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!
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
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!
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!
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
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!
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!
KSEA releases designs for the reusable interplanetary spacecraft Discovery! Discovery is said to have nearly 4 times the range of the Explorer 5-class spacecraft and is designed to orbit Sarnus and return to Kerbin Spaceport!
This will be the second deep space vehicle, the first was the failed DSV-1 Explorer.
Crew Mission 1 (CM1) will be a full systems test consisting of a short flight to Mun and returning to Kerbin Spaceport.
The mission profile for CM2 will be shaped by these results, but KSEA administrators hope Discovery can do what it was designed for: the journey to Sarnus!
Pathfinder 3 deploys it’s first probe!
Little was known about Vall when Pathfinder 3 was launched, it is now obvious that the probe suite on Pathfinder 3 is somewhat ill equipped – Vall has no atmosphere so the parachute and heat shield are a waste of mass!
Pathfinder 3’s first probe also has insufficient fuel to slow down in time, and the probe crashes into the surface!
The probe transmits this haunting photo of Jool and the surface of Vall right before communications are lost!
Val, Bill, and Bob board Adventure! Edan will pilot them back to the Space Center, since Val is still recovering from the long cryo-sleep!
Adventure streaks through the atmosphere!
“Trajectory seems good so far – hold on everyone!”
-Edan
Edan performs a few manuevers to adjust the heading – Adventure‘s air brakes had to be used in pulses to slow the craft down – a few timed bursts of the engines accelerate the craft so it won’t land short of the Space Center!
“Ok. Adventure is in the pipe – five by five!”
-Edan
Adventure lands, returning the Explorer 5 crew to Kerbin! KSEA scientists begin collecing the data brought back, and Val, Bill, and Bob head to the Astronaut Complex to recover! Meanwhile, the crew shuttle is recovered and begins repairs and refits for it’s next launch!
Kerbal States | Kerbin Space Exploration Administration 