Just prior to receiving two new astronauts into the program, the KSA launches its first mapping satellite into orbit around Kerbin to test new technology to gather surface data on planets from space. The instruments on board measure terrain altitude and slope, as well as vegetation and land surface to create a biome map. Future missions to Mun and other planets in the Kerbol system depend largely on the success of the technology deployed by K-SCAN.
Tag Archive: Kerbin
Sep 16 2014
#029: Munar Relay Network Completion
The KSA finally recovered enough from the atmospheric asteroid explosion just over 150km west of the KSC at the end of August to complete assembly of the third Munar comsat and launch it on its mission to complete the Munar relay network. The previous attempt had ended in failure due to wrongly-tuned boosters, but Lead Engineer Simon personally oversaw the final stages of the rocket construction to ensure booster thrust was set properly. In addition to completing the communications network around Mun, once separated the transfer stage would perform a fly-through of the impact cloud kicked up when the previous Mun comsat transfer stage, still in orbit, slams into the Munar surface. Lead Scientist Wernher Von Kerman had devised a new dust collector experiment for this purpose, although the collectors are also capable of collecting interstellar particles. Finally, there was a chance to arrange a very close (1.3km) fly-by of a passing asteroid in the hopes of photographing it prior to the launch of ComSat Mun III.
Aug 18 2014
#028: Booster Overload
The KSA was finally on the verge of completing their ComSat network around Mun so they could begin sending orbital and surface missions in earnest and start to fully explore the nearest neighbor of Kerbin. The launch of ComSat Mun III arrived on schedule, although there were some problems earlier in the week – the SPH suffered a worker death and the VAB had to deal with a minor fuel fire. The VAB supervisor ensured that everything was alright, however a critical step in the launch readiness procedures was overlooked…
Aug 09 2014
#027: 1 Day, 3 Missions
The second ComSat is sent to Mun to establish a network of relay communications for any orbiting space craft. Originally designed to trail Mun’s orbit around Kerbin, ComSat Mun I failed to hold station in its leading position and now the KSA is constructing the same 3-satellite constellation as their LKO relay network. The new configuration lead to the R&D department coming up with capacitor technology for increased energy storage needed for the ComSats to survive a combined Munar night transit and Kerbol eclipse while operating. A second dish was also added – both improvements would need to be also added to ComSat Mun I at some point in the future. Flight Officer Kirk also performs 2 flights in the Mk1.2 Raker – one to video the launch from 10Km and another to drop science pods on the badlands on the other side of Kerbin.
Jul 26 2014
#026: ComSat Mun I & Munar Orbiter I
While various technologies are still under development to eventually put some kerbals on Mun, the Agency is getting ready by establishing a communications relay network that will allow an orbiting craft to maintain a constant connection to Mission Control. To do this, there will be two ComSats placed out in front and behind Mun along its orbit. The first, ComSat Mun I, is what the KSA is launching for this mission. The transfer stage that will carry the satellite into position will then enter into an orbit around Mun for science observations. After this, an impact trajectory will be set up to kick up a good amount of Munar soil that ground-based telescopes can observe. The mission is expected to take two days to complete.
Jul 04 2014
#025: Day-long Polar Orbit for Science
Now that the LKO communications network is finally completed and fully operational, a mission proposed weeks ago by Lead Scientist Wernher Von Kerman was finally approved – a near-polar orbit would be established for observations of the entire planet over the course of a day-long mission. Originally scheduled to launch on 6/30, the previous day a dish at the tracking station suffered a mechanical failure and needed to be replaced. After a day to replace the dish and a day to test/calibrate it, weather was the issue holding up the launch. There was a small chance, so Flight Director Lanalye ordered the rocket out to the pad the night before so it could be prepped in the morning. However a fuel line was not properly attached, blew loose overnight and moisture got into one of the large main engine tanks. In the time it took to dry, the weather worsened for the day and launch had to be cancelled. Finally, on 7/3, everything fell into place for the mission to receive a Go.
Jun 23 2014
#024: Servicing the ComSat Network
The Agency had originally planned to do this in two missions, but Lead Engineer Simon convinced Flight Director Lanalye in a marathon planning session that it could be done in one. Thus, Captain Bob was tasked with piloting the tallest rocket assembled to date into orbit high above Kerbin to service ComSat I, which needed larger-capacity batteries. He then had to lower his orbit to rendezvous with ComSat II, which had experienced problems during launch that caused it to lose all its solar panels. The ComSat Service Vehicle constructed for this mission was an improved model of the craft used for the Kerbin III de-orbit that allowed fuel transfer to restore Center of Mass within the RCS thruster ring for proper translation abilities Bob lacked in the previous mission. The Agency was all set to pull off yet another successful mission.
Jun 20 2014
Mk1 Lawn Dart – Entry #2
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.
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 11 2014
#023: Third Time’s the Charm
After failing to rendezvous and de-orbit the derelict Kerbin III spacecraft for a second time, the team at KSA has come up with an even better rendezvous technique they hope will allow for success on this mission. Additionally, the rocket being flown by Capt Bob has been slightly simplified to reduce the chance of any staging malfunctions interrupting the rendezvous attempt.