A nearby target is chosen for the new MPV Probe – Minmus! In addition to a full testing of the probe’s capabilities the mission will also hopefully serve as a full survey of Minmus for future colony sites.
Despite being one of the earliest bodies in the Kerbol system to be explored the site has not had a full survey done looking for water, or to find a proper site for a colony!
“First Mun and Minmus, next Duna! But the real first step is matching the inclination with Minmus!” -Gene
After the inclination with Minmus is set, the probe fires its engine to intercept Minmus!
“Just six days and we can start testing this probe in Minmus orbit!” -Gene
History: The First Kerbal Landing on Minmus! Year 2 Day 370
Before the Aurora 29 launch engineers wanted to test the core Neidon II rocket on a uncrewed payload – while the engine systems did not change the aerodynamics were altered enough to warrant a test launch!
The new MPV (multi-payload-vehicle) probe was chosen to be the test-payload!
“We want to make sure Aurora 29 is a perfect launch – and that means being safe!” –Gene
The refit Neidon Rocket (N-2) blasts off from the space center!
“Telemetry shows the rocket is behaving normally – the new aerodynamic features are having minimal impact on performance at launch!“ –Seely, Supervising from Spacedock 2
As N-2 reaches orbit the rocket seems to be performing perfectly!
The protective fairing on the probe ejects, and the MPV-Probe drifts slowly away from N-2!
Next, the rocket flips orientation using RCS, fires a precise thrust of the engines…
And begins soaring through the atmosphere!
“All departments – watch for any anomalies – how are we looking?“ -Gene, at Mission Control
“So far, so good – we are apraching the transition to subsonic …!“ –Seely, Supervising from Spacedock 2
Re-entry of the Neidon Rockets have always suffered from instabilities at the supersonic/subsonic boundary – everyone holds their breath as the rocket passes the barrier…
“Oh wow! N-2 maintained attitude through the transition – she’s flying like a spaceplane toward landing!“ –Seely, Supervising from Spacedock 2
“Great work people!” -Gene, at Mission Control
N-2 begins its landing burn, just east of the main launch platform!
“Landing gear is deployed… hydraulics have locked… telemetry nominal…” –Seely, Supervising from Spacedock 2
N-2 sets down perfectly! Crews will recover the rocket soon!
Approaching Kerbin, alarm bells go off on Discovery, waking up from Cryosleep, (the crew) is surprised to discover a series of interesting transmissions from Mission Control!
“Attention DSV Discovery – Spacedock has exploded! Attempt no dockings! Everyone is evacuating now!” -Recorded Message from Gene at the VAB
Mirphe, Seely, and Tamre are all a little shocked to say the least!
“We better listen to the rest of these recordings!” -Mirphe
Mirphe, Seely, and Tamre are all a little shocked to say the least!
“Attention DSV Discovery – important follow up: We’re all ok but really do NOT approach Spacedock.” -Recorded Message from Gene at the VAB
Mirphe frowns and plays the next message…
“Good News DSV Discovery! There is a new Spacedock! Please contact Mission Control when you wake up!” -Recorded Message from Gene at the VAB
“Let’s do our capture orbit, and figure out where to go from there!” -Mirphe
Mirphe fires the nuclear engines and Discovery is captured into a 200k orbit of Kerbin!
“Welcome home Discovery! We have a bit of a surprise for you – a new Spacedock! Proceed to the following orbital coordinates!” -Gene, at Mission Control
The new Spacedock, located at a lower orbit has been fully assembled, with the Lithium Fuel Depot docked and ready to refuel the Kerbal States fleet of exploration ships!
“We are coasting in reverse until we are lined up with the DSV Terminal… that’s a big station!” -Mirphe
Discovery continues moving, relative to the station, backwards until it is lined up with the docking port. The craft is brought to station-keeping (no movement, relative to the station) before Mirphe pilots the craft into docking!
“I’ll get all the science data loaded up for a return to Kerbin!” -Tamre
“Mirphe, looks like a great alignment with the docking port. We are good to dock!” -Seely
Discovery moves slowly forward until the docking ports engage!
“Discovery shows a good connection!” -Mirphe
“Confirmed Discovery! Welcome to Spacedock!” -Sean
In the VAB, engineers are working on a probe-conversion of several Multi-Payload-Vehicle platforms that are already constructed.
“Do we have any more science things we can slap on the side?!” -Gene,at the VAB
The “MPV Probe” should be capable of roughly 4,000 d/v – easily capable of reaching most inner planets for science and mapping!
The conversion should be quick, done within just a few days – there is a renewed interest in exploring Eve – which will be the target for the new probe!
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!
The Power and Lighting module for Aurora Base is fitted to a Neidon rocket!
“Let’s hope this module does the trick… there are some pretty cold nights on Mun and the power situation up there is getting critical!” -Gene, at Mission Control
The rocket blasts off!
The second stage separates, and moves free from the booster….
… while the rocket turns around to re-enter the atmosphere!
“Telemetry is good… the booster is on course…” -Gillian
The re-entry is easily visible from the ground as the Neidon booster hurtles toward the VAB!
“Wow! It’s coming down almost on top of the Space Center! I hope it doesn’t land on anything too expensive!” -Gillian
Thankfully, the booster lands right next to the flagpole – avoiding any costly explosions!
“This is our best landing yet – well done people!” -Gene, at Mission Control
Meanwhile, in a 200k orbit of Kerbin the Light and Power module begins its short journey to Mun!
Once captured into Mun orbit, the module begins its descent!
The Munar transfer stage separates, and the expansion begins its pre-programmed descent to the Mun’s surface!
“Mission Control! I can see the module from here – looks like a good landing! The descent stage has ejected, and we have remote control of the module!” -Dunwin
Dunwin carefully drives the module remotely from the base, while Bill, Luly, and Orlas watch on!
“Mind the Mun Rocks Dunwin!” -Orlas, at Aurora Base
“I’ve got it, I’ve got it!” -Dunwin
Dunwin carefully drives the module into place, until….
… a series of loud whirs and clunks signal the automatic docking mechanisms have engaged!
“You did it Dunwin!” -Luly
“Confirmed! The RTGs are providing a good flow of energy to the base battery banks, and the lighting system is even working!” -Bill
With that, everyone breathes a big sigh of relief! The power troubles at Aurora Base have been a persistent irritation!
“Nice job people! We saw a problem and we got it fixed! The entire purpose of Aurora Base is to test hardware for future ground bases on other worlds – and now we know a little more!” -Gene, at Mission Control
The Kerbin Space Exploration Administration is excited to announce the next-generation of crew landers: The Variable Inclination New Crew Exploration & Telemetry (VINCENT) Lander!
“Not only does this new lander have more capability than any crew lander we’ve made yet, we designed it to take advantage of the DSV cargo bays! “ -Gene, Speaking at the VAB Lander Research Labs
The Neidon Rocket has entered full production, with 5 total rockets ordered. Two are being refurbished for their next launch, and the other three will be completed within a few months. To help keep track of which rocket is which, they will be labeled X-1 through X-5 !
Neidon is being devolved to be compatible with the existing Sarnus Va expansion options, including upper stage boosts and the THK Solid Fuel Boosters for heavier payloads!
“These rockets are so much easier to recover and refurbish than the Nebula Rockets… we might transition to Neidon Rockets for every Crew Vehicle launch!” -Gene, supervising recovery and refurbishment at the VAB
With the upcoming launch of the new space station Spacedock 2, plans have been made to utilize the existing Lithium Fuel depot that survived the (original) Spacedock disaster! A Multi Payload Vehicle (MPV) has been configured to be a “Depot Mover” to grab the Lithum Tanks and move them to a lower orbit for the station!
“This should be a good test of the Neidon Rocket!” -Gene, at Mission Control
The Neidon Booster lifts off the launchpad!
The aerospike engine easily lifts the 20 ton payload up and out of the astmosphere…
…the fairing detaches, and the orbit is circularized!
With the MPV in a stable orbit, the booster uses its RCS thrusters to get in position, and fires its engine!
With the MPV in a stable orbit, the booster starts its descent!
“Hmm, reentry angle seems off, tracking is showing the booster landing a good deal west of the Space Center!” -Gillian, at Mission Control
“We’ll have to get some movers over there to pick it up… hope it doesn’t land on a tree! -Gene, at Mission Control
The booster’s hydraulic landing system engages, and the rocket sets down in the idyllic green woods outside the Space Center!
Touch down! The engine stops firing and the rocket is safe!
“Not quite where it should be… but it’s in one piece!” -Gillian, at Mission Control
The new Neidon Prototype is transported to the launch site! Everyone is excited to see the new Aerospike engine perform! Smaller aerospikes are already used on the Laythe Spaceplanes, however they have never been a core rocket stage before!
In Mission Control, the project lead Gillian is working with Gene on testing this new hardware!
“Fire the engines! Nice… the toroidal aerospike is working! Fuel flow – nominal… I think we are good to release the clamps and proceed with the landing test!” –Gillian
The Neidon rocket blasts off the launchpad! The prototype is only fueled with what the ‘expected’ fuel amount would be from a return from orbit!
After angling off to the south a bit, the rocket is programmed to begin its descent sequence! Air-brakes at the top of the rocket deploy….
And at the last second, the engine performs a terminal burn maneuver, firing at the last possible moment!
The hydraulic landing gear deploy and lock in place…
…and the rocket touches down safely!
“It worked! It worked!” –Gillian
The Kerbals cheer in Mission Control, and Gene happily exclaims:
“Congratulations team! I think we are OK to go on producing the second Neidon and scheduling an upcoming orbital payload!” -Val
