Orlas

Year 21, Day 309 (Orlas and Luly Head to Aurora Base!)

sayburstuff Year 21 , , , , , , ,

The Mun Lander takes off from Aurora Base…

… and enters Mun orbit!

“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!”

-Dunwin

Year 21, Day 220 (Aurora 28 Launches from Space Center!)

sayburstuff Year 21 , , , , , , , , , ,

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!

Year 21, Day 178 (Aurora 27 Crew Return to Mun Spaceport!)

sayburstuff Year 21 , , , , ,

Summer and Orlas blast off from Aurora Crater!

“I think we found a great site for the new Base!”
-Summer

“Agreed! It’s not just scenic either… there’s a lot of interesting science to be done at that location!”
-Orlas

Summer pilots the lander to a rendevous with Mun Spaceport…

… and docks!

“Alright, let’s get ready for the arrival of Aurora Base! “
-Summer

Year 21, Day 115 (KSEA Announces Aurora Base Munar Research Facility!)

sayburstuff Year 21 , , , , , ,

While scientists are still grumbling that the lack of water means the outpost will likely never be self-sustaining, KSEA is nonetheless excited to release plans for Aurora Base – the next Munar Outpost! The name was chosen to honor the Aurora Program, which paved the way for every crewed KSEA mission!

The site chosen by Orlas and Summer has been named Aurora Crater.

Unlike previous Munar Outposts, this one will have a greenhouse and supplies to make habitability long term, if not permanent (with minor support from Kerbin.)

Construction has already begun, and the Outpost will be launched on a Jool-X rocket soon!

Year 21, Day 108 (Aurora 27 Finds Possible Colony Site – But No Water!)

sayburstuff Year 21 , , , ,

After traveling for several days, Summer and Orlas have still not found any water on Mun!

“These surface readings are a 1:1 match for orbital readings… there appears to be NO detectable water here at all! We can try digging with equipment in future missions… but I don’t think we should plan on any base that has water sourced from Mun itself!”

-Orlas

“Some good news though… we’ve found a nice flat area that is rich in most other resources! It’s also quite scenic!”

-Summer

Mission Control review the data… there’s a lot of disappointment that Mun seems to have no water, but Orlas helpfully makes a point:

“There are plenty of other worlds to colonize! We can use Mun as a testbed for future sites that may also not have water, for long term but not self-sustaining colonies!”

-Orlas

At the original landing site for Aurora 27, the lander is remotely piloted up…

…and then to the new site found by Summer and Orlas!

“Look! There it is! These new landers are so advanced!”

-Orlas

The two Kerbals drive the rover back to the lander, and camp out while Mission Control decides the next move!

Year 21, Day 105 (Aurora 27 Blasts Off – Heading to Mun Spaceport!)

sayburstuff Year 21 , , , , , ,

Summer, Gillian, and Orlas blast off in Aurora 27 – launched on top of a Sarnus Va Rocket!

This will be Summer’s first command, and the first mission to Mun specifically to find water!

So far, orbital scans have indicated that there is NO water… but that can’t be right! Aurora 27’s mission is specifically to find water along the Mun’s equator!

“Here we go! The Sarnus has a real kick to it compared to the Crew Rockets… Wow!”


-Summer

The solid rockets detach, then the second stage breaks free, and the fairing explodes outward!

“Mission Control confirms orbit – you’re up Summer!”


-Gilian

Summer detaches from the lander, spins the Crew Module around….

“Roger that! Transposition maneuver… complete!”


-Summer

…and docks again!

Aurora 27 fires it’s engines, entering Mun Orbit!

Until it eventually arrives at Mun Spaceport!

The Lander / Rover detaches, and is flown remotely, docking to the station….

… while Summer docks the Crew Module by hand!

“Alright everyone – no time to lose! Let’s get down to the surface and find some water!”

-Summer

“Certainly there’s SOME water down there… the orbital sensors have read nothing but zero percent!”

-Orlas

The lander undocks, then sets down on Mun, along the Equator just west of the Northwest Crater!

“Mission Control – this is Summer… Aurora 27 has touched down on the Mun!”

-Summer

The rover is lifted off the lander, and touches down!

“Rover is clear of the lander… “

-Orlas

After the Rover deployment is done, Summer climbs out of the spacecraft!

“Oh wow! Oh wow!”

-Summer

“It’s beautiful out here!”

-Summer

Orlas leaves the Crew Lander and climbs down to join Summer…

“It sure is!”

-Orlas

The two share a moment admiring the stark, austere beauty of Mun…

… and then head out looking for Water!

The rover has enough supplies to last several days on the surface. Hopefully by then the crew will find some of Mun’s precious water!

Year 18, Day 401 (Kerbin Spaceport Crew Rotation… and a Surprise Asteroid Mission!)

sayburstuff Year 18 , , , , , , , ,

It’s time for a crew rotation (and life support delivery) to the Kerbin Spaceport! Orlas, Glenica, and Edan will be returning, while Val, Sean, and Kerlorf will be heading up! Val will pilot ACV-2 to orbit!

“Launch was good! We’re on course for the Spaceport!”
-Val

The ACV floats past the station, as Val maneuvers to line up with the docking extension of the station!

Success! The ACV docks! Alongside it are the previous version of the Aurora Crew Vehicle that last crew took up, as well as the Aurora 23 command vehicle from the launch that delivered crew and supplies to DSV-3 Horizon!

“Hey – I have an idea! Before we head back… let’s see if the Aurora 23 command vehicle has enough DeltaV to reach that asteroid that’s been causing Mission Control so much trouble!”
-Orlas

Mission Command considers the request and gives the OK!

“If you three want to risk it, you’ve got our OK! Just be safe!”
-Gene

“I suppose if this spacecraft can reach Mun… it should be able to reach that asteroid!”
-Edan

Orlas, Glenica, and Edan transfer over to the Aurora 23 vehicle… and depart the station! While the ACV isn’t equipped with any advanced scientific instrumentation, surface samples should be able to be collected using equipment on the ACV!

“Engines are GO!”
-Edan

Edan brings the Aurora Crew Vehicle alongside asteroid

“Ok! I’m heading out! That’s quite the space rock!”
-Orlas

Orlas uses his EVA pack to move closer and closer….

…until he lands on the asteroid!!

“I’ve landed on the asteroid! I can’t quite get a flag in here… but I think I can get a good sample!”
-Orlas

Orlas uses his EVA pack to move back to the ship…

…and climbs back inside!

“Nice work Orlas!”
-Glenica

The crew makes preparations to return to Kerbin, now that a good Asteroid Sample has been taken!

Edan plots a return course to Kerbin… and fires the engine!

Aurora 23 burns through the atmosphere, until the friction slows it down enough to deploy the parachutes!

Success!! Aurora 23 sets down on Kerbin! Recovery teams rush to rescue the crew, and the science recovered from the Asteroid!

Year 16, Day 378 (Mitster & Orlas Explore Desert Facility!)

sayburstuff Year 16 ,

Orlas and Mitster are tasked with checking out the new airfield! It’s a good opprotunity to try out the new Munar Rover as well!

“Let’s see what those towers in the distance are!”
-Orlas

“They look like water… or fuel towers. Oh hey! Is that a launch pad?”
-Mitster

“It sure is! This place is in good condition. With power and some other utilities KSEA will be able to use this for launches!”
-Orlas

Orlas and Mitster drive over to several hangars near the launch pad.

“Hey – this rover doesn’t handle too bad! This sand is a decent analog for the Munar regolith! Just have to slow down before turns!”
-Mitster

“Whew! It’s stuffy here! I’m taking off my space suit!“
-Mitster

Orlas inspects the hangars for clues as to their origin…

“Nobody’s using all this infrastructure! There’s tons of equipment inside!”
-Mitster

“Before we go any further we better deploy the solar panel – this electric engine is getting drained pretty fast by all this driving!”
-Orlas

“OK… there’s a launchpad and facilities… let’s see what’s over by the runway! When I landed here the other day I noticed a lot of buildings!”
-Mitster

“”A big tower! And a bent ‘ol flagpole!“
-Mitster

“This looks like an old office building. Nothing in here!”
-Mitster

“Looks like there’s air conditioning though… that’s nice!”
-Mitster

“It’s no VAB… but there’s a lot of lifters and equipment out here. Small rockets and planes should have no problem being built and launched out here!”
-Orlas

“And there’s our power! Fully functioning windmills! Let’s report back to Gene!”
-Mitster

Year 13, Day 158 (Intrepid Returns Crews to Kerbin from Kerbin Spaceport!)

sayburstuff Year 13 , , , , , , , , , ,

With the return of Explorer 5 and the test flight of Discovery the Kerbin Spaceport has gotten very crowded! Edan, Bill, Orlas, Glenica, and Sean all board CTS-3 Intrepid!

“Have a good flight – you soon!”
-Gene

Edan undocks from the Spaceport, and uses RCS thrusters to reach a safe distance from the station! Gilian, Shepely, and Seely remain on the station, conducting the vitally important scientific research that must certainly occur there.

“Come back soon! Bring more snacks! “
-Shepely

Intrepid fires its engines to de-orbit… then detaches the service pod that holds cargo (and provides for solar power!)

“Hold on everyone! Things are about to get pretty hot!”
-Edan

Intrepid soars through the atmosphere, occasionally usings its airbrake system to slow its decent.

Once past the mountains west of the Space Center, Edan makes the final manuevers to line up for a landing!

“Edan to Mission Control… Intrepid is in the pipe, five by five!”
-Edan

Intrepid touches down on the runway!

A perfect landing! The tired Kerbals exit the Crew Shuttle to rest up for their next mission – Intrepid is recovered and undergoes minor repairs and the standard recovery process to get it ready for its next flight!