Year 6, Day 281 (Duna Spaceport Lander Readied)

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Mitster remotely pilots the Duna Landing Vehicle to the Crew Docking Module.

“Well, that wasn’t so hard!

-Mitster

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Mitster and Dunwin celebrate the docking by relaxing in the Observation Lounge, and taking in the impressive view of Duna!

Late last year (Y5D421), the Duna Surveyor arrived in orbit of Duna and has been dutifully mapping the surface.  Mission Planners have been working tirelessly to select the best landing sites!  Already, several anomalies on the surface have been found – one located in the lowlands has been selected as the first site for landing on Duna, designated Duna Spaceport Landing Site 1, or DS-LS01!

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Year 6, Day 275 (Explorer 2 Arrives At Duna!)

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After a 334 day journey, Explorer 2 arrives at Duna!

screenshot1876.pngMitster’s calculations were perfect, and the spacecraft arrives within 100k of the Duna Spaceport.

“Nicely done Mitster!”

-Dunwin

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Explorer 2 move in to rendezvous with the station…. screenshot1881.png

Counter-intuitively, Explorer must first move away from the station, taking its orbit out to nearly 120k, before moving closer again!

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Explorer 2’s Transfer stage uses up the last of its fuel, bringing the spacecraft 50meters away from the station! screenshot1891.png

“Almost there… almost there…”

-Mitster

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Mission success!  Explorer 2 docks with Duna Spaceport, and the crew flips on all the lights!

“Now we just need to get that lander over to the crew docking port, and we can make history!”

-Kimmy

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Year 6, Day 244 (Duna Spaceport Arrives at Duna!)

sayburstuff Year 6 , ,

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Remote systems guide the Duna Spaceport closer and closer to the red planet of Duna!

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Last minute calculations showed that the best orbit that could be achieved is a 54k equitorial orbit, so the engines fire at the appropriate time!screenshot1867.png

After the orbit is circularized, the transfer stage is completely exhausted of fuel, and ejected!   Now the station will wait for the arrival of the Explorer 2 crew!screenshot1868.png

Year 6, Day 127 (Enterprise Science Launch!)

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Enterprise launches!  The mission is to investigate a sub-atomic particle that scientists have named “kuarks” – initial research has indicated that many of these particles are quite strange indeed..

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Veteran scientist Orlas will oversee the research, along with Samner.  Val will pilot Enterprise, and train rookie pilot Mirphe as well!

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The Heavy Cargo Shuttle is testing a new science payload that essentially turns a Cargo Shuttle into a fully equipped Science Lab in space!

“Orbit achieved – we’re starting science now!”

-Orlas

Back in Mission Control, scientists anxiously await for the science data to start streaming in!

 

Year 6, Day 72 (Aurora 19 Recovers Unity Crew)

sayburstuff Year 6

screenshot1808.pngAurora 19, in orbit of Mun, moves in to dock with Unity Space Station! Sean, Glenica, and Bill all transfer over!  Then, just as quickly as it arrived, Aurora 19 departs!  Seely, Kerlorf, and Luly remain on the station. screenshot1811

The reentry is hot, but the initial concerns about the added weight and potential heat risks from the new computer core turn out to be unwarranted.  screenshot1813The craft splashes down safely, just northwest of Merdian Island!  The next Aurora launch will be Aurora 20, to recover the remaining Unity Space Station crew!

Year 6, Day 70 (Aurora 19 Launches To Mun!)

sayburstuff Year 6

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Aurora 19, the Aurora Crew Vehicle that will recover the crew of MunBase One is launched at the Pyramid Launch Complex! This will be the first Aurora Crew Vehicle launched entirely automatically, taking advantage of a new, larger computer core.

The Launch goes well, and the craft begins its journey to Mun.  So far, the automated systems appear to be working well, and the Pyramid Launch Complex has been performing well.

 

Year 6, Day 48 (MunBase One Decommissioning )

sayburstuff Year 6

Mun Base One has provided insight into future base construction on other worlds, however it was neer intended as a permanent habitat on Mun – that won’t be possible until a fully self-sustaining life support system can be developed!

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The Mun Landers can only carry a crew of two , so Glenica and Sean blast off first!screenshot1379.png

The lander docks!  Sean and Glenica transfer over, then the lander procedes back to the surface on autopilot.

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The lander sets down, Bill hops in, and just as quickly takes off!

“Feels a little sad leaving MunBase One abandoned!  Maybe we can come back someday and upgrade it to be a real home on the Mun!”

-Bill

Back on Kerbin, construction begins on an Aurora Crew Vehicle to return the crew home!