With the (hopefully temporary!) loss of the three Crew Shuttles, KSEA steps up production on multiple Aurora Crew Vehicles. 2 will be kept docked at Kerbin Spaceport in orbit, and another 2 will be on standby on the ground. Mirphe and Kimmy blast off!
“These ACV’s aren’t as fun to fly as the Crew Shuttles, but they sure are dependable! I just wish we could land them more accurately!”
-Mirphe
The ACV docks with Kerbin Spaceport!
“Easy as 1,2,3!”
-Mirphe
The Endavor launches, piloted by Mirphe!
It’s time to (finally) rescue Jeb from the KSS, and bring an end to that station’s remarkable run!
“Orbit achieved! Setting course for the KSS! ”
-Mirphe
“Endeavor is at the KSS! Moving in to dock… ”
-Mirphe
“Is that you Mirphe? Come on in the atmosphere is fine!!”
-Jeb
High above Kerbin’s deserts, Endeavor spins around (always a good trick!) and docks with the station! Jeb helps Mirphe gather all the important Science that needs to return to Kerbin, and the two return to the Crew Shuttle and undock!
Endeavor is clear of the station – preparing to return to KSC!
-Mirphe
The two watch out the cabin windows as the KSS gets further and further away…
“I’m going to miss that place – it was our home away from home. Now it looks so … small. ”
-Jeb
Endeavor performs its de-orbit burn, and starts to descend!
“Here we goooooooo!”
-Jeb
Endeavor falls from the sky like a comet, glowing red and moving fast!
“I see the Space Center – I’m in the pipe, five by five!”
-Mirphe
A successful landing! The Crew Shuttle didn’t even lose any of the aero-brakes!
“Good landing Mirphe, couldn’t have done better myself!”
-Jeb
“Is it good to be home Jeb?”
-Mirphe
“It’s good to get off that station.. I think I was getting a little stir crazy in there! But I can’t wait for the next mission!”
-Jeb
Jeb and Mirpe return to the Astronaut Center, and recovery crews begin work to ready Endeavor for its next launch!
While trying to find a good spot to land the Harmony Station Lander, Tamre makes an interesting discovery… there is not only a Great Flats on Minmus, but there is also an unexplored region known as the Greater Flats – unexplored mostly due to Mission Control not noticing the extra two letters in the name!
“Huh. Guess that’s our spot then!”
-Mirphe
Indeed! Mission Control gives the go-ahead, and the crew heads down!
The Harmony Station lander heads toward its landing site – HSSL05, the Greater Flats!
“That looks like the landing site! Lives up to its name too!”
-Tamre
Mirphe sets the lander down on the surface!
Tamre jumps out first and has a few hops around the surface!
Mirphe hops out next, and the crew poses for their landing portrait!
We need to do a few quick hops around Minmus before heading back! I’ve been reviewing the science reports from the previous missions and a few things were missed!
-Tamre
The Minmus lander jumps to the highlands, then the Great Flats, as Tamre and Mirphe carefully gather science data that was missed in previous missions (and occasionally stopping for moments of poignant self reflection).
Until it’s time to return to Harmony Space Station!
We spent so much time hopping around Minmus I’m afraid we ate up most of the snacks… and the water… and the oxygen!
-Tamre
Uh oh. We’re going to try a very, very fast return to Kerbin. It’s our only chance!
-Mirphe
The ACV expends all of its fuel, and the return to Minmus takes only 2 days!
Re-entry heat on the ACV is intense… thankfully these are the same vehicles that are made to survive interplanetary journeys, which approach even faster!
The Aurora Command Module gently glides down…
… and sets down in the Highlands of Kerbin!
“We made it!”
-Mirphe
“So this is what gravity feels like…. exhausting!”
-Tamre
I’ve arrived at Minmus! You can almost smell the mint!
-Mirphe
Mirphe pilots the ACV to Harmony Space Station!
“Docking complete!”
-Mirphe
“Does this mean we’re going back to Kerbin? I’ll miss the view!”
-Tamre
Piloted by Mirphe, an ACV launches from KSC carrying Orlas and Kimmy to Kerbin Spaceport to lead the team working on the Cyclotron!
The Mk7 ACV is proving to be a very reliable and capable space vehicle!
Mirphe rendevouses the ACV with Kerbin Spaceport…
…and docks! Orlas and Kimmy transfer over, and then Kimmy undocks the ACV!
Time for the second part of the ACV mission… a quick trip to Minmus!
-Mirphe
KSEA is sending Mirphe to Harmony Space Station at Minmus to recover Tamre, who has been taking part in one of KSEA’s long term space habitation studies. (KSEA again stressed that this did not mean anyone forgot about Harmony Space Station or Tamre onboard!)
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!
Kerbal States | Kerbin Space Exploration Administration 