Mission: Prototype off-world research habitat. Designed to train KSEA crews, test KSEA equipment and procedures for future bases and some day colonies.
The MRV detaches from the transfer stage, and drifts until…
… the engines fire, starting a decent to Aurora crater!
“I think I see the MRV! Its firing its final burn to decent!” -Dunwin, watching from Aurora Base
The MRV sets down safely, landing on its wheels!
The sun rises over the horizon, illuminating Aurora Crater! After confirming good communications, the MRV maneuvers toward the base!
Getting closer and closer, the supply vehicle lines up for its final docking position…
… and connects to the base!
“Finally – fresh snacks! Let’s get into that supply vehicle!” -Orlas, at Aurora Base
Mission: Prototype off-world research habitat. Designed to train KSEA crews, test KSEA equipment and procedures for future bases and some day colonies.
Thankfully – there is! With the construction of the Neidon III rockets and their very fast turnaround, multiple Sarnus-class payload capable rockets are ready. The Mobile Resupply Vehicle that was developed (and sat in storage) until now is loaded onto N-4!
“Don’t worry everyone – we’ve been preparing for this and have a rocket on standby!” -Gene, enjoying a refreshing beverage at Mission Control!
Later in the day, N-4 blasts off from the launch pad!
The re-usable Neidon rockets with their upgraded landing systems are anticipated to overtake the Sarnus-V rocket as record holder for “most launched!” They regularly break records for re-usability!
N-4 continues to rise, reaching an apoapsis of 100k – then continuing on to a near circular orbit!
The protective fairing detaches…
… and the Mobile Resupply Vehicle detaches!
“OK – let’s land that rocket!” -Gene
N-4 streaks through the atmosphere!
Ground telescopes capture the re-entry heading toward the space center!
Finally the rocket slows down just above the landing site, and slowly descends!
“A little too close to the space center! Landed in one peice though – that’s good!” -Lobert, watching the landing from the VAB roof!
In orbit, the Munar transfer stage shows full power and communications…
… the engines fire!
“Hold on Aurora Base – your resupply is on the way!” -Gene
Mission: Crewed mission to Mun. Land near Polar Mun Crater on Mun, perform scan with large scanning arm, return data to Kerbin.
“We are clear of the lander! Course input to the computer – Gilian can you verify that? Should be a 100km approach before circ…” -Summer
Gilian, the mission Science Specialist, double checks Summer’s planned maneuver!
“Calculations look good! Looks like a close approach at 100km – fuel levels are good to circularize the orbit!” -Gillian
Lobert thinks about the conversation he just heard, and asks a question!
“Wouldn’t it save fuel and time to just calculate the re-entry so we approach directly into the atmosphere, and skip the circularization burn?” -Lobert
Summer nods and shows Lobert how the math works for that! After a few minutes…
“See? It takes a long time, and it’s really complicated! Fuel is cheap so we usually don’t bother with it!” -Summer
“That makes sense! I suppose that it’s a little safer too since we can can maneuver to Spacedock if needed too!” -Lobert
As the spacecraft approaches Kerbin the crew prepares for the circularization burn!
At an altitude of 100km Aurora 29’s engine fires!
“Engine burn is good. Temperatures nominal!” -Lobert
“Burn complete! Orbit looks good – Mission Control we have arrived in Kerbin Orbit – verify you are good for craft re-entry?” -Summer
“We have you on radar! Ground crews are standing by for recovery – you are good for landing!” -Gene at Mission Control
Summer fires the engines again, and then detaches the CRV’s command module!
“Hold on! It gets a little bumpy from here!” -Gillian
Ground telescopes track Aurora 29’s re-entry – it looks like a big ball of fire and plasma! The engine and fuel module of the CRV can be seen burning up in the atmosphere as well!
After the firey re-entry, the parachutes deploy from the CRV!
“Almost home! All we have to do now is wait until we touch down!” -Summer
After the firey re-entry, the parachutes deploy from the CRV!
“Hey I can see the VAB out the window! What a great ride!” -Lobert
The CRV sets down just west of the Space Center!
“Welcome home Aurora 29! Recovery crews are the way!” –Gene at Mission Control
On the surface of Mun, Summer and Lobert are nearly done with their scientific research! Their mission has lasted almost 10 days – nowhere near any records but for Lobert’s first mission – a pretty long time!
“I still can’t believe I got to go to Mun! It’s a shame we have to go back to Kerbin so soon!” -Lobert
“Don’t worry – there is always another mission! Maybe you’ll be selected for one of the Deep Space missions to Jool or Sarnus! “ -Summer
Mission: Crewed mission to Mun. Land near Polar Mun Crater on Mun, perform scan with large scanning arm, return data to Kerbin.
After everything is prepared, the new VINCENT lander blasts off!
“Rocket firing – we have good readings on sensors… telemetry is nominal… “ -Summer
Lobert notices something amazing as the lander blasts off – the view out his window!
“Ooo! Look look!” -Lobert
As the VINCENT lander rises from the surface, Kerbin starts rising above the Munar horizon! Lobert quickly snaps a photo!
Both Kerbals are quiet as they take in the impressive sight – their home, Kerbin, rising in the sky above the magnificent desolation of Mun’s surface…
“Oh! That is beautiful! Sometimes my eyes are so fixed on the instruments I forget to look out the window! ” -Summer
“Space is awesome!“ -Lobert
“Yea… it sure is!” -Summer
After capturing some breathtaking shots of Kerbin rising over the horizon, Summer circularizes lander’s orbit, matches planes with the Aurora 29 Crew Vehicle, and plots an intercept course to rendezvouses!
Gilian has been keeping busy taking scientific readings and also eating snacks and playing solitare!
“Aurora Lander this is Gillian – read you loud and clear – instruments look like you are on a good approach! It’ll be nice to have some company over here too!” -Gillian
The two spacecraft move closer and closer, until…
“OK – starting final docking maneuver. Approach nominal. Angle nominal. We are in the pipe, five by five… ” -Summer
Connection! Everyone moves over to the Crew Vehicle, and prepares for the return trip to Kerbin!
“I show a good connection – we should be good to start moving over all the boxes of science!“ -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!
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
A nearby target is chosen for the new MPV Probe – Minmus! In addition to a full testing of the probe’s capabilities the mission will also hopefully serve as a full survey of Minmus for future colony sites.
Despite being one of the earliest bodies in the Kerbol system to be explored the site has not had a full survey done looking for water, or to find a proper site for a colony!
“First Mun and Minmus, next Duna! But the real first step is matching the inclination with Minmus!” -Gene
After the inclination with Minmus is set, the probe fires its engine to intercept Minmus!
“Just six days and we can start testing this probe in Minmus orbit!” -Gene
History: The First Kerbal Landing on Minmus! Year 2 Day 370
Kerbal States | Kerbin Space Exploration Administration 