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
A new re-usable rocket prototype that will replace the current Sarnus V is under development in the VAB! The new rocket is designed to replace the Sarnus Rocket core that is used heavily in the space program!
Initially called the Sarnus VI, the project has now been determined to be such a radical shift from the Sarnus program that it deserves a new name, so the Neidon Rocket Project has several goals:
Meet or exceed current Sarnus Vb launch system (50t to 200k orbit)
Fully re-usable core rocket
Core rocket capable of single-stage to orbit of payload
Maintain compatibility with Sarnus Launch system upper stage payloads
Maintain compatibility with side stages and launch assists (solid rockets) for Sarnus Launch System.
Assess program for complete replacement of Nebula rocket system.
While the Nebula Heavy has taken some of those missions, operational complexity has made utilization a chore for Mission Control!
“That’s right – it’s finally time to retire the reliable Sarnus V! But don’t worry – you’re all going to really like the replacement. Trust me!” –Gene, answering questions at Mission Control
While the solid rocket boosters on the side of the Sarnus V (which is what makes it a Sarnus Va) are partially reusable, the center core (and most expensive component) of the Sarnus launch system is entirely lost.
A “would be nice” goal is to allow payload returns from orbit, something KSEA hasn’t been able to achieve since the Heavy Shuttles were retired.
“Maybe it’s satellite we need to bring back for repairs, or an interesting rock that won’t fit in any of our standard “rock collection” bags! Either way we’re gonna need some kind of cargo bay to protect whatever during reentry!” -Gillian
Construction on the prototype should be complete in 30 days!
After the disaster at Kerbin Spacedock in Year 22, KSEA has been hard at work planning a replacement for the facility.
The mission of this new Spacedock is the same as its predecessor:
Provide a central location for Crews to arrive from the surface
Refuel and Resupply of Deep Space Vehicle Fleet
Provide long-term habitat for Kerbals in orbit
In addition to providing a new docking are for MPV (Multi-Payload-Vehicles) to dock and resupply the station, the new facility provides a dedicated DSV dock, a dedicated Crew arrival area and an centrifugal ring for artificial gravity!
The facility borrows several design elements from Sarnus Station, launched in Year 22.
“We think this new design corrects the structural defects of the previous Spacedock… the inline Fuel storage should prevent accidents like the old Spacedock! “ -Gene, at Mission Control
Mission Control decides to test Pioneer by having it dock and inspect the recently launched DSV-1A Explorer! This is also a training run for KSEA’s newest pilot, Edbert!
“I can’t wait to see the new Explorer! “
-Edbert
Pioneermaneuvers into a close rendevous with Explorer ….
“Lining up to the docking bay… alignment looks good…”
-Jeb
As soon as the connection is confirmed, Edbert volunteers for his first EVA – to investigate the new DSV and confirm safe detachment of the boost stage!
“Wow – this ship is big!
-Edbert
“The reactor looks good… sensors indicate no dangerous radiation levels.. I think we’re good to eject the boost stage Jeb!”
-Edbert
“OK – boost stage is ejected!”
-Jeb
The boost stage drifts away – and Edbert gets back into Pioneer!
“OK Edbert – this is your landing… take us home!”
-Jeb
Edbert fires the engines and Pioneer starts a rapid descent!
“Oh wow – that was a steep descent angle – this is gonna be a close one!!”
-Jeb
Pioneer survives the reentry – and Edbert angles the craft right at the base of the landing strip!
“Approach needs to be pretty steep or we’ll overshoot… if we don’t pull up at the last second…”
-Edbert
“If we don’t pull up at the last second it’ll be someone else’s problem – just focus on the landing!”
-Jeb
“Woooooohoooo!”
-Jeb
Edbert pilots right at the strip.. then pulls up at the last second…
…skittering off the runway, but landing Pioneer in one piece!
“Oh wow – what a landing!”
-Edbert
Teams head out to recover the shuttle and crew!
“That landing had a lotta moxie in it – nice work Edbert!”
Kerbal States | Kerbin Space Exploration Administration 