Year 23, Day 340 (Aurora 29 Lander Departs Mun Surface!)

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On the surface of Mun, Summer and Lobert are nearly done with their scientific research! Their mission has lasted almost 10 days – nowhere near any records but for Lobert’s first mission – a pretty long time!

“I still can’t believe I got to go to Mun! It’s a shame we have to go back to Kerbin so soon!”
-Lobert

“Don’t worry – there is always another mission! Maybe you’ll be selected for one of the Deep Space missions to Jool or Sarnus! “
-Summer

Aurora 29 Mission Summary

  • Crew: Mission Commander Summer, Mission Scientist Gilian, Mission Engineer, Lobert .
  • Mission: Crewed mission to Mun. Land near Polar Mun Crater on Mun, perform scan with large scanning arm, return data to Kerbin.

After everything is prepared, the new VINCENT lander blasts off!

“Rocket firing – we have good readings on sensors… telemetry is nominal… “
-Summer

Lobert notices something amazing as the lander blasts off – the view out his window!

As the VINCENT lander rises from the surface, Kerbin starts rising above the Munar horizon! Lobert quickly snaps a photo!

Both Kerbals are quiet as they take in the impressive sight – their home, Kerbin, rising in the sky above the magnificent desolation of Mun’s surface…

“Oh! That is beautiful! Sometimes my eyes are so fixed on the instruments I forget to look out the window! ”
-Summer

“Space is awesome!“
-Lobert

“Yea… it sure is!”
-Summer

After capturing some breathtaking shots of Kerbin rising over the horizon, Summer circularizes lander’s orbit, matches planes with the Aurora 29 Crew Vehicle, and plots an intercept course to rendezvouses!

Gilian has been keeping busy taking scientific readings and also eating snacks and playing solitare!

“Aurora Lander this is Gillian – read you loud and clear – instruments look like you are on a good approach! It’ll be nice to have some company over here too!”
-Gillian

The two spacecraft move closer and closer, until…

“OK – starting final docking maneuver. Approach nominal. Angle nominal. We are in the pipe, five by five… ”
-Summer

Connection! Everyone moves over to the Crew Vehicle, and prepares for the return trip to Kerbin!

“I show a good connection – we should be good to start moving over all the boxes of science!“
-Lobert

Year 23, Day 339 (Intrepid Docks With Spacedock – Crew Prepares to Return to Kerbin!)

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After drifting over Spacedock, Carson lines up Intrepid and zeroes out, and checks all the controls.

“We have good alignment – verify reactor shut down and systems ready for docking! “
-Carson

Next, Sondo heads do the reactor and engineering controls, double and triple checking the nuclear reactor at the aft of the ship is nominal!

“Reactor systems have powered up our internal batteries – now that the ship is comfy again we should be good do spin it down. Power has been reduced to 5%!”
-Sondo

DSV 5 Intrepid – CM1 – Mission Summary

  • Crew: Mission Commander Carson, Mission Scientist Bob, Mission Engineer, Sondo .
  • Mission: First mission of DSV Intrepid! Crewed mission to Moho to perform landing using new DSV-Lander/Rover combo.

The most important part of the mission, gathering science and data from the surface of Moho, is Bob’s responsibility!

“Okeydoke got the science all boxed up by the hatch – we should be good to move it over once we’re docked! I wonder how long we’ll be staying on the space station“?
-Bob

After verifying everything is nominal, Carson fires the thrusters once, and the large spacecraft moves forward, slowly, towards the even larger Spacedock!

“Alright then – Spacedock we are starting docking – alignment good…“
-Carson

Seely and Pholie watching the docking from the cupola unit, are excited to have new guests on the station!

“Welcome back guys!”
-Seely

Intrepid connects with Spacedock! A series of ‘whirs’ and ‘clunks’ signal the docking mechanisms interlocking!

Intrepid connects with Spacedock! A series of ‘whirs’ and ‘clunks’ signal the docking mechanisms interlocking!

“Docking complete! Let’s verify connection and head on over!”
-Carson

The crew starts moving cargo and supplies over, and the Intrepid crew take a little time to relax after along space journey!

Year 23, Day 338 (Intrepid Returns Home from Moho!)

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The crew of DSV-5 Intrepid wake up from their Cryo Sleep! As everyone starts to warm up, Mission Commander Sondo takes stock of the situation!

DSV 5 Intrepid – CM1 – Mission Summary

  • Crew: Mission Commander Carson, Mission Scientist Bob, Mission Engineer, Sondo .
  • Mission: First mission of DSV Intrepid! Crewed mission to Moho to perform landing using new DSV-Lander/Rover combo.

“Alright – systems coming online! Trajectory is good, we’re heading toward a 200k flyby of Kerbin!. “
-Carson

“Science is stowed and ready – looks like no data loss either! Any chance we could turn the heat up too?
-Bob

“Reactor is spinning up to full power – you should have full propulsion in just a minute! The radiators are functioning too – by the time we’re docked with Kerbin Spacedock we should be nice and toasty too!
-Sondo

“Ok – firing engine, propulsion at full! Reactor is showing full power!”
-Carson

As the powerful Colossus engine fires Intrepid slowly begins to close it’s trajectory, working to close its trajectory until orbit is achieved!

“My calculations show we have a good orbit – nice!“
-Bob

The RCS thrusters maneuver the ship aligning upright, and the engines fire again, briefly!

“Commencing rendezvous maneuvers! This should put us on a direct intercept with Spacedock!“
-Carson

As Intrepid drifts around Kerbin it moves closer and closer toward Spacedock until…

“Spacedock to Intrepid – this is Mirphe! We have visual, repeat we have Visual! Intrepid is looking good! We have some space snacks heating up for you!
-Mirphe, on board Kerbin Spacedock!

“Slowing approach… now at 5 meters a second…“
-Carson

As the massive Deep Space Vehicle slows its approach, Spacedock crews work to prepare the DSV docking ring! This will be the first time Spacedock 2 has had more than one DSV docked, and everyone is careful to follow safety procedures exactly after the disaster at the first Spacedock!

Kerbal States History: Year 1

sayburstuff Kerbal States History

Celebrating two decades of space exploration!

To celebrate the upcoming September Anniversary of Kerbal States KSEA will be highlighting each year of Kerbal States history, starting with Year 1!

Year 1

(Select Year 1 above to read Kerbal States starting at Year 1, Day 1!)

Starting with the launch of the early X-1 rocket and ending with the construction of Spacelab and the first orbit of Mun on Discovery 2 Year 1 was an exciting time to be a Kerbal!

Key Events:

  • Jeb reaches Kerbin Orbit on Year 1, Day 75!
  • Val was the first Kerbal to circle Mun on Year 1, Day 321!
  • Jeb and Bob launch to Minmus!
  • The X-1 – KSEA’s first aircraft!
  • The Horizon Rocket – KSEA’s first rocket capable of reaching space!
  • Blueprint for the Horizon-A rocket.
  • The Horizon-A Rocket, blasting into space!
  • Jeb became the first Kerbal to reach orbit on Year 1, Day 75!
  • Horizon 9 Blasts into space – and then does the first fly-by of Mun!
  • Val becomes the first Kerbal to see the darkside of Mun!
  • Jeb does the first flyby of Minmus later in Year 1 on Day 360!
  • Blueprint for the Discovery Spacecraft!

Year 1 of Kerbal States was originally published in September and October of 2016!

To read Year 1 from the start click: HERE

Year 23, Day 331 (Next Generation “Odyssey” class Deep Space Vehicle Revealed!)

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The Kerbal Space Exploration Administration is excited to announce construction has begun on largest spacecraft ever made: DSV-6 Odyssey!

Odyssey is powered by two Discovery-class nuclear reactors (the same design that has powered both Discovery and Horizon class Deep Space Vehicles) and has twice the number of engines as previous Deep Space Vehicles!

With extra fuel capacity, a larger cargo bay, more robust science and communication systems, Odyssey will be the most capable, powerful, and expensive craft ever made. Once construction is complete a Nova Rocket will deliver Odyssey to orbit!  Mission planners are excited to figure out Odyssey’s first destination!

The ship’s name was taken from a fragment of a story found on the OGER probe – something about going on a great adventure to a faraway place – it seemed appropriate!

Year 23, Day 330 (KSEA Announces Contest to Choose New Crew!)

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KSEA is holding a planet-wide contest! Three winners will be selected to be the first non-astronaut Kerbals to launch to space to celebrate the 30th Aurora mission! This will be the first time a mission has non-specialist Kerbals, and the entire planet is clamoring for a chance to be on the flight even if they will just be tourists!

The vast majority of the population of Kerbin is desperate to join the space program, so many Kerbals see this as a chance to jump in line and get a chance to fulfill every Kerbal’s dream: to explore space!

The mission is a fairly simple one – travel to Minmus, land, and return safely to Kerbin. Malcom has been selected as the pilot!

Year 23, Day 329 (Lobert and Summer Land on Mun!)

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“We are clear of the CRV and running on our own power. Starting descent burn to Mun surface! .. “
-Summer

Aurora 29 Mission Summary

  • Crew: Mission Commander Summer, Mission Scientist Gilian, Mission Engineer, Lobert .
  • Mission: Crewed mission to Mun. Land near Polar Mun Crater on Mun, perform scan with large scanning arm, return data to Kerbin.

Summer fires the Aerospike engine, and the lander begins its descent to the polar region of Mun!

“Systems look good! The surface is getting closer – I think that’s good too!”
-Lobert

The lander continues its descent – heading closer and closer to Mun’s craggy surface!

“Alright… firing last landing burn… Lobert, check the new landing gear – they should be extending! “
-Summer

“Yep! They’re extending! I hope the new auto-level system works on that landing gear… the surface looks… pretty hilly!
-Lobert

The lander is mere meters from the surface!

“Almost there… touchdown! “
-Summer

“We’re here! We set down on the surface of Mun! Oh wow! Let’s get our space suits on!”
-Lobert

“That’s the right attitude!  Let’s take it step by step though!  Space is exciting but it’s also extremely dangerous – that’s what procedures are for!“
-Summer

Summer and Lobert go through the landing checklist – shutting down the engine, locking RCS system, making sure all their space suits are on snug, extend the landing ladder, activate communication systems, open side supply hatches, and finally ejecting the Rover using the RCS Skycrane!

Finally, they are ready to leave the lander! until they are finally ready, and climb down the ladder! Summer goes first, then Lobert!

“I feel so light! Oh my… there’s just … nothing but miles and miles of desolation! It’s incredible!”
-Lobert

Immediately after the landing, the RCS Skycrane used to deploy the Rover fired, taking the vehicle up and away, landing nearby the Lander! Summer and Lobert discuss the plan: go to the lander, make sure it’s safe, then head out to look for the crater they need to study!

Lobert and Summer hike over to the rover!

“Looks in good shape – I read these deployments have a small chance to deploy the rover upside down, thankfully we should be good!”
-Lobert

The two Kerbals climb into the rover, and head off!

“Tight squeeze coming up – arms inside!”
-Summer

After driving (and dodging Mun rocks) Lobert spots a likely candidate, and Summer drives up to inspect it!

“Hmmm – this looks like what we’re searching for. Let’s deploy the arm and do a scan!
-Lobert

The scanner arm deploys and begins an analysis!

“Eh, I’m not a scientist… but it looks like we have a full scan! Let’s get this back to Kerbin!
-Lobert

After stowing the scanner arm, the two Kerbals drive back to the lander!

“Let’s get this science stowed – we need a nap too before we do more science too!”
-Summer

The Kerbals climb inside the lander, and get into their space hammocks for a Mun-Nap!

Year 23 Day 329 (Neidon III Upgrade Announced!)

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Work is nearly done upgrading the newly recovered N-4 Booster. It will be the test bed for the next iteration of Neidon rockets, Neidon III! This upgrade will make use of new landing gear that provides heat shielding in addition to better aerodynamics, both during landing and take off.

The rocket has also had a new paint job, rotating the logos and markings which engineers say make the rocket “42% cooler!”

Year 23, Day 328 (Aurora 29 Arrives at Mun – and Lobert Gets a Surprise!)

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After just a day in space, Aurora 29 enters Mun’s gravitational sphere of influence!

Aurora 29 Mission Summary

  • Crew: Mission Commander Summer, Mission Scientist Gilian, Mission Engineer, Lobert .
  • Mission: Crewed mission to Mun. Land near Polar Mun Crater on Mun, perform scan with large scanning arm, return data to Kerbin.

“Oh wow! Mun looks so big!”
-Lobert

“It’s about to get a whole lot bigger!”
-Summer

This generation of Aurora Spacecraft perform a docking and transposition maneuver to utilize thrust from the Crew Vehicle to enter Mun orbit!

“Disengaging launch clamps with the lander..commencing rotation… “
-Summer

“We are clear! Rotation looks on target!”
-Lobert

The Crew Vehicle docks with the lander!

The Munar Transfer stage, having done its job, detaches, and just the Crew Vehicle and the Lander head toward Mun!

“Orbital insertion complete… we are in a stable orbit!”
-Summer

“Orbital insertion complete… we are in a stable orbit!”
-Summer

Now it’s time to head down to Mun! The mission plan had Gilian and Summer heading down to the surface, but Gilian has a surprise!

“Summer – what would you think about Lobert heading down in my place, really make this a memorable first mission?”
-Gilian

“Great idea! What do you think Lobert? You ready to explore Mun??”
-Summer

“Wow! Yea! Can I try on my space suit and give it a try on a spacewalk first!??!?“
-Lobert

“Go for it! We’ll both have to do one to get over to the lander anyway!”
-Summer

Lobert suits up, and heads outside the ship!

“Guys…. Space is awesome! I can’t wait to get down to Mun!“
-Lobert

After just another day Lobert and Summer will head down to Mun!

Year 23, Day 326 (Aurora 29 Departs for Mun!)

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“Starting burn to Mun… Now!”
-Summer

The Munar Transfer Stage fires, accelerating the crew toward Mun!

“Burn complete – looks like we’re on course. Nice work! !“
-Gilian

Aurora 29 Mission Summary

  • Crew: Mission Commander Summer, Mission Scientist Gilian, Mission Engineer, Lobert .
  • Mission: Crewed mission to Mun. Land near Polar Mun Crater on Mun, perform scan with large scanning arm, return data to Kerbin.