Year 3

Year 3, Day 44 (CTS Adventure Testing & Upgrades)

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screenshot13.pngAfter some slight adjustments to Adventure’s wing alignment to correct the rollimg/control issues the craft was having, the craft takes off again!

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This time, Jeb, Bill, and Bob head up – the mission is solely to test Adventure’s systems before construction of additional Crew Shuttles to service the KSS!  This will be the first flight with the craft’s new solar panels – so far, they don’t seem to be affecting aerodynamics. screenshot14.png

“OK – the Station is right where it should be! Heading in to dock!” -Jeb

Jeb pilots the Adventure closer, and closer to the Space Station!

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Almost there…

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Success!  Adventure makes a good seal with Docking Port 1. Everyone heads over to the station to check things out!

“Wow!  This place sure looks different than last time!”
-Jeb

Does it?  Must be a slight case of space madness…

Year 3, Day 12 (First Crew Shuttle Test Flight)

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KCS Adventure is readied for launch at the Primary Launch site! screenshot797.png

The automated systems carry it up easily!

“Wow! Look at it go!”
-Jeb

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The Launch Vehicle detaches, and Adventure’s engines carry it the rest of the way!  screenshot801.png

A normal Crew Shuttle flight would head to orbit at this point, but instead Adventure fires its engines to simulate a very high speed re-entry to Kerbin’s atmosphere. screenshot805.png

As the shuttle comes in for reentry, it performs a bit of a “belly flop” as it slows down. screenshot810.png

Eventually Adventure slows down enough to attempt a landing.  A green field across the sea from Cape Kerman is selected for the test landing. screenshot811.png

Almost there…. screenshot813.png

A perfect landing!  Adventure glides to a complete stop, and crews are dispatched to investigate the Crew Shuttle for any stresses or damage incurred in the flight!

The KCS-LV is recovered 250km from the Space Center!  Engineers estimate it can be recovered for about 85% of its total construction cost.  Not bad!

Year 3, Day 6 (Crew Shuttle Revealed!)

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After exhaustive modeling and testing, KSEA scientists and engineers excitedly unveil their new space vehicle – the KSS Crew Shuttle!KCS.pngConstruction begins at once, with an automated launch scheduled immediately after the first vehicle is made.

Unlike previous spacecraft, the KCS is, hopefully, entirely re-usable. The first stage (the KCS-Launch Vehicle, or KCS-LV, is a massive, automated space plane that carries the shuttle nearly to orbit.  After the Launch Vehicle’s fuel is exhausted, the Crew Shuttle detaches and heads into orbit!

The test vehicle will be named Adventure – some remain skeptical about the practicality of a space plane for moving crew between the station and Kerbin, but KSEA is always willing to try the next big thing… even if it’s a tiny shuttle!

Year 3, Day 2

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“Uh… KSC… We have a problem!”
-Samner

Samner, aboard the KSS, reports that the  original station core has a leak! In order to save the entire station, the affected area is evacuated, and the module is ejected!

“Jeez, as this thing gets older, more and more parts keep breaking!  We may need to think about getting an engineer up here or we might have to replace the whole thing!”
-Glenica

Indeed, the KSS has been having multiple problems lately. KSEA engineers start work on a systems upgrade to the station! With the myriad of problems on the station it’s not clear exactly what can be done to save the KSS.