Work is nearly done upgrading the newly recovered N-4 Booster. It will be the test bed for the next iteration of Neidon rockets, Neidon III! This upgrade will make use of new landing gear that provides heat shielding in addition to better aerodynamics, both during landing and take off.
The rocket has also had a new paint job, rotating the logos and markings which engineers say make the rocket “42% cooler!”
As the Aurora 29 crew prepare for their transit to Mun, Mission Control supervises the return of the N-4 booster!
Using RCS thrusters, the N-4 Neidon Rocket drifts to a safe distance from the Crew Vehicle and then fires a precise short burst to return to Kerbin!
N-4 Soars through the atmosphere, heating up as it hurtles toward the Space Center!
The rocket transitions from hypersonic speeds to subsonic! The gear deploys…
… and the booster slowly approaches the Space Center!
The booster touches down! Despite the excellent performance of the Neidon II, work is already underway to upgrade the booster with more capable landing gear!
Work is already underway on “Neidon III” !
It’s going to be a dawn launch for Aurora 29! Gene is supervising the final launch checks, listening to each department give a “Go!”
Aurora 29 Mission Summary
The Torodial Aerospike engine fires, then the Jool-Rocket derived Solids Rockets fire! Blast Off!
Aurora 29 lifts of the launchpad, lighting up the Space Center!
Rookie engineer Lobert is all smiles, excitedly waving his arms as the rocket blasts off!
Looking out the window, Lobert takes in the amazing view!
Aurora 29 rockets into the sky, breaking past the cloud layer and officially entering “Space!”
Aurora 2 continues its ascent, climbing above the atmosphere!
The fairing ejects, and Aurora 29 continues climbing to orbital altitude!
After circularizing orbit, the Neidon rocket separates from the Aurora 29 Crew Module, Lander, and Munar Transfer stage!
Ground crews around the Space Center begin final preparations for the launch of Aurora 29!
Among the changes:
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!)
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!
Before the Aurora 29 launch engineers wanted to test the core Neidon II rocket on a uncrewed payload – while the engine systems did not change the aerodynamics were altered enough to warrant a test launch!
The new MPV (multi-payload-vehicle) probe was chosen to be the test-payload!
The refit Neidon Rocket (N-2) blasts off from the space center!
As N-2 reaches orbit the rocket seems to be performing perfectly!
The protective fairing on the probe ejects, and the MPV-Probe drifts slowly away from N-2!
Next, the rocket flips orientation using RCS, fires a precise thrust of the engines…
And begins soaring through the atmosphere!
Re-entry of the Neidon Rockets have always suffered from instabilities at the supersonic/subsonic boundary – everyone holds their breath as the rocket passes the barrier…
N-2 begins its landing burn, just east of the main launch platform!
N-2 sets down perfectly! Crews will recover the rocket soon!
Mission Control is excited to announce the next Aurora mission – Aurora 29! This will be the first test of multiple new systems:
Summer, Gilian, and new recruit Lobert 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.
Engineers are excited to announce upgrades for the new Neidon Rocket Launch System – the Neidon II!
While the core rocket booster remains unchanged, several important changes have been made:
Besides structural changes, the Neidon Rocket will now have the bottom S3-7200 Fuel Tank prioritized as the “landing tank”. This will move the center of mass for the booster further to the bottom, assisting in re-entry!
The Power and Lighting module for Aurora Base is fitted to a Neidon rocket!
The rocket blasts off!
The second stage separates, and moves free from the booster….
… while the rocket turns around to re-enter the atmosphere!
The re-entry is easily visible from the ground as the Neidon booster hurtles toward the VAB!
Thankfully, the booster lands right next to the flagpole – avoiding any costly explosions!
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!
Dunwin carefully drives the module remotely from the base, while Bill, Luly, and Orlas watch on!
Dunwin carefully drives the module into place, until….
… a series of loud whirs and clunks signal the automatic docking mechanisms have engaged!
With that, everyone breathes a big sigh of relief! The power troubles at Aurora Base have been a persistent irritation!
Crew Vehicle 2 is blasts off, carrying the first crew to the new Spacedock! Edbert will be piloting the crew to the station, while senior engineer Sean will be working with rookie engineer Pholie to bring the station online! Senior scientist Glenica is onboard to inspect the station’s science departments and make sure everything is ready for DSV arrivals!
After detaching from the Neidon booster, Edbert maneuvers the spacecraft to rendezvouses with Spacedock, while the booster returns to Kerbin!
Slowly, the spacecraft moves in to dock, until….
… a loud series of ‘clunks’ indicate they are docked!
The Neidon Rocket has entered full production, with 5 total rockets ordered. Two are being refurbished for their next launch, and the other three will be completed within a few months. To help keep track of which rocket is which, they will be labeled X-1 through X-5 !
Neidon is being devolved to be compatible with the existing Sarnus Va expansion options, including upper stage boosts and the THK Solid Fuel Boosters for heavier payloads!
Kerbal States | Kerbin Space Exploration Administration 