Mitster

Year 16, Day 164 (Explorer 6 Returns to Kerbin from Jool!)

sayburstuff Year 16 , , , , , , ,

Explorer 6 enters Kerbin’s gravitational sphere of influence, and fires it’s engines to circularize its orbit!

“This is the first time a crewed vessel.. or really any vessel, has returned ot Kerbin orbit from Jool! Fuel will be a little tight, but I’m sure we’ll make it to orbit!”
-Mitster

“Hmmm. that fuel guage is getting pretty low Mitster!”
-Glenica

“E stands for ’emergency supply’… right?”
-Sean

Suddenly, Explorer 6’s fuel shuts off!

“Well… good news and bad news! We made orbit! The bad news is we don’t have enough fuel to dock with the Spaceport, and the orbit is fairly eccentric!”
-Mitster

My calculations show we’re still in range of a rescue from one of the Aurora Crew Vehicles! What do you think Mission Control?”
-Glenica

We need to do a little mission planning, but we agree that’s the best rescue plan we have! We’ll be in touch!
–Gene, at Mission Control

Year 14, Day 1 (Explorer 6 Leaves Laythe)

sayburstuff Year 6 , , , , , , ,

Explorer 6’s mission at Jool’s tempting moon Laythe is complete – and it’s time to come home!

“It’s a shame we have to leave.. but don’t worry. We’ll be back! “

-Sean

As Explorer 6 drifts past Laythe for the last time, the crew prepares to return to cryogenic sleep for the long trip back to Kerbin!

“It’s a good thing we’re heading back to cryo-sleep… we just finished the last snack!”

–Mitster

“The sooner we go back into cryo-stasis the sooner we can get on the next Deep Space craft headed back… this time with a lander! By the time we’re back at Kerbin I bet Laythe Spaceport will be ready!“

-Glenica

Year 13, Day 130 (Explorer 6 Update!)

sayburstuff Year 13 , , , , ,

Sean performs an EVA to verify the state of Explorer 6!

Everything looks fine out here! Explorer 6 seems to have held up just fine! The only major system we still need to worry about is the last stage, when we expose the LV-N Nerv engine!
-Sean

The mission specialist and chief scientist Glenica is next to head out!

What a view! It’s a shame we can’t stay longer!
-Glenica

Glenica’s continues her EVA, collecting various scientific data from Explorer 6’s extensive sensors.

That’s all of it! We should see if we have enough fuel to try transfering to the orbit of some of Jool’s other moons before we leave!
-Glenica

Year 13, Day 127 (Explorer 6 Enters Laythe Orbit!)

sayburstuff Year 6 , , , , , ,

After a journey lasting longer than 2 years, Explorer 6 finally arrives at Laythe! Automated systems thaw the crew – who slowly wake up!

“Wow, it’s been years? It barely felt like much of a nap!”
-Glenica

Explorer 6’s engines fire, and eventually circularize the orbit around Laythe!

“Mitster to Ground Control – I’m stepping through the hatch… “
-Mitster

“Oh wow! It’s beautiful!”
-Mitster

“Ground Control to Mitster – you’ve really made the grade!”
-Gene, Mission Control

Year 13, Day 10 (Explorer 6 Update!)

sayburstuff Uncategorized , , , , , , , ,

In just 60 days, Explorer 6 will enter the Joolian system! Computers on the spacecraft start waking up – transmitting data on the crew: healthy, lifesigns extremely faint from cryostasis but at expected levels. Radiation levels from Jool are high, as expected. Communication systems appear sufficient, barely, for communicating with Kerbin.

Explorer 6 was launched before Discovery had even been built, to test KSEA’s deep space capabilities. Ultimately, Explorer 6 will orbit Laythe, a world that on the surface looks very much like Kerbin! Eventually KSEA wants to land Kerbals on the planet – and to do that a permanent deep space station, like Duna Spaceport, will be required! Laythe Spaceport will hopefully be a destination for Discovery, and other Deep Space Vessels!

When the mission is complete KSEA will have learned a lot about deep space exploration – vital information for the space program to continue going further and further!

Year 11, Day 129 (Explorer 6 Launch, Adventure Delivers Crew!)

sayburstuff Year 11 , , , , , , , , ,

screenshot487.png

Explorer 6 blasts off from the space center!

screenshot490.png

In orbit, the fairing deploys. Looks like a good launch!  That means the the crew can head up! screenshot493.png

During the orbit the launch pad was cleared, and CTS-1 Adventure was readied for launch, piloted by Edan!

“We’re all a little jealous you three get to be the first crew to Jool – but we know you’ll do great!”

-Edan

screenshot498.png

The Crew Shuttle Launch Vehicle seperates and heads back to Kerbin, while Adventure finishes it’s climb to orbit!

screenshot502.png

Orbit achieved – shouldn’t be too long before we rendevous!

-Edan

screenshot504.png

Adventure moves in for the rendevous…

screenshot505.png

Almost there!

screenshot506.png

Connection!  Mitster, Glenica, and Sean transfer over and begin pre-flight inspections of Explorer 6!

“Everything checks out!  Let’s light this candle!”

-Mitster

screenshot507.png

“Adventure is undocking – good luck Explorer 6!”

-Edan

screenshot508.png

Explorer 6 fires its engines and heads away from Kerbin!

screenshot517.png

Before long Explorer 6 is past Kerbin’s sphere of gravitational influence.

screenshot518.png

Alright everybody, time for CryoStasis!  See you guys in a few minutes!

-Glenica

screenshot519.png

“Ok – my turn! ”

-Sean

screenshot520.png

“Ok Mission Control- Sean and Glenica are in good shape, setting timer and activating my Cryo-Pod.  Explorer 6 OUT!”

-Mitster

Explorer 6 will now run on automated pilot, reaching Jool in 1 year, 362 days!

screenshot521.png

Meanwhile, Adventure is heading to Kerbin Spaceport for the second leg of it’s mission, to return crew from the Spaceport back to Kerbin!

screenshot523.png

After rendevous with the station, Mirphe moves Adventure in to dock!

“Alright, lining up for docking!”

-Edan

screenshot525.png

Connection looks good Edan!  Welcome to Kerbin Spaceport!

-Orlas

 

Explorer6Patch

 

 

Year 11, Day 112 (Explorer 6 Crew Announced!)

sayburstuff Year 11 , , , , , ,

Explorer6Patch.png

With construction already underway on Explorer 6, KSEA announces the crew roster for what will be the most distant and ambitious crew mission yet – the first trip to Jool!

Mitster was the commander of the Explorer 2 mission to Duna and has a reputation as an acomplished pilot and mission commander. Glenica was the lead scientist on the Explorer 3 mission to Duna as well as several Aurora missions to Mun and Minmus.  Sean was also on Explorer 3, as the chief engineer. He was also the mission lead on MunBase One!

Many robotic probes have made the journey to Jool, laying the groundwork for the communication systems there – the mission itself is straight forward, reach Jool and return to Kerbin using the DSCCV (Deep Space Cryo-Stasis Crew Vehicle), almost identical in design to Explorer 5!

Year 9. Day 135 (Explorer 5 Launches!)

sayburstuff Year 9 , , , , , , ,

screenshot112.png

Explorer 5 is rolled out to launch, an exciting new chapter in Kerbal exploration of space!

screenshot116.png

Blastoff!   The massive Jool IV rocket lifts Explorer 5 to the clouds…

screenshot117.png

…. and beyond to orbit!

screenshot118.png

“Mission Control, this is Malcolm on the X-9!  Mitster and I are OK for take off!”

-Malcolm

 

screenshot119.png

The X-9 will fly the Explorer 5 crew to the spacecraft!

screenshot122.png

Malcolm flies the spacecraft on launch, with Mitster supervising.

“So far so good!”

-Mitster

screenshot123.png

Explorer 5 reaches orbit, and Malcolm starts the rendezvous maneuvers to meet up with Explorer 5!

screenshot124.png

“OK… the X-9 is a bit tricky with its RCS controls… this might take a few tries!”

–Mitster

screenshot127

It does take awhile, but eventually the X-9 docks with Explorer 5!  Val, Bill, and Bob all transfer over!

screenshot128.png

OK guys… I’ll go first!  Glykerol levels normal… initiating freeze!

-Val

screenshot129.png

“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!

screenshot133

Malcolm brings the X-9 in for a landing!

screenshot137.png

“Mission Control, Malcom here!  I’m in the pipe, five by five!”

-Malcolm

screenshot138.png

It’s a tricky night landing, but Malcolm brings the X-9 home!  All of Kerbin now waits for Explorer 5 to depart!

 

 

 

Year 9, Day 40 (X-9 First Flight!)

sayburstuff Year 9 , ,

screenshot92.pngConstruction 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.

screenshot93.png

“OK, engines are GO….. let’s see what the X-9 can do! ”

-Mitster

screenshot96.pngThe 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!

screenshot97.png

“Wow!  Seemed to work great!  Now what? ”

-Malcom

screenshot98.png

“Now we see if the craft handles on a landing! ”

-Mitster

screenshot102.pngThe X-9 completes an orbit around Kerbin, then Mitster fires the engines to begin the spacecraft’s return to Kerbin!

screenshot104.png

“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!

screenshot106.png

“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

screenshot107.png

The X-9 sets down successfully!

screenshot109.png

Mitster and Malcolm climb  out and congratulate eachother on a good flight!

screenshot110.png

“Thanks Mitster, the simulator didn’t do the excitement of a landing justice!  I can’t wait to fly the next one!”

-Malcolm