Year 2, Day 4

October 6, 2016October 6, 2016 sayburstuff Year 1 Problems, Spacelab

While Jeb and Bob research Minmus, final preparations are made on Spacelab, the Kerbal States’ first space station!

Launched on top of a Discovery rocket, the space station slowly lumbers into the sky, piloted entirely by antenna.

Near disaster! During the launch, the entire rocket flips over around 40k – the gravity turn was not done well! Thankfully the rocket recovers, and orbit was achieved!

Thanks to the Kerb-Sat network the station remains in constant contact with Mission Control! Now it just needs a crew!

Year 2, Day 01 (Discovery 1 Starts Minmus Research)

October 6, 2016 sayburstuff Year 1 Bob, Discovery 1, Jebediah, Minmus

Jeb closes the orbit of Discovery 1 to a very close 20km.

Bob hops out and starts running the planned experiments!

“It’s amazing out here! Kerbin looks so small! And Mun, it just looks super tiny!”

-Bob

The next phase is even more exciting! Jeb adjusts the orbit so that the Discovery 1 will get very close to the surface of Minmus. How close? Almost 8000 meters!

Jeb maneuvers Discovery to a nice, low pass of Minmus.

“I’m going a little ways out from the ship to get a good look!”

-Bob

“Um… Ok… OK! That’s enough space walking! Minmus looks so close I can practically taste it!”

-Bob

After calming down Bob returns to Discovery 1, and the crew waits for their scheduled return!

Year 1, Day 423 (Discovery 1 Arrival at Minmus)

October 5, 2016 sayburstuff Year 1 Bob, Discovery 1, Discovery Missions, Jebediah

Discovery 1 arrives at Minmus! Jeb and Bob transmit pictures back from the cockpit.

“It looks… minty!” Bob says. After a bit of maneuvering, Discovery is put into a high orbit of Minmus. “Time to get a little closer!” Jeb says.

Year 1, Day 417 (Spacelab Announced)

October 5, 2016October 5, 2016 sayburstuff Year 1 Space Station, Spacelab

Design work begins on an experimental space station! The station will be launched once Jeb returns from Minmus.

The station, to be called “Spacelab” will be a test of long-term habitation of space as well as testing an orbital radar array and other scientific equipment.

“Now hiring: scientifically minded Kerbals with a great deal of patience!” -Sign posted on the door to the Astronaut Center

Year 1, Day 416 (Discovery 1 Launch!)

October 4, 2016October 4, 2016 sayburstuff Year 1 Bob, Discovery 1, Discovery Missions, Jebediah

The Discovery 1 rocket is rolled out to the launchpad – Jebediah will be piloting, with rookie space-scientist Bob on board to assist with research. This will be Bob’s first mission in space!

Another first for the mission is the first Mission Patch! Symbolizing the adventure from Kerbin to Minus, and promising a future trip to Mun!

“Uh – so this is just the training simulator? Right?” -Bob

Not so much, Bob! Discovery 1 lifts off!

After achieving orbit, Jeb aligns Discovery’s orbit to that of Minmus. Then, after a short wait, Discovery 1 burns to Minmus! The trip will be just 6 days – all of Kerbin waits!

Year 1, Day 405 (Discovery Unveiled)

October 4, 2016October 4, 2016 sayburstuff Year 1 Blueprints, Discovery Missions, Discovery Rocket, Patches, Valentina

All of Kerbin is abuzz with KSEA’s release of the blueprints for the Discovery Rocket!

This revolutionary new design utilizes a new 2-Kerbal module (the Discovery Command Module), an advanced engine system (the new R-L 10 “Poodle”), and an entirely new rocket design that is entirely liquid fueled. This new design provides more control during launches and greater safety.

“I like how I can see out the windows the whole launch!” -Val

Construction starts immediately on Discovery 1, which will launch to Minmus. The mission plan is to enter orbit, and inspect the surface! Rumor has it the mission will be the first to feature a Mission Patch. Oooo!

Year 1, Day 403 (Discovery Project Announced)

October 2, 2016October 2, 2016 sayburstuff Year 1 Discovery Missions

256x256-4 Just a day after the completion of the Kerb-Sat network, KSEA announces that it has been working on the next-generation rocket… the Discovery! Kerbals all across Kerbin can’t wait to see what it will look like!

Year 1, Day 402 (Kerb-Sat Network Fully Deployed)

October 2, 2016October 3, 2016 sayburstuff Year 1 Bob, Jeb, Kerb-Sat

After many, many launches, all the Kerb-Sat communications satellites are launched. “These communication satellites are really hogging the launchpads…” Jeb points out. The lead scientist behind Kerb-Sat, Bob, points out that “with these new satellites you and Val will be able to explore even further – trust me, it’s a good idea!”

“If you say so…” Jeb replies.

Over the course of a few days all the satellites are moved from their parking orbit of 90k to a much higher orbit of 300km, then maneuvered into positions where they provide full coverage around Kerbin! A handy side effect is that (except for the poles) Kerbin now has full radio coverage!

Year 1, Day 370 (KerbSat Program)

October 2, 2016October 2, 2016 sayburstuff Year 1 Communications, Kerb-Sat

So far the two launches to Mun and Minmus were quite dangerous – short fuel supplies, and absolutely no communication for days and days.

As engineers and scientists work on the future Mun and Minmus rockets, other teams are focused on creating a communications network to make these missions safer!

The design they come up with is the KerbSat network:

Construction begins on 8 identical satellites. While the team is very proud of their design, they admit that they don’t have any clue what they’re doing… Still. They look nice.