The Power and Lighting module for Aurora Base is fitted to a Neidon rocket!
“Let’s hope this module does the trick… there are some pretty cold nights on Mun and the power situation up there is getting critical!” -Gene, at Mission Control
The rocket blasts off!
The second stage separates, and moves free from the booster….
… while the rocket turns around to re-enter the atmosphere!
“Telemetry is good… the booster is on course…” -Gillian
The re-entry is easily visible from the ground as the Neidon booster hurtles toward the VAB!
“Wow! It’s coming down almost on top of the Space Center! I hope it doesn’t land on anything too expensive!” -Gillian
Thankfully, the booster lands right next to the flagpole – avoiding any costly explosions!
“This is our best landing yet – well done people!” -Gene, at Mission Control
Meanwhile, in a 200k orbit of Kerbin the Light and Power module begins its short journey to Mun!
Once captured into Mun orbit, the module begins its descent!
The Munar transfer stage separates, and the expansion begins its pre-programmed descent to the Mun’s surface!
“Mission Control! I can see the module from here – looks like a good landing! The descent stage has ejected, and we have remote control of the module!” -Dunwin
Dunwin carefully drives the module remotely from the base, while Bill, Luly, and Orlas watch on!
“Mind the Mun Rocks Dunwin!” -Orlas, at Aurora Base
“I’ve got it, I’ve got it!” -Dunwin
Dunwin carefully drives the module into place, until….
… a series of loud whirs and clunks signal the automatic docking mechanisms have engaged!
“You did it Dunwin!” -Luly
“Confirmed! The RTGs are providing a good flow of energy to the base battery banks, and the lighting system is even working!” -Bill
With that, everyone breathes a big sigh of relief! The power troubles at Aurora Base have been a persistent irritation!
“Nice job people! We saw a problem and we got it fixed! The entire purpose of Aurora Base is to test hardware for future ground bases on other worlds – and now we know a little more!” -Gene, at Mission Control
KSEA decides to send Carson, veteran astronaut Bill, and two (formerly!) ground engineers: Rozer and Sondo to investigate the wreckage of the Spacedock facility, and see what can be salvaged!
“Crew Vehicle 3 is away!”
-Carson
“CV3 – launch operations show all systems nominal. Good luck up there!”
-Gene
The Crew Vehicles have become a critical part of the Kerbal States mission in space! The latest iterations, capable of carrying 4 Kerbals and with integrated launch escape systems, along with the Nebula Rocket, a reusable booster, are now the most used method of getting Kerbals to space – although engineers are very eager to re-introduce the Crew Shuttles!
The Crew Vehicle separates, and the Nebula Rocket turns around, and returns to Kerbin – for a propulsive landing east of the Space Center!
“I thought it would be bumpier… but this isn’t so bad!”
-Sondo
“Yea! It’s just like the simulations!”
-Rozer
Crew Vehicle 3 reaches a 200k orbit!
“Ok – all systems are go. Let’s go find out how bad the damage is at Spacedock!”
-Carson
The scene at Spacedock is pretty grim!
“Uh oh. Looks like the lower fuel modules have broken away… those might be salvageable… the upper habitat section looks like it’s separated from the habitat ring though…”
-Rozer
Carson maneuvers past the various Lithium Fuel Tankers… only one looks like it can be saved!
“It looks like this is the module Sean was able to detach before he escaped the station! We should be able to remotely take control and stabilize it!”
-Sondo
After a few minutes, Rozer and Sondo are able to establish a connection!
“There we go! Attitude adjustment complete – communications are not perfect with the surface, but acceptable, and orbital communications look good enough. The fuel here should be good to use for future missions! Shame about the other modules though!”
-Rozer
Next, Crew Vehicle 3 drifts toward the command tower.
“The lower docking module is damaged… but the crew docking modules look functional! I’m going to do a close inspection though before we dock!”
-Rozer
“No problem… matching speeds… you’re good to head out!”
-Carson
Rozer does an orbit around the tower to check things out – determining a docking is safe!
“Docking complete! Good luck over there guys!”
-Carson
Bill, Sondo, and Rozer head over to the habitat section and check things out!
“It looks like the centrifugal habitat section is still spinning out there, I can barely see it from here. We could check it out.. but with all these maneuvers we’re pretty tight on fuel…
-Rozer
Carson does some calculations, and delivers the bad news…
“We’ll have to skip it this mission. We don’t have the fuel to head over there and be within safety margins. I don’t want to push our luck!
-Carson
“We should disconnect Crew Vehicle 2 and return it remotely to the surface… it looks pretty good, and if it survives the reentry we’ll know for sure, and ground crews can check it out!”
-Bill
Crew Vehicle 2 is disconnected… the abandoned Crew Vehicle 4, sheered off in the disaster, floats in the background!
“Done! Crew Vehicle 2 is away! Mission Control, do you still have connection?”
-Sondo
“We are tracking it, and have control… we’ll take care of rentry!”
-Gene, at Mission Control
While the crew checks out the destroyed Spacedock facility, Crew Vehicle 2 is returned successfully to the surface! Eventually, the crew departs…
…and rendevouses with Crew Vehicle 4!
Sondo goes on an EVA, to inspect the spacecraft!
“Moving in for a closer look…”
-Sondo
“Oh gosh.. .I’ve been so busy up here I haven’t noticed how pretty it is!”
-Sondo
“That never gets old!”
-Bill
“Hmm – the docking clamp looks good – given that it was ripped off the station though, I’d want to replace this on the ground! The protective cover is functional though… and the craft has good communications. I think we’re good to send this one down too!”
-Sondo
“I’m heading back! CV4 checks out!”
-Sondo
While Sondo returns to Crew Vehicle 3, ground control takes over and brings the vehicle back to the surface!
… where it’s recovered safely!
The next morning, the crew prepares for the return home! The lower half of the Crew Vehicle (the only disposable part of the Nebula Launch System, detaches…
… and the rentry engines fire!
“We have a good burn! All systems are good… we’re in the pipe, five by five for a landing at the Space Center! Hold on everybody!”
-Carson
Sondo and Rozer hold on to their chair grips tightly, while Bill enjoys his orange-colored space drink!
After a fiery rentry, Carson fires the engines one last time before activating the parachute, to ensure getting as close as possible to the Space Center!
“Perfect landing!”
-Bill
“Almost! I was aiming for the runway! With enough practice we’ll get this down though!”
-Carson
Launched in Year 19, Kerbin Spacedock was meant to last at least 10 years! While everyone is relieved that no one was hurt in the accident, a full review has determined that the station itself is not salvageable – and will be officially decommissioned!
“After a thorough analysis, we determined the station was impacted by an unexpected gravitational anomaly that caused physics near the station to “glitch!” This resulted in the heavier parts of the station, the fuel tankers, oscillating wildly, and eventually tearing the station apart! We think that the massive quantity of fuel and thus mass may have contributed to this mysterious phenomenon… so we’re going to make sure future stations have a smaller amount of fuel on board – perhaps only one of the Lithium Tankers at a time! In the end our proper procedures and well trained crew made sure that the only loss was hardware – I’m really proud of all you guys!“
-Gene
The replacement for Spacedock, tentatively titled “Spacedock 2” is still under design, but until then fueling at the remaining Lithium Tanker should keep the DSV fleet’s needs met for the next few years!
Aurora Base has been having power difficulties – occasionally it will run out of power over night! A larger battery bank is required, so a small mission to upgrade the base’s power systems is launched on a Nebula Rocket!
The reusable first stage ejects, and returns to Kerbin!
The Power Module continues it’s trajectory to Mun!
Once in Mun orbit, the Power Module starts it’s descent…
…landing next to Aurora Base!
The module rolls up and docks to the Green House module!
“Looks like a good connection… those battery banks should solve the problem! With the Green House and the life support systems all running this base takes a surprising amount of power! We may need to consider a nuclear reactor for some of our future bases where solar won’t work!” -Bill, at Aurora Base
“I see the lander! Computers say it’s on track for remote docking. Technology has sure come a long way since the first days of Munar Exploration!” -Summer
The lander docks! Luly and Orlas board, and prepare to head down to the surface!
The lander undocks, and starts it’s descent!
“This is gonna be a lot of fun!!” -Orlas
The lander sets down near Aurora Base!
Luly hops out, and heads to the airlock!
“Wow! These modular bases snap together fast!” -Luly
Orlas hops out, and joins Luly!
“The great thing is that we can keep expanding as time goes on! Since Mun doesn’t have any water though, we’ll always need a lifeline from Kerbin! But we can use this base to test out future colonies – like on Minmus, or Laythe!” -Orlas
“I found the door! Let’s get inside and start up the Base’s science systems!” -Luly
“These pre-planted seedlings are already growing – amazing!” -Orlas
“Mission Control – Aurora Base is fully functional! All systems online!”
A Sarnus Va rocket launches from the space center carrying a modified rover that had been converted to move Base modules!
“Good thing we had a Sarnus V rocket ready! It made this launch fast! That was the next scheduled Aurora Mission though, but it was worth it to get Aurora Base up and running!”
-Gene
Orbit is achieved! The second stage settles into orbit, deploying it’s solar panels!
After a rapid transit, the rover arrives at Mun…
…and heads down for a landing!
The Base Mover sets down amongst the deployed modules for Aurora Base, as Bill and Dunwin watch from the lander!
“There it is! I’ll head out and oversee the deployment of the Base Mover!”
-Dunwin
“That’s one ugly rover! Let’s get it deployed and see if it works!”
-Dunwin
The RCS Lifting crane struggles under the heavy weight – the Base Adapter Modules are pretty heavy!
The RCS lifter ejects, and goes flying away! Seismic instruments around Mun will monitor the impact and transmit the data back to Kerbin!
“Time to get moving!”
-Dunwin
Dunwin drives the Base Mover to the first module – the Green House!
“Got it! Interface looks good… Heading your way Bill!”
-Dunwin
The connection is made and the Greenhouse is connected!
Meanwhile, Bill scouts the are around Aurora Base and determines the base needs to be shifted about 50m north east to have a good flat surface!
Next, Bill and Dunwin both board the Base Mover and pick up the Science Module!
“Great! Another module installed!”
-Bill
With the base coming together so quickly, crew up on Mun Spaceport prepare to head down and start their surface mission!
“The start if this project was a bit bumpy, but this latest phase is going great!”
-Bill
“Yeah! We’ll be done before you know it!”
-Dunwin
The Habitat module is installed! Dunwin and Bill head inside after parking the Base Mover and the Rover near the base!
Mission Control orders the Lander to lift off and set down at the new Base site.
“Now we wait for the rest of the crew!”
-Bill
“I wonder how long until the Greenhouse is able to grow treats?!”
Dunwin and Bill board the new Aurora 28 Lander and head down to Mun’s surface!
The new rover is designed to pick up the debris from the landing!
“The lander is taking us down! It feels weird being in a remotely piloted vehicle without a pilot!” -Bill
The lander sets down at Aurora Base!
“Oh boy! We have our work cut out for us!” -Dunwin
“Our first problem is that the modules don’t have any command or communications equipment installed! We’re not going to be able to pilot them into place!” -Dunwin
Uh oh! KSEA engineers start working on a solution to this latest Munar problem!
“No one ever said setting up a base on The Mun was going to be easy!” -Gene
Big news from the Aurora program – the Aurora Command Module has been upgraded using a modified Nebula Crew Vehicle capsule, and the lander has been modified to allow easier re-use from Mun Spaceport! These changes will allow FOUR crew to journey to Mun from now on!
The crew is announced: Two engineers, Bill and Dunwin, the Mission Commander Malcolm, and Luly will be the mission Scientist!
Aurora 28 blasts off on top of a Sarnus Va rocket!
The rocket carries the spacecraft up to a 600k orbit of Kerbin…
…then departs for Mun!
“Even with 4 crew this new module is so roomy!” -Bill
This will be the first launch for the 4-crew variant of the Aurora Spacecraft… the module is identical to the Nebula Crew Vehicle which has a perfect record!
The Crew Lander is slightly modified with more fuel and life support and an improved refueling system!
Aurora 28 arrives at Mun Spaceport!
“Aurora 28… we have you on tracking… our docking ports are all full though!” -Summer
The old lander ejects, as does the Aurora 27 Command Module, and Aurora 28 docks!
“We need to get some adapters up here to make more room for more spacecraft!” -Malcolm
Plans are begun for some expansions to the Spaceport to allow for more docking ports… while the crew prepares to head down to Aurora Base!
With Mun Spaceport (mostly) functional, Bill, Gilian, and Edan need to return to Kerbin! Summer departs in Crew Vehicle 5 to rescue them!
“If we’re going to be using these Crew Vehicles for trips back and forth to Mun, they’re going to need a better second stage – this will be a tight mission for DeltaV!“ -Summer
Crew Vehicle 5 departs Kerbin…
… Eventually arriving at Mun, and docking with Mun Spaceport!
Bill, Gilian, and Edan all board and buckle in for a quick return trip to Kerbin!
“There’s not enough fuel to do a full orbital return, so we’re going to try for touchdown near White Mesa… hold on everyone!” -Summer
Crew Vehicle 5 misses the mark, landing 40km or so from White Mesa!
“Close enough! Rescue crews are on the way!” -Gene, at Mission Control
Mission Control gives the plan to relocate the old Kerbin Spaceport to Mun a name: Operation Moving Day! The audacious plan will move the old Kerbin Spaceport… to Mun orbit!
One of the already built “Asteroid Movers” is modified with a docking port that should connect to the Spaceport, and launches on a Sarnus Va rocket!
The Station-Mover rendezvouses with Kerbin Spaceport…
…and docks!
“Remote sensors indicate a good lock! Nice work!“
-Gene
Bill, KSEA’s senior engineer will fly up in a Crew Vehicle to oversee the entire process! Edan will be the mission commander, and Gilian will be going up for her engineering expertise!
Crew Vehicle 6 carrying Edan, Bill, and Gilian blasts off from White Mesa!
“There it is – Old Kerbin Spaceport!”
-Edan
“Soon to be Mun Spaceport!”
-Gilian
“Hey – that’s catchy!”
-Bill
Crew Vehicle 6 docks!
Bill, Gilian, and Edan board the station and check things out!
Kerbal States | Kerbin Space Exploration Administration 