In orbit of Kerbin, the Spacedock 2 crew deploy the habitat ring module! Veteran engineer Sean and new-hire Pholie spend the morning deploying the rotating habitat ring!
Pholie and Glenica, watching from the Orbital Cupola supervise the deployment!
“Now that the station is functional we can start getting some real scientific work done up here! I can’t wait for the next DSV arrival!” -Glenica, Senior Station Scientist
“Habitat rings have locked – and we are good to start rotation!” -Sean, chief engineer on the station
“Deployment looks good from here!” -Edbert, viewing from the Crew Vehicle docked at the station!
With the station now fully functional, mission planners prepare to eject the orbital boost stage, and then dock the Lithium Fuel depot to the station, completing the new Spacedock!
The Kerbin Space Exploration Administration is excited to announce the next-generation of crew landers: The Variable Inclination New Crew Exploration & Telemetry (VINCENT) Lander!
“Not only does this new lander have more capability than any crew lander we’ve made yet, we designed it to take advantage of the DSV cargo bays! “ -Gene, Speaking at the VAB Lander Research Labs
Crew Vehicle 2 is blasts off, carrying the first crew to the new Spacedock! Edbert will be piloting the crew to the station, while senior engineer Sean will be working with rookie engineer Pholie to bring the station online! Senior scientist Glenica is onboard to inspect the station’s science departments and make sure everything is ready for DSV arrivals!
“Remote sensors and camera systems show systems nominal up there… but I don’t want to loose science from across the Kerbol system just because we didn’t double check!” -Glenica
“All systems nominal… we are on track for the Spacedock! Hang on everyone, we’ll be there in no time… “ -Edbert, piloting Crew Vehicle 2
After detaching from the Neidon booster, Edbert maneuvers the spacecraft to rendezvouses with Spacedock, while the booster returns to Kerbin!
“RCS reverse thrust. Speed slowing to station-keeping. Docking systems ready…” -Edbert, piloting Crew Vehicle 2
“Station-keeping confirmed… we are lined up!” -Sean
Slowly, the spacecraft moves in to dock, until….
… a loud series of ‘clunks’ indicate they are docked!
A small payload is being prepared to expand Aurora Base on the Mun! The expansion is simply two RTG reactors to keep the base warm overnight and an exterior lighting system, but the Mun crew is really looking forward to it!
“We’re all hoping the power and lighting expansion makes nights a little brighter and less spooky! Hopefully safer too, we all keep stubbing our toes at night! “ -Dunwin
The Neidon Rocket has entered full production, with 5 total rockets ordered. Two are being refurbished for their next launch, and the other three will be completed within a few months. To help keep track of which rocket is which, they will be labeled X-1 through X-5 !
Neidon is being devolved to be compatible with the existing Sarnus Va expansion options, including upper stage boosts and the THK Solid Fuel Boosters for heavier payloads!
“These rockets are so much easier to recover and refurbish than the Nebula Rockets… we might transition to Neidon Rockets for every Crew Vehicle launch!” -Gene, supervising recovery and refurbishment at the VAB
A good crowd of Kerbals gather in Mission Control to watch the launch of Spacedock 2!
“Look at it go! It is so LOUD!” -Gillian, watching from outside
The massive Nova Rocket blasts off from Mission Control – the largest (and most expensive!) launch system available to KSEA!
“Boards show a good launch – all systems nominal… watch those readings people… “ -Gene, directing the launch from Mission Control
The first stage takes the rocket up to the Station’s new altitude,100k above Kerbin….
…then separates, allowing a short second stage to finish the circularization!
Spacedock 2 should be in its final orbit, however engineers want to wait before ejecting the orbital stage just in case there are any last minute changes to the station’s final orbit!
“Let’s get that launch pad cleaned up and get a Crew Vehicle ready to launch the first Spacedock 2 crew! Should be a good first crewed launch of a Neidon Rocket too! “ -Gene
Malcolm and Sean hop into Crew Vehicle 1 and launch with a Nebula Rocket!
“Pre-Flight checks good. We are GO!” -Malcolm
The Nebula rocket blasts off!
“Wohoooooo! -Sean
The latest generation Crew Vehicle design has become the primary method of getting Kerbals to orbit and back!
“We are at 200k… detaching Booster!” -Malcolm
“Everything looks good on our boards… We have remote control of the Nebula Booster! Good luck up there crew!” -Gene, at Mission Control
Remotely piloting the craft from the surface of Kerbin, the booster does a ‘reverse burn” to allow landing closer to the Space Center!
“Malcolm, try to get us pretty close to the Fuel Depot, I’ll ned to EVA for a while to do a close inspection of both craft!” -Sean
Malcolm pilots the craft into a circular orbit, then begins the rendezvous process!
The Crew Vehicle arrives at the Fuel Depot and moves closer, and closer!
“We are stationary at 50 meters – controls are locked. You’re good to EVA!” -Malcolm
Sean suits up, and exits the craft!
“These Fuel Depots are HUGE! First impressions, everything appears good. Crazy that this is the only surviving bit of the original Spacedock!” -Sean
Doing a complete inspection Sean checks that power systems, communications are good, and most importantly the docking mechanisms are intact!
“OK… good news! Everything looks nominal. Communication systems are good… Docking port is solid and engaged. RCS systems between the two craft appear fully integrated. When Spacedock 2 launches I think we should be good to remotely control the Depot and dock it with the station!” -Sean
Completing the inspection, Sean returns to the Crew Vehicle and the spacecraft re-pressurizes its life support system, and the craft starts its descent!
“We’re heading home!” -Malcolm
“Chutes deployed!” -Sean
Crew Vehicle 1 sets down next to the Space Center, and crews head out to do recovery!
With the upcoming launch of the new space station Spacedock 2, plans have been made to utilize the existing Lithium Fuel depot that survived the (original) Spacedock disaster! A Multi Payload Vehicle (MPV) has been configured to be a “Depot Mover” to grab the Lithum Tanks and move them to a lower orbit for the station!
“This should be a good test of the Neidon Rocket!” -Gene, at Mission Control
The Neidon Booster lifts off the launchpad!
The aerospike engine easily lifts the 20 ton payload up and out of the astmosphere…
…the fairing detaches, and the orbit is circularized!
With the MPV in a stable orbit, the booster uses its RCS thrusters to get in position, and fires its engine!
With the MPV in a stable orbit, the booster starts its descent!
“Hmm, reentry angle seems off, tracking is showing the booster landing a good deal west of the Space Center!” -Gillian, at Mission Control
“We’ll have to get some movers over there to pick it up… hope it doesn’t land on a tree! -Gene, at Mission Control
The booster’s hydraulic landing system engages, and the rocket sets down in the idyllic green woods outside the Space Center!
Touch down! The engine stops firing and the rocket is safe!
“Not quite where it should be… but it’s in one piece!” -Gillian, at Mission Control
The new Neidon Prototype is transported to the launch site! Everyone is excited to see the new Aerospike engine perform! Smaller aerospikes are already used on the Laythe Spaceplanes, however they have never been a core rocket stage before!
In Mission Control, the project lead Gillian is working with Gene on testing this new hardware!
“Fire the engines! Nice… the toroidal aerospike is working! Fuel flow – nominal… I think we are good to release the clamps and proceed with the landing test!” –Gillian
The Neidon rocket blasts off the launchpad! The prototype is only fueled with what the ‘expected’ fuel amount would be from a return from orbit!
After angling off to the south a bit, the rocket is programmed to begin its descent sequence! Air-brakes at the top of the rocket deploy….
And at the last second, the engine performs a terminal burn maneuver, firing at the last possible moment!
The hydraulic landing gear deploy and lock in place…
…and the rocket touches down safely!
“It worked! It worked!” –Gillian
The Kerbals cheer in Mission Control, and Gene happily exclaims:
“Congratulations team! I think we are OK to go on producing the second Neidon and scheduling an upcoming orbital payload!” -Val
A new re-usable rocket prototype that will replace the current Sarnus V is under development in the VAB! The new rocket is designed to replace the Sarnus Rocket core that is used heavily in the space program!
Initially called the Sarnus VI, the project has now been determined to be such a radical shift from the Sarnus program that it deserves a new name, so the Neidon Rocket Project has several goals:
Meet or exceed current Sarnus Vb launch system (50t to 200k orbit)
Fully re-usable core rocket
Core rocket capable of single-stage to orbit of payload
Maintain compatibility with Sarnus Launch system upper stage payloads
Maintain compatibility with side stages and launch assists (solid rockets) for Sarnus Launch System.
Assess program for complete replacement of Nebula rocket system.
While the Nebula Heavy has taken some of those missions, operational complexity has made utilization a chore for Mission Control!
“That’s right – it’s finally time to retire the reliable Sarnus V! But don’t worry – you’re all going to really like the replacement. Trust me!” –Gene, answering questions at Mission Control
While the solid rocket boosters on the side of the Sarnus V (which is what makes it a Sarnus Va) are partially reusable, the center core (and most expensive component) of the Sarnus launch system is entirely lost.
A “would be nice” goal is to allow payload returns from orbit, something KSEA hasn’t been able to achieve since the Heavy Shuttles were retired.
“Maybe it’s satellite we need to bring back for repairs, or an interesting rock that won’t fit in any of our standard “rock collection” bags! Either way we’re gonna need some kind of cargo bay to protect whatever during reentry!” -Gillian
Construction on the prototype should be complete in 30 days!
Kerbal States | Kerbin Space Exploration Administration 