KerbScan1 blasts off! Unlike most launches from the space center, KerbScan launches into an 85 degree orbit – to better scan the surface of the planet!
Scientists think that a 200k polar orbit is ideal – so the sattelite burns…
…and then ejects it’s orbital stage! Already the cameras are transmitting some amazing images of the auroras at the poles! Works starts right away on another KerbScan!
The powerful Sarnus Va rocket blasts off, carrying Aurora 18!
The rocket goes higher.. and higher…
.. until the solid rockets eject, and the rocket soars higher and higher!
Until the first stage exhausts it’s fuel.. and the Orbital/TMI (Trans-Munar-Injection) stage fires!
“Aahhhhh! This is really bumpy!”
-Sean
“Don’t worry – we’re in a stable orbit! Now it’s time for the burn to the Mun!!!”
-Mitster
The Orbital/TMI stage fires, taking Aurora 18 on it’s journey!
“Oh right! I can’t wait!”
-Sean
The journy to Mun is just a few hours with the latest Aurora rockets…
… and Aurora 18 arrives there in no time!
“All right – we made it! “
-Mitster
“Then that means it’s time for a systems check – let’s make sure all the equipment is ready for the landing!”
-Glenica
The Kerbin Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (KOAA) and KSEA are teaming up to build an orbital scanner that can take high resolution images of Kerbin’s surface! This should help detect any anomolies that may have been missed, and possibly other forgotten facilities! KerbScan1 will launch on an Aurora Rocket any day now!
Orlas and Mitster are tasked with checking out the new airfield! It’s a good opprotunity to try out the new Munar Rover as well!
“Let’s see what those towers in the distance are!”
-Orlas
“They look like water… or fuel towers. Oh hey! Is that a launch pad?”
-Mitster
“It sure is! This place is in good condition. With power and some other utilities KSEA will be able to use this for launches!”
-Orlas
Orlas and Mitster drive over to several hangars near the launch pad.
“Hey – this rover doesn’t handle too bad! This sand is a decent analog for the Munar regolith! Just have to slow down before turns!”
-Mitster
“Whew! It’s stuffy here! I’m taking off my space suit!“
-Mitster
Orlas inspects the hangars for clues as to their origin…
“Nobody’s using all this infrastructure! There’s tons of equipment inside!”
-Mitster
“Before we go any further we better deploy the solar panel – this electric engine is getting drained pretty fast by all this driving!”
-Orlas
“OK… there’s a launchpad and facilities… let’s see what’s over by the runway! When I landed here the other day I noticed a lot of buildings!”
-Mitster
“”A big tower! And a bent ‘ol flagpole!“
-Mitster
“This looks like an old office building. Nothing in here!”
-Mitster
“Looks like there’s air conditioning though… that’s nice!”
-Mitster
“It’s no VAB… but there’s a lot of lifters and equipment out here. Small rockets and planes should have no problem being built and launched out here!”
-Orlas
“And there’s our power! Fully functioning windmills! Let’s report back to Gene!”
-Mitster
Mission Control has been detecting some strange radio transmissions west of the Space Center – in the desert! Mitster and Kimmy jump at the opprotunity to do something besides watching rockets get built!
“Let’s fire up the X-5 and check it out!”
-Mitster
“Let’s go!”
-Kimmy
“OK… maximum thrust – afterburners… burning!”
-Mitster
“This is the fastest aircraft KSEA has – if anything can find out what’s causing that signal.. it’s the X-5!”
-Glenica
Indeed – in the early days of the Kerbal States, the X-5 was regularly used to explore every meter of Kerbin! Once there were several facilities all across Kerbin… but no one seems to talk with them much!
The X-5 accelerates to nearly 1000 m/s easily reaching the west coast….
And reaching the desert coast!
“There sure is a lot of sand out here! Oh wait! There’s something down there! We flew past it we were going so fast!”
-Glenica
“I’ll do a barrel roll!”
-Mitster
“Ahhhhhhhhh!”
-Glenica
“That’s what I saw! It looks like an airstrip! Let’s check it out!”
-Glenica
“I’m not sure this will be a smooth landing… hold on!”
-Mitster
The X-5 sets down! Not only is there an airstrip, but there appears to be a rocket launching pad as well!
“Nice work! We’ll get a team out there ASAP… maybe we can start using the facility!” It’ll need a good name though….
-Gene
A team is chosen for the Aurora 18 mission – Glenica, Sean, and Mitster! The mission will launch in 34 days, when construction is complete on the Sarnus Va rocket!
I can’t wait to drive that new rover on Mun!
-Mitster
Mission Planners are excited to announce that Kerbals will be returning to Mun for the first time in years! The early Aurora missions to explore Mun and Minmus were done before some of KSEA’s more advanced scientific equipment was developed. This return to Mun is intended to test new surface science equipment and a new rover that will allow exploration of terrestrial worlds!
The Kerbin Space Exploration Administration is very pleased to announce a complete upgrade for all of KSEA’s cameras!
Going forward all historical records should appear higher resolution with greater levels of detail and clarity! in fact, the upgrades are so extensive that they will even allow previously launched space assets to deliver higher quality images!
“How’s that even possible!?”
-Orlas
KSEA had initially been hoped that Pathfinder 6 would have enough deltaV to orbit Plock – however the craft was simply going too fast for the nuclear engine to slow it down! Additionally, the Kerbin Deep Space Network is barely able to communicate with Pathfinder 6… upgrades to the network are clearly needed!
Pathfinder 6 still transmits some amazing images of Plock and its moon Karen! Gravitational, pressure, and temperature readings are all taken and the science is beamed back to KSC!
Engineers are already at work on the next generation of probe that will be able to reach Plock and Karen!
The Aurora Crew Vehicle docked at the Kerbin Spaceport undocks – this fully fueled vehicle has been at the station for quite a while, and was intended as an emergency lifeboat for the station crew in a crisis. Mission Control has decided the spacecraft will be remotely piloted and docked to the stranded Explorer 6 crew – marooned in an eccentric orbit around Kerbin!
The ACV activates it’s engine and blasts away from the station – changing it’s inclination to match Explorer 6!
After the rendezvous maneuver is complete, the ACV is within sight of Explorer 6!
“I see it! We’re saved!”
-Sean
The Aurora Crew Vehicle docks with Explorer 6!
“Looks like a solid connection! Let’s get that hatch open and transfer over! Don’t forget all the science!”
-Mitster
Glenica does a thorough search to make sure they haven’t left anything behind – then is the last one to head over to the Crew Vehicle!
The Crew Vehicle detaches from Explorer 6, and heads back to Kerbin!
“Explorer 6 was a good ship! Maybe someday we can refuel it for another adventure!”
-Mitster
“I’m just eager to get back to train for the next Deep Space mission!”
-Glenica
The Aurora Command Module heats up as it burns through Kerbin’s atmosphere!
Until it finally splashes down in the ocean – just east of the Space Center!
“Rescue boats are on the way! Just sit tight and we’ll get you home in no time!”
-Gene
Explorer 6’s crew finally returns home! Not quite like they expected, but they proved KSEA’s equipment and crew were ready for the very long duration missions to Jool – and beyond!
Kerbal States | Kerbin Space Exploration Administration 