Approaching Kerbin, alarm bells go off on Discovery, waking up from Cryosleep, (the crew) is surprised to discover a series of interesting transmissions from Mission Control!
“Attention DSV Discovery – Spacedock has exploded! Attempt no dockings! Everyone is evacuating now!” -Recorded Message from Gene at the VAB
Mirphe, Seely, and Tamre are all a little shocked to say the least!
“We better listen to the rest of these recordings!” -Mirphe
Mirphe, Seely, and Tamre are all a little shocked to say the least!
“Attention DSV Discovery – important follow up: We’re all ok but really do NOT approach Spacedock.” -Recorded Message from Gene at the VAB
Mirphe frowns and plays the next message…
“Good News DSV Discovery! There is a new Spacedock! Please contact Mission Control when you wake up!” -Recorded Message from Gene at the VAB
“Let’s do our capture orbit, and figure out where to go from there!” -Mirphe
Mirphe fires the nuclear engines and Discovery is captured into a 200k orbit of Kerbin!
“Welcome home Discovery! We have a bit of a surprise for you – a new Spacedock! Proceed to the following orbital coordinates!” -Gene, at Mission Control
The new Spacedock, located at a lower orbit has been fully assembled, with the Lithium Fuel Depot docked and ready to refuel the Kerbal States fleet of exploration ships!
“We are coasting in reverse until we are lined up with the DSV Terminal… that’s a big station!” -Mirphe
Discovery continues moving, relative to the station, backwards until it is lined up with the docking port. The craft is brought to station-keeping (no movement, relative to the station) before Mirphe pilots the craft into docking!
“I’ll get all the science data loaded up for a return to Kerbin!” -Tamre
“Mirphe, looks like a great alignment with the docking port. We are good to dock!” -Seely
Discovery moves slowly forward until the docking ports engage!
“Discovery shows a good connection!” -Mirphe
“Confirmed Discovery! Welcome to Spacedock!” -Sean
The MPV (Multi-Payload-Vehicle) that had been converted to a Fuel Depot Tug fires its engines, remotely piloted from the ground!
“OK – it’s time to complete the assembly of Spacedock 2!” -Gene, overseeing from Mission Control
The Lithium Fuel Depot arrives at Spacedock!
“Mission Control – this is Spacedock. We have visual on the Depot. I am assuming direct control!” -Edbert
Edbert uses the RCS thrusters to slowly maneuver the gigantic craft past the station, to orient the docking ports.
“Maintaining visual on Depot. Reducing speed to station keeping…” -Edbert
Watching from the habitat ring, Sean lines his thumb up carefully with the window…
“You look lined up really nice Edbert! Take the docking nice and slow though, we don’t want to scuff the paint on the station it’s still brand new!” –Sean, watching from the Habitat Ring
“Oh good! Moving in for final docking procedure… thrusters firing…” -Edbert
The massive depot moves slowly, slowly toward the station until…
…the entire station heaves slightly as the giant depot docks, and connects to the DSV terminal!
“I’m floating down to the other side of the station now… OK, I’m here! Connections look solid. We just need to run some of the piping to allow the DSVs that dock to refuel!” –Sean
The MPV Tug detaches, and will deorbit into Kerbin’s atmosphere!
In orbit of Kerbin, the Spacedock 2 crew deploy the habitat ring module! Veteran engineer Sean and new-hire Pholie spend the morning deploying the rotating habitat ring!
Pholie and Glenica, watching from the Orbital Cupola supervise the deployment!
“Now that the station is functional we can start getting some real scientific work done up here! I can’t wait for the next DSV arrival!” -Glenica, Senior Station Scientist
“Habitat rings have locked – and we are good to start rotation!” -Sean, chief engineer on the station
“Deployment looks good from here!” -Edbert, viewing from the Crew Vehicle docked at the station!
With the station now fully functional, mission planners prepare to eject the orbital boost stage, and then dock the Lithium Fuel depot to the station, completing the new Spacedock!
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!
“Remote sensors and camera systems show systems nominal up there… but I don’t want to loose science from across the Kerbol system just because we didn’t double check!” -Glenica
“All systems nominal… we are on track for the Spacedock! Hang on everyone, we’ll be there in no time… “ -Edbert, piloting Crew Vehicle 2
After detaching from the Neidon booster, Edbert maneuvers the spacecraft to rendezvouses with Spacedock, while the booster returns to Kerbin!
“RCS reverse thrust. Speed slowing to station-keeping. Docking systems ready…” -Edbert, piloting Crew Vehicle 2
“Station-keeping confirmed… we are lined up!” -Sean
Slowly, the spacecraft moves in to dock, until….
… a loud series of ‘clunks’ indicate they are docked!
A good crowd of Kerbals gather in Mission Control to watch the launch of Spacedock 2!
“Look at it go! It is so LOUD!” -Gillian, watching from outside
The massive Nova Rocket blasts off from Mission Control – the largest (and most expensive!) launch system available to KSEA!
“Boards show a good launch – all systems nominal… watch those readings people… “ -Gene, directing the launch from Mission Control
The first stage takes the rocket up to the Station’s new altitude,100k above Kerbin….
…then separates, allowing a short second stage to finish the circularization!
Spacedock 2 should be in its final orbit, however engineers want to wait before ejecting the orbital stage just in case there are any last minute changes to the station’s final orbit!
“Let’s get that launch pad cleaned up and get a Crew Vehicle ready to launch the first Spacedock 2 crew! Should be a good first crewed launch of a Neidon Rocket too! “ -Gene
Malcolm and Sean hop into Crew Vehicle 1 and launch with a Nebula Rocket!
“Pre-Flight checks good. We are GO!” -Malcolm
The Nebula rocket blasts off!
“Wohoooooo! -Sean
The latest generation Crew Vehicle design has become the primary method of getting Kerbals to orbit and back!
“We are at 200k… detaching Booster!” -Malcolm
“Everything looks good on our boards… We have remote control of the Nebula Booster! Good luck up there crew!” -Gene, at Mission Control
Remotely piloting the craft from the surface of Kerbin, the booster does a ‘reverse burn” to allow landing closer to the Space Center!
“Malcolm, try to get us pretty close to the Fuel Depot, I’ll ned to EVA for a while to do a close inspection of both craft!” -Sean
Malcolm pilots the craft into a circular orbit, then begins the rendezvous process!
The Crew Vehicle arrives at the Fuel Depot and moves closer, and closer!
“We are stationary at 50 meters – controls are locked. You’re good to EVA!” -Malcolm
Sean suits up, and exits the craft!
“These Fuel Depots are HUGE! First impressions, everything appears good. Crazy that this is the only surviving bit of the original Spacedock!” -Sean
Doing a complete inspection Sean checks that power systems, communications are good, and most importantly the docking mechanisms are intact!
“OK… good news! Everything looks nominal. Communication systems are good… Docking port is solid and engaged. RCS systems between the two craft appear fully integrated. When Spacedock 2 launches I think we should be good to remotely control the Depot and dock it with the station!” -Sean
Completing the inspection, Sean returns to the Crew Vehicle and the spacecraft re-pressurizes its life support system, and the craft starts its descent!
“We’re heading home!” -Malcolm
“Chutes deployed!” -Sean
Crew Vehicle 1 sets down next to the Space Center, and crews head out to do recovery!
With the upcoming launch of the new space station Spacedock 2, plans have been made to utilize the existing Lithium Fuel depot that survived the (original) Spacedock disaster! A Multi Payload Vehicle (MPV) has been configured to be a “Depot Mover” to grab the Lithum Tanks and move them to a lower orbit for the station!
“This should be a good test of the Neidon Rocket!” -Gene, at Mission Control
The Neidon Booster lifts off the launchpad!
The aerospike engine easily lifts the 20 ton payload up and out of the astmosphere…
…the fairing detaches, and the orbit is circularized!
With the MPV in a stable orbit, the booster uses its RCS thrusters to get in position, and fires its engine!
With the MPV in a stable orbit, the booster starts its descent!
“Hmm, reentry angle seems off, tracking is showing the booster landing a good deal west of the Space Center!” -Gillian, at Mission Control
“We’ll have to get some movers over there to pick it up… hope it doesn’t land on a tree! -Gene, at Mission Control
The booster’s hydraulic landing system engages, and the rocket sets down in the idyllic green woods outside the Space Center!
Touch down! The engine stops firing and the rocket is safe!
“Not quite where it should be… but it’s in one piece!” -Gillian, at Mission Control
After the disaster at Kerbin Spacedock in Year 22, KSEA has been hard at work planning a replacement for the facility.
The mission of this new Spacedock is the same as its predecessor:
Provide a central location for Crews to arrive from the surface
Refuel and Resupply of Deep Space Vehicle Fleet
Provide long-term habitat for Kerbals in orbit
In addition to providing a new docking are for MPV (Multi-Payload-Vehicles) to dock and resupply the station, the new facility provides a dedicated DSV dock, a dedicated Crew arrival area and an centrifugal ring for artificial gravity!
The facility borrows several design elements from Sarnus Station, launched in Year 22.
“We think this new design corrects the structural defects of the previous Spacedock… the inline Fuel storage should prevent accidents like the old Spacedock! “ -Gene, at Mission Control
KSEA decides to send Carson, veteran astronaut Bill, and two (formerly!) ground engineers: Rozer and Sondo to investigate the wreckage of the Spacedock facility, and see what can be salvaged!
“Crew Vehicle 3 is away!”
-Carson
“CV3 – launch operations show all systems nominal. Good luck up there!”
-Gene
The Crew Vehicles have become a critical part of the Kerbal States mission in space! The latest iterations, capable of carrying 4 Kerbals and with integrated launch escape systems, along with the Nebula Rocket, a reusable booster, are now the most used method of getting Kerbals to space – although engineers are very eager to re-introduce the Crew Shuttles!
The Crew Vehicle separates, and the Nebula Rocket turns around, and returns to Kerbin – for a propulsive landing east of the Space Center!
“I thought it would be bumpier… but this isn’t so bad!”
-Sondo
“Yea! It’s just like the simulations!”
-Rozer
Crew Vehicle 3 reaches a 200k orbit!
“Ok – all systems are go. Let’s go find out how bad the damage is at Spacedock!”
-Carson
The scene at Spacedock is pretty grim!
“Uh oh. Looks like the lower fuel modules have broken away… those might be salvageable… the upper habitat section looks like it’s separated from the habitat ring though…”
-Rozer
Carson maneuvers past the various Lithium Fuel Tankers… only one looks like it can be saved!
“It looks like this is the module Sean was able to detach before he escaped the station! We should be able to remotely take control and stabilize it!”
-Sondo
After a few minutes, Rozer and Sondo are able to establish a connection!
“There we go! Attitude adjustment complete – communications are not perfect with the surface, but acceptable, and orbital communications look good enough. The fuel here should be good to use for future missions! Shame about the other modules though!”
-Rozer
Next, Crew Vehicle 3 drifts toward the command tower.
“The lower docking module is damaged… but the crew docking modules look functional! I’m going to do a close inspection though before we dock!”
-Rozer
“No problem… matching speeds… you’re good to head out!”
-Carson
Rozer does an orbit around the tower to check things out – determining a docking is safe!
“Docking complete! Good luck over there guys!”
-Carson
Bill, Sondo, and Rozer head over to the habitat section and check things out!
“It looks like the centrifugal habitat section is still spinning out there, I can barely see it from here. We could check it out.. but with all these maneuvers we’re pretty tight on fuel…
-Rozer
Carson does some calculations, and delivers the bad news…
“We’ll have to skip it this mission. We don’t have the fuel to head over there and be within safety margins. I don’t want to push our luck!
-Carson
“We should disconnect Crew Vehicle 2 and return it remotely to the surface… it looks pretty good, and if it survives the reentry we’ll know for sure, and ground crews can check it out!”
-Bill
Crew Vehicle 2 is disconnected… the abandoned Crew Vehicle 4, sheered off in the disaster, floats in the background!
“Done! Crew Vehicle 2 is away! Mission Control, do you still have connection?”
-Sondo
“We are tracking it, and have control… we’ll take care of rentry!”
-Gene, at Mission Control
While the crew checks out the destroyed Spacedock facility, Crew Vehicle 2 is returned successfully to the surface! Eventually, the crew departs…
…and rendevouses with Crew Vehicle 4!
Sondo goes on an EVA, to inspect the spacecraft!
“Moving in for a closer look…”
-Sondo
“Oh gosh.. .I’ve been so busy up here I haven’t noticed how pretty it is!”
-Sondo
“That never gets old!”
-Bill
“Hmm – the docking clamp looks good – given that it was ripped off the station though, I’d want to replace this on the ground! The protective cover is functional though… and the craft has good communications. I think we’re good to send this one down too!”
-Sondo
“I’m heading back! CV4 checks out!”
-Sondo
While Sondo returns to Crew Vehicle 3, ground control takes over and brings the vehicle back to the surface!
… where it’s recovered safely!
The next morning, the crew prepares for the return home! The lower half of the Crew Vehicle (the only disposable part of the Nebula Launch System, detaches…
… and the rentry engines fire!
“We have a good burn! All systems are good… we’re in the pipe, five by five for a landing at the Space Center! Hold on everybody!”
-Carson
Sondo and Rozer hold on to their chair grips tightly, while Bill enjoys his orange-colored space drink!
After a fiery rentry, Carson fires the engines one last time before activating the parachute, to ensure getting as close as possible to the Space Center!
“Perfect landing!”
-Bill
“Almost! I was aiming for the runway! With enough practice we’ll get this down though!”
-Carson
Launched in Year 19, Kerbin Spacedock was meant to last at least 10 years! While everyone is relieved that no one was hurt in the accident, a full review has determined that the station itself is not salvageable – and will be officially decommissioned!
“After a thorough analysis, we determined the station was impacted by an unexpected gravitational anomaly that caused physics near the station to “glitch!” This resulted in the heavier parts of the station, the fuel tankers, oscillating wildly, and eventually tearing the station apart! We think that the massive quantity of fuel and thus mass may have contributed to this mysterious phenomenon… so we’re going to make sure future stations have a smaller amount of fuel on board – perhaps only one of the Lithium Tankers at a time! In the end our proper procedures and well trained crew made sure that the only loss was hardware – I’m really proud of all you guys!“
-Gene
The replacement for Spacedock, tentatively titled “Spacedock 2” is still under design, but until then fueling at the remaining Lithium Tanker should keep the DSV fleet’s needs met for the next few years!
Kerbal States | Kerbin Space Exploration Administration 