K. Tsiolkovsky space station

Speaking about the tasks of space exploration, K. E. Tsiolkovsky believed, that first of all people will have to populate the space close to the earth by building "etheric settlements" in orbits. In the science fiction novel "Beyond the Earth" (published during the scientist's lifetime in 1918 and 1920), he described a functioning station in space, inhabited by humans. In fact, it was the first project of an orbital station, the main ideas of which are used in practice today. Stations built and tested on Earth, according to Tsiolkovsky, should be carried into orbit in parts by cargo rockets. The stations will be assembled in orbit (the idea of modular orbital complexes). In the further future, after mastering near-Earth space, Tsiolkovsky planned to use asteroid material to build interplanetary stations. Individual stations, gradually connected into giant garlands, will have to form "etheric settlements" around the Earth and in the asteroid belt. Part of the surface of the station, according to Tsiolkovsky's plan, should be transparent: greenhouses will be created in the sunlit rooms. Plants will provide humans with food, oxygen and recycle waste products (the idea of a closed life support system). Konstantin Eduardovic believed, that the opaque part of the station's cladding could be covered with reflective materials, thus regulating the temperature inside the station. All rooms must be isolated and connected with hermetically sealed hatches, in this case damage to one compartment and depressurization will not cause an accident of the entire station. To improve living conditions on such stations, Tsiolkovsky proposed to give them rotation by creating artificial gravity. He also detailed for the first time spacesuits for working in space, airlocks for entering airless space and focused on the need to use solar energy to power the station.

A simple, but interesting model of the space station, created according to the scientist's own drawings. Intended for the modeler of any experience, there are electronic parts, that can be used to make orangery lighting, there are plotter cut parts from cardboard and clear plastic. Antiquarian publication.