The Aerospace Group was able to put together a new Lawn Dart for a second test flight, this time the goal was to achieve flight from a horizontal take off using the runway. There was some debate about the aerodynamic efficiency in using trusses for the main gear, and at one point the team planned to have them jettison shortly after take off and just use the recovery chutes to land. Ultimately it was determined the drag would be negligible for this test flight and the final prototype was handed over to their second test pilot, Flight Officer Jermal Kerman, to attempt flight and recovery – via the landing gear if possible.
Tag Archive: failure
Jun 17 2014
Mk1 Lawn Dart – Entry #1
After the Aerospace Group was formed on April 30th, 2014, it immediately began working on a rocket-propelled aircraft prototype. Jet and propeller aircraft were already well-understood and well-used among kerbal society but to strap a rocket to wings and have it fly through the atmosphere? That was something new. First though, they had to spend the next month researching various other things besides rockets, such as the cockpit capsule that could withstand the demands of rocket flight and an ejection system that wouldn’t kill the pilot. They also had to recruit some brave test pilots and choose Kirk and Jermal Kerman, two of the most respected military jet pilots in the service. Finally, in the beginning of June they were ready for the first test flight.
Jun 03 2014
#022: If At First You Don’t Succeed…
After failing to rendezvous and de-orbit the derelict Kerbin III spacecraft, Capt Bob has launched once again into space to attempt another close-encounter. This mission sets up a less-direct approach to the target to hopefully make things easier, and also tests out a new lift rocket configuration.
May 26 2014
#021: No Rendezvous For You
After the treachery of Capt Bill, Capt Bob gets to finally go into space. His mission is to rendezvous with the Kerbin III spacecraft that was previously stranded in orbit so that he can perform a fuel transfer and de-orbit the defunct vehicle.
May 10 2014
#018: Friction: 1, KSA: 0
May 08 2014
#017: Check Yo Staging
After the marathon success of getting the first of 3 communications satellites into place above Kerbin, the teams at KSA were hoping for a more routine second mission now that the kinks were deemed “ironed out”. But we forgot something…
Apr 04 2014
#010: Kerbals. In. SPAAAAAAAAACE!
Once orbit was successfully achieved with an unkerbed craft and the payload was returned successfully, the push was on for getting a kerbal up into space next. Excitement and enthusiasm permeated the entire project and Kerbin V was designed and constructed in record time. Commander Jeb, the best of the best, was the unanimous selection by the KSA board for being the first to take the trip up into orbit. The KSA was poised to accomplish a major feat and all eyes were on the Agency from every corner of the world.
Mar 27 2014
#008: Falling Forever and Ever
Kerbin III was commissioned after the failure to recover Kerbin II. As devastating as it was to lose the first craft to orbit Kerbin, the KSA staff were determined as ever to recover a payload from orbit and all signs pointed to Kerbin III being the one to pull it off.
Mar 25 2014
#007: Falling Forever – Moar Powa!
Although the loss of Kerbin I was a disappointment, it was also a lesson learned. Kerbin II was the next attempt to attain orbit, with a better ascent path and more battery power. Orbit was all but assured for this flight, the only challenge was to return the payload to Kerbin intact.
Mar 12 2014
#006: Falling Forever
After the success of the sub-orbital Kerbal rocket program it was time for the KSA to set its sights on orbit, starting with the Kerbin rocket program. Kerbin I was the first craft to be built to attain an orbital velocity, then return with samples and science data collected from space.