As the Aurora Crew Vehicle approaches Kerbin, Malcolm carefully removes the tape over the staging switch marked “DO NOT PRESS!”
“<<audible CLUNK!>> Staging complete! Whew! That switch should have a cover over it or something! ACV on approach for a water landing!”
-Malcolm
The ACV races through the atmosphere!
Until the parachute fires, and the command module splashes down gently in the ocean!
“A rescue mission that turned into a little adventure – nicely done!”
-Gene, Mission Control
Malcolm disconnects the ACV from Unity Station!
“Ok, we’re almost clear – you’re good to go!”
-Mirphe
Malcolm fires the ACV’s engine, and the crew are on a return to Kerbin!
Mirphe and Maclolm finish checking the Aurora Mun Lander at Unity Space Station… it checks out! (The lander was last used by the Aurora 16 mission, on Year 4 Day 360.) Mission Command has cleared them for a landing at the Munar Lowlands, so they’re off!
“Coordinates are mapped – heading down!”
-Maclolm
The lander touches down!
“What an unexpected adventure!”
-Mirphe
“Oh wow… look up Mirphe! Kerbin looks so… small! ”
-Malcolm
After taking some time to appreciate the view, Mirphe and Malcolm climb back into the lander… and take off!
“These old Aurora Landers don’t have much for life support, we better get back to the station!”
-Mirphe
Malcolm pilots the Lander to Unity Space Station…
… and docks! The crew will remain on the station for a few days, then return to Kerbin!
Mirphe arrives at Unity Space Station, in orbit of Mun!
“Anybody home?”
-Mirphe
“Thanks for coming so soon! But before we leave… I was thinking… maybe we could take one of the old Aurora Mun Landers down for a spin?”
-Malcolm
Malcolm and Mirphe head over to the landers and check things out… initial signs are that both of the craft are still quite space-capable, although one has more science equipment on board!
KSEA isn’t so sure about sending down a landing to Mun, but planners are already scouting out a landing site – probably in the Munar lowlands!
Mirphe pilots the next ACV on its rescue mission to save Malcolm!
Once in orbit, Mirphe pilots the spacecraft to rendezvous with Mun!
Malcolm arrives at Mun!
“Ok, rendevous manuevers complete! Looks like I just need to switch on the RCS system to get in nice and close… <<audible “CLICK!”>> … uh oh. KSC… I think we have a problem!”
-Malcolm
Instead of switching on the RCS system, Malcolm accidentally engages the staging switch that disconnects the command pod!
Ok… Don’t panic Malcolm! Just need to get over to Unity Space Station and wait for a rescue! Hopefully they left some snacks on that thing…”
-Malcolm
Malcolm boards Unity Station and starts rummaging for some food. Thankfully there’s enough oxygen on board to last a few weeks! Meanwhile, The ACV drifts away from the station!
KSEA was already building another ACV, and now it looks like the mission is clear: Bring Malcolm home!
Gillian and Shepely stay onboard Kerbin Spaceport, while Malcom takes the ACV and undocks! Malcolm will be testing the ACV’s ability to reach Mun and Minmus on this mission, so to reduce risk he’ll be piloting the craft alone!
Malcolm, Gillian, and Shepely launch in the upgraded Mk7 Aurora Crew Vehicle, heading to the Kerbin Spaceport!
The new crew will be the first to crew the massive new Kerbin Spaceport – itself destined for an expansion in mere weeks!
Alright, climbing to a 178km orbit! That should make a rendezvous a little faster!
-Malcolm
After the service bay doors open, the solar panels safely deploy! 
Launching to a higher orbit, then starting the rendezvous seemed to payoff! In no time at all the ACV has arrived at Kerbin Spaceport!
Malcolm carefully maneuvers the ACV closer and closer to the station…
Success! Crew has arrived for the first time at Kerbin Spaceport!
Explorer 5 is rolled out to launch, an exciting new chapter in Kerbal exploration of space!
Blastoff! The massive Jool IV rocket lifts Explorer 5 to the clouds…
…. and beyond to orbit!
“Mission Control, this is Malcolm on the X-9! Mitster and I are OK for take off!”
-Malcolm
The X-9 will fly the Explorer 5 crew to the spacecraft!
Malcolm flies the spacecraft on launch, with Mitster supervising.
“So far so good!”
-Mitster
Explorer 5 reaches orbit, and Malcolm starts the rendezvous maneuvers to meet up with Explorer 5!
“OK… the X-9 is a bit tricky with its RCS controls… this might take a few tries!”
–Mitster
It does take awhile, but eventually the X-9 docks with Explorer 5! Val, Bill, and Bob all transfer over!
OK guys… I’ll go first! Glykerol levels normal… initiating freeze!
-Val
“It worked! Our turn… see you in a few minutes Bob!”
-Bill
With that Bill throws the “freeze!” lever, and the crew of Explorer 5 is in stasis, ready for the trip to Duna!
Malcolm brings the X-9 in for a landing!
“Mission Control, Malcom here! I’m in the pipe, five by five!”
-Malcolm
It’s a tricky night landing, but Malcolm brings the X-9 home! All of Kerbin now waits for Explorer 5 to depart!
Construction is complete on the X-9, and the new craft is rolled out to the runway! Veteran pilot Mitster and rookie Malcolm will be taking the SSTO up on its first mission.
“OK, engines are GO….. let’s see what the X-9 can do! ”
-Mitster
The X-9 climbs to the limits of the atmosphere, then the R.A.P.I.E.R. engines switch to rocket mode, and take the craft up to orbit!
“Wow! Seemed to work great! Now what? ”
-Malcom
“Now we see if the craft handles on a landing! ”
-Mitster
The X-9 completes an orbit around Kerbin, then Mitster fires the engines to begin the spacecraft’s return to Kerbin!
“OK, reentry put us a bit off angle, not a problem… switching the X-9’s engines back to air-breathing mode!”
-Mitster
Mitster performs a slight adjustment to the X-9’s approach!
“OK – that did it. We’re in the pipe… five by five!”
–Mitster
“What’s that mean anyway? Five by Five?”
–Malcolm
“It’s just something we say when we’re landing that sounds cool!”
–Mitster
“Oh – cool!”
–Malcolm
The X-9 sets down successfully!
Mitster and Malcolm climb out and congratulate eachother on a good flight!
“Thanks Mitster, the simulator didn’t do the excitement of a landing justice! I can’t wait to fly the next one!”
-Malcolm
Kerbal States | Kerbin Space Exploration Administration 