Kerbol 1

Year 8, Day 40 (Kerbol Two Update)

sayburstuff Year 8 , ,

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Kerbol 2 is just 4 days from its closest point with the sun, so the massive heat shield deploys!

The crafts radiators also fully deploy, and Mission Control waits as the probe speeds closer and closer to the sun!

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Even with the massive heat shield and the radiators onboard the probe, things get very, very hot.  KSEA isn’t sure if the craft will survive its first pass – perhaps the initial flyby was too close?

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At 207k above the sun’s surface the first heat alarm goes off – nothing critical, but Kerbol Two is rapidly approaching its redline! screenshot276.png

Kerbol 2 finally dips below 200k, and so far heat readings are within tolerances… barely! screenshot278.png

Kerbol 2 makes it below 140k!  The heat shield begins glowling an unsettling shade of red!screenshot280.png

Kerbol 2 drops below 130km… The onboard thermostat reads at 440.71k – very hot!

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Kerbol 2 drops below 120k!  Temperature reads… 445.3k!

screenshot282.pngThat’s it… it just dropped below 100k….

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At 95km new heat alarms go off – the craft might be approaching its limits!  Even dipping below 90km, the craft seems to be holding together!

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At 80.4km communications are suddenly lost, and the craft shrieks out its last scientific data…. Kerbol 2 is gone!

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While it was highly expected that Kerbol 2 would not survive it was nonetheless disappointing that the mission ended in a giant explosion.  Already though plans are being drawn up for Kerbol 3, which will have even more heat shielding!

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Year 7, Day 345 (Kerbol Two Solar Probe Designed)

sayburstuff Year 7 , , , ,

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A joint effort between KSEA (the Kerbin Space Exploration Administration) and KOAA (the Kerbin Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration) has led to the development of the next solar probe, Kerbol Two!

With greater heat shielding and with the increased range of the massive Jool II rocket combined with the very efficient Atomic Rocket Motor this new solar probe has nearly twice the range of the previous Kerbol One probe!

 

Year 6, Day 328 (Kerbol 1 Manuever)

sayburstuff Year 6 ,

kerbol 1

Kerbol One fires its engines to maneuver for its approach to the sun!

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While the fate of the Kerbol 1 probe is almost certain, the exact time communications will be lost, and at what proximity to the star is unknown. KSEA hopes that a lot of interesting science can be transmitted before the probe is lost!

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The final boost stage is ejected, and the probe hurdles toward the sun! In roughly 90 days we should know if the probe is successful!