Summer

Year 21, Day 245 (Mun Spaceport Upgrade Mission Launches!)

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The Nebula Rocket carrying the Mun Spaceport adapters launches!

At a 200k apoapsis, the first stage turns around, and returns to Kerbin! Meanwhile, the second stage ejects it’s fairing…

…and heads to Mun!

Circularizing orbit around Mun, the remotely piloted vehicle rendezvouses with Mun Spaceport until…

The tiny craft arrives at the massive orbital research and refueling depot!

“Mission Control – we show the spacecraft at station keeping – we’re ready for control handover!”

-Summer

Control of the upgrade modules is given to Mun Spaceport, and Summer (carefully!) pilots the three small modules into position!

The first Module goes on in an unoccupied bay…

Then the second module goes on opposite it!

“Ready for the last module! This one will be a little tricky, it’s going on the underside of the station!”
-Summer

Depsite some difficulty, Summer flawlessly docks the small module to the underside of the station!

With all three adapter modules in place (and their disposable installation craft drifting safely away) Mun Spaceport is ready for future spacecraft!

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

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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 178 (Aurora 27 Crew Return to Mun Spaceport!)

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Summer and Orlas blast off from Aurora Crater!

“I think we found a great site for the new Base!”
-Summer

“Agreed! It’s not just scenic either… there’s a lot of interesting science to be done at that location!”
-Orlas

Summer pilots the lander to a rendevous with Mun Spaceport…

… and docks!

“Alright, let’s get ready for the arrival of Aurora Base! “
-Summer

Year 21, Day 115 (KSEA Announces Aurora Base Munar Research Facility!)

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While scientists are still grumbling that the lack of water means the outpost will likely never be self-sustaining, KSEA is nonetheless excited to release plans for Aurora Base – the next Munar Outpost! The name was chosen to honor the Aurora Program, which paved the way for every crewed KSEA mission!

The site chosen by Orlas and Summer has been named Aurora Crater.

Unlike previous Munar Outposts, this one will have a greenhouse and supplies to make habitability long term, if not permanent (with minor support from Kerbin.)

Construction has already begun, and the Outpost will be launched on a Jool-X rocket soon!

Year 21, Day 108 (Aurora 27 Finds Possible Colony Site – But No Water!)

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After traveling for several days, Summer and Orlas have still not found any water on Mun!

“These surface readings are a 1:1 match for orbital readings… there appears to be NO detectable water here at all! We can try digging with equipment in future missions… but I don’t think we should plan on any base that has water sourced from Mun itself!”

-Orlas

“Some good news though… we’ve found a nice flat area that is rich in most other resources! It’s also quite scenic!”

-Summer

Mission Control review the data… there’s a lot of disappointment that Mun seems to have no water, but Orlas helpfully makes a point:

“There are plenty of other worlds to colonize! We can use Mun as a testbed for future sites that may also not have water, for long term but not self-sustaining colonies!”

-Orlas

At the original landing site for Aurora 27, the lander is remotely piloted up…

…and then to the new site found by Summer and Orlas!

“Look! There it is! These new landers are so advanced!”

-Orlas

The two Kerbals drive the rover back to the lander, and camp out while Mission Control decides the next move!

Year 21, Day 91 (Summer Leaves Spacedock to Return Mun Spaceport Crew!)

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With Mun Spaceport (mostly) functional, Bill, Gilian, and Edan need to return to Kerbin! Summer departs in Crew Vehicle 5 to rescue them!

“If we’re going to be using these Crew Vehicles for trips back and forth to Mun, they’re going to need a better second stage – this will be a tight mission for DeltaV!“
-Summer

Crew Vehicle 5 departs Kerbin…

… Eventually arriving at Mun, and docking with Mun Spaceport!

Bill, Gilian, and Edan all board and buckle in for a quick return trip to Kerbin!

“There’s not enough fuel to do a full orbital return, so we’re going to try for touchdown near White Mesa… hold on everyone!”
-Summer

Crew Vehicle 5 misses the mark, landing 40km or so from White Mesa!

“Close enough! Rescue crews are on the way!”
-Gene, at Mission Control

Year 20, Day 124 (Crew Vehicle 1 Launches On New Mk2 Nebula Rocket!)

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At White Mesa, the desert launch facility, the new Mk2 Nebula Rocket is ready for launch!

“After all those simulations with the new Crew Vehicle I’m ready to finally blast off!”
-Mirphe

This will be the first launch for KSEA’s newest pilot, Summer!

“I can’t wait to see Kerbin from orbit!”
-Summer

The KR-84 engine ignites, and Crew Vehicle 1 blasts off!

“All systems nominal… not too bumpy either!”
-Summer

The Nebula Rocket breaks through the clouds, and carries the Crew Vehicle higher and higher!

“CV1 nearing 200k apoapsis – prepare for seperation!”
-Mirphe

The KR-84 throttles down, and the rocket coasts! This will be the first time the Mk2 Nebula Rocket has attempted it’s separate/spin/land maneuver to return to KSC!

“Separating first stage!“
-Mirphe

“First stage is clear! Sensors show it’s onboard systems have already started the flip maneuver!“
-Summer

Once clear of the Crew Vehicle, the Nebula Rocket fires it’s engine – altering it’s trajectory so it lands at the Space Center!

It’s Air Brakes deploy to assist in the landing! They will automatically retract and extend as the craft’s sensors take it in for a landing!

“Crew Vehicle 1 this is Mission Control – we show the Nebula Rocket is on track for a landing at KSC… nice work!”
-Gene, at Mission Control

“OK! Starting rendevous maneuvers for Spacedock!”
-Mirphe

The capable “Poodle” engine starts the first of several burns to take CV1 to Spacedock!

“Looks like we’re in the pipe! Wow, that station is HUGE!”
-Summer

After the required maneuvers, Crew Vehicle 1 arrives at Spacedock!

“Why don’t you do the docking Summer? It’ll be good practice!”
-Mirphe

“Awesome! OK – taking us in!”
-Summer

“Crew Vehicle 1 – this is Station Commander Val – we show you as docked and cleared to come aboard! Welcome to Spacedock!”
-Val

Year 20, Day 11 (Summer and Luly Investigate Mountain Launch Site!)

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Mission planners keep insisting that launches are possible from a so-called “Woomerang” Launch Site… however before fuel, rocket parts, and Kerbals start getting diverted to the location, KSEA wants to check it out!

“We’re sending a crack team to see what’s up with this site! Good luck Summer and Luly! “
-Gene, at Mission Control

Wanderertakes off at full speed, reaching near orbital velocities as it flies toward “Woomerang!”

“There it is! Cutting engines, pulling up… deploying chute!”
-Summer

Wanderer sets down!

“Let’s check this out!”
-Luly

Luly leaves the aircraft, and heads over to the “Woomerang” site!

“That’s one of the ground stations – neat!”
-Luly

Luly checks out the launch pad.. and some kind of tower!

“Huh – there’s not much here! Just the landing pad and a tower… probably a water tower for the launch pad! Whoever used this before us didn’t build very much! “
-Summer

“Yea – we’re going to need to build a lot of facilities out here if we’re going to use it! We better head back to KSC!”
-Luly

The crew packs up in Wanderer and heads home!