Year 7, Day 121 (Wanderer Lands On Eve)

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Wanderer arrives at Eve – there should be just enough fuel to circularize!

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Wander burns into its orbit of Eve! The orbit isn’t perfectly circular, but it’s an orbit!  So far the Eve Communications Network has been performing perfectly!  Scientists are eager and nervous to see if the Eve lander will survive the landing, and transmit from the surface! screenshot16.png

Because of the tremendous speed of the lander, the Re-entry rockets fire so that the craft will slow down in the atmosphere for a few orbits before actually taking the final plunge. screenshot18.png

While Eve has been mapped from orbit, the particulars of navigating the planets ultra dense atmosphere has proven challenging for KSEA mission planners!screenshot15.png

While tedious, the orbital dipping method does appear to be a good strategy – impatient engineers are already working on a replacement for the next Eve lander though!screenshot24.png

The protective shell ejects and the Wanderer rover slowly glides to the surface!

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Cheers are heard throughout KSC – Rover has safely landed on the surface and started transmitting science! After transmitting the science data from the surface the rover will need to recharge… then scientists will see if surface exploration is possible!

 

Year 7, Day 48 (Aurora 20 & Unity Space Station Update)

screenshot273.pngThe Aurora 20 Mission to Unity Space Station (finally) comes to an end!  The Research Mission was intended to gather significant data on Mun and to study long-duration of spaceflight on Kerbal physiology. KSEA administrators stress that the length of the mission definitely did not mean that Mission Control forgot about the mission!screenshot274.png

Luly, Seely, and Kerlorf climb into the Aurora Command Pod and leave the station!

“All those exciting missions to Duna doesn’t mean Mun doesn’t have something to offer you know!”

Luly, lead scientist of Aurora 20 mission!

The return of the Aurora 20 mission will leave Unity Space Station uninhabited until the next crew arrives!

Year 7, Day 27 (Explorer 2 Crew returns from Duna Crater landing!)

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Mitster and Dunwin blast off – heading back to Duna Spaceport!

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“This many missions has left us all exhausted!  It’ll be good to get back to Kerbin!”

-Dunwin

Indeed, Explorer 2 has set the record for the most consecutive landings done by one crew!  It’s hoped that the next crew will be able to exceed that, however, using the new “Super Duna Lander”!

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“Hmmm… I’m having some trouble connecting the lander with with the docking port!”

-Mitster

“Try spinning!  That’s a good trick!”

-Dunwin

“That did it!  We’re docked!  Nice thinking Dunwin!”

-Mitster

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The lander docks successfully with Duna Spaceport, and the Explorer 2 team reviews all of the science data they’ve collected over 4 separate landings on the red world of Duna! Their only mission now is to prepare for the return home!

Year 7, Day 26 (Explorer 2 Landing At Duna’s Craters!)

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Dunwin, Mitster, and Kimmy work on refueling the Duna Research Lander for what will be the last landing before returning to Kerbin! This time, a crater east of the second Explorer 2 landing has been chosen. Explorer 2’s last landing will be done by Mitster and Dunwin.

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“Wow, you can see the crater’s outline as we come down!”

-Mitster

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Mitster and Dunwin set down in the Crater, and prepare to head out of the lander.

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The guys smile for the camera, then get to work gathering important Science!

Year 7, Day 19 (Advanced Atmospheric Lander, The Super Duna Lander, Announced!

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KSEA releases the designs for the next generation Duna Lander, the Advanced Atmospheric Lander, more popularly known around KSEA as the Super Duna Lander!

The new lander is quite larger than its predecessor, with about 40 percent greater D/V. The addition of Aero Brakes should allow the vehicle to land more precisely. The existing research lander at the Duna spaceport will be reserved for emergencies!