The Pathfinder 3 Probe departs Kerbin for Jool and its moon Vall! At roughly the same time Pathfinder 2 performs a small maneuver to adjust its approach to Nedion… just 7 more years to go and the probe will arrive!
Year 9, Day 100 (Explorer 5 Construction!)
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 30 (Pathfinder 3 Leaves for Jool!)
The Pathfinder 3 probe departs for Jool!
Year 9, Day 40 (X-9 First Flight!)
Construction 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.
“OK, engines are GO….. let’s see what the X-9 can do! ”
-Mitster
The 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!
“Wow! Seemed to work great! Now what? ”
-Malcom
“Now we see if the craft handles on a landing! ”
-Mitster
The X-9 completes an orbit around Kerbin, then Mitster fires the engines to begin the spacecraft’s return to Kerbin!
“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!
“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
The X-9 sets down successfully!
Mitster and Malcolm climb out and congratulate eachother on a good flight!
“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)
The 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!
The spacecraft will remain in orbit until the proper launch window, and will travel roughly the same projected path as the upcoming Explorer 5 mission!
Year 9, Day 25 (Kerbin Spaceport Announced!)
KSEA announces plans for a new space station in orbit of Kerbin – a Kerbin Spaceport! The new station is intended to replace the existing Kerbin Space Station.
Development has only just begun, however the facility is being designed as a jumping off point for missions to deep space, with new and shinier science facilities!
Perhaps most importantly will be the addition of a logistics hub, which will automate fueling missions to the new Spaceport! The core of the new station will be launched on a Jool IV rocket. Once the budget allows construction will commence at once!
Year 9, Day 19 (Explorer 3 Blasts Off From Duna’s Midland Canyon!)
Sean, Edan, and Glenica pack up their findings and prepare to launch back into orbit!
“Ok, we’re off!”
-Edan
The lander reaches orbit…
…and Edan pilots a rendezvous with Duna Spaceport!
“Fuel budget is very tight this mission… I’m going to have to fly very, very accurately!”
-Edan
Almost there!
Explorer 3 docks with Duna Spaceport!
Year 9, Day 16 (Explorer 3 Landing At Duna’s Midland Canyon)
KSEA announces the next Explorer 3 Landing Site – this time at Duna’s Midland Canyon!
“OK – let’s do this!”
-Edan
The Super Duna Lander detaches and heads down to the surface!
The parachute deploys!
“We’ve touched down at the Western Canyon!”
-Edan
“Wow – it’s beautiful here! ”
-Glenica
Sean and Edan jump out and take in the amazing vista!
Sean sets up the automated camera unit, and the crew pose for the traditional “landing portrait!”
“OK – let’s start collecting some science everybody!”
-Glenica
Year 9, Day 15 (Explorer 5 Mission Announced!)
The next Explorer Mission is announced – Explorer 5! It will be a test mission for the upcoming crewed Jool mission that is still being planned.
Using technology demonstrated on CryoLab, Explorer 5 will take Kerbals at high speed to Duna, and then return them to Kerbin.
Year 9 , Day 14 (X-9 SSTO Announced!)
KSEA releases designs for their new aircraft, the X-9 SSTO Crew Vehicle! The X-9 is the first aircraft to utilize the revolutionary R.A.P.I.E.R. engines, a dual mode engine that uses liquid fuel for atmospheric flight and can switch over to standard rocket fuel once the altitude makes the rocket mode more efficient.
Designed to succeed the current Crew Shuttles, this sleek jet has been designed to reach orbits up to 100k, dock, then return safely to Kerbin.
Production has already begun, and crews will begin testing soon!
Kerbal States | Kerbin Space Exploration Administration 