Samner

Year 22, Day 1 (Sarnus Station Launches!)

sayburstuff Year 22 , , , , , ,

Sarnus Station is finally complete, and it’s rolled out just in time to launch on the first day of Year 22!

“What a fun way to start the new year!”
-Samner, Viewing the launch from Mission Control

The Nova Rocket, KSEA’s most powerful heavy lifter, carries the station into space!

Most Kerbals around the Space Center will typically stop what they’re working on, and gather to watch Nova launches – the massive rockets are quite the sight to see, and launch very rarely!

The second stage separates, as the first stage heads back to a fiery reentry into Kerbin’s oceans! At a 2000 km apogee, the station circularizes!

“We’re showing all systems nominal. Let’s send the signal to start up the reactor.”
-Gene, at Mission Control

The nuclear reactor starts up – and the boards all show green!

“Reactor at full output – I think we’re OK to go!”
-Glenica, at the Science Station at Mission Control

The DSV-class engine fires… and alarm bells go off!

“That thing isn’t getting enough cooling! Let’s power it down to 50 percent power… otherwise it might explode!”
-Glenica

The engine is cooled down, but engineers start scratching notes in their design books for the next Sarnus-bound rocket to use this design!

Sarnus Station speeds toward Sarnus… it will arrive in just over 3 years! Once in orbit, crews from visiting DSV’s will have a home to rest at when exploring around Sarnus!

“These nuclear engines have really opened up the solar system to exploration – a trip to Sarnus in just 3 years! Who would have thought it possible!”
-Edan

Year 21, Day 64 (Aqua-1 Mun Probe Launches from White Mesa!)

sayburstuff Year 21 , , , , , ,

The Aqua-1 Probe bound for Mun is ready at the White Mesa Facility…

…and launches!

While the re-usable first stage returns to Kerbin, the probe itself continues into orbit around Kerbin!

“Roger that, we’re showing orbit achieved – you are go for the burn to Mun!”
-Gene

After the burn, Aqua-1 continues it’s voyage to Mun…

Until it arrives, and prepares to burn into a polar orbit!

“Telemetry says Aqua-1 is in position – Glenica, you’re good to start the experiment!”
-Gene, at Mission Control

“OK – deploy arm… extend antenna … activate sensors!”
-Glenica

The antenna arm extends, and folds over 90 degrees, allowing the water sensors to start scanning unobstructed!

“200k altitude looks to be ideal. We should hopefully have some data back soon!”
-Samner, at Mission Control

Year 20, Day 422 (Aurora 26 Crew Returns from Kerbitat One!)

sayburstuff Year 20 , , , ,

After the success at growing plants on the orbital Kerbitat One station, the Aurora 26 crew board the Command Module and detach from the station !

“We learned a lot from that mission – even though it didn’t go like we planned! We just need to figure out how to keep a supply of water and fertilizer somehow sustainable!”
-Samner

Aurora 26 burns through the atmosphere toward White Mesa!

“Chute has deployed! We’re touching down about 50k south of the White Mesa facility!”
-Edan

“We made it! Good job team!”
-Gilian

Year 20, Day 416 (Nebula Rocket Carrying Fertilizer Launches for Kerbitat One!)

sayburstuff Year 20 , , , , ,

A Nebula Rocket that had been prepared for a Crew Vehicle launch is quickly retrofitted with an experimental new payload: the DSV Supply Craft! Designed to carry a versatile payload to the bay of Horizon Class DSVs, delivering fertilizer to Kerbitat One should be a good first test!

The Nebula Rocket blasts off!

The payload detaches, and the first stage turns around and heads back to KSC! The DSV Supply Craft continues it’s launch to orbit!

The spacecraft approaches Kerbitat One…

… and docks!

Back at Spacedock, Aurora 26 departs for Kerbitat One!

“Hopefully that fertilizer does the trick!”
-Edan

Edan brings Aurora 26 into alignment with Kerbitat One, and docks!

“Looks like a good connection! Let’s get that fertilizer transferred over too!”
-Gilian

The Kerbals begin unloading the payload from the service vehicle, and Samner studies the plants. The crew waits patiently… until after many hours have passed….

“It’s working! It’s working! The plants are growing! I had to use water from our crew vehicle to start the processes, but it looks like it’s going! That means we’ll need to leave before long, but there should be enough water to run the greenhouse for a while!”
-Samner

After the successful mission, the crew begins preparations for heading home!

Year 20, Day 400 (Kerbitat One Evacuated!)

sayburstuff Year 20 , , , , , ,

After weeks trying to grow food, the Aurora 26 crew are ordered to evacuate the station before life support runs out!

“Dang! I thought for sure all these plants would need is some light! Maybe if we added some fertilizer?”
-Samner

“Maybe… but you’d think they’d need water too!”
-Gilian

“Well, I think we’d all think better with some snacks in our bellies! Let’s head back to Spacedock until KSEA can send up some supplies!”
-Edan

Thankfully, Kerbitat One’s orbit is very close to Spacedock – Edan pilots Aurora 26 to the station…

…and docks!

“Now we wait!”
-Edan

Year 20, Day 365 (Aurora 26 Launches Carrying Kerbitat Greenhouse Experiment!)

sayburstuff Year 20 , , , , ,

Aurora 26 blasts off from the Space Center, carrying Edan, Samner, and Gilian to orbit!

This Aurora mission will launch Kerbitat One into orbit, testing the feasibility of a greenhouse in space for long term habitation of other worlds!

The Sarnus V carries the Kerbitat Module and the Aurora Crew Vehicle higher and higher….

Until the fairing separates, and circularizes it’s orbit!

“Good launch everyone! Let’s get our Spacedock Rendezvous underway!”
–

Aurora 26 and Kerbitat One arrive at Spacedock and reach station keeping 500 meters away!

“Ok -starting docking and transposition maneuver….”
–

“Looks like a good connection! Nice!”
–

Kerbitat One deploys it’s solar panel arrays, and the crew starts getting comfortable!

Year 20, Day 75 (Endeavor Crew Returns to Kerbin Surface!)

sayburstuff Year 20 , , , , ,

Mirphe, Gillian and Samner board one of the Aurora Crew Vehicles docked at Spacedock and depart for the surface!

“We have over 22 separate scientific studies and samples to return to Kerbin – everyone’s going to be so excited!”
-Samner

After firing the landing burn, the Crew Vehicle separates the orbital stage and prepares for re-entry!

“We are in the pipe… looks like the landing will be just a little short from the Space Center – woops!”
-Mirphe

The parachute deploys, and the Aurora Crew Vehicle gently touches down!

“Welcome back everyone! Let’s get that science stowed safely – you’ve all earned some R&R!”
-Gene, at KSC

Year 20, Day 74 (DSV-4 Endeavor Returns to Kerbin & Docks At Kerbin Spacedock!)

sayburstuff Year 20 , , , ,

As Endeavor approaches Kerbin, the cryonic sleeping chambers stir, and the crew wakes up!

“brrrr! Looks like we’re almost at Kerbin! Everyone get to your station!”
-Mirphe

The Colossus Engine fires, circularizing the orbit around Kerbin… then Mirphe pilots the spacecraft into a rendevous with Kerbin Spacedock!

“Reactor is cooling down, we are good for RCS approach to Spacedock!”
-Gillian

“Will you look at that – Spacedock is huge!”
-Samner

Endeavor docks! Samner, Gillian, and Mirphe pack up the science findings from Moho and head over to Spacedock to get some rest!

“Wow – this habitat ring’s artificial gravity is almost like being back on Kerbin!“
-Mirphe

“Hey – my room has a TV – neat!”
-Gillian

“Welcome home! Get some rest, then it’s time to get Endeavor refueled and ready for it’s next mission!”
-Gene, at Mission Control

Year 19, Day 377 (Mirphe and Samner Return to Orbit, DSV-4 Endeavor Departs Moho!)

sayburstuff Year 19 , , , ,

After camping out on Moho for 64 days (a record!) Mirphe and Samner blast off, leaving behind all the science gear and the rover!

“Systems nominal… fuel supply will be… well, a little tight!”
-Mirphe

“What’s that mean!?”
-Samner

“Well, as long as I don’t make any mistakes whatsoever we probably have enough fuel to rendezvous!”
-Mirphe

“Probably!?”
-Samner

Thankfully, after reaching orbit there is *just* enough fuel to rendevous! The remaining fuel is a very low 12 d/v supply!

“Ok – we’re lined up … moving in to dock!”
-Mirphe

“Welcome aboard! It was getting boring up here! Next time we visit we need to bring a lander that can fit everyone!”
-Gillian

Samner stows all the scientific data and samples, while Gillian gets the reactor powered up!

The lander is undocked, and drifts away from Endeavor!

“Course set! We’re ready to head home!”
-Mirphe

Endeavor powers up it’s nuclear engine and the spacecraft departs Moho!

The journey to Moho has taken much more fuel than initially planned – the lack of an atmosphere or any moons means very little natural assistance with slowing down!

Endeavor flies away from Moho, heading home!

Meanwhile, the crew enters cryostasis!

“Mission Control… this is Mirphe on Endeavor! Samner and Gillian have successfully entered Cryo-Stasis.. handing over Vehicle to Mission Control! Endeavor Out!”
-Mirphe

“See you soon Endeavor!”
-Gene, at Mission Control