Year 4, Day 286 (RCS Refueling Mission for Harmony Space Station)

sayburstuff Year 4 ,

screenshot1113.pngEnterprise blasts off from Cape Kerman, carrying the RCS Refuelling Vehicle for Harmony Space Station!  screenshot1116.png

Edan releases the Refueling Vehicle – and Mission Control pilots it to Minmus! It should arrive there in a few days, then the crew rotation at Harmony Station can be complete!

screenshot1119.pngEdan takes Enterprise back to Kerbin. The last few shuttle landings have been a bit dicey, so this time everything will be done to slow the craft down before re-entering!

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It’s a successful landing!

“That went a lot better!  Pulsing the air brakes on descent appears to be the best way to use them to slow the spacecraft down!  It prevents overhearing and allows more control!”

-Edan

Edan’s advice is carefully noted by the other pilots in the KSC!

Year 4, Day 285 (Harmony Crew Rotation, Lander Upgrades)

sayburstuff Year 4

screenshot1100.pngVal, Kimmy, and Gilian arrive at Minmus!

“That sure is a long trip!  I bet the Explorer Crew would think it’s nothing though!”

-Gilian

Indeed – Explorer, the first mission to Eve and Gilly, is due back in 35 days!  Everyone is very excited about all the scientific discoveries they’ve made!

From here it’s just a short rendezvous to Harmony Space Station…

screenshot1105.pngThe Crew Vehicle docks!

screenshot1106.pngGilian gets out and gets to work!

“Wow!  It’s beautiful out here!  I can’t wait to head down to the surface!”

-Gilian

screenshot1111.pngGilian installs the new Gravity Sensor on the Station Lander, then heads back to the station!

Unfortunately, before another landing can be done, Harmony needs a refueling of RCS fuel… which is being launched from the Space Center shortly!

Year 4, Day 274 (Harmony Station Crew Rotation, Upgrades)

sayburstuff Year 4

screenshot1094.pngIt’s time to rotate the crew of the Harmony Space Station!  This will also provide a good opportunity to do some resupply, and to equip the Station Lander with a new Gravioli Scientific Scanner!  Valentina will pilot Kimmy and Gilian to the new station, and return Samner and Robart!

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The Crew Vehicle barely has the fuel to reach Minmus, and return.  KSEA engineers agree it’s probably time to do a more complete upgrade of the Aurora Crew Vehicle!

Year 4, Day 271 (Resolute Launches Second Unity Space Station Module)

sayburstuff Year 4 , , , ,

screenshot1077.pngThe upgraded Resolute takes off!   Val pilots rookie engineer Seely and Gillian up to orbit! This will be Resolute’s first flight using the upgraded Launcher, and with the new Cargo Bay arrangement!screenshot1079.png

The launch goes well – with the OAV carrying the shuttle to its desired orbit, leaving over 1000 d/v in fuel for orbital maneuvering.

“That’s sure was a bumpy ride!”

-Seely

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Val pilots Resolte to a close rendezvous with Unity Station!

Ok – we’re there.. but we better wait until we’re on the ‘day’ side of Kerbin before doing the install!

-Gilian

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Seeley heads out, and practices some basic space maneuvers!  screenshot1088.pngThe module goes into place, and Unity Space Station is ready to go!

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“Resolute’s coming in pretty hot!  I’m going to need to circle around before I can land!”

-Val

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Val sets down, but takes out one of the landing lights at the end of the runway!  Endeavor takes some minor damage, losing a few of its air brakes! Everyone agrees this was the most dangerous landing the Heavy Cargo Shuttles have ever done.  High speed, and performing the maneuver node too early is the general consensus.

“Maybe we can find a way to slow the shuttle more on reentry – that was scary!”

-Seeley