VINCENT Lander

Year 23, Day 424 (Crew and Lander for DSV-6 Odyssey Tekto Mission Launches To DSV-6 Odyssey!)

sayburstuff Year 20, Year 23 , , , , , , ,

“Alright people.. we are going to Tekto! Get up there to Odyssey and let’s make some history!”
-Gene

While the mission specifics are not quite done beyond a misson to Tekto (one of the more interesting moons of Sarnus), a crew has been chosen for DSV-6 Odyssey’s first mission!

A team of veteran Kerbonauts has been chosen to fly Odyssey’s maiden journey: Mission Commander Jeb, Mission Scientist Shepely, and Mission Engineer, Gillian!

Blast off! The Neidon III booster blasts off, carrying the crew, and a variant of the VINCENT lander, to orbit!

“We are go! Hold on everyone, approaching maximum dynamic pressure!“
-Jeb

The solid rocket boosters detach! Ground crews scramble to their recovery vehicles to start refurbishing the boosters!

The rocket continues its journey to orbit, finally reaching an altitude of 200k meter, where it circularizes!

Crew Vehicle 4 detaches from the booster!

The Crew Vehicle detaches from the lander, and begins the docking and transposition manuever!

Jeb starts manuevers to dock with Odyssey!

“Let’s go check out Odyssey! Starting rendezvouses!”
-Jeb

Only the running lights of Odyssey are visible as the Crew Vehicle approaches Odyssey!

Suddenly, the rising sun illuminates the Deep Space Vehicle!

“I caught a glimpse of Odyssey out the window! She’s big!”
-Bob

“We are at zero relative motion… Mission Control we are going to start docking procedures! Issuing remote commands to Odyssey to open the docking shield!”
-Jeb

The signal is received by Odyssey….

… and the protective cover on the docking port opens!

“Detaching from lander… moving to relative port… RCS systems nominal…”
-Jeb

As the lander stays at a safe distance, the Crew Vehicle begins docking maneuvers!

“OK… we are the pipe, five by five! Connection in 5…4…3…2….”
-Jeb

“…1! I show a good connection!”
-Jeb

“Confirmed! Seals are good – vehicle integrity good!“
-Gillian

“OK switching controls over to the lander! I have a good connection! Starting docking maneuver!“
-Jeb

Jeb remotely pilots the lander so that it’s directly above the landing bay! Then, slowly, uses RCS to “land” in the bay!

“Just about… almost… OK!“
-Jeb

“Another good docking! I show we have the lander firmly docked in the cargo bay! Time to inspect the ship and make sure we are good for departure!
-Gillian

“We better hurry! The transfer window to Sarnus won’t last forever!“
-Bob

Kerbin Space Exploration Administration | Space Program Funding

Current Funds: 147,128Assigned Kerbal Wages: 65,000
Next Funding Period: -14dUnassigned Kerbal Wages: 5,000
Current Reputation: 453Vessel Maintenance: 107,185
Estimated Gross Funding:905,459Launch Costs: 170,866
Space Center Costs: 136,000Estimated Net Funding: 421,408

Year 23, Day 344 (Aurora 29 Returns Home From Mun!)

sayburstuff Year 23 , , , , , , , ,

Orbiting Mun, Aurora 29 Crew Vehicle and its VINCENT lander undock!

“Docking clamps show clear… reverse thrusters firing!”
-Summer

Aurora 29 drifts away from its lander!  Once they are a few hundred meters away Summer begins plotting the return course to Kerbin!

Aurora 29 Mission Summary

  • Crew: Mission Commander Summer, Mission Scientist Gilian, Mission Engineer, Lobert .
  • Mission: Crewed mission to Mun. Land near Polar Mun Crater on Mun, perform scan with large scanning arm, return data to Kerbin.

“We are clear of the lander!  Course input to the computer – Gilian can you verify that? Should be a 100km approach before circ…”
-Summer

Gilian, the mission Science Specialist, double checks Summer’s planned maneuver!

“Calculations look good!  Looks like a close approach at 100km – fuel levels are good to circularize the orbit!”
-Gillian

Lobert thinks about the conversation he just heard, and asks a question!

“Wouldn’t it save fuel and time to just calculate the re-entry so we approach directly into the atmosphere, and skip the circularization burn?”
-Lobert

Summer nods and shows Lobert how the math works for that!  After a few minutes…

“See? It takes a long time, and it’s really complicated!  Fuel is cheap so we usually don’t bother with it!”
-Summer

“That makes sense! I suppose that it’s a little safer too since we can can maneuver to Spacedock if needed too!”
-Lobert

As the spacecraft approaches Kerbin the crew prepares for the circularization burn!

At an altitude of 100km Aurora 29’s engine fires!

“Engine burn is good. Temperatures nominal!”
-Lobert

“Burn complete! Orbit looks good – Mission Control we have arrived in Kerbin Orbit – verify you are good for craft re-entry?”
-Summer

“We have you on radar! Ground crews are standing by for recovery – you are good for landing!”
-Gene at Mission Control

Summer fires the engines again, and then detaches the CRV’s command module!

“Hold on!  It gets a little bumpy from here!”
-Gillian

Ground telescopes track Aurora 29’s re-entry – it looks like a big ball of fire and plasma! The engine and fuel module of the CRV can be seen burning up in the atmosphere as well!

After the firey re-entry, the parachutes deploy from the CRV!

“Almost home!  All we have to do now is wait until we touch down!”
-Summer

After the firey re-entry, the parachutes deploy from the CRV!

“Hey I can see the VAB out the window!  What a great ride!”
-Lobert

The CRV sets down just west of the Space Center!

“Welcome home Aurora 29!  Recovery crews are the way!”
–Gene at Mission Control

Year 23, Day 316 (Aurora 29 Begins Final System Checks!)

sayburstuff Year 23 , , , , , , ,

Ground crews around the Space Center begin final preparations for the launch of Aurora 29!

Among the changes:

  • Simulations showed that the Sarnus solid rocket boosters were insufficient for carrying the Aurora 29 paylod (due to the heavier Munar transfer stage.)  Heavier Jool Rocket boosters will be attached instead, with a few segments removed!
  • Multiple simulations and calculations have been done on the new Vincent Lander.  These have shown that the existing landing gear are insufficient for the craft’s high mass. A new landing gear system has been installed that should allievealleviate this issue for both Mun and Duna.  The margins to fit within a standard DSV bay remain very tight however.

Due to a small clerical error Edan, who was scheduled to be the engineer on the mission, has been replaced with new recruit Lobert, on his very first mission!  (Edan it seems is in cryogenic sleep on board the DSV Explorer, currently en-route to Sarnus!)

“I could have sworn I saw Edan around the water cooler last week… well, Lobert you’re up.  This is one heck of a first mission!
-Gene, at Misson Control

Lobert has been seen jumping and looking very excited for the mission!  Only a few lucky Kerbals get to be selected for the Space Program!

“I can’t wait!  I’m going to practice in the simulator room non-stop until launch!”
-Lobert