Kerbol 2

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 (Kerbol Two Solar Research Probe Launches!)

sayburstuff Year 7 , ,

screenshot133.pngThe mighty Jool II Rocket blasts off, carrying the Kerbol 2 Two Solar Probe into orbit!

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KSEA and KOAA both worked on the Solar Research Probe, which should allow unparalleled looks at Kerbin’s sun, Kerbol!

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KSEA also hopes that the Atomic Rocket Motor-based design and an all new Probe layout will provide the blueprint for future missions! screenshot143.png

Kerbol 2’s second stage fires, which will take the craft out of Kerbin’s sphere of gravity into Solar orbit!  screenshot144.png

The protective fairings eject!

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In 15 days the craft will maneuver for Kerbol itself! The solar arrays and communications dish fully deploy.

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!