Mission planners keep insisting that launches are possible from a so-called “Woomerang” Launch Site… however before fuel, rocket parts, and Kerbals start getting diverted to the location, KSEA wants to check it out!
“We’re sending a crack team to see what’s up with this site! Good luck Summer and Luly! “ -Gene, at Mission Control
Wanderertakes off at full speed, reaching near orbital velocities as it flies toward “Woomerang!”
“There it is! Cutting engines, pulling up… deploying chute!” -Summer
Wanderer sets down!
“Let’s check this out!” -Luly
Luly leaves the aircraft, and heads over to the “Woomerang” site!
“That’s one of the ground stations – neat!” -Luly
Luly checks out the launch pad.. and some kind of tower!
“Huh – there’s not much here! Just the landing pad and a tower… probably a water tower for the launch pad! Whoever used this before us didn’t build very much! “ -Summer
“Yea – we’re going to need to build a lot of facilities out here if we’re going to use it! We better head back to KSC!” -Luly
Malcolm, Dunwin and Shepely head down for the second landing! Since this will be a landing at the Highlands, the Advanced Duna Lander has to expend a good deal of fuel to slow down before entering the atmosphere!
KSEA releases designs for the successor to the Aurora Crew Vehicle, the Nebula Crew Vehicle (NCV) capable of carrying 4 crew to a 200k orbit!
The NCV is launched using KSEA’s first reusable rocket: the Nebula Rocket. The Nebula Rocket has previously been used to launch an Aurora Crew Vehicle and will likely be the new standard for crew launches!
The NCV is also the first Crew Pod to carry 4 passengers!
The new Spacedock space station launches, carried to orbit by a massive Nova Rocket!
The solid rockets eject, and the Nova Rocket continues carrying the Spacedock core into orbit
Finally, the protective aerodynamic fairing ejects, and the Spacedock core is circularized in a 200k orbit!
“That went well! Just two more launches to go!” -Gene
As the Spacedock core launched, the launch platform was cleared and the second component was rolled out!
The docking stage launches!
“There it goes!” -Val
The fairing ejects, and automated systems carry the station component to rendevous with the Spacedock core!
After a successful rendevous, the two halves of Spacedock move in closer and closer…
… and connects!
“Docking achieved! Now for the fuel!” -Gene
The Modular Refuelling Vehicle launches!
The rocket circularizes…
…then ejects it’s protective aerodynamic fairing!
Next, the fuel module attaches to Spacedock!
“That’s it! Now its time to send up a crew!” -Gene
Seely, Kerlorf, and Edan climb into an Aurora Crew Vehicle – launched on one of the brand new Nebula Rockets – the first fully reusable first stage that KSEA has ever built!
The rocket blasts off!
“So far so good – ACV and Nebula rocket are both nominal!” -Edan
The ACV separates from the Nebula Rocket! Meanwhile, the first stage will be performing maneuvers to return to Kerbin’s surface!
Next, Edan intercepts Spacedock, and the crew gets ready to dock!
“Docking complete! You guys are clear to get the ring deployed!” -Edan
Meanwhile, Val and Sean depart from Kerbin Spaceport… the now retired space station!
“Farewell Spaceport! You served us well!” -Val
Val performs the rendevous with the Spaceport, and Sean supervises the deployment of the orbital habitat!
With a series of loud “clunk!” noises, the ring deploys, and….
“Oh boy, it worked! The ring is spinning! Let’s get over there and see how the snacks survived!” -Kerlorf
Spacedock ejects the RCS unit used during it’s launch, and KSEA has a new, fully functional space station!
“What a long day! Everyone deserves a good rest after all that!” -Gene
KSEA unveils designs for the third component of Kerbin Spaceport: A modular refueling vehicle! Construction has already begun, and will launch soon along with the other components for Kerbin Spacedock!
After camping out on Moho for 64 days (a record!) Mirphe and Samner blast off, leaving behind all the science gear and the rover!
“Systems nominal… fuel supply will be… well, a little tight!” -Mirphe
“What’s that mean!?” -Samner
“Well, as long as I don’t make any mistakes whatsoever we probably have enough fuel to rendezvous!” -Mirphe
“Probably!?” -Samner
Thankfully, after reaching orbit there is *just* enough fuel to rendevous! The remaining fuel is a very low 12 d/v supply!
“Ok – we’re lined up … moving in to dock!” -Mirphe
“Welcome aboard! It was getting boring up here! Next time we visit we need to bring a lander that can fit everyone!” -Gillian
Samner stows all the scientific data and samples, while Gillian gets the reactor powered up!
The lander is undocked, and drifts away from Endeavor!
“Course set! We’re ready to head home!” -Mirphe
Endeavor powers up it’s nuclear engine and the spacecraft departs Moho!
The journey to Moho has taken much more fuel than initially planned – the lack of an atmosphere or any moons means very little natural assistance with slowing down!
Endeavor flies away from Moho, heading home!
Meanwhile, the crew enters cryostasis!
“Mission Control… this is Mirphe on Endeavor! Samner and Gillian have successfully entered Cryo-Stasis.. handing over Vehicle to Mission Control! Endeavor Out!” -Mirphe
“See you soon Endeavor!” -Gene, at Mission Control
KSEA is pleased to announce the newest space station – Kerbin Spacedock! This fully stocked crew facility in orbit will serve as the central hub for the Deep Space Vehicle fleet, providing a place for crew to return, rest, train, and even get promoted!
The station has three distinct components: the Docking Section with three ports at the end for Deep Space Vehicles, and two on the sides for Crew Vehicles arriving from the surface. The Habitat Section provides comfortable long-term orbital living for Kerbals and has almost all the comforts of home! Not pictured is a new Fuel-Supply module that will provide in-orbit refueling and resupply of the DSV fleet!
Construction has begun on the three modules (depleting the bulk of KSEA’s funds for quite some time!) Blueprints will likely be updated as launch date gets closer, and feature-creep inevitably slows down the production!
“Kerbin Spaceport has served KSEA and the Kerbal States well for years. However, it was built with a different kind of spacecraft and a different kind of mission in mind – Liquid Fuel and Oxidizer tanks with no option for changing fuel types, and docking ports that are too close together for the DSV fleet!With Kerbin Spacedock we’ll finally have a true home in the sky!” -Gene
Kerbal States | Kerbin Space Exploration Administration 