Year 9, Day 248 (Kerbin Spaceport Phase 3 Launches!)

October 22, 2018 sayburstuff Year 9 Kerbin Spaceport

The third major component of Kerbin Spaceport blasts off!

This addition completes the science expansion for the Spaceport, adding a cyclotron particle accelerator, which will help study particle physics and other strange science in space!

The first and second stages finish firing, leaving the Cyclotron in orbit! Automated systems will guide it to Kerbin Spaceport.

The Cyclotron moves closer, and closer…

Until it finally connects! The maneuvering system ejects, and the station’s new science core is ready to go!

Back on Kerbin the first Science payload is readied!

Year 9, Day 230 (Phase Two of Kerbin Spaceport Launches, Phase Three Construction Begins!)

October 21, 2018October 21, 2018 sayburstuff Year 9 Kerbin Spaceport

The massive Jool Rocket blasts off from Cape Kerman!

Once in space, the aerodynamic fairing deploys!

The engines fire and the massive space station orbits Kerbin!

Almost identical to Phase One of the Spaceport, Phase Two has two giant fuel reserves, a habitat area, and a docking section. It also features a science lab and a cupola, and of course giant solar arrays to power all the onboard systems! Once docked Kerbin Spaceport will dwarf even Kerbin Space Station, making it the largest object ever assembled in space – nearly as long as two Vehicle Assembly Buildings!

Phase Two arrives at Kerbin Spaceport! The RCS systems fire, and the two Spaceport components get closer and closer, until….

Connection! History is made as the Kerbin Spaceport goes fully online! Supply ships ready themselves to launch to the next two orbital fuel reserves, and KSEA prepares to launch Phase Three – the new Science component!

Kerbin Spaceport 2

Year 9, Day 229 (Malcolm and Mirphe return home!)

October 21, 2018 sayburstuff Year 9 Aurora Crew Vehicle, Malcolm, Mirphe, Mun

As the Aurora Crew Vehicle approaches Kerbin, Malcolm carefully removes the tape over the staging switch marked “DO NOT PRESS!”

“<<audible CLUNK!>> Staging complete! Whew! That switch should have a cover over it or something! ACV on approach for a water landing!”

-Malcolm

The ACV races through the atmosphere!

Until the parachute fires, and the command module splashes down gently in the ocean!

“A rescue mission that turned into a little adventure – nicely done!”

-Gene, Mission Control

Year 9, Day 228 (Mirphe and Malcolm Head Home From Mun!)

October 21, 2018 sayburstuff Year 9 Aurora Crew Vehicle, Malcolm, Mirphe, Mun, Unity Space Station

Malcolm disconnects the ACV from Unity Station!

“Ok, we’re almost clear – you’re good to go!”

-Mirphe

Malcolm fires the ACV’s engine, and the crew are on a return to Kerbin!

Year 9, Day 226 (Mirphe and Malcolm Land on Mun!)

October 21, 2018October 21, 2018 sayburstuff Year 9 Malcolm, Mirphe, Mun, Unity Space Station

Mirphe and Maclolm finish checking the Aurora Mun Lander at Unity Space Station… it checks out! (The lander was last used by the Aurora 16 mission, on Year 4 Day 360.) Mission Command has cleared them for a landing at the Munar Lowlands, so they’re off!

“Coordinates are mapped – heading down!”

-Maclolm

The lander touches down!

“What an unexpected adventure!”

-Mirphe

“Oh wow… look up Mirphe! Kerbin looks so… small! ”

-Malcolm

After taking some time to appreciate the view, Mirphe and Malcolm climb back into the lander… and take off!

“These old Aurora Landers don’t have much for life support, we better get back to the station!”

-Mirphe

Malcolm pilots the Lander to Unity Space Station…

… and docks! The crew will remain on the station for a few days, then return to Kerbin!

Year 9, Day 223 (Rescue Mission Arrives at Unity Space Station!)

October 20, 2018 sayburstuff Year 9 Aurora Crew Vehicle, Malcolm, Mirphe, Mun, Unity

Mirphe arrives at Unity Space Station, in orbit of Mun!

“Anybody home?”

-Mirphe

“Thanks for coming so soon! But before we leave… I was thinking… maybe we could take one of the old Aurora Mun Landers down for a spin?”

-Malcolm

Malcolm and Mirphe head over to the landers and check things out… initial signs are that both of the craft are still quite space-capable, although one has more science equipment on board!

KSEA isn’t so sure about sending down a landing to Mun, but planners are already scouting out a landing site – probably in the Munar lowlands!

Year 9, Day (Rescue Mission To Unity Space Station!)

October 20, 2018 sayburstuff Year 9 Aurora Crew Vehicle, Malcolm, Mirphe, Mun

Mirphe pilots the next ACV on its rescue mission to save Malcolm!

Once in orbit, Mirphe pilots the spacecraft to rendezvous with Mun!

Year 9, Day 220 (Mk7 ACV Arrives At Mun’s Unity Space Station!)

October 20, 2018 sayburstuff Year 9 Aurora Crew Vehicle, Malcolm, Mun, Problems, Unity Space Station

Malcolm arrives at Mun!

“Ok, rendevous manuevers complete! Looks like I just need to switch on the RCS system to get in nice and close… <<audible “CLICK!”>> … uh oh. KSC… I think we have a problem!”

-Malcolm

Instead of switching on the RCS system, Malcolm accidentally engages the staging switch that disconnects the command pod!

Ok… Don’t panic Malcolm! Just need to get over to Unity Space Station and wait for a rescue! Hopefully they left some snacks on that thing…”

-Malcolm

Malcolm boards Unity Station and starts rummaging for some food. Thankfully there’s enough oxygen on board to last a few weeks! Meanwhile, The ACV drifts away from the station!

KSEA was already building another ACV, and now it looks like the mission is clear: Bring Malcolm home!

Year 9, Day 219 (Mk7 ACV heads to Mun!)

October 20, 2018 sayburstuff Year 9 Aurora Crew Vehicle, Kerbin Spaceport, Malcolm, Mun, Shepely

Gillian and Shepely stay onboard Kerbin Spaceport, while Malcom takes the ACV and undocks! Malcolm will be testing the ACV’s ability to reach Mun and Minmus on this mission, so to reduce risk he’ll be piloting the craft alone!