Crew Vehicle 5 blasts off from White Mesa! The spacecraft has a new second stage that should increase fuel supply and allow more mission options – however the primary goal has been more precise landings at the White Mesa facility.
CV5 reaches orbit, and begins docking procedures with Spacedock!
“That new second stage looks good!” –Edan
CV5 docks! Meanwhile, Mirphe, Edan, and Kerlorf all transfer over to CV2 and get ready to return to Kerbin!
“Spacedock this is CV2… we are clear and preparing for reentry burn once clear of the station…” -Mirphe
The crew vehicle performs the reentry burn…
… and streaks through the atmosphere, heading towards the desert White Mesa facility!
The parachutes deploy, and CV2 heads for a landing!
“Looks like we were a little short from White Mesa – hopefully the new second stage will let us land right on target next time!” -Mirphe
Everyone hops out of CV2 to get some fresh air, waiting for the rescue teams!
KSEA releases designs for it’s next orbital science experiment… Kerbitat One! station will be part of the next Aurora launch, Aurora 26 and will see if the new greenhouse module is capable of supporting Kerbals as a long term self-sustaining life support option.
Jeb, Bill, and Bob safely fly back to KSC to rest up for their next missions!
The next Deep Space Vehicle, DSV-5Intrepid is under construction! The name was chosen to honor the Crew Shuttle Intrepid, which was recently retired. DSV-5 Intrepid will be a Horizon Class DSV and is virtually identical to the Horizon itself.
Construction is also underway on Explorer 8, the next crew rocket to Duna!
Construction on Nebula Crew Rockets has also been ongoing, with a target total of 6 rockets with at least 2 on standby at any time for a launch from White Mesa!
With crew traveling to and from White Mesa designers have been tinkering with faster planes to transport crews. The reliable X-5 has been the go-to, but engineers insist they can build something faster!
Another Modular Refuelling Vehicle carrying lithium is nearly ready, one more after this will fill all four fuel bays at Kerbin Spacedock!
The next Aurora Mission is also being prepared! This one will test the development of a long-term food and life support system for stations and, someday, colonies! A large greenhouse and power system will be the payload, and be launched into orbit near Kerbin Spacedock!
Finally, and most audaciously, KSEA is working on relocating the old Kerbin Spaceport… To Mun! Engineers will be inspecting the abandoned station soon, and if it checks out, a vehicle will be launched to move the stations orbit!
Discovery enters Kerbin’s sphere of gravitational influence!
“Discovery we’re tracking you as on course – what’s your situation?”
-Gene, at Mission Control
“Roger Mission Control… Situation nominal, Discovery reactor is at full, engines show green and ready to fire!”
-Jeb
As Discovery reaches a distance of 700km from Kerbin, the 3 nuclear engines fire!
It’s a nearly minute long burn to slow down!
Suddenly, alarm bells ring in the cockpit!
“Temperature on main engines reaching critical! They’re starting to heat up the tri-adapter engine housing!”
-Bob
“We’ve already been captured into orbit, so we can cut thrust safely… Let’s monitor it and cut thrust once it’s just about critical!”
-Jeb
Thankfully the engines don’t explode, and Discovery settles into a clean 700k circular orbit!
“I can’t wait to see Spacedock! It’s supposed to be huge!”
-Bill
Discovery does several manuevers to rendezvous with Spacedock, and finally approaches the station!
“Discovery here! We’re going to coast past Spacedock, then start docking manuevers!”
-Jeb
“Roger that DSV-2… We show you at 150 meters and clear for RCS manuevers!”
-Sean, onboard Spacedock
Discovery slowly drifts past the station until it’s visible out the cockpit!
“Wow! Look at that! And look, Endeavor is docked at the top!”
-Bill
“Yep! We’ll be parking opposite Endeavor!”
-Jeb
Jeb uses RCS orbital thrusters only and slowly matches speed with Spacedock….
…then slowly accelerates toward the station, lining up with the docking port!
“Slowing down… We’re lined up and looking good!”
-Jeb
Discovery moves almost imperceptibly slow until…
With a dull “clunk” and the whir of motors, Discovery makes s connection to Spacedock!
“Welcome home Discovery!”
-Val
Jeb, Bill, and Bob head over to Spacedock to rest before returning to Kerbin with the mountains of data gathered from Jool’s moon Laythe! There is already talk of building a colony there!
Engineers are also finalizing plans for refits and repairs to Discovery!
KSEA launches the next refueling mission to Kerbin Spacedock!
The Modular Refueling Vehicle launches on a versatile Jool Vb rocket!
The spacecraft orbits, then is remotely piloted to a rendevous with Spacedock!
The docking procedure is uneventful – and the new refueling vehicle shows a solid connection with the space station!
Kerbin Spacedock’s redesign now allows 4 of the refueling vehicles docked at the base of the station – and should provide more than enough fuel reserves for KSEA’s growing fleet of Deep Space Vehicles… including Discovery, which will return in just days!
Jeb, Bill, and Bob wake from their Cryo-Sleep on Discovery!
“Wake up everybody! Just 8 days and we’ll be entering Kerbin orbit!” -Jeb
“I can’t wait to see this new Space Station they built while we were gone!” -Bill
“It feels like we just left Laythe yesterday!” -Bob
In Kerbin Orbit, the massive new Spacedock facility is ready for the returning DSV!
“Refueling Discovery should be about the same procedure as Endeavor! They’re different classes of ships technically… but they both run on the same fuel!” Sean, on Spacedock
After two successful Duna landings it’s time for the Explorer 7 crew to return home! Malcolm performs an EVA to give Duna Spaceport, the Advanced Duna Lander, and the Explorer spacecraft a final inspection before departing!
“Everything looks good out here! This view never gets boring!” -Malcolm
After boarding Explorer 7, Malcolm detaches the spacecraft…
… and Explorer 7 slowly drifts away from Duna Spaceport!
“There’s only enough fuel reserves for one more landing from the Spaceport! The next mission will need to have a reserve fuel supply or KSEA needs to send another refueling mission out!” -Dunwin
“Well if you ask me how we get here isn’t as important as getting here! The scientific data we’ve acquired this mission should keep us busy for years!” -Shepely
As Explorer 7 drifts further and further the departure window is met, and Malcolm fires the spacecraft’s engine!
“All systems are nominal… engine burn to Kerbin nearly complete!” -Malcolm
As Explorer 7 leaves the Duna system, the crew prepares for their EVA to the Cryonic section to hibernate for the trip home! At KSEA, mission planners are debating how to do the next mission – is it time to send the DSV’s to Duna, or continue with the Explorer program?
Kerbal States | Kerbin Space Exploration Administration 