Malcolm disconnects the ACV from Unity Station!
“Ok, we’re almost clear – you’re good to go!”
-Mirphe
Malcolm fires the ACV’s engine, and the crew are on a return to Kerbin!
Aurora Crew Vehicle
Year 9, Day 223 (Rescue Mission Arrives at Unity Space Station!)
Mirphe arrives at Unity Space Station, in orbit of Mun!
“Anybody home?”
-Mirphe
“Thanks for coming so soon! But before we leave… I was thinking… maybe we could take one of the old Aurora Mun Landers down for a spin?”
-Malcolm
Malcolm and Mirphe head over to the landers and check things out… initial signs are that both of the craft are still quite space-capable, although one has more science equipment on board!
KSEA isn’t so sure about sending down a landing to Mun, but planners are already scouting out a landing site – probably in the Munar lowlands!
Year 9, Day (Rescue Mission To Unity Space Station!)
Mirphe pilots the next ACV on its rescue mission to save Malcolm!
Once in orbit, Mirphe pilots the spacecraft to rendezvous with Mun!
Year 9, Day 220 (Mk7 ACV Arrives At Mun’s Unity Space Station!)
Malcolm arrives at Mun!
“Ok, rendevous manuevers complete! Looks like I just need to switch on the RCS system to get in nice and close… <<audible “CLICK!”>> … uh oh. KSC… I think we have a problem!”
-Malcolm
Instead of switching on the RCS system, Malcolm accidentally engages the staging switch that disconnects the command pod!
Ok… Don’t panic Malcolm! Just need to get over to Unity Space Station and wait for a rescue! Hopefully they left some snacks on that thing…”
-Malcolm
Malcolm boards Unity Station and starts rummaging for some food. Thankfully there’s enough oxygen on board to last a few weeks! Meanwhile, The ACV drifts away from the station!
KSEA was already building another ACV, and now it looks like the mission is clear: Bring Malcolm home!
Year 9, Day 219 (Mk7 ACV heads to Mun!)
Gillian and Shepely stay onboard Kerbin Spaceport, while Malcom takes the ACV and undocks! Malcolm will be testing the ACV’s ability to reach Mun and Minmus on this mission, so to reduce risk he’ll be piloting the craft alone!
Year 9, Day 218 (Aurora Crew Vehicle Mk7 First Launch to Kerbin Spaceport!)
Malcolm, Gillian, and Shepely launch in the upgraded Mk7 Aurora Crew Vehicle, heading to the Kerbin Spaceport!
The new crew will be the first to crew the massive new Kerbin Spaceport – itself destined for an expansion in mere weeks!
Alright, climbing to a 178km orbit! That should make a rendezvous a little faster!
-Malcolm
After the service bay doors open, the solar panels safely deploy! 
Launching to a higher orbit, then starting the rendezvous seemed to payoff! In no time at all the ACV has arrived at Kerbin Spaceport!
Malcolm carefully maneuvers the ACV closer and closer to the station…
Success! Crew has arrived for the first time at Kerbin Spaceport!
Year 9, Day 195 (Aurora Crew Vehicle Upgrades)
In addition to development of the X-9 crew vehicle KSEA has also been developing the next generation of Aurora Crew Vehicles, the Mk7!
The Mk7 Aurora Crew Vehicle, or ACV, has been developed to provide a 30 day life support system that can safely reach not only Kerbin orbit but Mun and Minmus as well. The Aurora Command Module has been a critical component in KSEA’s crewed spaceflight program, and this latest development makes little changes to the pod itself.
Instead, advances have been made in fuel storage and design of both the Aurora Rocket and the ACV itself – one striking feature is the Service Bay, which protects Life Support System and the fragile solar panels during launch but opens in space. The craft also has a newly balanced RCS system that improves docking performance.
The main limitation of the X-9 has been its range – while the craft has a maximum orbit rated at 100k, in reality the craft can only reach an orbit of 80k when the mission profile calls for rendezvous with another spacecraft (which was the main goal of the X-9 program.)
The ACV is a superior spacecraft with only one problem – cost. The X-9 has trivial costs to refuel and refurbish the vehicle, whereas the ACV costs just under 50,000 each launch.
NOTE: reaches 178k orbit to rendevous.
Year 5, Day 133 (Pyramid Launch Complex Opens!)
KSEA is excited to announce the opening of the Pyramid Launch Complex! The facility, located north of White Mesa, will, with any luck, become the new home of the Aurora Crew Vehicle program, providing a dedicated launchpad for these versatile crew rockets.
KSEA plans to utilize several sites around Kerbin in the coming year as the Space Program continues to grow! The main VAB is planned to be used for the largest of vehicles, such as the upcoming Explorer 2 mission, and other massive rockets.
A test flight is scheduled soon!
Year 2, Day 169 (Aurora 2 Launch)
Aurora 2 launches from Cape Kerman! The re-designed Aurora Crew Vehicle is carried into low orbit, Jeb and rookie scientist Samner are both looking forward to spending some time in space! 
While Samner will be working on any number of interesting science experiments, Jeb is there solely to assist with the construction of the station. A good pilot is needed to guide some of the Modules into place!
“Almost there…. ”
-Jeb
“Almost… ”
-Jeb
“Got it!”
-Jeb
Aurora 2 docks with the Kerbin Space Station! Now the combined crews just wait for the Science Module to launch!
Year 2, Day 131 (Aurora 1 Launch)
Aurora 1 launches from Cape Kerman! 
Valentina expertly pilots the craft to orbit, carrying rookie scientists Kimmy and Glenica. They’ll join Orlas at the new Kerbal Space Station!
“I see the station… moving in to rendezvous… ”
-Val
“Got it! We’re docked!”
-Val
Aurora 1 successfully docks with the Kerbin Space Station! Glenica and Kimmy head over and meet Orlas.
“Hey everybody! Did someone bring cards…?”
-Orlas
Kerbal States | Kerbin Space Exploration Administration 