Year 5, Day 59 (MunBaseOne Life Support Mission!)

screenshot1521.pngA resupply mission to MunBaseOne is launched on a Sarnus V rocket!  This is the first time a resupply mission has been attempted to the base.  With supplies running short on the first Mun settlement, if this mission isn’t a success the crew will have to evacuate to Unity Space Station in orbit!

screenshot1522.pngThe mission will do much more than just resupply the station. With any luck the installation of oxygen and water scrubbers and purifiers will let supplies on the station last much, much longer.  Another item on the wish-list for KSEA planners is a better vehicle for delivering colonies to the surface of Mun.  The present design works, but is wasteful and tends to create a lot of debris!

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The new module rockets down to the surface, then starts rolling along toward MunBaseOne!

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“I see it out the window! It’s almost here!”

-Sean

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It takes some maneuvering, but the module gets into position…

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Then docks with the base!  The new systems should keep the base running for some time.  Glenica, Sean, and Bill all report the air is much easier to breathe!

 

 

Year 3, Day 425 (Aurora 16 Launches for MunBase One!)

screenshot459.pngAurora 16 is rolled out to the launch pad, carrying Edan, Sean and Glenica… and blasts off!screenshot467.png

After orbit is achieved, the docking and transposition maneuver completed, course is set for Mun where orbit is easily achieved!

“We’re all getting pretty good at this!”
-Edan

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The lander goes down… this is the first test of the automated landing systems!

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Success!  Sean and Glenica hop out and say hi to Bill on MunBase One!  Meanwhile in orbit, Edan prepares to head back to Kerbin!

“It really is weird heading back to Kerbin by myself!  ”
-Edan

Year 3, Day 419 (First MunBase Expansion)

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MunBase One’s first Expansion, Module A, is launched!  The automated Sarnus V launch takes the expansion into Kerbin orbit, then transfers to Mun!

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Mission Control remotely pilots the craft down …

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The transfer stage ejects, and the module’s onboard rockets glide down to the surface.

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Small wheels on the outside of the module steer closer and closer to MunBase One!

LOOK OUT FOR THE FLAG!”
-Bill Kerman

Thankfully even with the time delay from Mun to Kerbin, Mission Control avoids smashing the module into the flag pole outside the Base!

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Success!  The module connects… after quite a bit of tricky steering.

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Looking good!  It’ll be nice to have some proper rooms!  And check out this great surface cupola! What a neat view!

-Bill

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Indeed – what a view!  Back on Kerbin, Aurora 16 gets ready to launch, for delivering the next crew to MunBase One!

Year 3, Day 380 (Aurora 15 Returns From Mun)

screenshot420.pngEdan takes off from Mun in the Aurora 15 lander – leaving Bill on the surface to tend for MunBase One! screenshot422.png

Almost docked… Success!

screenshot423.pngAfter moving back over to the Spacecraft, Edan detaches the lander, and plots a course back to Kerbin!

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“This is the first time I haven’t brought a whole crew back… feels strange!  I hope Bill is OK back there on Mun!”
-Jeb

 

“The radio’s still on Jeb!  I’m fine!  Get home safe!”
-Bill

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The CRV detaches from the Aurora Spacecraft… and begins to heat upscreenshot432.png

Finally, the crew returns home!

 

Year 3, Day 373 (MunBase One Expansion Announced!)

MunBaseOneModuleA.pngWhile Bill gets comfy on Mun, and Aurora 15 gets ready to return to Kerbin, the first expansion to MunBase One is announced: Module A!  This module will add a surface Cupola, as well as the new Mk1 Crew Habitat, providing much needed beds and personal space for the MunBase!  

Construction will begin soon on the first of several such modules.  Initial plans for additional mofules include a science  a lab, and some kind  a of vehicle for exploring the surface!!  Several astronauts have suggested development of an improved EVA jetpack to let explorers have more fuel during EVAs!

A Sarnus V rocket will take this module to Mun!

Year 3, Day 372 (MunBase One Launches! )

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Shortly before launch, the final plans for the next MunBase are released: MunBase One!

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With funds running low, another MunBase launch is attempted. The new base is designated as “MunBase One.”

Because of the negative associations with “Alpha” from the MunBase Alpha disaster, KSEA felt a new name might be best. Also, it uses less room on those patches.

screenshot378.pngThe launch is successful… and MunBase One’s fairings eject.  This time, large solar arrays like those on Explorer and the KSS deploy to help keep the base powered on its journey to Mun!  Additionally, the capacitors have been removed, and a new battery, combined with a longer range relay antenna, are located at the center of the base!

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Finally, MunBase One arrives at Mun!  Mission Control orders the flight computer to begin its decent.. .screenshot386.png

Success!  MunBase One sets down!  Just under 100 meters from the initial planned site… close enough!  screenshot389.png

Up in orbit, the crew gets ready to head down and check things out!  Edan and Bill climb into the lander, and head down!  (Historians note this is the first time that a Mun Lander has been used more than once!)screenshot392.png

The lander sets down at MunBase One!  screenshot393.png

“Everything looks like it set down OK!  I’m going to head inside and see if everything’s OK!
-Bill

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Huh. Looks like the base set down about 50m from where it was supposed to!  No matter… we’ll just move the flag!

-Bill

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Bill and Edan pose for a nice landing portrait, then Bill heads inside the Base.  Edan scurries back to the lander for shelter!

“Things look fine in here!  I think we’re “Go” for you heading back up Edan… I’ll keep an eye on the base until the next crew rotation arrives!”
-Bill

The plan is for Edan to return to the Aurora 15 Spacecraft and head back to Kerbin with Bob!   Bill will remain until the MunBase One crew is assigned! screenshot400.png