Discovery arrives at Mun exactly as planned, and Jeb fires thrusters to put the craft into a circular orbit.
“We made it! We’ll orbit for a day, then return to Kerbin!”
-Orlas
Once Discovery retruns to Kerbin Spaceport it will refuel, and be ready for its first truly deep-space mission!
Discovery detaches from Kerbin Spaceport!
“Systems are go for the transit to Mun!”
-Orlas
Discovery’s powerful monopropelleant RCS thrusters move the ship to a safe distance from the Spaceport, and then the nuclear reactor is powered up!
“All systems appear nominal – power is at 100 percent – we’re good to fire the main engines! “
-Bill
“Course set – Lithium flow confirmed… Magneto-plasma-dynamic thrusters at full!”
-Jeb
Discovery moves away from the station, away from Kerbin… and toward Mun!
The Jool Vb rocket launches from the space center, carrying Discovery to orbit!
The orbital maneuvering stage activates, circularizing the orbit and beginning the rendezvous to the Spaceport!
Meanwhile, the protective fairings deploy…
… and Discovery’s communication dish unfolds!
“So far so good!”
-Gene, at Mission Control
For the docking manuever it’s decided an experienced pilot should take Discovery’s controls, so Edan EVA’s over to the ship!
Ok – I’m outside the station, and heading over!
-Edan
Edan expertly pilots his EVA suit over to Discovery!
Wow! This is one big ship! I can’t wait to pilot it!
-Edan
Once inside Edan switches on the external lights and ejects the orbital stage!
OK – I’m going to fly Discovery over to the other side of the station.
-Edan
For a ship this size, it handles surprisngly well! Must be those extra large RCS thrusters!
-Edan
Edan lines Discovery up to the docking section…
… and connects! 4 different Kerbal States spacecraft are now docked with the station, Discovery, a Mk7 Aurora Crew Vehicle, a Crew Transport Shuttle, and Explorer 5!
Alright! Let’s start getting Discovery ready for her maiden voyage!
-Edan
Intrepid blasts off from the Space Center, carrying Edan and Bill to Kerbin Spaceport! They’ll meet Orlas and train together for Crewed Mission 1 (CM1) of the Discovery!
“OK – rendezvous course set to Kerbin Spaceport!”
-Edan
Edan docks Intrepid with the Spaceport! 3 different spacecraft are now docked – with a fourth on the way – Discovery!
Val, Bill, and Bob board Adventure! Edan will pilot them back to the Space Center, since Val is still recovering from the long cryo-sleep!
Adventure streaks through the atmosphere!
“Trajectory seems good so far – hold on everyone!”
-Edan
Edan performs a few manuevers to adjust the heading – Adventure‘s air brakes had to be used in pulses to slow the craft down – a few timed bursts of the engines accelerate the craft so it won’t land short of the Space Center!
“Ok. Adventure is in the pipe – five by five!”
-Edan
Adventure lands, returning the Explorer 5 crew to Kerbin! KSEA scientists begin collecing the data brought back, and Val, Bill, and Bob head to the Astronaut Complex to recover! Meanwhile, the crew shuttle is recovered and begins repairs and refits for it’s next launch!
Explorer 5 enters Kerbin’s sphere of gravitational influence, and automatic systems revive the crew!
“Mission Control, this is Val – Bob and Bill are in good shape, and so am I! Explorer 5 is approaching Kerbin, and looking at our sensors I think we’re good for entering orbit!”
-Val
“Explorer 5 – this is Gene – that’s great! Are you sure about skipping the splashdown/flyby procedure?”
-Gene
“Roger that! Explorer 5 has enough fuel to enter orbit and even dock with Kerbin Spaceport!”
-Val
“Permission granted Explorer 5 – good luck!”
-Gene
Explorer 5 fires it’s engine and enters Kerbin’s orbit!
Mission Control, Explorer 5 has achieved Kerbin Orbit! Proceeding to Kerbin Spaceport!
-Val
Cheers fill Mission Control over Val’s broadcast! This is a big day for KSEA – NO interplanetary spacecraft has ever returned to Kerbin orbit before!
“Explorer 5, this is Edan on Kerbin Spaceport. You are tracking good and cleared for approach!”
-Edan
Val manuevers Explorer 5 closer and closer to the Spaceport…
“Almost there….”
-Val
Ka-Chunk! Whirrrrrrrr….Explorer 5 connects with Kerbin Spaceport!
“Welcome home! Sorry about the mess, we weren’t expecting guests!”
-Edan
Explorer 5’s crew will rest for a day, then return to Kerbin onboard the Crew Shuttle Adventure!
The Explorer 5 crew packs up their scientific findings (and various uneaten snacks) from around Duna Spaceport, and heads over to the DSCRV, the Val undocks the spacecraft!
“I can’t wait to get back with all these new findings!”
-Bob
“I sure hope those return calculations are correct!”
-Bill
“They’re correct – don’t worry! We’ll be home before you know it! Now let’s get in those cryopods before we get hungry!”
-Val
Explorer 5 finishes it’s burn back to Kerbin, and the crew heads to Cryo-Sleep! They’re expected back at Kerbin in just 271 days!
After spending a few days on the surface at the Eastern Canyon Val, Bill, and Bob blast off, heading back to Duna Spaceport!
Orbit is achieved…
… and Val pilots the crew back to Duna Spaceport!
KSEA announces that Explorer 5 will be setting down in the Eastern Canyon – a site that is thought to be a similar to the Western Canyon, only a great deal more easterly.
Bill, Bob, and Val board the Super Duna Lander and head down to the surface!
“OK, starting our descent. Hang on everyone!”
-Val
The Super Duna Lander speeds down to the surface! Right before landing the airbrakes are stowed and the gear is deployed, as the rockets fire one last burn to slow down before landing!
“Contact! We’re on the surface! ”
-Val
The crew prepares to head out and explore the Eastern Canyon at Duna!
The crew waits until sunrise, and starts exploring!
Explorer 5 Arrives in Duna Orbit, and the on board systems automatically eject the Kerbin-Orbit docking adapter (The larger “senior” size docking port is required for docking to the Spaceport!)
Val thaws from cryogenic stasis first!
Alright – I’m moving Explorer in to dock with the Spaceport!
-Val
Bill and Bob thaw next!
The crew reports feeling fine, even after such a long cryo-sleep! After a week the crew’s health will be evaluated and if all is well, the first landing will commence!
Kerbal States | Kerbin Space Exploration Administration 