Aurora Program

Year 23, Day 329 (Lobert and Summer Land on Mun!)

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“We are clear of the CRV and running on our own power. Starting descent burn to Mun surface! .. “
-Summer

Aurora 29 Mission Summary

  • Crew: Mission Commander Summer, Mission Scientist Gilian, Mission Engineer, Lobert .
  • Mission: Crewed mission to Mun. Land near Polar Mun Crater on Mun, perform scan with large scanning arm, return data to Kerbin.

Summer fires the Aerospike engine, and the lander begins its descent to the polar region of Mun!

“Systems look good! The surface is getting closer – I think that’s good too!”
-Lobert

The lander continues its descent – heading closer and closer to Mun’s craggy surface!

“Alright… firing last landing burn… Lobert, check the new landing gear – they should be extending! “
-Summer

“Yep! They’re extending! I hope the new auto-level system works on that landing gear… the surface looks… pretty hilly!
-Lobert

The lander is mere meters from the surface!

“Almost there… touchdown! “
-Summer

“We’re here! We set down on the surface of Mun! Oh wow! Let’s get our space suits on!”
-Lobert

“That’s the right attitude!  Let’s take it step by step though!  Space is exciting but it’s also extremely dangerous – that’s what procedures are for!“
-Summer

Summer and Lobert go through the landing checklist – shutting down the engine, locking RCS system, making sure all their space suits are on snug, extend the landing ladder, activate communication systems, open side supply hatches, and finally ejecting the Rover using the RCS Skycrane!

Finally, they are ready to leave the lander! until they are finally ready, and climb down the ladder! Summer goes first, then Lobert!

“I feel so light! Oh my… there’s just … nothing but miles and miles of desolation! It’s incredible!”
-Lobert

Immediately after the landing, the RCS Skycrane used to deploy the Rover fired, taking the vehicle up and away, landing nearby the Lander! Summer and Lobert discuss the plan: go to the lander, make sure it’s safe, then head out to look for the crater they need to study!

Lobert and Summer hike over to the rover!

“Looks in good shape – I read these deployments have a small chance to deploy the rover upside down, thankfully we should be good!”
-Lobert

The two Kerbals climb into the rover, and head off!

“Tight squeeze coming up – arms inside!”
-Summer

After driving (and dodging Mun rocks) Lobert spots a likely candidate, and Summer drives up to inspect it!

“Hmmm – this looks like what we’re searching for. Let’s deploy the arm and do a scan!
-Lobert

The scanner arm deploys and begins an analysis!

“Eh, I’m not a scientist… but it looks like we have a full scan! Let’s get this back to Kerbin!
-Lobert

After stowing the scanner arm, the two Kerbals drive back to the lander!

“Let’s get this science stowed – we need a nap too before we do more science too!”
-Summer

The Kerbals climb inside the lander, and get into their space hammocks for a Mun-Nap!

Year 23, Day 328 (Aurora 29 Arrives at Mun – and Lobert Gets a Surprise!)

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After just a day in space, Aurora 29 enters Mun’s gravitational sphere of influence!

Aurora 29 Mission Summary

  • Crew: Mission Commander Summer, Mission Scientist Gilian, Mission Engineer, Lobert .
  • Mission: Crewed mission to Mun. Land near Polar Mun Crater on Mun, perform scan with large scanning arm, return data to Kerbin.

“Oh wow! Mun looks so big!”
-Lobert

“It’s about to get a whole lot bigger!”
-Summer

This generation of Aurora Spacecraft perform a docking and transposition maneuver to utilize thrust from the Crew Vehicle to enter Mun orbit!

“Disengaging launch clamps with the lander..commencing rotation… “
-Summer

“We are clear! Rotation looks on target!”
-Lobert

The Crew Vehicle docks with the lander!

The Munar Transfer stage, having done its job, detaches, and just the Crew Vehicle and the Lander head toward Mun!

“Orbital insertion complete… we are in a stable orbit!”
-Summer

“Orbital insertion complete… we are in a stable orbit!”
-Summer

Now it’s time to head down to Mun! The mission plan had Gilian and Summer heading down to the surface, but Gilian has a surprise!

“Summer – what would you think about Lobert heading down in my place, really make this a memorable first mission?”
-Gilian

“Great idea! What do you think Lobert? You ready to explore Mun??”
-Summer

“Wow! Yea! Can I try on my space suit and give it a try on a spacewalk first!??!?“
-Lobert

“Go for it! We’ll both have to do one to get over to the lander anyway!”
-Summer

Lobert suits up, and heads outside the ship!

“Guys…. Space is awesome! I can’t wait to get down to Mun!“
-Lobert

After just another day Lobert and Summer will head down to Mun!

Year 23, Day 326 (Aurora 29 Departs for Mun!)

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“Starting burn to Mun… Now!”
-Summer

The Munar Transfer Stage fires, accelerating the crew toward Mun!

“Burn complete – looks like we’re on course. Nice work! !“
-Gilian

Aurora 29 Mission Summary

  • Crew: Mission Commander Summer, Mission Scientist Gilian, Mission Engineer, Lobert .
  • Mission: Crewed mission to Mun. Land near Polar Mun Crater on Mun, perform scan with large scanning arm, return data to Kerbin.

Year 23, Day 325 (Aurora 29 Launches for Mun!)

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It’s going to be a dawn launch for Aurora 29!  Gene is supervising the final launch checks, listening to each department give a “Go!”

Aurora 29 Mission Summary

  • Crew: Mission Commander Summer, Mission Scientist Gilian, Mission Engineer, Lobert .
  • Mission: Crewed mission to Mun. Land near Polar Mun Crater on Mun, perform scan with large scanning arm, return data to Kerbin.

“Alright people that’s a go for launch countdown!“
-Gene, at Mission Control

The Torodial Aerospike engine fires, then the Jool-Rocket derived Solids Rockets fire! Blast Off!

Aurora 29 lifts of the launchpad, lighting up the Space Center!

“We have liftoff!  Hold on everybody! “
-Summer

Rookie engineer Lobert is all smiles, excitedly waving his arms as the rocket blasts off!

“Oh boy! Oh boy!  We’re going to space! I can’t believe it!”
-Lobert

Looking out the window, Lobert takes in the amazing view!

“Wow – incredible!  I can almost see the pyramids from here!”
-Lobert

Aurora 29 rockets into the sky, breaking past the cloud layer and officially entering “Space!”

“Hold on Lobert – the solids are about to eject, might be a little bumpy!”
-Gilian

“Solid eject good, clean sep.  Aerospike status nominal.”
-Summer

Aurora 2 continues its ascent, climbing above the atmosphere!

“We are good to eject the fairing – atmosphere reading  is good!”
-Lobert

The fairing ejects, and Aurora 29 continues climbing to orbital altitude!

After circularizing orbit, the Neidon rocket separates from the Aurora 29 Crew Module, Lander, and Munar Transfer stage!

“N-4 is clear – looks like good communication with the ground as well – confirm Mission Control?“
-Summer

“Roger that – Mission Control has a solid connection .  Once we get this rocket landed we’ll get our crew underway to Mun!”
-Gene

Year 23, Day 311 (Aurora 29 Mun Mission Announced!)

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Mission Control is excited to announce the next Aurora mission – Aurora 29! This will be the first test of multiple new systems:

  • Neidon 6 Rocket will be equipped with Sarnus-class Solid Rocket boosters.
  • This will be the first test of the new VINCENT lander.

Summer, Gilian, and new recruit Lobert are all training for the mission which will launch in about a week. The mission is considered to have moderate risk, however safety systems such as the well-tested Launch Escape system should balance out any risk testing Solid Rockets on a new platform.

Crew Vehicle 5 will take three Kerbals to Mun and back using a newly developed Crew Vehicle Munar Transfer Stage, designed to provide about 1000 d/v once launched to a 100k Kerbin Orbit.

Year 22, Day 195 (DSV-5 Intrepid Mission to Moho Announced!)

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DSV-5 Intrepid’s first mission has now been fully planned, and a crew selected! Carson will be mission commander, Bob will be the Science specialist, and Sondo will be the Engineering Specialist!

For the first time a Sarnus Va rocket will deliver both the crew and the mission payload – Crew Vehicle 1 was designed initially as the replacement for the Aurora Crew Vehicle, but this is the first time it will be fully integrated into the stack!

This will also be the first test of the DSV-Lander – designed to fit into the DSV Payload bay! The Sarnus Va launch will also include the new DSV Science & Relay Satellite, that will be docked with the nose of the spacecraft and deployed in orbit of Moho!

Year 21, Day 178 (Aurora 27 Crew Return to Mun Spaceport!)

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Summer and Orlas blast off from Aurora Crater!

“I think we found a great site for the new Base!”
-Summer

“Agreed! It’s not just scenic either… there’s a lot of interesting science to be done at that location!”
-Orlas

Summer pilots the lander to a rendevous with Mun Spaceport…

… and docks!

“Alright, let’s get ready for the arrival of Aurora Base! “
-Summer

Year 21, Day 105 (Aurora 27 Blasts Off – Heading to Mun Spaceport!)

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Summer, Gillian, and Orlas blast off in Aurora 27 – launched on top of a Sarnus Va Rocket!

This will be Summer’s first command, and the first mission to Mun specifically to find water!

So far, orbital scans have indicated that there is NO water… but that can’t be right! Aurora 27’s mission is specifically to find water along the Mun’s equator!

“Here we go! The Sarnus has a real kick to it compared to the Crew Rockets… Wow!”


-Summer

The solid rockets detach, then the second stage breaks free, and the fairing explodes outward!

“Mission Control confirms orbit – you’re up Summer!”


-Gilian

Summer detaches from the lander, spins the Crew Module around….

“Roger that! Transposition maneuver… complete!”


-Summer

…and docks again!

Aurora 27 fires it’s engines, entering Mun Orbit!

Until it eventually arrives at Mun Spaceport!

The Lander / Rover detaches, and is flown remotely, docking to the station….

… while Summer docks the Crew Module by hand!

“Alright everyone – no time to lose! Let’s get down to the surface and find some water!”

-Summer

“Certainly there’s SOME water down there… the orbital sensors have read nothing but zero percent!”

-Orlas

The lander undocks, then sets down on Mun, along the Equator just west of the Northwest Crater!

“Mission Control – this is Summer… Aurora 27 has touched down on the Mun!”

-Summer

The rover is lifted off the lander, and touches down!

“Rover is clear of the lander… “

-Orlas

After the Rover deployment is done, Summer climbs out of the spacecraft!

“Oh wow! Oh wow!”

-Summer

“It’s beautiful out here!”

-Summer

Orlas leaves the Crew Lander and climbs down to join Summer…

“It sure is!”

-Orlas

The two share a moment admiring the stark, austere beauty of Mun…

… and then head out looking for Water!

The rover has enough supplies to last several days on the surface. Hopefully by then the crew will find some of Mun’s precious water!

Year 19, Day 160 (Aurora 24 Returns to Kerbin!)

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Luly and Mirphe blast off from Mun’s surface!

Then dock with the Aurora 24 Crew Vehicle in orbit!

“That sure took a while! I almost ran out of snacks up here!”
-Seely

Mirphe burns the engines, and the Aurora 24 capsule detaches, and hurtles (safely!) to Kerbin’s surface…

Splashing down in the surface! Recovery teams are sent out at once, to recover the Kerbals and all the interesting science gathered on Mun!

Year 19, Day 77 (Aurora 24 Launches for Mun!)

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Aurora 24 blasts off, heading for Mun! While some say that the Mun missions have become routine, the Kerbals who fly them know that space travel is never routine! In fact, even the simplest mission is quite dangerous and even deadly!

“Where’s the landing site this time? ”
-Mirphe

“The northeast basin! We’ve never been there before!”
-Luly

Mirphe and Luly transfer over to the lander…

… and head down to Mun’s surface!

“We’re almost there…. contact!”
-Mirphe

“OK… deploy the rover!”
-Luly

The rover detaches, and the RCS deployer lifts it up… and then gently sets it down next to the lander!

Next, Mirphe and Luly head out to explore!

Luly plants the flag at the Northern Basin, then salutes while the cameras on the lander take their portrait!

“For all Kerbalkind!”
-Luly

Luly deploys the scientific instrumentation, while Mirphe supervises!

“Mmmhmmm. Looking very scientific – carry on!”
-Mirphe

Next, the RCS deployer detaches from the lander, and expends all it’s fuel to fly up and away from the landing site! The seismic sensor will get interesting results from the impact!

“I feel a little bad littering on Mun! But I guess it IS for science!”
-Luly

Luly and Mirphe explore the surface in the rover!

After scouting out the landing site, the two return to the lander to rest! Mun missions have been getting longer and longer, training the crew for the rigors of landings on very distant worlds!