Year 23, Day 316 (Aurora 29 Begins Final System Checks!)

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Ground crews around the Space Center begin final preparations for the launch of Aurora 29!

Among the changes:

  • Simulations showed that the Sarnus solid rocket boosters were insufficient for carrying the Aurora 29 paylod (due to the heavier Munar transfer stage.)  Heavier Jool Rocket boosters will be attached instead, with a few segments removed!
  • Multiple simulations and calculations have been done on the new Vincent Lander.  These have shown that the existing landing gear are insufficient for the craft’s high mass. A new landing gear system has been installed that should allievealleviate this issue for both Mun and Duna.  The margins to fit within a standard DSV bay remain very tight however.

Due to a small clerical error Edan, who was scheduled to be the engineer on the mission, has been replaced with new recruit Lobert, on his very first mission!  (Edan it seems is in cryogenic sleep on board the DSV Explorer, currently en-route to Sarnus!)

“I could have sworn I saw Edan around the water cooler last week… well, Lobert you’re up.  This is one heck of a first mission!
-Gene, at Misson Control

Lobert has been seen jumping and looking very excited for the mission!  Only a few lucky Kerbals get to be selected for the Space Program!

“I can’t wait!  I’m going to practice in the simulator room non-stop until launch!”
-Lobert

Year 23, Day 315 (MPV Probe Sets Course for Minmus!)

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A nearby target is chosen for the new MPV Probe – Minmus! In addition to a full testing of the probe’s capabilities the mission will also hopefully serve as a full survey of Minmus for future colony sites.

Despite being one of the earliest bodies in the Kerbol system to be explored the site has not had a full survey done looking for water, or to find a proper site for a colony!

“First Mun and Minmus, next Duna! But the real first step is matching the inclination with Minmus!” -Gene

After the inclination with Minmus is set, the probe fires its engine to intercept Minmus!

“Just six days and we can start testing this probe in Minmus orbit!” -Gene

History: The First Kerbal Landing on Minmus!
Year 2 Day 370

Year 2, Day 370 (Aurora 7 Lands On Minmus)

Year 23, Day 312 (MPV Probe Prototype Launches to Orbit!)

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Before the Aurora 29 launch engineers wanted to test the core Neidon II rocket on a uncrewed payload – while the engine systems did not change the aerodynamics were altered  enough to warrant a test launch!

The new MPV (multi-payload-vehicle) probe was chosen to be the test-payload!

“We want to make sure Aurora 29 is a perfect launch – and that means being safe!”
–Gene

The refit Neidon Rocket (N-2) blasts off from the space center!

“Telemetry shows the rocket is behaving normally – the new aerodynamic features are having minimal impact on performance at launch!“
–Seely, Supervising from Spacedock 2

As N-2 reaches orbit the rocket seems to be performing perfectly!

The protective fairing on the probe ejects, and the MPV-Probe drifts slowly away from N-2!

Next, the rocket flips orientation using RCS, fires a precise thrust of the engines…

And begins soaring through the atmosphere!

“All departments – watch for any anomalies – how are we looking?“
-Gene, at Mission Control

“So far, so good – we are apraching the transition to subsonic …!“
–Seely, Supervising from Spacedock 2

Re-entry of the Neidon Rockets have always suffered from instabilities at the supersonic/subsonic boundary – everyone holds their breath as the rocket passes the barrier…

“Oh wow!  N-2 maintained attitude through the transition – she’s flying like a spaceplane toward landing!“
–Seely, Supervising from Spacedock 2

“Great work people!”
-Gene, at Mission Control

N-2 begins its landing burn, just east of the main launch platform!

“Landing gear is deployed… hydraulics have locked… telemetry nominal…”
–Seely, Supervising from Spacedock 2

N-2 sets down perfectly!  Crews will recover the rocket soon!

Year 23, Day 311 (Aurora 29 Mun Mission Announced!)

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Mission Control is excited to announce the next Aurora mission – Aurora 29! This will be the first test of multiple new systems:

  • Neidon 6 Rocket will be equipped with Sarnus-class Solid Rocket boosters.
  • This will be the first test of the new VINCENT lander.

Summer, Gilian, and new recruit Lobert are all training for the mission which will launch in about a week. The mission is considered to have moderate risk, however safety systems such as the well-tested Launch Escape system should balance out any risk testing Solid Rockets on a new platform.

Crew Vehicle 5 will take three Kerbals to Mun and back using a newly developed Crew Vehicle Munar Transfer Stage, designed to provide about 1000 d/v once launched to a 100k Kerbin Orbit.

Year 23, Day 310 (DSV-4 Endeavor Departs Laythe, Heading Home!)

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In orbit of Laythe, DSV Endeavor undocks from Laythe Spaceport!

“Docking port is clear, aft thrusters firing…”
-Val

As Val gets the craft underway, Robart and Kerlorf stow all the collected science and head to the cryo chambers for the return home!

The trip home will take a little over a year – everyone heads to a very chilly sleep!

“Mission Control registers a good connection – thanks for your patience Endeavor! See you soon!”
-Gene, at Mission Control

Year 23, Day 239 (DSV-2 Discovery Returns Home From Duna, Docks at Spacedock 2!)

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Approaching Kerbin, alarm bells go off on Discovery, waking up from Cryosleep, (the crew) is surprised to discover a series of interesting transmissions from Mission Control!

“Attention DSV Discovery – Spacedock has exploded!  Attempt no dockings! Everyone is evacuating now!”
-Recorded Message from Gene at the VAB

Mirphe, Seely, and Tamre are all a little shocked to say the least!

“We better listen to the rest of these recordings!”
-Mirphe

Mirphe, Seely, and Tamre are all a little shocked to say the least!

“Attention DSV Discovery – important follow up: We’re all ok but really do NOT approach Spacedock.”
-Recorded Message from Gene at the VAB

Mirphe frowns and plays the next message…

“Good News DSV Discovery! There is a new Spacedock!  Please contact Mission Control when you wake up!”
-Recorded Message from Gene at the VAB

“Let’s do our capture orbit, and figure out where to go from there!”
-Mirphe

Mirphe fires the nuclear engines and Discovery is captured into a 200k orbit of Kerbin!

“Welcome home Discovery! We have a bit of a surprise for you – a new Spacedock! Proceed to the following orbital coordinates!”
-Gene, at Mission Control

The new Spacedock, located at a lower orbit has been fully assembled, with the Lithium Fuel Depot docked and ready to refuel the Kerbal States fleet of exploration ships!

“We are coasting in reverse until we are lined up with the DSV Terminal… that’s a big station!”
-Mirphe

Discovery continues moving, relative to the station, backwards until it is lined up with the docking port. The craft is brought to station-keeping (no movement, relative to the station) before Mirphe pilots the craft into docking!

“I’ll get all the science data loaded up for a return to Kerbin!”
-Tamre

“Mirphe, looks like a great alignment with the docking port. We are good to dock!”
-Seely

Discovery moves slowly forward until the docking ports engage!

“Discovery shows a good connection!”
-Mirphe

“Confirmed Discovery! Welcome to Spacedock!”
-Sean

Year 23, Day 226 (Neidon II Rocket Upgrades!)

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Engineers are excited to announce upgrades for the new Neidon Rocket Launch System – the Neidon II!

While the core rocket booster remains unchanged, several important changes have been made:

  • Aerodynamic Brakes have been removed
  • New AV-T1 Winglets have been added to deal with minor instability that occurs during transition from supersonic to subsonic.
  • Analysis showed that the shape of the RCS boosters at the top of the rocket was better served being flipped, so RCS thruster assemblies were inverted.
  • Rocket numbering changed from “X” to “N” – in blueprint shown as “N-2” for Neidon Booster 2.
  • Rockets have been given a fresh coat of paint, with flag and KSEA logos moved.

Besides structural changes, the Neidon Rocket will now have the bottom S3-7200 Fuel Tank prioritized as the “landing tank”. This will move the center of mass for the booster further to the bottom, assisting in re-entry!

“The plan is to test the booster with the upcoming MPV Probe, if everything is good we’ll upgrade the other boosters!”
-Gillian, supervising upgrades at the VAB

Year 23, Day 225 (New Probe Based on MPV in Development!)

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In the VAB, engineers are working on a probe-conversion of several Multi-Payload-Vehicle platforms that are already constructed.

“Do we have any more science things we can slap on the side?!”
-Gene,at the VAB

The “MPV Probe” should be capable of roughly 4,000 d/v – easily capable of reaching most inner planets for science and mapping!

The conversion should be quick, done within just a few days – there is a renewed interest in exploring Eve – which will be the target for the new probe!

Year 23, Day 224 (DSV Fuel Depot Docks at Spacedock 2!)

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The MPV (Multi-Payload-Vehicle) that had been converted to a Fuel Depot Tug fires its engines, remotely piloted from the ground!

“OK – it’s time to complete the assembly of Spacedock 2!”
-Gene, overseeing from Mission Control

The Lithium Fuel Depot arrives at Spacedock! 

“Mission Control – this is Spacedock. We have visual on the Depot.  I am assuming direct control!”
-Edbert

Edbert uses the RCS thrusters to slowly maneuver the gigantic craft past the station, to orient the docking ports.

“Maintaining visual on Depot.  Reducing speed to station keeping…”
-Edbert

Watching from the habitat ring, Sean lines his thumb up carefully with the window…

“You look lined up really nice Edbert! Take the docking nice and slow though, we don’t want to scuff the paint on the station it’s still brand new!” –Sean, watching from the Habitat Ring

“Oh good!  Moving in for final docking procedure… thrusters firing…”
-Edbert

The massive depot moves slowly, slowly toward the station until…

…the entire station heaves slightly as the giant depot docks, and connects to the DSV terminal!

“I’m floating down to the other side of the station now…   OK, I’m here!  Connections look solid. We just need to run some of the piping to allow the DSVs that dock to refuel!”   –Sean

The MPV Tug detaches, and will deorbit into Kerbin’s atmosphere!

Year 23, Day 202 (2nd Laythe Spaceplane Resolute Arrives at Jool!)

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Launched over a year ago, the Laythe Spaceplane Resolute has finally arrived in the Jool system, and rapidly heads to orbit Laythe!

The Jool transfer stage fires, circularizing the orbit!

“We have a good signal from Laythe! Resolute has arrived and is in a stable orbit – when the crew of Intrepid arrives they’ll have another spaceplane ready for them!”
-Gene, at Misson Control

In just 75 days the crew of DSV-5 Intrepid will arrive, as they continue scouting for a good colony site!