Aurora Program

Year 3, Day 139 (Explorer Spacecraft Development)

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Development begins on Explorer  (not to be confused with the Explorer Space Probe.) Explorer is the prototype vehicle for a future Eve mission!  While the actual mission to Eve will likely be several components, Explorer’s first mission will consist of just the main spacecraft.

Explorer will be launched without a crew, which will arrive via a Crew Shuttle!  This is necessary given the new design.

Once the crew arrives, the vehicle will leave Kerbin’s orbit, entering interplanetary space, in orbit of the Sun, then return.

If all goes well Explorer will be the basis for future crewed planetary missions!  A full working mockup of the Explorer’s Habitat Section will be launched soon as an upgrade to the KSS – this should allow ‘real world’ testing of the crew module.

Additionally, construction begins on the next Aurora Mission, Aurora 12!

Year 3, Day 51 (Aurora 10 Launch)

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The mighty Sarnus-V carries Aurora 10 to orbit!screenshot33.pngThe original 3 astronauts; Jeb, Bill, and Bob will fly to Mun!

Bill is quite excited – even though he’s been with the space program since it’s early days, he’s only done missions in low Kerbing orbit. This will be his first Mun mission!

 After some basic orbital manuvering, Jeb fires the engines for the transfe to Mun!screenshot34.pngAfter the docking and transposition maneuver, the crew gets comfy for the short journey to Mun!

screenshot35.pngAurora 10 arrives at Mun!screenshot41.png

Jeb sets the lander down… and Bill hops right out!

“Wow!  It’s great here! The low gravity makes it feel like you’re flying!”
-Bill

screenshot43.pngThe two pose for their landing portrait, and start collecting scientific data! Aurora 10 set down in the Mun’s Northwest Crater – a first for Kerbals!screenshot52.png

After several hours gathering Science, Bill and Jeb blast off in the lander, headed back to the Aurora 10 spacecraft! A short rendeavous and docking later, and the three are on a return trip to Kerbin!  Setting down in the plains of Kerbin at night, the crew is rescued.  Good work everyone!