful landings at Cape Canaveral. The planned core stage landing, on a barge at sea, failed. Both side boosters were making their 2nd flight, each having launched payloads on previous missions.

Future Uses

Future payloads may include large communications satellites, Department of Defense payloads, and interplanetary missions.


Posted 7 February 2018

New Artwork

Chinese Space Launcher Graphic Updated

Illustration of Chinese rockets.
Chinese Rockets
(View Larger Version)

The Chinese rockets graphic has been updated to include the Long March 5 (CZ-5) rocket. The CZ-5 flew a successful inaugural mission in late 2016. The second CZ-5 mission, launched in 2017, was a failure.

Mars Missions Graphic Updated

Mars probe comparison chart
Comparison of several Mars probes.
(View Larger Version)

I have updated the "Mars Probes" graphic to include several recent missions, including the Indian Mars Orbiter Mission, the European Trace Gas Orbiter, and the Schiaparelli lander missions.


Posted 27 November 2017

Interactive ISS Visiting Vehicle Illustration Tool

Since starting HistoricSpacecraft.com, I have fulfilled a great many art use requests for space related magazines, websites, and other publications. One illustration in particular, a diagram showing six spacecraft docked to the ISS in 2011, has received a lot of interest. The artwork appeared in several magazines, scientific papers, and museum displays (Including an exhibit at the National Air and Space Museum). I have also learned that versions of the artwork are being used in documents at NASA.

I decided to create a simple web app that allows users to easily create similar diagrams reflecting different arrangements of spacecraft at the space station. A link to the app is now included in the left-side navigation menu as "ISS Vehicles" under "Interactive Features".

Examples

The following sample illustrations were created using the app.

Space Station Visiting Vehicles
Sample visiting vehicles graphic.
(View Larger Version)
Space Station Visiting Vehicles
Sample visiting vehicles graphic.
(View Larger Version)
Space Station Visiting Vehicles
Sample visiting vehicles graphic.
(View Larger Version)

Posted 5 Sept 2016

Titan Rocket Posters Available for Sale

I've had many requests over the years to make more of my artwork available for purchase in poster format. I recently added a Titan rockets poster to the Historic Spacecraft Store at CafePress. The poster includes 15 Titan missiles and space launchers and is available in three styles, a poster, a framed print, and a banner.

Titan rockets poster for sale. Titan rockets framed print for sale. Titan rockets banner for sale.

Posted 12 Aug 2016

About Historic Spacecraft

I started Historic Spacecraft in 2006. The initial goal was to host several hundred photos of space hardware from my collection. I later started to create illustrations for many spacecraft and rockets. Hopefully, this website will provide a valuable resource to space modelers and space exploration historians.

Historic Spacecraft currently has around 7,500 visitors per month. As of January 2014, the website includes over 1500 photographs and over 500 original illustrations.

I have an online store at CafePress. Sales from the products help support this website. If you think this website is worthwhile, consider making a small contribution via Paypal. All help is greatly appreciated!

Richard Kruse
Webmaster, HistoricSpacecraft.com

© Richard Kruse, 2006 - 2023 except where otherwise noted.
This document last modified Saturday, 03-Jun-2023 17:25:35 EDT.

Historic Spacecraft Store