Another Science Payload launches for Kerbin Spaceport! It is unknown what kind of repeated results can be gained from the Cyclotron, this mission will find out!
The payload vehicle has been slightly redesigned, with an updated docking adapter to allow closer docking to the cyclotron itself.
The vehicle docks with the station and the crew starts studying the results on the study canisters!
KSEA announces that Explorer 5 will be setting down in the Eastern Canyon – a site that is thought to be a similar to the Western Canyon, only a great deal more easterly.
Bill, Bob, and Val board the Super Duna Lander and head down to the surface!
“OK, starting our descent. Hang on everyone!”
-Val
The Super Duna Lander speeds down to the surface! Right before landing the airbrakes are stowed and the gear is deployed, as the rockets fire one last burn to slow down before landing!
“Contact! We’re on the surface! ”
-Val
The crew prepares to head out and explore the Eastern Canyon at Duna!
The crew waits until sunrise, and starts exploring!
Malcolm, Luly, and Seely blast off in an Aurora Crew Vehicle to supplement the crew on Kerbin Spaceport (and to get the newest kerbalnauts trained!)
Malcolm docks the ACV, and the crew makes themselves comfortable!
Meanwhile, another Aurora Payload Vehicle launches, carrying a new science payload to the station!
Explorer 3’s Aurora Command Pod detaches from the rest of the spacecraft, and begins its reentry into Kerbin’s atmosphere!
After the radio blackout from reentry, the chute deploys!
“We came in a little fast, but within the spacecraft’s tolerances… everything’s fine!”
-Edan
The crew touches down in the highlands, and quickly hop out to enjoy fresh air again!
“Feels good to be back on solid ground, but standing up in this gravity is hard!”
-Sean
Rescue teams are already en route to rescue the crew (and all the precious scientific data they brought back from Duna!
“I can’t wait to inspect those samples in the lab!”
-Glenica
Explorer 5 Arrives in Duna Orbit, and the on board systems automatically eject the Kerbin-Orbit docking adapter (The larger “senior” size docking port is required for docking to the Spaceport!)
Val thaws from cryogenic stasis first!
Alright – I’m moving Explorer in to dock with the Spaceport!
-Val
Bill and Bob thaw next!
The crew reports feeling fine, even after such a long cryo-sleep! After a week the crew’s health will be evaluated and if all is well, the first landing will commence!
Just in time for the (hopeful) arrive of Explorer 5, the Duna Re-fueling Vehicle arrives at Duna Spaceport!
The automated vehicle docks with Duna Spaceport’s re-fueling port, making the station ready to send Kerbals down to the surface!
KSEA regrets to inform the public that Pathfinder 4 and Pathfinder 5 have both overshot their targets, failing to achieve orbit. It would seem speed is the problem, as those probes were simply traveling too fast to be slowed down by single NERV engine – the future of the Pathfinder program however remains in doubt.
Of even greater concern is Explorer 5, already en route to Duna, built on the Pathfinder frame! Scientists think that Explorer’s much lower transfer speed will allow the craft to slow down in time – but time will tell.
A Jool IV rocket blasts off from the Space Center carrying Pathfinder 6 – the first mission to Plock!
Pathfinder 6 speeds away from Kerbin! It should arrive at Plock in just 6 years if estimates are correct the burn went to plan, and an orbit of Plock should be possible!
Construction begins on the next Pathfinder probe, Pathfinder 6 – heading to the distant world of Plock.
Plock will be the furthest mission ever attempted! Pathfinder 6 will be virtually identical to Pathfinder 5, with the same lander layout as well.
(Note: The Patch Department notes in the fine print that no one has ever seen Plock before, and as such Moho may have been used in the patch design)
Pathfinder 5 launches for Moho!
The fairing deploys and the crafts burns into a stable orbit!
Pathfinder 5 will arrive at Moho in 107 days!
Kerbal States | Kerbin Space Exploration Administration 