There has been renewed interest among researchers on Kerbin to explore one of the most hazardous planets: Eve! Missions to the cloudy purple planet have been frequently plagued by problems. The intense temperature, the high gravity, and the super dense atmosphere make Eve fairly easy for small spacecraft to land but nearly impossible for large vehicles set down – let alone take off from again!
To facilitate missions a new upgraded communications network is required, and with the upcoming window a Sarnus rocket will carry two small relay probes, identical to those carried by Aurora 23 for DSV-3 Horizon’s mission to Sarnus!
It’s time for a crew rotation (and life support delivery) to the Kerbin Spaceport! Orlas, Glenica, and Edan will be returning, while Val, Sean, and Kerlorf will be heading up! Val will pilot ACV-2 to orbit!
“Launch was good! We’re on course for the Spaceport!” -Val
The ACV floats past the station, as Val maneuvers to line up with the docking extension of the station!
Success! The ACV docks! Alongside it are the previous version of the Aurora Crew Vehicle that last crew took up, as well as the Aurora 23 command vehicle from the launch that delivered crew and supplies to DSV-3 Horizon!
“Hey – I have an idea! Before we head back… let’s see if the Aurora 23 command vehicle has enough DeltaV to reach that asteroid that’s been causing Mission Control so much trouble!” -Orlas
Mission Command considers the request and gives the OK!
“If you three want to risk it, you’ve got our OK! Just be safe!” -Gene
“I suppose if this spacecraft can reach Mun… it should be able to reach that asteroid!” -Edan
Orlas, Glenica, and Edan transfer over to the Aurora 23 vehicle… and depart the station! While the ACV isn’t equipped with any advanced scientific instrumentation, surface samples should be able to be collected using equipment on the ACV!
“Engines are GO!” -Edan
Edan brings the Aurora Crew Vehicle alongside asteroid
“Ok! I’m heading out! That’s quite the space rock!” -Orlas
Orlas uses his EVA pack to move closer and closer….
…until he lands on the asteroid!!
“I’ve landed on the asteroid! I can’t quite get a flag in here… but I think I can get a good sample!” -Orlas
Orlas uses his EVA pack to move back to the ship…
…and climbs back inside!
“Nice work Orlas!” -Glenica
The crew makes preparations to return to Kerbin, now that a good Asteroid Sample has been taken!
Edan plots a return course to Kerbin… and fires the engine!
Aurora 23 burns through the atmosphere, until the friction slows it down enough to deploy the parachutes!
Success!! Aurora 23 sets down on Kerbin! Recovery teams rush to rescue the crew, and the science recovered from the Asteroid!
The mission patch for Horizon Crew Mission 1 is announced, and it looks like Mitster, Chrisnic, and Kimmy will be the lucky FIRST Kerbals to visit the Sarnus system!
Because of Horizon’s launch to high orbit (800k) – the next Aurora Rocket, Aurora 23) originally destined for Mun, will be used to launch the crew! This will also allow the delivery of a modified Mun Lander, with increased fuel and power systems, to land on Slate! The stack will also include a relay satellite that will be left in a high equatorial orbit of Slate, to assist the polar-orbit survey/relay satellite that is already at the moon.
Kerbal States | Kerbin Space Exploration Administration 