DSV Fuel Depot

Year 23, Day 224 (DSV Fuel Depot Docks at Spacedock 2!)

sayburstuff Year 23 , , , , ,

The MPV (Multi-Payload-Vehicle) that had been converted to a Fuel Depot Tug fires its engines, remotely piloted from the ground!

“OK – it’s time to complete the assembly of Spacedock 2!”
-Gene, overseeing from Mission Control

The Lithium Fuel Depot arrives at Spacedock! 

“Mission Control – this is Spacedock. We have visual on the Depot.  I am assuming direct control!”
-Edbert

Edbert uses the RCS thrusters to slowly maneuver the gigantic craft past the station, to orient the docking ports.

“Maintaining visual on Depot.  Reducing speed to station keeping…”
-Edbert

Watching from the habitat ring, Sean lines his thumb up carefully with the window…

“You look lined up really nice Edbert! Take the docking nice and slow though, we don’t want to scuff the paint on the station it’s still brand new!” –Sean, watching from the Habitat Ring

“Oh good!  Moving in for final docking procedure… thrusters firing…”
-Edbert

The massive depot moves slowly, slowly toward the station until…

…the entire station heaves slightly as the giant depot docks, and connects to the DSV terminal!

“I’m floating down to the other side of the station now…   OK, I’m here!  Connections look solid. We just need to run some of the piping to allow the DSVs that dock to refuel!”   –Sean

The MPV Tug detaches, and will deorbit into Kerbin’s atmosphere!

Year 23, Day 135 (Crew Launch to Investigate Fuel Depot!)

sayburstuff Year 23 , , , , ,

Malcolm and Sean hop into Crew Vehicle 1 and launch with a Nebula Rocket!

“Pre-Flight checks good.  We are GO!”
-Malcolm

The Nebula rocket blasts off!

“Wohoooooo!
-Sean

The latest generation Crew Vehicle design has become the primary method of getting Kerbals to orbit and back!

“We are at 200k… detaching Booster!”
-Malcolm

“Everything looks good on our boards… We have remote control of the Nebula Booster!  Good luck up there crew!”
-Gene, at Mission Control

Remotely piloting the craft from the surface of Kerbin, the booster does a ‘reverse burn” to allow landing closer to the Space Center!

“Malcolm, try to get us pretty close to the Fuel Depot, I’ll ned to EVA for a while to do a close inspection of both craft!”
-Sean

Malcolm pilots the craft into a circular orbit, then begins the rendezvous process!

The Crew Vehicle arrives at the Fuel Depot and moves closer, and closer!

“We are stationary at 50 meters – controls are locked.  You’re good to EVA!”
-Malcolm

Sean suits up, and exits the craft!

“These Fuel Depots are HUGE!  First impressions, everything appears good.  Crazy that this is the only surviving bit of the original Spacedock!”
-Sean

Doing a complete inspection Sean checks that power systems, communications are good, and most importantly the docking mechanisms are intact!

“OK… good news! Everything looks nominal.  Communication systems are good… Docking port is solid and engaged. RCS systems between the two craft appear fully integrated.  When Spacedock 2 launches I think we should be good to remotely control the Depot and dock it with the station!”
-Sean

Completing the inspection, Sean returns to the Crew Vehicle and the spacecraft re-pressurizes its life support system, and the craft starts its descent!

“We’re heading home!”
-Malcolm

“Chutes deployed!”
-Sean

Crew Vehicle 1 sets down next to the Space Center, and crews head out to do recovery!

Year 22, Day 416 (KSEA Mission Update!)

sayburstuff Year 22 , , , , , , , , , ,

As the Kerbal Space Exploration Administration (KSEA) prepares to ramp up operations after a short break, it’s time for a KSEA Mission Update!

Far Horizons – Plock Mission

Leaving in around 100 days, the Far Horizons mission will head to Plock and it’s moon Karen! The mission will require phenomenal acceleration to reach Plock in about 3 years! The probe will leave in just 12 days!

DSV-5 Intrepid – Moho Orbit

Having just arrived at Moho, the crew is preparing a mission to the surface any day now!

Laythe Spaceplene ‘Resolute’ – Heading to Laythe

The second Laythe Spaceplane is a slightly improved design that will provide a second SSTO Crew vehicle for Laythe! It should arrive at Laythe Year 23, Day 195

DSV-2 Discovery – Returning Home from Duna!

The Discovery Crew are on the way home from a successful mission to Duna! They should arrive at Kerbin on Year 23, Day 239!

Laythe Spaceport – Jool/Laythe Orbit

Laythe Spaceport is currently hosting the DSV-4 Endeavor crew! They’ve taken the Laythe Spaceplane, Resolute, to the surface and back for science and are preparing to return home!

DSV-3 Horizon Returning to Kerbin from Sarnus/Eeloo

The DSV-3 Horizon is on it’s way back home after landing a crew on the Sarnusian moon of Eeloo! Kimmy, Mitster and Chrisnic are in cryosleep onboard. They are due back Year 25, Day 387!

Duna Spaceport – Duna Orbit

Currently unoccupied – the Duna Spaceport is awaiting the next crew to arrive and explore the Red Planet! The next DSV mission will likely carry a new lander design as well!

DSV Fuel Depot – Kerbin Orbit

The only surviving component of Old Kerbin Spaceport, this massive Lithium Fuel depot is awaiting a yet-designed addition to provide refueling services!

DSV-1A Explorer – En Route to Sarnus

The newest Deep Space Vehicle Explorer is en-route to Sarnus with an arrival scheduled for Day 20, Year 25!

Sarnus Space Station

Sarnus Station will provide a home base for crews exploring Sarnus and its moons! The station is expected to arrive Year 24, Day 276!

Aurora Base – Mun Surface

Ongoing research mission at the Mun’s surface!
Current crew: Bill, Luly, Dunwin, Orlas

KSEA also has several vehicles on standby, ready to launch within an hour:

Nebula Crew Vehicles (6)

All 6 Nebula Crew Vehicles are on Kerbin, but only 1,4,5 and 6 are on standby to launch. The other crew Vehicles are undergoing repairs!

Crew Shuttle Program (2)

Both Crew Transport shuttles are on standby to launch – CTS-1 Adventure and CTS-2 Pioneer!
Pilots would like a third Shuttle built, however the main hold up is what to name it!

Several vehicles are under development/construction as well:

Experimental Nuclear Waste Barge – designed to service the DSV Fleet. As the fleet ages, the Deep Space Vehicles will slowly build up dangerous amounts of nuclear waste. Collecting this in orbit should be a safe way to dispose of this hazardous material!

Duna Communication Relay Mission – a mission to provide full communications coverage to Duna.

Year 22, Day 387 (KSEA Mission Update!)

sayburstuff Year 22 , , , , , , , , ,

It’s time for the annual KSEA Mission Update!

Far Horizons – Plock Mission

Leaving in around 100 days, the Far Horizons mission will head to Plock and it’s moon Karen! The mission will require phenomenal acceleration to reach Plock in about 3 years!
DSV-5 Intrepid – Moho Orbit

Having just arrived at Moho, the crew is preparing a mission to the surface any day now!
Laythe Spaceplene ‘Resolute’ – Heading to Laythe

The second Laythe Spaceplane is a slightly improved design that will provide a second SSTO Crew vehicle for Laythe! It should arrive at Laythe Year 23, Day 195
DSV-2 Discovery – Returning Home from Duna!

The Discovery Crew are on the way home from a successful mission to Duna! They should arrive at Kerbin on Year 23, Day 239!
Laythe Spaceport – Jool/Laythe Orbit

Laythe Spaceport is currently hosting the DSV-4 Endeavor crew! They’ve taken the Laythe Spaceplane, Resolute, to the surface and back for science and are preparing to return home!
DSV-3 Horizon Returning to Kerbin from Sarnus/Eeloo

The DSV-3 Horizon is on it’s way back home after landing a crew on the Sarnusian moon of Eeloo! They are due back Year 25, Day 387!
Duna Spaceport – Duna Orbit

Currently unoccupied – the Duna Spaceport is awaiting the next crew to arrive and explore the Red Planet! The next DSV mission will likely carry a new lander design as well!
DSV Fuel Depot – Kerbin Orbit

The only surviving component of Kerbin Spaceport, this massive Lithium Fuel depot is awaiting a yet-designed addition to provide docking and a small Crew habitat. The new docking module will ideally be reused as future Lithium fuel components are launched!
DSV-1A Explorer – Kerbin Orbit

The newest DSV is in Kerbin Orbit awaiting a crew and a mission payload for it’s next mission (to be announced!)
Sarnus Space Station

A new station design, Sarnus Station will provide a home base for crews exploring the distant ringed world of Sarnus! It is expected to arrive in Sarnus Orbit Year 24, Day 276!
Aurora Base – Mun Surface

Ongoing research mission at the Mun’s surface!
Current crew: Bill, Luly, Dunwin

KSEA also has several vehicles on standby, ready to launch within an hour:

Nebula Crew Vehicles

All 6 Nebula Crew Vehicles are on Kerbin, but only 1,4,5 and 6 are on standby to launch. The other crew Vehicles are undergoing repairs! The mission to supply Explorer-A will use one of the Crew Vehicles in a Sarnus Rocket stack!
Crew Shuttle Program

Both Crew Transport shuttles are on standby to launch – CTS-1 Adventure and CTS-2 Pioneer!
Pilots would like a third Shuttle built, however the main hold up is what to name it!


Several vehicles are under development/construction as well:

Experimental Nuclear Waste Barge – designed to service the DSV Fleet.

Duna Communication Relay Mission – a mission to provide full communications coverage to Duna.