Laythe Spaceport

Year 22, Day 416 (KSEA Mission Update!)

sayburstuff Year 22 , , , , , , , , , ,

As the Kerbal Space Exploration Administration (KSEA) prepares to ramp up operations after a short break, it’s time for a KSEA Mission Update!

Far Horizons – Plock Mission

Leaving in around 100 days, the Far Horizons mission will head to Plock and it’s moon Karen! The mission will require phenomenal acceleration to reach Plock in about 3 years! The probe will leave in just 12 days!

DSV-5 Intrepid – Moho Orbit

Having just arrived at Moho, the crew is preparing a mission to the surface any day now!

Laythe Spaceplene ‘Resolute’ – Heading to Laythe

The second Laythe Spaceplane is a slightly improved design that will provide a second SSTO Crew vehicle for Laythe! It should arrive at Laythe Year 23, Day 195

DSV-2 Discovery – Returning Home from Duna!

The Discovery Crew are on the way home from a successful mission to Duna! They should arrive at Kerbin on Year 23, Day 239!

Laythe Spaceport – Jool/Laythe Orbit

Laythe Spaceport is currently hosting the DSV-4 Endeavor crew! They’ve taken the Laythe Spaceplane, Resolute, to the surface and back for science and are preparing to return home!

DSV-3 Horizon Returning to Kerbin from Sarnus/Eeloo

The DSV-3 Horizon is on it’s way back home after landing a crew on the Sarnusian moon of Eeloo! Kimmy, Mitster and Chrisnic are in cryosleep onboard. They are due back Year 25, Day 387!

Duna Spaceport – Duna Orbit

Currently unoccupied – the Duna Spaceport is awaiting the next crew to arrive and explore the Red Planet! The next DSV mission will likely carry a new lander design as well!

DSV Fuel Depot – Kerbin Orbit

The only surviving component of Old Kerbin Spaceport, this massive Lithium Fuel depot is awaiting a yet-designed addition to provide refueling services!

DSV-1A Explorer – En Route to Sarnus

The newest Deep Space Vehicle Explorer is en-route to Sarnus with an arrival scheduled for Day 20, Year 25!

Sarnus Space Station

Sarnus Station will provide a home base for crews exploring Sarnus and its moons! The station is expected to arrive Year 24, Day 276!

Aurora Base – Mun Surface

Ongoing research mission at the Mun’s surface!
Current crew: Bill, Luly, Dunwin, Orlas

KSEA also has several vehicles on standby, ready to launch within an hour:

Nebula Crew Vehicles (6)

All 6 Nebula Crew Vehicles are on Kerbin, but only 1,4,5 and 6 are on standby to launch. The other crew Vehicles are undergoing repairs!

Crew Shuttle Program (2)

Both Crew Transport shuttles are on standby to launch – CTS-1 Adventure and CTS-2 Pioneer!
Pilots would like a third Shuttle built, however the main hold up is what to name it!

Several vehicles are under development/construction as well:

Experimental Nuclear Waste Barge – designed to service the DSV Fleet. As the fleet ages, the Deep Space Vehicles will slowly build up dangerous amounts of nuclear waste. Collecting this in orbit should be a safe way to dispose of this hazardous material!

Duna Communication Relay Mission – a mission to provide full communications coverage to Duna.

Year 22, Day 387 (KSEA Mission Update!)

sayburstuff Year 22 , , , , , , , , ,

It’s time for the annual KSEA Mission Update!

Far Horizons – Plock Mission

Leaving in around 100 days, the Far Horizons mission will head to Plock and it’s moon Karen! The mission will require phenomenal acceleration to reach Plock in about 3 years!
DSV-5 Intrepid – Moho Orbit

Having just arrived at Moho, the crew is preparing a mission to the surface any day now!
Laythe Spaceplene ‘Resolute’ – Heading to Laythe

The second Laythe Spaceplane is a slightly improved design that will provide a second SSTO Crew vehicle for Laythe! It should arrive at Laythe Year 23, Day 195
DSV-2 Discovery – Returning Home from Duna!

The Discovery Crew are on the way home from a successful mission to Duna! They should arrive at Kerbin on Year 23, Day 239!
Laythe Spaceport – Jool/Laythe Orbit

Laythe Spaceport is currently hosting the DSV-4 Endeavor crew! They’ve taken the Laythe Spaceplane, Resolute, to the surface and back for science and are preparing to return home!
DSV-3 Horizon Returning to Kerbin from Sarnus/Eeloo

The DSV-3 Horizon is on it’s way back home after landing a crew on the Sarnusian moon of Eeloo! They are due back Year 25, Day 387!
Duna Spaceport – Duna Orbit

Currently unoccupied – the Duna Spaceport is awaiting the next crew to arrive and explore the Red Planet! The next DSV mission will likely carry a new lander design as well!
DSV Fuel Depot – Kerbin Orbit

The only surviving component of Kerbin Spaceport, this massive Lithium Fuel depot is awaiting a yet-designed addition to provide docking and a small Crew habitat. The new docking module will ideally be reused as future Lithium fuel components are launched!
DSV-1A Explorer – Kerbin Orbit

The newest DSV is in Kerbin Orbit awaiting a crew and a mission payload for it’s next mission (to be announced!)
Sarnus Space Station

A new station design, Sarnus Station will provide a home base for crews exploring the distant ringed world of Sarnus! It is expected to arrive in Sarnus Orbit Year 24, Day 276!
Aurora Base – Mun Surface

Ongoing research mission at the Mun’s surface!
Current crew: Bill, Luly, Dunwin

KSEA also has several vehicles on standby, ready to launch within an hour:

Nebula Crew Vehicles

All 6 Nebula Crew Vehicles are on Kerbin, but only 1,4,5 and 6 are on standby to launch. The other crew Vehicles are undergoing repairs! The mission to supply Explorer-A will use one of the Crew Vehicles in a Sarnus Rocket stack!
Crew Shuttle Program

Both Crew Transport shuttles are on standby to launch – CTS-1 Adventure and CTS-2 Pioneer!
Pilots would like a third Shuttle built, however the main hold up is what to name it!


Several vehicles are under development/construction as well:

Experimental Nuclear Waste Barge – designed to service the DSV Fleet.

Duna Communication Relay Mission – a mission to provide full communications coverage to Duna.

Year 22, Day 329 (DSV-4 Endeavor Crew Explore Colony Site at Laythe!)

sayburstuff Year 22 , , , , , , , ,

Val and Robart climb into the cockpit of the Endurance, while Kerlorf squeezes into the small crew compartment at the back of the spaceplane!

“Everybody secure? Disconnecting docking clamps!”
-Val

Endurance slowly drifts away from Laythe Spaceport!

“Systems nominal – what a view!”
-Robart

The Spaceport grows smaller and smaller, set against the impressive sight of the giant green planet of Jool!

Endurance is scouting a site for a future colony on Laythe! One promising (and scenic) site is Crater Island!

“Readings show we’re on the right course – cloud cover’s still to thick for visual confirmation!”
-Val

Endurance finally drops below the clouds, and Crater Island becomes visible!

“We’re lined up with a good flat landing spot – deploying chute! Horizontal engines are switched off – activating VTOL pods!”
-Val

The spaceplane’s parachute deploys, it’s air brakes lift, and the VTOL pod doors open – providing the final bit of thrust needed for a safe landing!

Endurance touches down! Robart is the first out!

“Incredible! You’d almost forget this was another world until you look up!”
-Robart

Kerlorf plants the Kerbal States flag, and the crew sets up a camera to take the traditional “landing portrait!” The Endeavor crew will be busy for the next few days, setting up science equipment and experiments on the surface, as well as checking out the landing site!

“Ok – we have about 20 days to investigate this site – let’s get working!”
-Val

“Incredible! You’d almost forget this was another world until you look up!”
-Robart

Year 22, Day 324 (DSV-4 Endeavor Arrives at Laythe Spaceport!)

sayburstuff Year 22 , , , , , , , ,

The Endeavor arrives at Laythe! Onboard systems start activating, and wakes up the crew from Cryo-sleep!

“Wake up everybody! We’re here!”
-Robart

“We’re up! Let’s get to our stations! “
-Val

Val, Robart, and Kerlorf rush to their stations, and check out the incredible views!

“Reactor levels good – all systems look OK… engine powered up! “
-Kerlorf

“OK! Maneuvering Endeavor so we can capture into Laythe orbit! “
-Kerlorf

Endeavor continues it’s approach to Laythe, until…

Val fires the main engine, capturing the spacecraft into Laythe orbit!

“Orbital entry angle is good – nice flying Val!“
-Robart

Val maneuvers Endeavor, completing its rendezvous with Laythe Spaceport!

Endeavor slowly maneuvers closer and closer to the docking port of the spaceport!

“Wow! Crazy to think the station has been waiting here for us since the last crew visited!“
-Kerlorf

“We’re lined up – slowing speed….“
-Val

With a loud mechanical “clunk!” Endeavor docks with Laythe Spaceport!

The Endeavor crew heads over to the Spaceport – getting the Laythe Spaceplane Endurance ready for a flight to the surface!

“The airs a little stale, but readings show it’s still safe!“
-Robart

“Endurance is looking good too! Once we get settled in we should be ready to head down to Laythe!“
-Kerlorf

Year 21, Day 35 (Crew Selected for Endeavor Mission to Laythe!)

sayburstuff Year 21 , , , ,

Val, Robart, and Kerlorf have been selected for DSV-4 Endeavor’s upcoming mission to Laythe Spaceport!

The crew will pilot the Laythe Spaceplane Endurance to the surface and continue scouting the planet for future colonies. KSEA is also hoping to launch an additional Laythe Spaceplane in time for the mission!

“Oh wow! I can’t wait!”
-Kerlorf

Robart, already at White Mesa, starts packing his bags for the trip!

“I can’t wait to blast off! This desert assignment has been pretty dull!”
-Robart

Year 17, Day 357 (DSV-2 Discovery Leaves Laythe!)

sayburstuff Year 17 , , , , , , ,

Jeb and Bill transfer over to Discovery… while Bob makes sure that every bit of science is taken on board!

“That should be the last of it! Let’s head out!”
-Bob

“Moorings are clear… Discovery is clear of the Spaceport!“
-Jeb

Discovery fires it’s three atomic engines, and the massive spacecraft rockets away from Jool!

The journey back to Kerbin will take a little over 2 years – longer than Discovery’s life support reserves will last – so Jeb, Bill, and Bob transfer over to the Cryonic chamber to survive the long trip!

“See you soon Discovery!”
-Gene, at Mission Control

Year 17, Day 350 (Endurance Returns to Laythe Spaceport!)

sayburstuff Year 17 , , , , , , , ,

With the transfer window back to Kerbin rapidly approaching, Jeb decides it’s time to take Endurance back to orbit!

“Pack up all the science and snacks! It’s time to take off!”
-Jeb

Endurance lifts higher and higher…

… eventually reaching orbit!

“That loud pop noise was Endurance running out of primary fuel! Just in time too, we should have enough monopropellant to slow down the final leg of the rendezvous with Laythe Spaceport!”
-Jeb

Thankfully, there’s enough monoprop for both slowing down, and maneuvering!

Jeb docks with Laythe Spaceport!

“You know… these missions have all been really close, let’s call it good and not try a water landing this time?”
-Bill

“I dunno, I’m down for it! What’s the worst that could happen!?”
-Jeb

“Hmmm… maybe Bill’s right – let’s get ready to head back to Kerbin… we can try a water landing next time!”
-Bob

Year 17, Day 331 (Exploring Laythe, Continued!)

sayburstuff Year 17 , , , , , ,

“I’m going to check out that water!”
-Bob

Bob takes off in a run, heading toward Laythe’s Sagen Sea!

“Oh hey! A Laythe Stone! They’re looking for one of these back at the Science Center! I better get a big sample!”
-Bob

Bob keeps running, until he finally gets to the shore…

“I never thought I’d see an ocean on another world! Only one thing to do…”
-Bob

“Go for a swim!!”
-Bob

Bob jumps in the water, and tries to swim out a little bit…

“Oh boy! This is cold water! Salty too! Just like the shore… “
-Bob

“…brrrr! I’m heading back to Endurance to warm up!”
-Bob

Before going inside, a very chilly Bob plants a flag!

“These samples just aren’t enough.. to really get a good sample of the Sagen Sea I’m afraid we’re going to need to land in it!”
-Bob

“LAND in the SEA?”
-Bill

“This isn’t a boat… but it might be possible! Let’s see what KSEA says!”
-Jeb

Year 17, Day 331 (Discovery Crew Boards Laythe Spaceplane ‘Endurance’ – Then Lands on Laythe!

sayburstuff Year 17 , , , , , , ,

Jeb, Bill, and Bob board LCV-1 Endurance and head down for another landing! The discovery that Laythe has a breathable atmosphere has caused a bit of a commotion back on Kerbin – talk of a permanent colony on Laythe has begun!

“Ok – hold on! We’re setting down right by the coast so if we overshoot the landing site, we’ll need to be ready to blast off back into orbit… this plane isn’t rated for a water landing!”
-Jeb

It looks like the approach was spot on! Endurance activates it’s landing parachute, and the VTOL Aerospike bays open!

Endurance slowly sets down, aided by the VTOL system and the parachute!

“Endurance has landed! Let’s get out and see what’s out there!”
-Jeb

Jeb and Bill climb out and take in the sights, with Bob right behind them!

“Hey guys! What’re you standing there looking at!?”
-Bob

“Oh! The Sagen sea is so pretty! You’d almost think it’s Kerbin!”
-Bob

Year 17, Day 228 (Endurance Returns to Laythe Spaceport!)

sayburstuff Year 17 , , , , , ,

Bob plants a flag and places the plaque for the second landing site! Bob insisted that they ‘suit up’ as the temperature was getting cold enough it might be dangerous!

Then, all three Kerbals climb back into Endurance. Bob is so captivated by all the new science data he doesn’t even complain about the tight science bay! Next, Jeb opens the VTOL bays, and fires Endurance’s aerospike VTOLs!

“Fuel flow is steady… we have good lift… brakes off, gear up… here we go!”
-Jeb

Endurance blasts off, it’s air-fueled engines taking it higher and higher!

Once high enough, the RAPIER engines switch over to full rocket mode!

“We’re almost to orbit!”

-Jeb

Endurance reaches the Spaceport and docks!

“We’re getting so much interesting data here! We have to go back down as soon as possible!”
-Bob

“We need to be more careful next time though, these missions keep using up almost all of Endurance’s fuel! We barely had enough to get back!”
-Jeb

KSEA engineers start running simulations to see if there’s an ideal flight profile to take to save fuel! Meanwhile, Bill oversees the refueling of Endurance!