Engineers are excited to announce upgrades for the new Neidon Rocket Launch System – the Neidon II!
While the core rocket booster remains unchanged, several important changes have been made:
Aerodynamic Brakes have been removed
New AV-T1 Winglets have been added to deal with minor instability that occurs during transition from supersonic to subsonic.
Analysis showed that the shape of the RCS boosters at the top of the rocket was better served being flipped, so RCS thruster assemblies were inverted.
Rocket numbering changed from “X” to “N” – in blueprint shown as “N-2” for Neidon Booster 2.
Rockets have been given a fresh coat of paint, with flag and KSEA logos moved.
Besides structural changes, the Neidon Rocket will now have the bottom S3-7200 Fuel Tank prioritized as the “landing tank”. This will move the center of mass for the booster further to the bottom, assisting in re-entry!
“The plan is to test the booster with the upcoming MPV Probe, if everything is good we’ll upgrade the other boosters!” -Gillian, supervising upgrades at the VAB
In the VAB, engineers are working on a probe-conversion of several Multi-Payload-Vehicle platforms that are already constructed.
“Do we have any more science things we can slap on the side?!” -Gene,at the VAB
The “MPV Probe” should be capable of roughly 4,000 d/v – easily capable of reaching most inner planets for science and mapping!
The conversion should be quick, done within just a few days – there is a renewed interest in exploring Eve – which will be the target for the new probe!
The MPV (Multi-Payload-Vehicle) that had been converted to a Fuel Depot Tug fires its engines, remotely piloted from the ground!
“OK – it’s time to complete the assembly of Spacedock 2!” -Gene, overseeing from Mission Control
The Lithium Fuel Depot arrives at Spacedock!
“Mission Control – this is Spacedock. We have visual on the Depot. I am assuming direct control!” -Edbert
Edbert uses the RCS thrusters to slowly maneuver the gigantic craft past the station, to orient the docking ports.
“Maintaining visual on Depot. Reducing speed to station keeping…” -Edbert
Watching from the habitat ring, Sean lines his thumb up carefully with the window…
“You look lined up really nice Edbert! Take the docking nice and slow though, we don’t want to scuff the paint on the station it’s still brand new!” –Sean, watching from the Habitat Ring
“Oh good! Moving in for final docking procedure… thrusters firing…” -Edbert
The massive depot moves slowly, slowly toward the station until…
…the entire station heaves slightly as the giant depot docks, and connects to the DSV terminal!
“I’m floating down to the other side of the station now… OK, I’m here! Connections look solid. We just need to run some of the piping to allow the DSVs that dock to refuel!” –Sean
The MPV Tug detaches, and will deorbit into Kerbin’s atmosphere!
Launched over a year ago, the Laythe Spaceplane Resolute has finally arrived in the Jool system, and rapidly heads to orbit Laythe!
The Jool transfer stage fires, circularizing the orbit!
“We have a good signal from Laythe! Resolute has arrived and is in a stable orbit – when the crew of Intrepid arrives they’ll have another spaceplane ready for them!” -Gene, at Misson Control
In just 75 days the crew of DSV-5 Intrepid will arrive, as they continue scouting for a good colony site!
Another Deep Space Vehicle is under construction – DSV 6! The new spacecraft is based on lessons learned from the entire DSV fleet – the goal is to increase payload size and range for missions to Sarnus and beyond!
“It will be a while before construction is complete – plenty of time to come up with a good name!” -Gene, at Mission Control
The Power and Lighting module for Aurora Base is fitted to a Neidon rocket!
“Let’s hope this module does the trick… there are some pretty cold nights on Mun and the power situation up there is getting critical!” -Gene, at Mission Control
The rocket blasts off!
The second stage separates, and moves free from the booster….
… while the rocket turns around to re-enter the atmosphere!
“Telemetry is good… the booster is on course…” -Gillian
The re-entry is easily visible from the ground as the Neidon booster hurtles toward the VAB!
“Wow! It’s coming down almost on top of the Space Center! I hope it doesn’t land on anything too expensive!” -Gillian
Thankfully, the booster lands right next to the flagpole – avoiding any costly explosions!
“This is our best landing yet – well done people!” -Gene, at Mission Control
Meanwhile, in a 200k orbit of Kerbin the Light and Power module begins its short journey to Mun!
Once captured into Mun orbit, the module begins its descent!
The Munar transfer stage separates, and the expansion begins its pre-programmed descent to the Mun’s surface!
“Mission Control! I can see the module from here – looks like a good landing! The descent stage has ejected, and we have remote control of the module!” -Dunwin
Dunwin carefully drives the module remotely from the base, while Bill, Luly, and Orlas watch on!
“Mind the Mun Rocks Dunwin!” -Orlas, at Aurora Base
“I’ve got it, I’ve got it!” -Dunwin
Dunwin carefully drives the module into place, until….
… a series of loud whirs and clunks signal the automatic docking mechanisms have engaged!
“You did it Dunwin!” -Luly
“Confirmed! The RTGs are providing a good flow of energy to the base battery banks, and the lighting system is even working!” -Bill
With that, everyone breathes a big sigh of relief! The power troubles at Aurora Base have been a persistent irritation!
“Nice job people! We saw a problem and we got it fixed! The entire purpose of Aurora Base is to test hardware for future ground bases on other worlds – and now we know a little more!” -Gene, at Mission Control
In orbit of Kerbin, the Spacedock 2 crew deploy the habitat ring module! Veteran engineer Sean and new-hire Pholie spend the morning deploying the rotating habitat ring!
Pholie and Glenica, watching from the Orbital Cupola supervise the deployment!
“Now that the station is functional we can start getting some real scientific work done up here! I can’t wait for the next DSV arrival!” -Glenica, Senior Station Scientist
“Habitat rings have locked – and we are good to start rotation!” -Sean, chief engineer on the station
“Deployment looks good from here!” -Edbert, viewing from the Crew Vehicle docked at the station!
With the station now fully functional, mission planners prepare to eject the orbital boost stage, and then dock the Lithium Fuel depot to the station, completing the new Spacedock!
The Kerbin Space Exploration Administration is excited to announce the next-generation of crew landers: The Variable Inclination New Crew Exploration & Telemetry (VINCENT) Lander!
“Not only does this new lander have more capability than any crew lander we’ve made yet, we designed it to take advantage of the DSV cargo bays! “ -Gene, Speaking at the VAB Lander Research Labs
Crew Vehicle 2 is blasts off, carrying the first crew to the new Spacedock! Edbert will be piloting the crew to the station, while senior engineer Sean will be working with rookie engineer Pholie to bring the station online! Senior scientist Glenica is onboard to inspect the station’s science departments and make sure everything is ready for DSV arrivals!
“Remote sensors and camera systems show systems nominal up there… but I don’t want to loose science from across the Kerbol system just because we didn’t double check!” -Glenica
“All systems nominal… we are on track for the Spacedock! Hang on everyone, we’ll be there in no time… “ -Edbert, piloting Crew Vehicle 2
After detaching from the Neidon booster, Edbert maneuvers the spacecraft to rendezvouses with Spacedock, while the booster returns to Kerbin!
“RCS reverse thrust. Speed slowing to station-keeping. Docking systems ready…” -Edbert, piloting Crew Vehicle 2
“Station-keeping confirmed… we are lined up!” -Sean
Slowly, the spacecraft moves in to dock, until….
… a loud series of ‘clunks’ indicate they are docked!
Kerbal States | Kerbin Space Exploration Administration 