Year 2

Year 2, Day 235

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scihubConstruction begins on the next massive KSS upgrade – a new science hub with additional solar arrays.  This new hub will (hopefully) be the starting point for several other science additions… putting them on the far side of the station ensure greater levels of safety if the experiments get too dangerous!

Ingeniously, the delivery stage of the module will double as an emergency escape vehicle, the RCS system has been balanced to work in tandem with the rest of the module for delivery, and the remaining fuel will let the Escape Vehicle re-enter Kerbin’s atmosphere. Future delivery modules are planned to use the same design to allow several Escape Vehicles to be docked in case of an emergency.

Year 2, Day 229

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The new Command Core is slowly rolled out to the launch pad, and is ready to go first thing in the morning.

“That’s one big rocket!”
-Bill

It sure is!  In fact, the Sarnus V that will carry the new Command Core to orbit is the largest vehicle ever launched!screenshot443Crowds gather to watch it take off!screenshot445.png

The launch is not ideal, but orbit is eventually achieved.  Fuel to rendezvous with the KSS will be tight! screenshot448.png

Thankfully, the craft is brought in close…

“Wow.  The new station core is huge! It’s bigger than the entire existing station!”

-Orlas

screenshot451.pngAfter a short time, the new Command Module docks with the station.

Uh oh, looks like one of the new solar panels was damaged in the launch.  Better let KSC know!
-Jeb

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screenshot434.pngAurora 3 whips around Minmus, and starts to head back to Kerbin.  Communications with Mission Control are briefly interrupted as Kerbin is eclipsed by Minmus!

“Well that was fun!  Hold on everyone! Just uh, 13 days.  Until we reach our next orbital manuever. Then… uh. A few more. ”
-Edan

The return trip is a rather long 28 days.  Hold on guys!

Year 2, Day 211

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screenshot425.pngThe KSS Service Pod test takes off!  If successful the rocket will carry a small plant-growth research bay into orbit, dock with the KSS, and allow the crew up there to see how plants grow in space!  A night launch is chosen for no particular reason.

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Docking is a success!  The crew rushes to the docking bay (which allows easy access to the science experiment inside the pod) and starts work right away… let’s see how this plant grows in space!

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Year 2, Day 205

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While construction continues on the massive new Station Core for the Kerbin Space Station, KSEA decides to launch a few training missions to practice for the upcoming trip to Mun and Minmus!

While KSEA has a lot of eager astronauts, the technology to perform a landing isn’t quite there yet.  While researchers… research, the crews will practice!screenshot422.png

Aurora 3 blasts off – carrying an entirely rookie crew – Edan, Robart, and Chrisnic! The mission profile is simple – launch into orbit, transit to Minmus, and return safely to Kerbin.

After orbit is achieved, the three all get their “space legs” and go for an EVA.  Everything’s going well… so Edan pilots the craft into an intercept with Minmus – good work Edan!

“Settle in everybody… this is a pretty long trip!”
-Edan

Meanwhile at KSC, construction is almost complete on 2 more Aurora Crew Vehicles.  One will always be on reserve for rescue capabilities, the other will be launched as the next Aurora mission!   The KSS Service Pod is almost ready to go as well!

Year 2, Day 206 (KSS Command/Power/Docking Core Announced)

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The next schedule addition to the KSS is the Command/Power/Docking Core – designed to be the new “center” of the station. The Command Core will provide lots of opportunities for future expansions, as well as a massive power core and solar array. The docking segment is offset “below” the station, to allow easier and safer approaches to the station.

The Command Core, as it is more commonly referred to, will be the largest object ever launched into orbit! Once in place two smaller add-ons are planned (but not yet designed) – a cargo module for spare parts and life support supplies as well as a new science expansion!

The Command Core also has several lights to help make the station more visible to approaching craft (as well as looking more awesome!)

Year 2, Day 204 (Station Service Vehicle Announced)

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To conduct ongoing research at the Kerbin Space Station, regular deliveries of science vehicles will be needed.  KSEA scientists and engineers have been working on two designs – one, a re-usable space plane, the other a more standard cargo pod based off the Aurora Program’s design.

After hours and hours and hours and hours of simulation, the Space Plane plan is thrown in the trash bin… the much simpler Aurora Program-derived vehicle is given the green light!  Using the most recent version of the Discovery Rocket, the Discovery 5, the SSV is launched into orbit, and can carry a small payload to the KSS, and return the payload back to the surface.

In addition to ferrying science experiments, this should also provide a simple means of delivering food and other important supplies!

Year 2, Day 169 (Aurora 2 Launch)

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screenshot388.pngAurora 2 launches from Cape Kerman!  The re-designed Aurora Crew Vehicle is carried into low orbit, Jeb and rookie scientist Samner are both looking forward to spending some time in space! screenshot391

While Samner will be working on any number of interesting science experiments, Jeb is there solely to assist with the construction of the station.  A good pilot is needed to guide some of the Modules into place!

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“Almost there…. ”
-Jeb

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“Almost… ”
-Jeb

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“Got it!”
-Jeb

Aurora 2 docks with the Kerbin Space Station!  Now the combined crews just wait for the Science Module to launch!