Year 2, Day 01 (Discovery 1 Starts Minmus Research)

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screenshot180.pngJeb closes the orbit  of Discovery 1 to a very close 20km.screenshot181.png

Bob hops out and starts running the planned experiments!

“It’s amazing out here!  Kerbin looks so small! And Mun, it just looks super tiny!”

-Bob

The next phase is even more exciting!   Jeb adjusts the orbit so that the Discovery 1 will get very close to the surface of Minmus.   How close?  Almost 8000 meters!  screenshot186.png

Jeb maneuvers  Discovery to a nice, low pass of Minmus.

“I’m going a little ways out from the ship to get a good look!”

-Bob

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“Um… Ok… OK!  That’s enough space walking!  Minmus looks so close I can practically taste it!”

-Bob

After calming down Bob returns to Discovery 1, and the crew waits for their scheduled return!

Year 1, Day 417 (Spacelab Announced)

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spacelab.pngDesign work begins on an experimental space station!  The station will be launched once Jeb returns from Minmus.

The station, to be called “Spacelab” will be a test of long-term habitation of space as well as testing an orbital radar array and other scientific equipment.

“Now hiring: scientifically minded Kerbals with a great deal of patience!” -Sign posted on the door to the Astronaut Center

 

Year 1, Day 416 (Discovery 1 Launch!)

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screenshot165.pngThe Discovery 1 rocket is rolled out to the launchpad – Jebediah will be piloting, with rookie space-scientist Bob on board to assist with research.  This will be Bob’s first mission in space!

Another first for the mission is the first Mission Patch! Symbolizing the adventure from Kerbin to Minus, and promising a future trip to Mun!

“Uh – so this is just the training simulator?  Right?”  -Bob

screenshot170.pngNot so much, Bob!  Discovery 1 lifts off!  screenshot173.png

After achieving orbit, Jeb aligns Discovery’s orbit to that of Minmus.  Then, after a short wait, Discovery 1 burns to Minmus! The trip will be just 6 days – all of Kerbin waits!

 

 

Year 1, Day 405 (Discovery Unveiled)

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All of Kerbin is abuzz with KSEA’s release of the blueprints for the Discovery Rocket!

This revolutionary new design utilizes a new 2-Kerbal module (the Discovery Command Module), an advanced engine system (the new R-L 10 “Poodle”), and an entirely new rocket design that is entirely liquid fueled. This new design provides more control during launches and greater safety.

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“I like how I can see out the windows the whole launch!” -Val

Construction starts immediately on Discovery 1, which will launch to Minmus.  The mission plan is to enter orbit,  and inspect the surface! Rumor has it the mission will be the first to feature a Mission Patch.  Oooo!

 

 

Year 1, Day 402 (Kerb-Sat Network Fully Deployed)

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After many, many launches, all the Kerb-Sat communications satellites are launched.   “These communication satellites are really hogging the launchpads…” Jeb points out.  The lead scientist behind Kerb-Sat, Bob, points out that “with these new satellites you and Val will be able to explore even further – trust me, it’s a good idea!”  

“If you say so…” Jeb replies.

Over the course of a few days all the satellites are moved from their parking orbit of 90k to a much higher orbit of 300km, then maneuvered into positions where they provide full coverage around Kerbin!   A handy side effect is that (except for the poles) Kerbin now has full radio coverage!

Year 1, Day 370 (KerbSat Program)

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So far the two launches to Mun and Minmus were quite dangerous – short fuel supplies, and absolutely no communication for days and days.

As engineers and scientists work on the future Mun and Minmus rockets, other teams are focused on creating a communications network to make these missions safer!

The design they come up with is the KerbSat network:kerbsat.png

Construction begins on 8 identical satellites.  While the team is very proud of their design, they admit that they don’t have any clue what they’re doing…  Still. They look nice.