Spacedock Refueling

Year 23, Day 224 (DSV Fuel Depot Docks at Spacedock 2!)

sayburstuff Year 23 , , , , ,

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!

Year 23, Day 130 (Neidon Rocket Launches Fuel Depot Mover!)

sayburstuff Year 23 , , , , , ,

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

Year 20, Day 199 (New Spaceport Fueling Port Launches!)

sayburstuff Year 20 , , , , ,

A massive Nova Rocket is chosen to launch the next section for the Spacedock upgrade project! Only a Nova could carry both the Modular Refueling Vehicle and the new 4-sided fuel port segment!

The solid rockets detach, and the Nova Rocket carries payload to orbit!

The protective aerodynamic fairing detaches, and the craft begins the slow and dreadfully dull rendevous maneuvers – made quite tiresome by the craft’s massive side and under-powered RCS thrusters!

“We’re gonna need more coffee at Mission Control… this is going to be a long one!”
-Gene

Finally, the segment arrives at Spacedock!

The old refueling vehicle drifts away, while the new section moves in slowly. Engineers plan to use a tug vehicle to bring the segment back to Spacedock… eventually!

The new section is aligned…

…and Spacedock itself is slowly oriented up as the docking maneuver continues… finally connecting!

“Connection seems solid! I think we’re good to start pumping fuel! Someone should probably go bring the Endeavor back!”
-Sean

“Mirphe and I can handle that!”
-Summer

Mirphe and Summer leave in Crew Vehicle 1…

… and dock with Endeavor!

“We’re connected! Summer, you should try piloting the Endeavor!“
-Mirphe

“Oh wow, this thing handles surprisingly well for how big it is! Bringing Endeavor in to dock!”
-Summer

Mirphe detaches the Crew Vehicle and Summer brings the Endeavor in to dock!

Endeavor docks at the new docking segment!

“I’m heading home too!”
-Mirphe

With Endeavor and Crew Vehicle 1 docked, the Spacedock upgrades are (for now) complete! The only thing to add are more modular refueling vehicles to the base!

“Good work up there! Get some rest!”
-Gene, at Mission Control