Mission Control is excited to announce the next Aurora mission – Aurora 29! This will be the first test of multiple new systems:
Neidon 6 Rocket will be equipped with Sarnus-class Solid Rocket boosters.
This will be the first test of the new VINCENT lander.
Summer, Gilian, and Edan are all training for the mission which will launch in about a week. The mission is considered to have moderate risk, however safety systems such as the well-tested Launch Escape system should balance out any risk testing Solid Rockets on a new platform.
Crew Vehicle 5 will take three Kerbals to Mun and back using a newly developed Crew Vehicle Munar Transfer Stage, designed to provide about 1000 d/v once launched to a 100k Kerbin Orbit.
The Power and Lighting module for Aurora Base is fitted to a Neidon rocket!
“Let’s hope this module does the trick… there are some pretty cold nights on Mun and the power situation up there is getting critical!” -Gene, at Mission Control
The rocket blasts off!
The second stage separates, and moves free from the booster….
… while the rocket turns around to re-enter the atmosphere!
“Telemetry is good… the booster is on course…” -Gillian
The re-entry is easily visible from the ground as the Neidon booster hurtles toward the VAB!
“Wow! It’s coming down almost on top of the Space Center! I hope it doesn’t land on anything too expensive!” -Gillian
Thankfully, the booster lands right next to the flagpole – avoiding any costly explosions!
“This is our best landing yet – well done people!” -Gene, at Mission Control
Meanwhile, in a 200k orbit of Kerbin the Light and Power module begins its short journey to Mun!
Once captured into Mun orbit, the module begins its descent!
The Munar transfer stage separates, and the expansion begins its pre-programmed descent to the Mun’s surface!
“Mission Control! I can see the module from here – looks like a good landing! The descent stage has ejected, and we have remote control of the module!” -Dunwin
Dunwin carefully drives the module remotely from the base, while Bill, Luly, and Orlas watch on!
“Mind the Mun Rocks Dunwin!” -Orlas, at Aurora Base
“I’ve got it, I’ve got it!” -Dunwin
Dunwin carefully drives the module into place, until….
… a series of loud whirs and clunks signal the automatic docking mechanisms have engaged!
“You did it Dunwin!” -Luly
“Confirmed! The RTGs are providing a good flow of energy to the base battery banks, and the lighting system is even working!” -Bill
With that, everyone breathes a big sigh of relief! The power troubles at Aurora Base have been a persistent irritation!
“Nice job people! We saw a problem and we got it fixed! The entire purpose of Aurora Base is to test hardware for future ground bases on other worlds – and now we know a little more!” -Gene, at Mission Control
A small payload is being prepared to expand Aurora Base on the Mun! The expansion is simply two RTG reactors to keep the base warm overnight and an exterior lighting system, but the Mun crew is really looking forward to it!
“We’re all hoping the power and lighting expansion makes nights a little brighter and less spooky! Hopefully safer too, we all keep stubbing our toes at night! “ -Dunwin
KSEA releases plan for a new Mun Lander! The heaviest Mun Lander yet, the Heavy Mun Lander can transport three Kerbals to the surface and move various payloads, such as Rovers or base components!
This will be the first Mun Lander that won’t be delivered with Aurora Missions – as it’s simply too big! Instead, mission planners intend to provide additional fuel to re-load the Space Port instead!
“I see the lander! Computers say it’s on track for remote docking. Technology has sure come a long way since the first days of Munar Exploration!” -Summer
The lander docks! Luly and Orlas board, and prepare to head down to the surface!
The lander undocks, and starts it’s descent!
“This is gonna be a lot of fun!!” -Orlas
The lander sets down near Aurora Base!
Luly hops out, and heads to the airlock!
“Wow! These modular bases snap together fast!” -Luly
Orlas hops out, and joins Luly!
“The great thing is that we can keep expanding as time goes on! Since Mun doesn’t have any water though, we’ll always need a lifeline from Kerbin! But we can use this base to test out future colonies – like on Minmus, or Laythe!” -Orlas
“I found the door! Let’s get inside and start up the Base’s science systems!” -Luly
“These pre-planted seedlings are already growing – amazing!” -Orlas
“Mission Control – Aurora Base is fully functional! All systems online!”
A Sarnus Va rocket launches from the space center carrying a modified rover that had been converted to move Base modules!
“Good thing we had a Sarnus V rocket ready! It made this launch fast! That was the next scheduled Aurora Mission though, but it was worth it to get Aurora Base up and running!”
-Gene
Orbit is achieved! The second stage settles into orbit, deploying it’s solar panels!
After a rapid transit, the rover arrives at Mun…
…and heads down for a landing!
The Base Mover sets down amongst the deployed modules for Aurora Base, as Bill and Dunwin watch from the lander!
“There it is! I’ll head out and oversee the deployment of the Base Mover!”
-Dunwin
“That’s one ugly rover! Let’s get it deployed and see if it works!”
-Dunwin
The RCS Lifting crane struggles under the heavy weight – the Base Adapter Modules are pretty heavy!
The RCS lifter ejects, and goes flying away! Seismic instruments around Mun will monitor the impact and transmit the data back to Kerbin!
“Time to get moving!”
-Dunwin
Dunwin drives the Base Mover to the first module – the Green House!
“Got it! Interface looks good… Heading your way Bill!”
-Dunwin
The connection is made and the Greenhouse is connected!
Meanwhile, Bill scouts the are around Aurora Base and determines the base needs to be shifted about 50m north east to have a good flat surface!
Next, Bill and Dunwin both board the Base Mover and pick up the Science Module!
“Great! Another module installed!”
-Bill
With the base coming together so quickly, crew up on Mun Spaceport prepare to head down and start their surface mission!
“The start if this project was a bit bumpy, but this latest phase is going great!”
-Bill
“Yeah! We’ll be done before you know it!”
-Dunwin
The Habitat module is installed! Dunwin and Bill head inside after parking the Base Mover and the Rover near the base!
Mission Control orders the Lander to lift off and set down at the new Base site.
“Now we wait for the rest of the crew!”
-Bill
“I wonder how long until the Greenhouse is able to grow treats?!”
Dunwin and Bill board the new Aurora 28 Lander and head down to Mun’s surface!
The new rover is designed to pick up the debris from the landing!
“The lander is taking us down! It feels weird being in a remotely piloted vehicle without a pilot!” -Bill
The lander sets down at Aurora Base!
“Oh boy! We have our work cut out for us!” -Dunwin
“Our first problem is that the modules don’t have any command or communications equipment installed! We’re not going to be able to pilot them into place!” -Dunwin
Uh oh! KSEA engineers start working on a solution to this latest Munar problem!
“No one ever said setting up a base on The Mun was going to be easy!” -Gene
Big news from the Aurora program – the Aurora Command Module has been upgraded using a modified Nebula Crew Vehicle capsule, and the lander has been modified to allow easier re-use from Mun Spaceport! These changes will allow FOUR crew to journey to Mun from now on!
The crew is announced: Two engineers, Bill and Dunwin, the Mission Commander Malcolm, and Luly will be the mission Scientist!
Aurora 28 blasts off on top of a Sarnus Va rocket!
The rocket carries the spacecraft up to a 600k orbit of Kerbin…
…then departs for Mun!
“Even with 4 crew this new module is so roomy!” -Bill
This will be the first launch for the 4-crew variant of the Aurora Spacecraft… the module is identical to the Nebula Crew Vehicle which has a perfect record!
The Crew Lander is slightly modified with more fuel and life support and an improved refueling system!
Aurora 28 arrives at Mun Spaceport!
“Aurora 28… we have you on tracking… our docking ports are all full though!” -Summer
The old lander ejects, as does the Aurora 27 Command Module, and Aurora 28 docks!
“We need to get some adapters up here to make more room for more spacecraft!” -Malcolm
Plans are begun for some expansions to the Spaceport to allow for more docking ports… while the crew prepares to head down to Aurora Base!
Kerbal States | Kerbin Space Exploration Administration 