Year 9

Year 9, Day 198 (Pathfinder Probe Details Released)

sayburstuff Year 9 , ,

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After much clamoring from the Kerbal States public for blueprints of the Pathfinder Deep Space Probes (absent mostly because the Kerbal Blueprint department forgot to release it) blueprints of the Pathfinder Deep Space probe is released!

The probe is somewhat unique as it is really 4 probes in one: a mothership that acts as a relay and orbital scanner and 3 planetary probes, which can be customized for whatever the mission might require, such as aquatic probes, atmospheric probes, or a ground lander.  A future rover is planned, however the size limitation has made functional mini-rovers quite difficult.

Year 9, Day 197 (Construction Starts On Kerbin Spaceport Phase Two)

sayburstuff Year 9

Kerbin Spaceport 2.pngWork is finally done on the next phase of Kerbin Spaceport! Almost identical to the first launch, this station will dock with the existing Kerbin Spaceport to create the largest object ever constructed in space.

Besides adding more fuel depots, the station has an advanced science lab and expansion ports that will allow the station to be a viable laboratory in space for the foreseeable future!

(The Station Mission Patch is updated as well to reflect the new layout of the Spaceport!)

Year 9, Day 195 (Aurora Crew Vehicle Upgrades)

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In addition to development of the X-9 crew vehicle KSEA has also been developing the next generation of Aurora Crew Vehicles, the Mk7!

The Mk7 Aurora Crew Vehicle, or ACV, has been developed to provide a 30 day life support system that can safely reach not only Kerbin orbit but Mun and Minmus as well. The Aurora Command Module has been a critical component in KSEA’s crewed spaceflight program, and this latest development makes little changes to the pod itself.

Instead, advances have been made in fuel storage and design of both the Aurora Rocket and the ACV itself – one striking feature is the Service Bay, which protects Life Support System and the fragile solar panels during launch but opens in space.  The craft also has a newly balanced RCS system that improves docking performance.

The main limitation of the X-9 has been its range – while the craft has a maximum orbit rated at 100k, in reality the craft can only reach an orbit of 80k when the mission profile calls for rendezvous with another spacecraft (which was the main goal of the X-9 program.)

The ACV is a superior spacecraft with only one problem – cost.  The X-9 has trivial costs to refuel and refurbish the vehicle, whereas the ACV costs just under 50,000 each launch.

NOTE:  reaches 178k orbit to rendevous.

 

 

Year 9, Day 186 (Kerbin Spaceport Launches!)

sayburstuff Year 9

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A new record is set for the heaviest payload as the Jool IV blasts off from the launchpad, carrying the new Kerbin Spaceport into orbit!

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Once in orbit the fairings deploy!

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The guidance systems put the Spaceport into a 71k orbit of Kerbin – lower than the Kerbin Space Station – but it should make it easier to get to the station!

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The massive solar panels deploy, and the Spaceport is ready to go!  Refueling scheduling has already begun – that means the station should be fully functional in mere days!

But, that’s not all!  Another component of the station will be launched soon, to expand fuel and docking capacity!  After that a new science module will be launched.

Kerbin Spaceport

Year 9. Day 135 (Explorer 5 Launches!)

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Explorer 5 is rolled out to launch, an exciting new chapter in Kerbal exploration of space!

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Blastoff!   The massive Jool IV rocket lifts Explorer 5 to the clouds…

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…. and beyond to orbit!

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“Mission Control, this is Malcolm on the X-9!  Mitster and I are OK for take off!”

-Malcolm

 

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The X-9 will fly the Explorer 5 crew to the spacecraft!

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Malcolm flies the spacecraft on launch, with Mitster supervising.

“So far so good!”

-Mitster

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Explorer 5 reaches orbit, and Malcolm starts the rendezvous maneuvers to meet up with Explorer 5!

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“OK… the X-9 is a bit tricky with its RCS controls… this might take a few tries!”

–Mitster

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It does take awhile, but eventually the X-9 docks with Explorer 5!  Val, Bill, and Bob all transfer over!

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OK guys… I’ll go first!  Glykerol levels normal… initiating freeze!

-Val

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“It worked!  Our turn… see you in a few minutes Bob!”

-Bill

With that Bill throws the “freeze!” lever, and the crew of Explorer 5 is in stasis, ready for the trip to Duna!

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Malcolm brings the X-9 in for a landing!

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“Mission Control, Malcom here!  I’m in the pipe, five by five!”

-Malcolm

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It’s a tricky night landing, but Malcolm brings the X-9 home!  All of Kerbin now waits for Explorer 5 to depart!

 

 

 

Year 9, Day 100 (Explorer 5 Construction!)

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KSEA releases the finalized design for the Explorer 5!  This prototype is hoped to be the future of deep space crewed transportation, making years or even decades long missions pass in as little time as an afternoon nap for the crew!

Val, Bill, and Bob have been training hard for the mission!

This first mission will be to Duna, but if all goes well it will be utilized in a future crewed mission to Jool!

 

Year 9, Day 40 (X-9 First Flight!)

sayburstuff Year 9 , ,

screenshot92.pngConstruction is complete on the X-9, and the new craft is rolled out to the runway! Veteran pilot Mitster and rookie Malcolm will be taking the SSTO up on its first mission.

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“OK, engines are GO….. let’s see what the X-9 can do! ”

-Mitster

screenshot96.pngThe X-9 climbs to the limits of the atmosphere, then the R.A.P.I.E.R. engines switch to rocket mode, and take the craft up to orbit!

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“Wow!  Seemed to work great!  Now what? ”

-Malcom

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“Now we see if the craft handles on a landing! ”

-Mitster

screenshot102.pngThe X-9 completes an orbit around Kerbin, then Mitster fires the engines to begin the spacecraft’s return to Kerbin!

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“OK, reentry put us a bit off angle, not a problem… switching the X-9’s engines back to air-breathing mode!”

-Mitster

Mitster performs a slight adjustment to the X-9’s approach!

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“OK – that did it. We’re in the pipe… five by five!”

–Mitster

“What’s that mean anyway? Five by Five?”

–Malcolm

“It’s just something we say when we’re landing that sounds cool!”

–Mitster

“Oh – cool!”

–Malcolm

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The X-9 sets down successfully!

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Mitster and Malcolm climb  out and congratulate eachother on a good flight!

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“Thanks Mitster, the simulator didn’t do the excitement of a landing justice!  I can’t wait to fly the next one!”

-Malcolm

Year 9, Day 28 (Refueling Vehicle for Duna Spaceport Launches)

sayburstuff Year 9 , ,

screenshot90.pngThe Explorer 2 and 3 missions have all but exhausted the fuel supply of the Duna Spaceport so the refueling vehicle , so an automated spacecraft designed to extend the life of the Spaceport is launched!

screenshot91.pngThe spacecraft will remain in orbit until the proper launch window, and will travel roughly the same projected path as the upcoming Explorer 5 mission!