Lobert

Year 23, Day 329 (Lobert and Summer Land on Mun!)

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“We are clear of the CRV and running on our own power. Starting descent burn to Mun surface! .. “
-Summer

Aurora 29 Mission Summary

  • Crew: Mission Commander Summer, Mission Scientist Gilian, Mission Engineer, Lobert .
  • Mission: Crewed mission to Mun. Land near Polar Mun Crater on Mun, perform scan with large scanning arm, return data to Kerbin.

Summer fires the Aerospike engine, and the lander begins its descent to the polar region of Mun!

“Systems look good! The surface is getting closer – I think that’s good too!”
-Lobert

The lander continues its descent – heading closer and closer to Mun’s craggy surface!

“Alright… firing last landing burn… Lobert, check the new landing gear – they should be extending! “
-Summer

“Yep! They’re extending! I hope the new auto-level system works on that landing gear… the surface looks… pretty hilly!
-Lobert

The lander is mere meters from the surface!

“Almost there… touchdown! “
-Summer

“We’re here! We set down on the surface of Mun! Oh wow! Let’s get our space suits on!”
-Lobert

“That’s the right attitude!  Let’s take it step by step though!  Space is exciting but it’s also extremely dangerous – that’s what procedures are for!“
-Summer

Summer and Lobert go through the landing checklist – shutting down the engine, locking RCS system, making sure all their space suits are on snug, extend the landing ladder, activate communication systems, open side supply hatches, and finally ejecting the Rover using the RCS Skycrane!

Finally, they are ready to leave the lander! until they are finally ready, and climb down the ladder! Summer goes first, then Lobert!

“I feel so light! Oh my… there’s just … nothing but miles and miles of desolation! It’s incredible!”
-Lobert

Immediately after the landing, the RCS Skycrane used to deploy the Rover fired, taking the vehicle up and away, landing nearby the Lander! Summer and Lobert discuss the plan: go to the lander, make sure it’s safe, then head out to look for the crater they need to study!

Lobert and Summer hike over to the rover!

“Looks in good shape – I read these deployments have a small chance to deploy the rover upside down, thankfully we should be good!”
-Lobert

The two Kerbals climb into the rover, and head off!

“Tight squeeze coming up – arms inside!”
-Summer

After driving (and dodging Mun rocks) Lobert spots a likely candidate, and Summer drives up to inspect it!

“Hmmm – this looks like what we’re searching for. Let’s deploy the arm and do a scan!
-Lobert

The scanner arm deploys and begins an analysis!

“Eh, I’m not a scientist… but it looks like we have a full scan! Let’s get this back to Kerbin!
-Lobert

After stowing the scanner arm, the two Kerbals drive back to the lander!

“Let’s get this science stowed – we need a nap too before we do more science too!”
-Summer

The Kerbals climb inside the lander, and get into their space hammocks for a Mun-Nap!

Year 23, Day 328 (Aurora 29 Arrives at Mun – and Lobert Gets a Surprise!)

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After just a day in space, Aurora 29 enters Mun’s gravitational sphere of influence!

Aurora 29 Mission Summary

  • Crew: Mission Commander Summer, Mission Scientist Gilian, Mission Engineer, Lobert .
  • Mission: Crewed mission to Mun. Land near Polar Mun Crater on Mun, perform scan with large scanning arm, return data to Kerbin.

“Oh wow! Mun looks so big!”
-Lobert

“It’s about to get a whole lot bigger!”
-Summer

This generation of Aurora Spacecraft perform a docking and transposition maneuver to utilize thrust from the Crew Vehicle to enter Mun orbit!

“Disengaging launch clamps with the lander..commencing rotation… “
-Summer

“We are clear! Rotation looks on target!”
-Lobert

The Crew Vehicle docks with the lander!

The Munar Transfer stage, having done its job, detaches, and just the Crew Vehicle and the Lander head toward Mun!

“Orbital insertion complete… we are in a stable orbit!”
-Summer

“Orbital insertion complete… we are in a stable orbit!”
-Summer

Now it’s time to head down to Mun! The mission plan had Gilian and Summer heading down to the surface, but Gilian has a surprise!

“Summer – what would you think about Lobert heading down in my place, really make this a memorable first mission?”
-Gilian

“Great idea! What do you think Lobert? You ready to explore Mun??”
-Summer

“Wow! Yea! Can I try on my space suit and give it a try on a spacewalk first!??!?“
-Lobert

“Go for it! We’ll both have to do one to get over to the lander anyway!”
-Summer

Lobert suits up, and heads outside the ship!

“Guys…. Space is awesome! I can’t wait to get down to Mun!“
-Lobert

After just another day Lobert and Summer will head down to Mun!

Year 23, Day 326 (Aurora 29 Departs for Mun!)

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“Starting burn to Mun… Now!”
-Summer

The Munar Transfer Stage fires, accelerating the crew toward Mun!

“Burn complete – looks like we’re on course. Nice work! !“
-Gilian

Aurora 29 Mission Summary

  • Crew: Mission Commander Summer, Mission Scientist Gilian, Mission Engineer, Lobert .
  • Mission: Crewed mission to Mun. Land near Polar Mun Crater on Mun, perform scan with large scanning arm, return data to Kerbin.

Year 23, Day 325 (Aurora 29 Launches for Mun!)

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It’s going to be a dawn launch for Aurora 29!  Gene is supervising the final launch checks, listening to each department give a “Go!”

Aurora 29 Mission Summary

  • Crew: Mission Commander Summer, Mission Scientist Gilian, Mission Engineer, Lobert .
  • Mission: Crewed mission to Mun. Land near Polar Mun Crater on Mun, perform scan with large scanning arm, return data to Kerbin.

“Alright people that’s a go for launch countdown!“
-Gene, at Mission Control

The Torodial Aerospike engine fires, then the Jool-Rocket derived Solids Rockets fire! Blast Off!

Aurora 29 lifts of the launchpad, lighting up the Space Center!

“We have liftoff!  Hold on everybody! “
-Summer

Rookie engineer Lobert is all smiles, excitedly waving his arms as the rocket blasts off!

“Oh boy! Oh boy!  We’re going to space! I can’t believe it!”
-Lobert

Looking out the window, Lobert takes in the amazing view!

“Wow – incredible!  I can almost see the pyramids from here!”
-Lobert

Aurora 29 rockets into the sky, breaking past the cloud layer and officially entering “Space!”

“Hold on Lobert – the solids are about to eject, might be a little bumpy!”
-Gilian

“Solid eject good, clean sep.  Aerospike status nominal.”
-Summer

Aurora 2 continues its ascent, climbing above the atmosphere!

“We are good to eject the fairing – atmosphere reading  is good!”
-Lobert

The fairing ejects, and Aurora 29 continues climbing to orbital altitude!

After circularizing orbit, the Neidon rocket separates from the Aurora 29 Crew Module, Lander, and Munar Transfer stage!

“N-4 is clear – looks like good communication with the ground as well – confirm Mission Control?“
-Summer

“Roger that – Mission Control has a solid connection .  Once we get this rocket landed we’ll get our crew underway to Mun!”
-Gene

Year 23, Day 316 (Aurora 29 Begins Final System Checks!)

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Ground crews around the Space Center begin final preparations for the launch of Aurora 29!

Among the changes:

  • Simulations showed that the Sarnus solid rocket boosters were insufficient for carrying the Aurora 29 paylod (due to the heavier Munar transfer stage.)  Heavier Jool Rocket boosters will be attached instead, with a few segments removed!
  • Multiple simulations and calculations have been done on the new Vincent Lander.  These have shown that the existing landing gear are insufficient for the craft’s high mass. A new landing gear system has been installed that should allievealleviate this issue for both Mun and Duna.  The margins to fit within a standard DSV bay remain very tight however.

Due to a small clerical error Edan, who was scheduled to be the engineer on the mission, has been replaced with new recruit Lobert, on his very first mission!  (Edan it seems is in cryogenic sleep on board the DSV Explorer, currently en-route to Sarnus!)

“I could have sworn I saw Edan around the water cooler last week… well, Lobert you’re up.  This is one heck of a first mission!
-Gene, at Misson Control

Lobert has been seen jumping and looking very excited for the mission!  Only a few lucky Kerbals get to be selected for the Space Program!

“I can’t wait!  I’m going to practice in the simulator room non-stop until launch!”
-Lobert