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!
What started out as mild vibrations on the station have grown and grown over the last half – the station crew, mid rotation with just Sean and Jeb on board, have been working on troubleshooting the strange shaking with Mission Control!
“We verified that RCS isn’t firing from any thruster, station or docked…and our SAS systems all show normal… Jeb and I can’t figure out what’s causing it… wait, just a second… the station is shaking even worse now! I think the vibration is increasing exponentially…”
*loud cracking noise, alarm klaxons* “..There’s… been a breach! Jeb! Launch the Intrepid quick!”
-Sean
Back at KSEA, sensors report what can’t be correct – loss of direct connection between the Lithium tanks and the upper docking and habitat section! Immediately ground crews start making calls and Gene assumes the worst … and gives the evacuation order!
“Start emergency evacuations! Intrepid get that ship out of there! Sean get to the nearest Crew Vehicle and undock now! Look alive people this is an emergency! What crew shuttle is ready to go up there? Get it up there….!”
-Gene, at Mission Control
Thankfully Jeb was quick with his reflexes and activated the emergency decoupling process – detaching the massive Deep Space Vehicle Intrepid from the station and reverse firing the orbital thrusters to push away from the station!
“This is Jeb on Intrepid – the DSV is clear of the station! I’m fine… it was a close call, the station was spinning out of control! Sean are you OK?” -Jeb, on DSV Intrepid
Sean didn’t wait a second, and pushed himself to the nearest crew vehicle, hopping in Crew Vehicle 6, and decoupling! The whole time the station is violently rotating, and as the Crew Vehicle departs, it impacts the the spinning orbital ring!
“That was a bumpy ride … but I got out! The Crew Vehicle impacted the station on the way out but … I’m not seeing any indication of leaks… what’s the plan?”
-Sean
“OK – Sean, Jeb – let’s get your two vehicles docked – then do a full diagnostic of Intrepid. We’ll figure out what to do from there! We’re all relieved you’re safe up there!”
-Gene, at Mission Control
Sean maneuvers Crew Vehicle 6 to a rendevous with Intrepid!
“I see you Sean! The Crew Vehicle looks good, just some scuffs! You’re good for docking!”
-Jeb
Intrepid and DSV 6 dock! Jeb and Sean give each other quick hugs, relieved!
“That was a close one!”
-Sean
“Yea! I like some excitement on my missions… but not like that!”
-Jeb
As the situation normalizes, everyone catches their breath! While Sean and Jeb do a full diagnostic of both Intrepid and the Crew Vehicle, Mission Control starts working on disaster planning to see how bad the damage is at the Spaceport!
“Ground radar and space assets show Intrepid should be safe – I want to get some Kerbals up there to get a closer look but I don’t think Sean or Jeb should do it, they’re both pretty shaken up and need to get down to the surface to be checked out! A Crew Shuttle can check out the station, then return Sean and Jeb!
-Gene, at Mission Control
As the day goes on, KSEA decides to send up the revamped (and recently tested) Crew Shuttle Adventure! A large crew is needed for the mission as it’s not just a rescue, but crisis/damage assessment, and recrew of Intrepid!
The Next Deep Space Vehicle, DSV-5 Intrepidis ready to launch! Named after the retired crew shuttle CTS-3 Intrepid, DSV-5 is a Horizon Class DSV, identical to Endeavor and Horizon!
“Wow – that rocket looks big, even from way over at the Tracking Station!”
-Bob, on his way to watch the launch of DSV-5
Mission Command starts calling out rocket status summaries, until finally…
“Lights are green – DSV is go for launch!” -Gene, at Mission Control
“Look at ‘er go!”
-Bob, at Mission Control
The Jool Heavy Rocket carries the spacecraft higher…
… and higher!
At a 200k orbit, the side stages eject, and Intrepid circularizes it’s orbit around Kerbin!
“Computers say we have a good orbit! Let’s remotely rendevous it with Spacedock and get a crew over there!” -Gene
Intrepid is remotely piloted until it rendezvouses with Spacedock!
“Mission Control – this is Jeb at Spacedock Control – we have a visual on Intrepid!” -Jeb
“Wow – I always forget how big these DSV’s are until you see them next to Spacedock!”
-Sean
While Mission Control can pilot the DSV’s remotely for the precision connections needed for docking pilots are always preferred – so Jeb EVA’s outside Spacedock and heads over to Intrepid!
“Mission Control, I have left Spacecdock and am en route to the DSV!” -Jeb
Jeb sets his EVA rockets to “FULL SPEED DANGER!” and speeds toward the DSV!
“Radar shows you going 10 m/s, make sure you leave enough time to slow down!” -Sean, on Spacedock
“Don’t worry, I’m a professional!” -Jeb
Jeb slows down, just in time, and grabs the hand holds under the nose of DSV-5 Endeavor at the last second!
“Got it! Connection made, heading to the cockpit!” -Jeb
“Eyes on the prize Jeb – let’s get this bird in the nest!” -Gene
“Roger that.” -Jeb
Jeb activates the RCS thrusters and matches speed with Spacedock, then orients the massive spacecraft with the docking ports!
“Starting final docking maneuvers…” -Jeb
“Mission Control… Jeb here… I’m in the pipe, five by five…” -Jeb
Intrepid slowly moves in to dock until finally, just as the sun sets…
“Intrepid – you show a solid lock – welcome back Jeb! I can’t wait to get over there and start up Intrepid‘s reactor!” -Sean
Kerbal States | Kerbin Space Exploration Administration 