Pathfinder 3 launches! The probe, headed to Jool and ultimately Vall, will sit in a parking orbit until the launch window arrives (in 192 days.) KSEA figured it was better to get the thing in orbit than leave it sitting around the VAB for months!
Year 8, Day 276 (Explorer 3 Lands on Duna!)
With the landing site selected the Explorer 3 crew is ready for their first mission down to Duna!
Edan detaches the Super Duna Lander from the Spaceport!
Air brakes deployed… we’re on track for a good landing!
-Edan
The lander’s parachute deploys!
The Super Duna Lander touches down on Duna, and Edan climbs out…
Followed by Sean! After the landing portrait, they start work on gathering samples and determining where to go next!
Year 8, Day 278 (KerbStar DS4 Launches!)
The next Deep Space Relay launches, KerbStar DS4. The Deep Space Relay Network will be deployed in roughly the orbit of Jool, forming a constellation of relay satellites that will provide consistent communication with future missions beyond Joolian orbit.
Year 8, Day 278 (Explorer 3 Landing Site Announced)
KSEA decides the first Explorer 3 mission will be in the Lowlands! Edan, Glenica, and Sean get ready for the launch!
Year 8, Day 273 (Explorer 3 Arrives At Duna!)
Explorer 3 arrives at Duna after a very long voyage! Edan, Glenica, and Sean are ready to stretch their legs in the Duna Spaceport Habitat!
Ok – let’s rendezvous with the Spaceport!
-Edan
Explorer 3 moves in to dock with Duna Spaceport…
We’ve got a lock! Docking complete!
-Edan
I see the Super Duna Lander out there – systems fully powered down… you’ll have to go grab it and dock it with the Spaceport Edan!
-Sean
Edan EVA’s over to the lander….
Almost there…
-Edan
Edan arrives at the Super Duna Lander and powers up all systems!
Bringing the lander in to dock….
-Edan
Success! The new lander docks with Duna Spaceport! With the Advanced Atmospheric Lander the crew will be able to send landings down beyond the equatorial band that the previous lander limited them to.
Back on Kerbin, KSEA begins construction of a refuelling craft for the Duna Spaceport.
Year 8, Day 192 (KerbStar DS4 Construction Starts)
KSEA constructs an additional KerbStar Deep Space Relay – identical to KerbStar DS3, but with a few batteries added.
Year 8, Day 190 (Explorer 2 Returns Home!)
Explorer 2’s command module ejects from the rest of the spacecraft, and follows its trajectory down through Kerbin’s atmosphere!
The parachute opens, and the spacecraft gently descends to the surface.
Success! Mitster, Dunwin, and Kimmy make it home safe – carrying a treasure trove of scientific data from Duna with them! Rescue teams pick them up and the entire KSEA team is ecstatic at the successful end to the mission!
Year 8, Day 186 (Explorer 2 Enters Kerbin SOI)
Explorer 2 enters Kerbin’s sphere of gravitational influence… only a short period of time now before Mitster, Kimmy, and Dunwin return home!
Pathfinder 2 Launches for Neidon!
Pathfinder 2 launches – the destination is the never before visited world of Neidon. While a previous probe was launched to Neidon, Neidon Surveyor, that craft had inferior communications systems and will likely loose communication before it reaches Neidon.
Year 8, Day 101 (KerbStar Deep Space Relay Launches, Additional Pathfinder Probe Built)
KSEA launches Deep Space Relay 3, a satellite, identical to the KerbStar Deep Space Relay 2 but launched on a Jool IV rocket.
The relay will be launched into an orbit just beyond Jool, and will be part of a very deep space relay system designed to allow communication with Sarnus and beyond! The satellite should be in position in roughly 2 year. By then a few additional relay will also be in orbit, extending Kerbin’s communication range throughout the solar system!
Kerbal States | Kerbin Space Exploration Administration 