After the success at growing plants on the orbital Kerbitat One station, the Aurora 26 crew board the Command Module and detach from the station !
“We learned a lot from that mission – even though it didn’t go like we planned! We just need to figure out how to keep a supply of water and fertilizer somehow sustainable!” -Samner
Aurora 26 burns through the atmosphere toward White Mesa!
“Chute has deployed! We’re touching down about 50k south of the White Mesa facility!” -Edan
A Nebula Rocket that had been prepared for a Crew Vehicle launch is quickly retrofitted with an experimental new payload: the DSV Supply Craft! Designed to carry a versatile payload to the bay of Horizon Class DSVs, delivering fertilizer to Kerbitat One should be a good first test!
The Nebula Rocket blasts off!
The payload detaches, and the first stage turns around and heads back to KSC! The DSV Supply Craft continues it’s launch to orbit!
The spacecraft approaches Kerbitat One…
… and docks!
Back at Spacedock, Aurora 26 departs for Kerbitat One!
“Hopefully that fertilizer does the trick!” -Edan
Edan brings Aurora 26 into alignment with Kerbitat One, and docks!
“Looks like a good connection! Let’s get that fertilizer transferred over too!” -Gilian
The Kerbals begin unloading the payload from the service vehicle, and Samner studies the plants. The crew waits patiently… until after many hours have passed….
“It’s working! It’s working! The plants are growing! I had to use water from our crew vehicle to start the processes, but it looks like it’s going! That means we’ll need to leave before long, but there should be enough water to run the greenhouse for a while!” -Samner
After the successful mission, the crew begins preparations for heading home!
Crew Vehicle 5 blasts off from White Mesa! The spacecraft has a new second stage that should increase fuel supply and allow more mission options – however the primary goal has been more precise landings at the White Mesa facility.
CV5 reaches orbit, and begins docking procedures with Spacedock!
“That new second stage looks good!” –Edan
CV5 docks! Meanwhile, Mirphe, Edan, and Kerlorf all transfer over to CV2 and get ready to return to Kerbin!
“Spacedock this is CV2… we are clear and preparing for reentry burn once clear of the station…” -Mirphe
The crew vehicle performs the reentry burn…
… and streaks through the atmosphere, heading towards the desert White Mesa facility!
The parachutes deploy, and CV2 heads for a landing!
“Looks like we were a little short from White Mesa – hopefully the new second stage will let us land right on target next time!” -Mirphe
Everyone hops out of CV2 to get some fresh air, waiting for the rescue teams!
KSEA releases designs for it’s next orbital science experiment… Kerbitat One! station will be part of the next Aurora launch, Aurora 26 and will see if the new greenhouse module is capable of supporting Kerbals as a long term self-sustaining life support option.
Jeb, Bill, and Bob safely fly back to KSC to rest up for their next missions!
The next Deep Space Vehicle, DSV-5Intrepid is under construction! The name was chosen to honor the Crew Shuttle Intrepid, which was recently retired. DSV-5 Intrepid will be a Horizon Class DSV and is virtually identical to the Horizon itself.
Construction is also underway on Explorer 8, the next crew rocket to Duna!
Construction on Nebula Crew Rockets has also been ongoing, with a target total of 6 rockets with at least 2 on standby at any time for a launch from White Mesa!
With crew traveling to and from White Mesa designers have been tinkering with faster planes to transport crews. The reliable X-5 has been the go-to, but engineers insist they can build something faster!
Another Modular Refuelling Vehicle carrying lithium is nearly ready, one more after this will fill all four fuel bays at Kerbin Spacedock!
The next Aurora Mission is also being prepared! This one will test the development of a long-term food and life support system for stations and, someday, colonies! A large greenhouse and power system will be the payload, and be launched into orbit near Kerbin Spacedock!
Finally, and most audaciously, KSEA is working on relocating the old Kerbin Spaceport… To Mun! Engineers will be inspecting the abandoned station soon, and if it checks out, a vehicle will be launched to move the stations orbit!
Discovery enters Kerbin’s sphere of gravitational influence!
“Discovery we’re tracking you as on course – what’s your situation?”
-Gene, at Mission Control
“Roger Mission Control… Situation nominal, Discovery reactor is at full, engines show green and ready to fire!”
-Jeb
As Discovery reaches a distance of 700km from Kerbin, the 3 nuclear engines fire!
It’s a nearly minute long burn to slow down!
Suddenly, alarm bells ring in the cockpit!
“Temperature on main engines reaching critical! They’re starting to heat up the tri-adapter engine housing!”
-Bob
“We’ve already been captured into orbit, so we can cut thrust safely… Let’s monitor it and cut thrust once it’s just about critical!”
-Jeb
Thankfully the engines don’t explode, and Discovery settles into a clean 700k circular orbit!
“I can’t wait to see Spacedock! It’s supposed to be huge!”
-Bill
Discovery does several manuevers to rendezvous with Spacedock, and finally approaches the station!
“Discovery here! We’re going to coast past Spacedock, then start docking manuevers!”
-Jeb
“Roger that DSV-2… We show you at 150 meters and clear for RCS manuevers!”
-Sean, onboard Spacedock
Discovery slowly drifts past the station until it’s visible out the cockpit!
“Wow! Look at that! And look, Endeavor is docked at the top!”
-Bill
“Yep! We’ll be parking opposite Endeavor!”
-Jeb
Jeb uses RCS orbital thrusters only and slowly matches speed with Spacedock….
…then slowly accelerates toward the station, lining up with the docking port!
“Slowing down… We’re lined up and looking good!”
-Jeb
Discovery moves almost imperceptibly slow until…
With a dull “clunk” and the whir of motors, Discovery makes s connection to Spacedock!
“Welcome home Discovery!”
-Val
Jeb, Bill, and Bob head over to Spacedock to rest before returning to Kerbin with the mountains of data gathered from Jool’s moon Laythe! There is already talk of building a colony there!
Engineers are also finalizing plans for refits and repairs to Discovery!
Kerbal States | Kerbin Space Exploration Administration 