After a long journey, Pathfinder 1 reaches Jool!
Once in orbit, another small maunever is done to intercept Pathfinder 1’s target: Laythe!
Author: sayburstuff
Year 11, Day 411 (Explorer 5 Departs Duna!)
The Explorer 5 crew packs up their scientific findings (and various uneaten snacks) from around Duna Spaceport, and heads over to the DSCRV, the Val undocks the spacecraft!
“I can’t wait to get back with all these new findings!”
-Bob
“I sure hope those return calculations are correct!”
-Bill
“They’re correct – don’t worry! We’ll be home before you know it! Now let’s get in those cryopods before we get hungry!”
-Val
Explorer 5 finishes it’s burn back to Kerbin, and the crew heads to Cryo-Sleep! They’re expected back at Kerbin in just 271 days!
Year 11, Day 129 (Explorer 6 Launch, Adventure Delivers Crew!)
Explorer 6 blasts off from the space center!
In orbit, the fairing deploys. Looks like a good launch! That means the the crew can head up! 
During the orbit the launch pad was cleared, and CTS-1 Adventure was readied for launch, piloted by Edan!
“We’re all a little jealous you three get to be the first crew to Jool – but we know you’ll do great!”
-Edan
The Crew Shuttle Launch Vehicle seperates and heads back to Kerbin, while Adventure finishes it’s climb to orbit!
Orbit achieved – shouldn’t be too long before we rendevous!
-Edan
Adventure moves in for the rendevous…
Almost there!
Connection! Mitster, Glenica, and Sean transfer over and begin pre-flight inspections of Explorer 6!
“Everything checks out! Let’s light this candle!”
-Mitster
“Adventure is undocking – good luck Explorer 6!”
-Edan
Explorer 6 fires its engines and heads away from Kerbin!
Before long Explorer 6 is past Kerbin’s sphere of gravitational influence.
Alright everybody, time for CryoStasis! See you guys in a few minutes!
-Glenica
“Ok – my turn! ”
-Sean
“Ok Mission Control- Sean and Glenica are in good shape, setting timer and activating my Cryo-Pod. Explorer 6 OUT!”
-Mitster
Explorer 6 will now run on automated pilot, reaching Jool in 1 year, 362 days!
Meanwhile, Adventure is heading to Kerbin Spaceport for the second leg of it’s mission, to return crew from the Spaceport back to Kerbin!
After rendevous with the station, Mirphe moves Adventure in to dock!
“Alright, lining up for docking!”
-Edan
Connection looks good Edan! Welcome to Kerbin Spaceport!
-Orlas
Year 11, Day 112 (Explorer 6 Crew Announced!)
With construction already underway on Explorer 6, KSEA announces the crew roster for what will be the most distant and ambitious crew mission yet – the first trip to Jool!
Mitster was the commander of the Explorer 2 mission to Duna and has a reputation as an acomplished pilot and mission commander. Glenica was the lead scientist on the Explorer 3 mission to Duna as well as several Aurora missions to Mun and Minmus. Sean was also on Explorer 3, as the chief engineer. He was also the mission lead on MunBase One!
Many robotic probes have made the journey to Jool, laying the groundwork for the communication systems there – the mission itself is straight forward, reach Jool and return to Kerbin using the DSCCV (Deep Space Cryo-Stasis Crew Vehicle), almost identical in design to Explorer 5!
Year 11, Day 72 (KerbStar Deep Space Relay Reaches Final Orbit)
In the empty space between Jool and Sarnus, the KerbStar Deep Space Relay 3 circularizes its orbit. Relay 4 will do the same in about 40 days. Hopefully the two relays combined will provide consistent long range communication for future deep space missions!
Year 10, Day 345 (Explorer 6 Development Begins)
Planning for the first crewed mission to Jool has begun – tenatively to be named Explorer 6! The spacecraft itself will be nearly identical to Explorer 5, utilizing cryo-stasis chambers to keep the crew alive for such a long journey!
A new variant of the Jool Rocket will be utilized to provide the maximum amount of deltaV to the craft. KSEA promises blueprints and interesting mission patches will be coming soon!
Design blueprints for Explorer 5, which Explorer 6 will be heavily based upon!
Year 10, Day (Mirphe Flies Endeavor to Rescue Jeb from KSS)
The Endavor launches, piloted by Mirphe!
It’s time to (finally) rescue Jeb from the KSS, and bring an end to that station’s remarkable run!
“Orbit achieved! Setting course for the KSS! ”
-Mirphe
“Endeavor is at the KSS! Moving in to dock… ”
-Mirphe
“Is that you Mirphe? Come on in the atmosphere is fine!!”
-Jeb
High above Kerbin’s deserts, Endeavor spins around (always a good trick!) and docks with the station! Jeb helps Mirphe gather all the important Science that needs to return to Kerbin, and the two return to the Crew Shuttle and undock!
Endeavor is clear of the station – preparing to return to KSC!
-Mirphe
The two watch out the cabin windows as the KSS gets further and further away…
“I’m going to miss that place – it was our home away from home. Now it looks so … small. ”
-Jeb
Endeavor performs its de-orbit burn, and starts to descend!
“Here we goooooooo!”
-Jeb
Endeavor falls from the sky like a comet, glowing red and moving fast!
“I see the Space Center – I’m in the pipe, five by five!”
-Mirphe
A successful landing! The Crew Shuttle didn’t even lose any of the aero-brakes!
“Good landing Mirphe, couldn’t have done better myself!”
-Jeb
“Is it good to be home Jeb?”
-Mirphe
“It’s good to get off that station.. I think I was getting a little stir crazy in there! But I can’t wait for the next mission!”
-Jeb
Jeb and Mirpe return to the Astronaut Center, and recovery crews begin work to ready Endeavor for its next launch!
Year 10, Day 337 (Pathfinder 6 Course Adjustment to Plock)
Pathfinder 6 performs an adjustment to it’s approach to Plock – so far so good!
The science crew on Kerbin Spaceport announce the Kuarq experiment is ready to return to Kerbin! The Aurora Payload Vehicle detaches…
… and heads to the surface!
The spacecraft lands just 30k from the Spaceport ! Science staff at KSEA are pleased to report a great deal of science was recovered from the experiment! Engineers note that the Payload Vehicle could use another design pass, as it handled very poorly during docking maneuvers.
Year 10, Day 228 (Explorer 5 Lander Departs Duna!)
After spending a few days on the surface at the Eastern Canyon Val, Bill, and Bob blast off, heading back to Duna Spaceport!
Orbit is achieved…
… and Val pilots the crew back to Duna Spaceport!
Kerbal States | Kerbin Space Exploration Administration 