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
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!
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!
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!
Mirphe pilots the next ACV on its rescue mission to save Malcolm!
Once in orbit, Mirphe pilots the spacecraft to rendezvous with Mun!
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!
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!
Malcolm, Gillian, and Shepely launch in the upgraded Mk7 Aurora Crew Vehicle, heading to the Kerbin Spaceport!
The new crew will be the first to crew the massive new Kerbin Spaceport – itself destined for an expansion in mere weeks!
Alright, climbing to a 178km orbit! That should make a rendezvous a little faster!
-Malcolm
After the service bay doors open, the solar panels safely deploy! 
Launching to a higher orbit, then starting the rendezvous seemed to payoff! In no time at all the ACV has arrived at Kerbin Spaceport!
Malcolm carefully maneuvers the ACV closer and closer to the station…
Success! Crew has arrived for the first time at Kerbin Spaceport!
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.
Work 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!)
Kerbal States | Kerbin Space Exploration Administration 