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

June 18, 2021 sayburstuff Year 21 Aurora Base, Bill, Colonies, Dunwin, Luly, Malcolm, Mun, Mun Spaceport, Orlas, Sarnus Va Rocket, Summer

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 105 (Aurora 27 Blasts Off – Heading to Mun Spaceport!)

April 28, 2021 sayburstuff Year 21 Aurora 27, Aurora Program, Colonies, Gilian, Mun, Orlas, Sarnus Va Rocket

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 21, Day 30 (‘Operation Moving Day’ Gets a Green Light…to move Kerbin Spaceport to Mun!)

April 12, 2021April 13, 2021 sayburstuff Year 21 Bill, Crew Vehicle 6, Edan, Gilian, Kerbin Spaceport, Mun, Mun Spaceport, Operation Moving Day, Sarnus Va Rocket

Mission Control gives the plan to relocate the old Kerbin Spaceport to Mun a name: Operation Moving Day! The audacious plan will move the old Kerbin Spaceport… to Mun orbit!

One of the already built “Asteroid Movers” is modified with a docking port that should connect to the Spaceport, and launches on a Sarnus Va rocket!

The Station-Mover rendezvouses with Kerbin Spaceport…

…and docks!

“Remote sensors indicate a good lock! Nice work!“
-Gene

Bill, KSEA’s senior engineer will fly up in a Crew Vehicle to oversee the entire process! Edan will be the mission commander, and Gilian will be going up for her engineering expertise!