Just in time for the (hopeful) arrive of Explorer 5, the Duna Re-fueling Vehicle arrives at Duna Spaceport!
The automated vehicle docks with Duna Spaceport’s re-fueling port, making the station ready to send Kerbals down to the surface!
Duna
Year 9, Day 290 (Explorer 3 Leaves Duna Spaceport!)
Edan, Glenica, and Sean gather their scientific findings and transfer to Explorer 3 – it’s time to head home!
We have a little extra fuel so we’re going to try a quicker return home!
-Edan
The next spacecraft scheduled to visit Duna is the automated Refueling Vehicle, which will provide the vital fuel needed for Explorer 5, the next crewed mission to Duna!
The return to Kerbin should take exactly one year!
Year 9, Day 262 (Explorer 5 Leaves Kerbin for Duna!)
Explorer 5 departs for Duna! This is the first interplanetary journey using cryogenic stasis, it’s hoped that the technology will allow for sending Kerbals to the farthest reaches of the solar system!
Year 9. Day 135 (Explorer 5 Launches!)
Explorer 5 is rolled out to launch, an exciting new chapter in Kerbal exploration of space!
Blastoff! The massive Jool IV rocket lifts Explorer 5 to the clouds…
…. and beyond to orbit!
“Mission Control, this is Malcolm on the X-9! Mitster and I are OK for take off!”
-Malcolm
The X-9 will fly the Explorer 5 crew to the spacecraft!
Malcolm flies the spacecraft on launch, with Mitster supervising.
“So far so good!”
-Mitster
Explorer 5 reaches orbit, and Malcolm starts the rendezvous maneuvers to meet up with Explorer 5!
“OK… the X-9 is a bit tricky with its RCS controls… this might take a few tries!”
–Mitster
It does take awhile, but eventually the X-9 docks with Explorer 5! Val, Bill, and Bob all transfer over!
OK guys… I’ll go first! Glykerol levels normal… initiating freeze!
-Val
“It worked! Our turn… see you in a few minutes Bob!”
-Bill
With that Bill throws the “freeze!” lever, and the crew of Explorer 5 is in stasis, ready for the trip to Duna!
Malcolm brings the X-9 in for a landing!
“Mission Control, Malcom here! I’m in the pipe, five by five!”
-Malcolm
It’s a tricky night landing, but Malcolm brings the X-9 home! All of Kerbin now waits for Explorer 5 to depart!
Year 9, Day 100 (Explorer 5 Construction!)
KSEA releases the finalized design for the Explorer 5! This prototype is hoped to be the future of deep space crewed transportation, making years or even decades long missions pass in as little time as an afternoon nap for the crew!
Val, Bill, and Bob have been training hard for the mission!
This first mission will be to Duna, but if all goes well it will be utilized in a future crewed mission to Jool!
Year 9, Day 28 (Refueling Vehicle for Duna Spaceport Launches)
The Explorer 2 and 3 missions have all but exhausted the fuel supply of the Duna Spaceport so the refueling vehicle , so an automated spacecraft designed to extend the life of the Spaceport is launched!
The spacecraft will remain in orbit until the proper launch window, and will travel roughly the same projected path as the upcoming Explorer 5 mission!
Year 9, Day 19 (Explorer 3 Blasts Off From Duna’s Midland Canyon!)
Sean, Edan, and Glenica pack up their findings and prepare to launch back into orbit!
“Ok, we’re off!”
-Edan
The lander reaches orbit…
…and Edan pilots a rendezvous with Duna Spaceport!
“Fuel budget is very tight this mission… I’m going to have to fly very, very accurately!”
-Edan
Almost there!
Explorer 3 docks with Duna Spaceport!
Year 9, Day 16 (Explorer 3 Landing At Duna’s Midland Canyon)
KSEA announces the next Explorer 3 Landing Site – this time at Duna’s Midland Canyon!
“OK – let’s do this!”
-Edan
The Super Duna Lander detaches and heads down to the surface!
The parachute deploys!
“We’ve touched down at the Western Canyon!”
-Edan
“Wow – it’s beautiful here! ”
-Glenica
Sean and Edan jump out and take in the amazing vista!
Sean sets up the automated camera unit, and the crew pose for the traditional “landing portrait!”
“OK – let’s start collecting some science everybody!”
-Glenica
Year 8, Day 363 (Explorer 3 Returns to Duna Spaceport!)
The lander retracts its solar panels and the crew prepares to return to the Duna Spaceport after a successful mission exploring the Western Canyon!
Launch is a go! So far so good… hold on everyone!
-Edan
Edan pilots the lander into orbit…
and rendezvouses with Duna Spaceport!
Almost got it… waiting for the docking clamp to lock!
-Edan
Success! The Explorer 3 crew returns form their second mission to the surface of Duna!
Year 8, Day 361 (Explorer 3 Crew Explore Duna’s Western Canyon)
Since she didn’t get a chance to go on the first Explorer 3 landing, Glenica gets to climb out first!
Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
-Glenica
After everyone has some fun jumping around in the low(er) gravity of Duna, Glenica picks a good spot for the flag.
“This looks like a good spot… here we go!”
-Glenica
The crew poses for their landing portrait!
Great picture everyone, that’s the best one yet!
-Gene, KSEA Mission Control
The crew will rest before their next EVA, then return to Duna Spaceport for the next mission!
Kerbal States | Kerbin Space Exploration Administration 