Orlas

Year 3, Day 156 (Aurora 12 Arrival At Mun)

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screenshot163.pngAurora 12 arrives at Mun!  This mission is to investigate the strange anomaly detected by Aurora 11 at the southern end of the Northwest Crater, and also as crew training for the rookie crew!

“You know, we should think about making a space station out here!  At the very least a fuel depot might be handy!”

-Orlas

screenshot165.pngEdan and Orlas head down in the lander! As they get closer, they spot something strange.

“What on Kerbin could that be!”
-Edan

screenshot167.pngIt looks like some kind of ancient structure – astonishing!  Edan sets the lander down…and Orlas hops out at once to investigate!  screenshot171.png

“It’s too far away to make on foot, I’ll have to use my EVA jets!”
-Orlas

Arriving at the base of the massive structure, Orlas is shocked… the object looks to be a giant monument… perhaps made out of Mun rock itself?

Get over here Edan! You have to see this yourself!
-Orlas

screenshot178.pngEdan hurries over, and the two gaze at the huge, cubical structure… then they head up to investigate!

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“Oh wow… astonishing!”
-Orlas

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“It looks like a lander… not that different from our own designs!  This flag is the same as the one on the side of the Oger space probe – it was the basis for the flag of the Kerbal States!”
-Orlas

The two look at every nook and cranny on what they agree is some kind of monument!

“I’m going to check the other side out that’s being eclipsed… ”
-Edan

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Edan and Orlas are speechless.  The two stare in wonder at the mysterious monument on Mun and wonder what kind of entities could construct such a massive object here!

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After taking lots of samples, Orlas and Edan launch back to the Aurora 12 Spacecraft…

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And head back to Kerbin!  Scientists are eager to do analysis of the materials gathered at the monument, and to examine the hundreds of images the astronauts took of the unusual anomaly!

 

Year 3, Day 142 (Changes To Explorer Program, Aurora 12 Construction)

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512x64-7.pnghe next Aurora Mission, Aurora 12, is nearly complete.  Orlas is very excited to be chosen as the scientist for the mission – it will be his first trip beyond Kerbin!  Chrisnic will be the crew engineer (who will be staying on the Command Vehicle), and the Mission Commander will be Edan (the commander of Aurora 3, Minmus.) he Mission Commander,

In other news, Initial plans for Explorer had been to launch a test craft, however administrators have decided to move ahead with a crewed mission they’re confident that if any systems fail on the transit burn a rescue will still be possible.  The mission will be quite dangerous though… however many eager Kerbals have been clamoring to get a chance for the first crewed mission to another world!!  The final crew roster hasn’t been released yet, but KSEA is working hard to get as many Kerbals trained as possible!

Year 3, Day 63 (Endeavor’s First Flight, KSS Crew Rotation)

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It’s time to rotate the crew on the KSS!  Jeb, Bill, Samner, Robart, Bob, and Orlas all pile into the second Crew Shuttle… The Endeavor, and it blasts off!screenshot69.png

After circularizing, the Endeavor starts its rendeavous to the KSS.  KSEA is a little nervous about this flight… this is the Endeavor’s first flight… and it’s also the most crew ever launched into space on one vessel!screenshot70.png

Endeavor closes in on the station…. screenshot71.png

Almost…. screenshot73.png

Almost….

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Docking achieved!  Jeb docks at at Docking Port 4 of the KSS.  Glenica and Kimmy transfer over to the Crew Shuttle, while Bill, Bob, Orlas, Robart, and Samner all head over to the the Station.

screenshot76.pngAfter everyone says their ‘hellos’ and ‘goodbyes’ – Jeb, Kimmy, and Glenica head back to Kerbin!screenshot80.png

“Space Center spotted… starting final approach!”
-Jeb

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Another great landing – nice work!

“Next stop – Mun!”
-Kimmy

“You said it Kimmy! Time for some deep space Science!”
-Glenica

 

Year 2, Day 163

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The second attempt at launching the cupola module for the KSS takes off!

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Orbit is achieved, and this time power seems to be sufficient.  Mission Control sends commands to being a rendezvous with the Kerbin Space Station! screenshot365

“Oh hey, there it is!  It’s nearly as big as the ACV!”

-Orlas (ACV = Aurora Crew Vehicle)

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The trickiest part is next… the automated command module disconnects, leaving the Cupola Module in an uncontrolled state, just outside the station.

“I’m on it!”
-Orlas

screenshot371Orlas goes EVA, and heads to the module! After some hair-raising moments, docking is achieved – way to go everybody!  This is starting to look like a space station!screenshot372

 

Year 2, Day 131 (Aurora 1 Launch)

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screenshot337.pngAurora 1 launches from Cape Kerman! screenshot342

Valentina expertly pilots the craft to orbit, carrying rookie scientists Kimmy and Glenica.  They’ll join Orlas at the new Kerbal Space Station!

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“I see the station… moving in to rendezvous… ”

-Val

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“Got it!  We’re docked!”

-Val

Aurora 1 successfully docks with the Kerbin Space Station!  Glenica and Kimmy head over and meet Orlas.

“Hey everybody!  Did someone bring cards…?”

-Orlas

Year 2, Day 110 (Spacelab 2 Launches!)

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screenshot316.pngJebediah and rookie Orlas are chosen to take Discovery 3 and its payload for Spacelab 2 to orbit! After the first stage ejects, the fairings protecting the new space station eject, revealing the whole craft.

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Looks a lot like those drawings we have for a deep space vehicle!

-Jeb

After some tricking maneuvering, Discovery 3 rendezvous with Spacelab!

“I see you guys!”

-Bill

Discovery 3 moves in closer and closer… screenshot325

Once in range, Orlas exits the command pod of Discovery 2… screenshot328

While Bill exits the old Spacelab!  The two give each other a ‘high five’ as they pass, switching seats in space!  Orlas will be the first new crew on Spacelab 2, and Bill will return with Jeb to the surface.

See you soon Orlas!  We’ll be in touch!

-Bill

screenshot334.pngThe Discovery 3 command pod returns to Kerbin! Great job guys!  Bill and Jeb get some well deserved rest.