To conduct ongoing research at the Kerbin Space Station, regular deliveries of science vehicles will be needed. KSEA scientists and engineers have been working on two designs – one, a re-usable space plane, the other a more standard cargo pod based off the Aurora Program’s design.
After hours and hours and hours and hours of simulation, the Space Plane plan is thrown in the trash bin… the much simpler Aurora Program-derived vehicle is given the green light! Using the most recent version of the Discovery Rocket, the Discovery 5, the SSV is launched into orbit, and can carry a small payload to the KSS, and return the payload back to the surface.
In addition to ferrying science experiments, this should also provide a simple means of delivering food and other important supplies!
KSEA engineers and scientists release a secret project they’ve been working on: The X-4 Jetplane!
Excited by Val’s trip around Mun, KSEA engineers look at the numbers required to visit Kerbin’s other satellite – Minmus!
Engineers finish plans for the next Horizon Rocket – the Horizon B! This upgraded rocket will carry a small spacecraft capable of conducing some basic missions in space. Breakthroughs include cargo bays for holding scientific equipment, enhanced battery power, and food supplies. There should be enough supplies for a Kerbal to survive in space for up to 5 days! The vessel also includes communications arrays for talking with Mission Control and two major safety features: a heat shield for protecting the craft on re-entry, and an escape tower that can carry Kerbals to safety if there are any problems during launch!
Designs are finalized for the X-2 Experimental Training Rocket. This craft uses the same RT-20 boosters from the Horizon Rockets, as well as the Horizon Command Pod, but features larger wings for more stable flight.
