Explorer 6 enters the Jool system! In just 54 days the craft will arrive at Laythe!
Year 13, Day 74 (Explorer 6 Arrives at Jool System!)
Author: sayburstuff
Year 13, Day 10 (Explorer 6 Update!)
In just 60 days, Explorer 6 will enter the Joolian system! Computers on the spacecraft start waking up – transmitting data on the crew: healthy, lifesigns extremely faint from cryostasis but at expected levels. Radiation levels from Jool are high, as expected. Communication systems appear sufficient, barely, for communicating with Kerbin.
Explorer 6 was launched before Discovery had even been built, to test KSEA’s deep space capabilities. Ultimately, Explorer 6 will orbit Laythe, a world that on the surface looks very much like Kerbin! Eventually KSEA wants to land Kerbals on the planet – and to do that a permanent deep space station, like Duna Spaceport, will be required! Laythe Spaceport will hopefully be a destination for Discovery, and other Deep Space Vessels!
When the mission is complete KSEA will have learned a lot about deep space exploration – vital information for the space program to continue going further and further!
Year 13, Day 8 (DSV Refuelling Vehicle Launches and docks with Kerbin Spaceport!)
The DSV refuelling vehicle launches from KSC! Until the logistics hubs on the Spaceport can be retrofitted to allow for the delivery of Lithium and other fuels, these launches are the only way to refuel the Deep Space Vehicles.
The orbital stage finishes firing, then seperates…
… and rendezvouses with the Spaceport!
Jeb, piloting remotely from the Spaceport for the docking manuever, reports some difficulties…
“This thing handles like a pig – a space pig!”
-Jeb
The connection is (finally) made! The Spaceport registers a solid connection to the fuel pipe system, and lithium and monopropellant are pumped from the refuelling vehicle to Discovery.
Year 12, Day 422 (Construction Begins on DSV Refuelling Vehicle)
Construction starts on a refuelling vehicle to deliver Lithium to Kerbin Spaceport, for use with the new class of Deep Space vehicles (such as DSV-2, Discovery.)
The craft will be a reffited version of the spacecraft used to refuel Duna Spaceport, and is set to be launched on the first stage of a Jool-3 rocket!
Year 12, Day 419 (Discovery Leaves Mun, Returns to Kerbin!)
In orbit of Mun, Discovery powers up its reactors for the return journey to Kerbin.
“Systems read nominal – firing thrusters!”
-Jeb
Discovery’s engines fire, and the craft leaves Mun orbit!
“Reactor is still stable – lithium flow stable… heat levels within specifications!“
-Bill
Discovery returns safely to Kerbin!
“Now… let’s see if this thing can dock with the Spaceport again!“
-Jeb
“Rendevous course set… firing thrusters! “
-Jeb
Discovery moves closer and closer to the Spaceport, until finally it’s visible to the naked eye!
Discovery fires its engines to match velocities!
“Power down reactors… switching to RCS from here!“
-Jeb
“Almost there… “
-Jeb
Discovery docks with Kerbin Spaceport!
“I’d call that a successful first mission of the Discovery!”
-Gene
Year 12, Day 418 (Discovery Arrives at Mun!)
Discovery arrives at Mun exactly as planned, and Jeb fires thrusters to put the craft into a circular orbit.
“We made it! We’ll orbit for a day, then return to Kerbin!”
-Orlas
Once Discovery retruns to Kerbin Spaceport it will refuel, and be ready for its first truly deep-space mission!
Year 12, Day 415 (Discovery Mission 1 Leaves for Mun!)
Discovery detaches from Kerbin Spaceport!
“Systems are go for the transit to Mun!”
-Orlas
Discovery’s powerful monopropelleant RCS thrusters move the ship to a safe distance from the Spaceport, and then the nuclear reactor is powered up!
“All systems appear nominal – power is at 100 percent – we’re good to fire the main engines! “
-Bill
“Course set – Lithium flow confirmed… Magneto-plasma-dynamic thrusters at full!”
-Jeb
Discovery moves away from the station, away from Kerbin… and toward Mun!
Year 12, Day 413 (DSV-2 Discovery Launches and Docks With Kerbin Spaceport!)
The Jool Vb rocket launches from the space center, carrying Discovery to orbit!
The orbital maneuvering stage activates, circularizing the orbit and beginning the rendezvous to the Spaceport!
Meanwhile, the protective fairings deploy…
… and Discovery’s communication dish unfolds!
“So far so good!”
-Gene, at Mission Control
For the docking manuever it’s decided an experienced pilot should take Discovery’s controls, so Edan EVA’s over to the ship!
Ok – I’m outside the station, and heading over!
-Edan
Edan expertly pilots his EVA suit over to Discovery!
Wow! This is one big ship! I can’t wait to pilot it!
-Edan
Once inside Edan switches on the external lights and ejects the orbital stage!
OK – I’m going to fly Discovery over to the other side of the station.
-Edan
For a ship this size, it handles surprisngly well! Must be those extra large RCS thrusters!
-Edan
Edan lines Discovery up to the docking section…
… and connects! 4 different Kerbal States spacecraft are now docked with the station, Discovery, a Mk7 Aurora Crew Vehicle, a Crew Transport Shuttle, and Explorer 5!
Alright! Let’s start getting Discovery ready for her maiden voyage!
-Edan
Year 12, Day 406 (Discovery Crew Launches to Kerbin Spaceport!)
Intrepid blasts off from the Space Center, carrying Edan and Bill to Kerbin Spaceport! They’ll meet Orlas and train together for Crewed Mission 1 (CM1) of the Discovery!
“OK – rendezvous course set to Kerbin Spaceport!”
-Edan
Edan docks Intrepid with the Spaceport! 3 different spacecraft are now docked – with a fourth on the way – Discovery!
Year 12, Day 405 (Discovery Mission 1 Crew Announced!
Discovery’s Crew Mission 1 (CM1) has been announced! Edan will be the mission commander, Bill the Engineer, and Orlas the Chief Scientist. The mission profile will be a full systems test of Discovery: Launch, activate reactors, orbit Mun, return to Kerbin Spaceport.
Discovery will launch soon!
Kerbal States | Kerbin Space Exploration Administration 