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  1. Hi, This video tutorial will cover how to do a manual ascent to rendez-vous, in IVA (from the cockpit) ! : ) This part can be quite tricky, and almost as hard as an IVA landing, when done right ! This part assumes you already know all the bits & bobs covered in the previous tutorials, which you can find below : Feedback and questions always welcome ! Cheers
  2. "Perhaps the single, most consuming scientific question of the space program is: 'Does extraterrestrial life exist in our solar system?' Has life ever existed on Mars? Does it exist now? Are conditions such that some form of life could exist? [...] The systems of the 1970's are the foundation for building major space facilities in the 1980's. The 1975 space station evolves into a Space Base that can support up to 100 people by the early 1980's. This facility allows extensive multi-disciplinary scientific activities as indicated. A geosynchronous station is practical in this time period with the availability of the nuclear shuttle. Similarly, these new systems permit increased lunar operations. The logical culmination of the next decade is a Manned Mars Landing Mission in the the early 1980's. The systems and experience gained in the 1970's make this a feasible undertaking." - paraphrased from Wernher Von Braun's presentation of the IPP to Nixon's Space Task Group, 4/8/1969 Hello and welcome to this thread! My plan with this mission report is to make a reconstruction of the many missions that the Integrated Program Plan would have been compromised of in a chronological manner, starting at the early stages of the program and going ahead until hopefully the first martian mission, but there's a lot more than that happening before that! While I'm taking most of the planning from E. Grenning's schedule, I've modified it to include some of the proposals that were made in the following years both before and after the program's cancellation; some of the schedules will also end up shifting to the right, like it always happens. However, all the key objectives and vehicles of the IPP will remain intact, from the little Space Tug to the massive Nuclear Shuttles and Space Base. The first mission, set in 1974 begins in the next post, but for now enjoy a sneak peek of what used to be the future! I'll probably forget to update this list pretty often, but here's the list of chapters: - 1974: The beginning - 1974: The Nuclear Skylab Crew - 1975 - The reusable Space Tug - 1975: Orbiter approach and landing test - 1975: Skylab B expansion & more - 1976 - The Earth to Orbit Shuttle - 1976: Flying by the d'Arrest comet - 1976: The dawn of the Earth to Orbit Shuttle - 1976: The Orbital Propellant Depot (and Space Tug) (also, here's the poster of the mission) - 1977: Assembly of the Orbiting Propellant Depot
  3. Hi ! Today, we continue this tutorial serie for a Moon landing, fully manual from the start of the powered descent to touchdown, all from the cockpit (IVA). This is one of the trickiest part of IVA flying, but one of the most rewarding for sure ! Link to the previous/next parts of those retro-IVA tutorials : Cheers
  4. Continuation of the previous episode, which was about rendez-vous, this ones covers old manual docking, instruments only ! Which involves the usage of that bloody X-pointer instrument... Looks overwhelming at first, but in the end allows for very precise and smooth dockings to be made, and is also so damn rewarding and fun ! Link to the previous/following parts of those retro-IVA tutorials : Questions/feedback welcome Cheers
  5. I noticed no one has made a good stock Launch pad for the BDB Little Joe II rocket so I decided to make on my own Here is an Explosion view: I hope you enjoyed my creation
  6. April 7th, 1974 They'd done it. The Soviets had landed a man on the Moon, and returned him safely to the Earth. His name: Alexei Leonov. After Apollo 17 returned to Earth in 1972, the world thought the space race was over. America had been to the Moon nine times, and landed 12 men there, and the Soviets weren't even close to orbiting it. Yet, on that fateful morning, the Soviets put themselves back into the space race. Any doubts that congress had about NASA immediately vanished, and president Richard Nixon immediately ordered a renewal of the American space program. The Apollo Applications program (AAP) was re-opened, and a new program was created for the revived space race: Apollo-Mars. There were three goals for Apollo-Mars: Establish a long term presence and begin the expansion of Skylab, create a long-term lunar presence with a space station and surface base with a re-usable lander, and as the most ambitious goal of the program, land a man on Mars in the early 1980s. Just as President Kennedy had set the goal for the U.S. to land on the Moon 13 years ago, America had set another ambitous goal. And so, the new race was on. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To celebrate one year of foruming, I have decided to redo my very first mission report, Apollo-Mars! This time it will have a more in depth story to it, as well show what the Soviets are up too. Did anybody ask for this? No. But I'm doing this anyways. With the knowledge I've gained from other mission reports, this will be 10,000 times better than the old thread. So enjoy!
  7. Introduction About a week ago, I embarked on a quest - a quest to recreate Space Station Freedom from the Alternate History, "Eyes Turned Skywards". I wanted a Challenge, something Cool to do, & something to share and show on the forums. So this will be where I document the creation and assembly of the Station However, this will be my Interpretation of it, as firstly, it's more entertaining to recreate it in your own style/way, and also, I haven't read too much of ETS yet ( I keep meaning to, but I always forget ). For example, this is extremely evident in how I chose to make most of the Ports CBM's and not APAS's like in ETS. this is for a number of reasons, but mainly that the APAS are a smaller diameter than the Modules, and using an adapter doesn't look the best. Where are we? Currently, I have launched the first 4 Flights. Over the next few days, I will post them, making way for the "new" stuff. I'm aiming for a new mission every few days or so (Let's see how that goes ) Mods My Modlist fluctuates a little, but for the most part, the main bits are: -BDB (Note - As my computer is pretty bad, I have pruned most of the files from BDB so my PC doesn't take 1 Hour to load {I'm not joking about that - Sometimes it does}) -Habtech2 -KSRSS 2.5x -Katniss Cape Canaveral 2.5x KSRSS configs -Modular Launch Pads Note: As of now, I am playing in 1.11 as it otherwise, lots of my mods are broken - I will say when I switch to 1.12 Here's the Full modlist as of July 28th: Inspiration I have to say a big thanks to @Kuiper_Belt and his shuttle adventures thread for inspiring me to try something like this. If you haven't seen his Kerbalized Shuttle adventures thread, check it out here: Also a Big thanks to @CobaltWolf for his amazing parts in Bluedog Design Bureau - I literally couldn't do these missions without his parts. Edit - I totally forgot to thank @e of piFor creating ETS - Keep up the work and rock on dude! Where Next? If this turns out to be popular, well, I might just do a full recreation of ETS, either from Apollo 18 onwards or from the start of the space race! No promises though - That's a big challenge to take on, and if I do, it'll be once the BDB Saturn Update comes out, so don't expect it next week I Hope you Enjoy...
  8. In a shock news release by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), it was revealed that rumours of man's exploration of the moon in the Apollo program, having been observed by alien beings, were in fact true. Pictures released today, show these alien creatures in close proximity to the astronauts of the Apollo missions, appearing to observe and even interact with them. More information on this late breaking story and additional pictures, as we get it.
  9. What is Expanding the Horizons (ETH)? ETH is my take on the apollo program if a lot of AAP concepts and mission ideas (and some of my own ideas) actually existed in my kerbalized way along with many other blessed (or cursed) things! In my timeline Apollo 7 is the first Munar Landing after multiple failures and quick attempts to beat the Soviets to the Mun. Recently Apollo 14 landed on the Mun after month long delays and Skylab-4 is prepping for launch (since a lot of the Apollo stuff is repetitive I'll start this forum at Skylab-4-2) The year as of starting this thread is 1971 and hopes are high for NASA Scientist and the Space Community as a whole. I am open to criticism since I usually screw up things and screenshots will be very novice as I practice camera controls. Current Year: 1973
  10. Hello all! Just wanted to share a project I've been working on for entirely too long. I started out wanting to create a more generic launch platform for general use in KSP, but quickly snowballed into an attempted recreation of the Apollo Mobile Launcher and Launch Umbilical Tower. I remember seeing the outstanding documentary For All Mankind when I was a kid and absolutely -loving- the shot from the elevator of the tower going up and seeing the behemoth Saturn V squatting right in front of the camera. Further review informed me that this elevator was actually located on the Mobile Service Structure (MSS), but I was nonetheless inspired to attempt to recreate the launch-day experience of an Apollo astronaut. So far I have created the launch platform (with some interior, even), the ground support structures, the LUT itself, the hammerhead crane, the damper arm, and swing arms 9 and 6 - all with animations. As stated earlier, I wanted the user to be able to experience the actual route taken by the astronauts on launch-day, so I have included functionality to take the ground-to-pad elevator, walk down the mobile launcher corridor to the elevator room, ride the elevator to tower level 320', then traverse the walkway and crew access arm to the Saturn V command module. The screenshots included here are adapted for the FASA Saturn V. I'm trying to gauge community interest in this thing in an attempt to motivate myself to finish it. Here are some videos of the project: The Apollo Astronaut Pad Experience Demo of currently implemented features TODO: Swing Arms: Lights? Complete arms 1-5 and 7-8 Mobile Launcher: Add Blast Shield Tether Tie-Downs 0' - 80': Add equipment boxes, etc. Complete water pipes / quench stuff 100' - 360': Add equipment boxes, etc. Complete water pipes / quench stuff Complete Propellant pipes 200' - 300': Add swing arm walkway supports 300 - Bottom of umbMount z-fighting its support 320': Add escape lines? Car (9-seater)? 380': Crane 25 TON 10 TON sign
  11. Intro I've always been intrigued by Post-Apollo concepts and alternate timelines including AAP (Apollo Applications Program) and others like David S. F. Portree's NSOD's timeline and Eyes Turned Skywards; So I wondered what would Apollo look like in a modern setting based around mid to late 90s This timeline won't just include Apollo (which I will have my own take on), it will also include other things like Space stations and uncrewed missions and so on Note: This alternate timeline takes place in the Tempus System - A part of the Beyond Home mod by @Gameslinx Main Inspiration @TruthfulGnome's Awesome No Shortage Of Dreams Skylab Alternative History @Jay The Amazing Toaster's Kānāwai: Ares To Mars @Talverd's Chasing Dreams Alternative History Shuttle Timeline nik "hound" proxima on Twitter for the title name suggestion, Check out their Proxima AH as well https://twitter.com/defconlove?t=nb89xicwfRXQ-tXG6DQ-zw&s=09 And The Mod Creators who contributed to the parts used in my builds
  12. United Kerbal Space Agency Presents: The Khonsu Program Kerbalkind's First Journeys To The Mun Inspired By: The Apollo Program Introduction: Why? Basically because I want to add more lore to my crafts, and I think this is the best way to do it. I will mainly be posting crewed Mun missions, crewed LKO missions, and space station stuff. Mission uploads will be sporadic (I'll try my best, I have lots of other stuff to do) Craft Files: Right Here (Might take a while for the craft files to be uploaded, I don't like making infographics ) Thanks: Thanks to @keanukeno21 for this piece of artwork, used in my UKSA flag. Thanks to @Autochrome for their Hyperion Program, and @AmateurAstronaut1969 for their Space Station Freedom and Artemis Program for inspiring me to make this. Thanks to N9 Gaming for inspiring lots of my crafts And finally thanks to squad for this awesome game. Mod List: As of June 4 2022 Missions: Note 1: Feedback is welcome as long as it is helpful Edit 1: Green completed missions now linked under missions
  13. Wherein we execute a fictitious Apollo mission. Most images are 2560 x 1440 when expanded. Mods used should be fairly obvious. Official type objectives and milestones Shelter launch Rover launch Crew launch Arrivals and landings Surface operations Departure Arrival Fin.
  14. The Apollo Program You know it, we all love it: the legendary space program that put man on the Moon. At the time it was considered to be one of the most ambitious projects ever undertaken by either side during the Space Race. To this day the accomplishment of the Apollo program still stands as one of mankind's greatest achievements. Below are a collection of stock+DLC replicas I've built to represent the various rockets, spacecraft, and mission profiles that comprised the Apollo program—from its first test launches in 1961 to the very last flight of Apollo hardware in 1975. Currently this page features all of the Saturn I, Saturn IB, and Saturn V flights minus Apollo 13, Skylab, and ASTP. If I have the time I'd also like to include the Little Joe II and LLRV missions, but we'll just have to see how things pan out. In the meantime, check out the spoilers below! They contain a bit of info about the launch history of the Apollo program, utilizing screenshots of every rocket and mission I've built so far. Downloads and flight instructions for each individual craft are featured further down the page. Birth of Apollo and the Saturn Rocket 1961-1963 Early Testing Begins 1963-1967 SA-1 - AS-204 (Apollo 1) The Saturn V Takes Flight 1967-1969 Apollo 4 - Apollo 11 Follow-up Missions and the End of Apollo 1969-1972 Apollo 12 - Apollo 17 Post-Apollo 1973-1975 Skylab 1-4, ASTP ↓↓↓Downloads↓↓↓ Required flags: drive folder: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/12eV6W7RbosDmtB08Sp_0X-cJnIBsDEz0?usp=sharing zip: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RILAPVRDlsn9ptDrGnIGzTsrpWvztouB/view?usp=sharing All crafts* built in stock KSP v1.11.2, both DLCs Required *SA-2 and SA-3 built in KSP v1.12.2 Saturn I: SA-1: 600 parts https://www.dropbox.com/s/pj5vru5x704rlo5/Saturn I SA-1.craft?dl=0 SA-2: 609 parts https://www.dropbox.com/s/w7e9majhr3w26hp/Saturn I SA-2.craft?dl=0 SA-3: 671 parts https://www.dropbox.com/s/8djx8x1zx8vrwr1/Saturn I SA-3.craft?dl=0 SA-4: 809 parts https://www.dropbox.com/s/xl2r3nd8rau6pyn/Saturn I SA-4.craft?dl=0 SA-5: 1399 parts https://www.dropbox.com/s/61umgn0p8swlwgz/Saturn I SA-5.craft?dl=0 AS-101: 1584 parts https://www.dropbox.com/s/eer70uqyz085dih/Saturn I AS-101.craft?dl=0 AS-102: 1661 parts https://www.dropbox.com/s/9ngjhxk8vh4fe59/Saturn I AS-102.craft?dl=0 AS-103: 2188 parts https://www.dropbox.com/s/a7516r3dauowujj/Saturn I AS-103.craft?dl=0 AS-104: 2193 parts https://www.dropbox.com/s/qxwekn35wch8hlx/Saturn I AS-104.craft?dl=0 AS-105: 2177 parts https://www.dropbox.com/s/76ucg6t087vo6ng/Saturn I AS-105.craft?dl=0 Saturn IB: AS-201/202: 1748 parts https://www.dropbox.com/s/oc1035zkkie4hy0/Saturn IB AS-202.craft?dl=0 AS-203: 1096 parts https://www.dropbox.com/s/cfi3sacpqkeaibz/Saturn IB AS-203.craft?dl=0 Apollo 5: 2306 parts https://www.dropbox.com/s/g6wam6tob2m7ry2/Saturn IB Apollo 5.craft?dl=0 Apollo 7: 1987 parts https://www.dropbox.com/s/nwmb7dgiqd9ou26/Saturn IB Apollo 7.craft?dl=0 Saturn V: Apollo 4: 3473 parts https://www.dropbox.com/s/s8gqqqrfw3ck682/Saturn V Apollo 4.craft?dl=0 Apollo 6: 3458 parts https://www.dropbox.com/s/g0mr9dmy4iv4gl8/Saturn V Apollo 6.craft?dl=0 Apollo 8: 3283 parts https://www.dropbox.com/s/canhabj57onopkb/Saturn V Apollo 8.craft?dl=0 Apollo 9: 4384 parts https://www.dropbox.com/s/4g65tn3obbik4lo/Saturn V Apollo 9.craft?dl=0 Apollo 10: 4424 parts https://www.dropbox.com/s/twt3oeqdkohei5p/Saturn V Apollo 10.craft?dl=0 Apollo 11: 4563 parts https://kerbalx.com/tehmattguy/Saturn-V-Apollo-11 Apollo 12: 4582 parts https://www.dropbox.com/s/pdc5dbim126dz1o/Saturn V Apollo 12.craft?dl=0 Apollo 14: 4647 parts https://www.dropbox.com/s/o2f2affam55pveo/Saturn V Apollo 14.craft?dl=0 Apollo 15: 4880 parts https://www.dropbox.com/s/561woxslixlwry2/Saturn V Apollo 15.craft?dl=0 Apollo 16: 4919 parts https://www.dropbox.com/s/nor79yyp9lg0oi5/Saturn V Apollo 16.craft?dl=0 Apollo 17: 4895 parts https://kerbalx.com/tehmattguy/Saturn-V-Apollo-17 Controls Saturn I/Saturn IB/Saturn V + CSM Spacebar (Stage): Start Automatic Flight Sequencer 1: Toggle CSM RCS / Extend Antennas / Reset Robotic Parts 2: 3: 4: 5: 6: 7: Decouple CSM Docking Port 8: Disengage CSM Umbilical 9: Deploy CSM Flotation Bags 0: Decouple from LES Post-Abort Backspace (Abort): Activate Launch Escape System LM (Apollo 5, 9-14) LM (Apollo 15-17) LRV (Apollo 15-17) 1: Reset Robotic Parts 1: Reset Robotic Parts 1: 2: Toggle LM RCS 2: Toggle LM RCS 2: 3: Deploy LM MESA 3: Deploy LM MESA 3: 4: LM Commander EVA 4: LM Commander EVA 4: 5: LM Pilot EVA 5: LM Pilot EVA 5: 6: LM Pre-Ascent Prep. 6: LM Pre-Ascent Prep. 6: 7: Deploy S-Band Antenna 7: Deploy LRV 7: 8: Decouple Antenna from LM 8: Deploy LRV Equipment 8: 9: Deploy Antenna Legs 9: Decouple LRV Equipment (Fore) 9: Engage Equipment Latch (Fore) 0: Deploy Antenna Dish 0: Decouple LRV Equipment (Aft) 0: Engage Equipment Latch (Aft) W/A/S/D: Driving / Steering G: Extend Landing Struts G: Extend Landing Struts B: Brakes U: Rendezvous Lights U: Rendezvous Lights Instructions All instructions are written in the Imgur albums linked below Saturn I / Saturn IB + CSM flight: https://imgur.com/a/x6wtIhc Saturn V + CSM flight: https://imgur.com/a/YcXfzfn LM landing, ascent + reentry and splashdown (Apollo 9-14): https://imgur.com/a/IdjBSY2 LM landing, LRV assembly, ascent, reentry and splashdown (Apollo 15-17): https://imgur.com/a/CuWz84P Craft Info Started development of this monstrosity back in December of last year, mainly because I wanted to build a high-fidelity replica of the Lunar Module to stack up next to my Soviet LK lander. Well you can't have an LM without a CSM and S-IVB, and if you have those you might as well build the entire rest of the Saturn V, right? And while you're at it, why not slap on an LRV and try to do one of those J-missions? That'd be pretty cool. Anyways, after months of trial, error, explosions, and lazing around I finally managed to put together a Saturn V that didn't explode by, would you believe, adding more struts. After the first successful test flight I managed to find the motivation to complete the design, and it took shape pretty quickly after that. I was also gonna put together a video but at this point it's pretty clear that it'll take a bit longer than usual to create. I don't wanna sit on the craft files while I make the video though so I'm posting them here just to get them out there. In the meantime, stay tuned, and thanks for reading!
  15. In 1972, after Apollo 17 returned from the Moon, America thought they had the space race in the bag. But, in 1974, just 2 years later, the soviets landed their first Man on the Moon. A total of three soviet moon missions were held, the other two in 1975 and 1976. The Americans knew they'd have to put the USSR in their place in space. If the Moon wasn't enough, then they had to do the next best thing. On March 11th, 1977, during Carter's state of the union address, he announced Apollo Mars. The goal: Put a man on Mars in the early 1980s, and return him back to the Earth. Out of fear that the soviets were already getting ready to put a man on Mars, the United States had to get ready and fast. In 5 Months they built 6 Ares rockets, which would carry the crew module all the way the orbiting habitat. Ares Rocket The Ares Flight Test (AFT) Missions will be orbital tests of the Ares Rocket. AFT 1 will be an unmanned orbital test of the spacecraft, AFT 2 Will be a manned orbital test of the spacecraft, and AFT 3&4 will be an orbital rendezvous test, to test the docking systems of the spacecraft. If all goes well, it'll be used to launch the first people to Mars. AFT 1: UNMANNED ORBITAL TEST AFT 1 was rolled out onto the launch pad on June 5th, 1977. Just 3 hours later, it was fully fueled and ready to launch. AFT 1 on the pad. Liftoff! AFT 1 past the karman (kerman lol) line, with the Moon in the background. AFT 1 in orbit. On re-entry. Parachutes deployed for a safe splashdown. AFT 2: MANNED ORBITAL TEST On June 18th, 1977, AFT 2 is ready and waiting for launch. All it needs now is the crew. Let's get to know them, shall we? Albert Millet: Navy Test Pilot; has been flying for 10 years now; Enjoys: Flying & Baseball Games Joshua Lambkin: Air Force Test Pilot; has been flying for 6 years; Enjoys: Refuses to say Dick Ednar: Navy Sailor; has been with navy for 9 years; Enjoys: Dancing late at night and not telling anyone. \ Commander A. Millet front; Pilot J. Lambkin right; Module pilot D. Ednar left Crew on the walkway. AFT 2 on the launch pad. Liftoff! The crew reports that everything seem nominal. AFT 2 almost in orbit. AFT 2 in orbit. Albert Millet preforming an EVA. "OW! My eyes!" - A. Millet AFT 2 on re-entry. Drogue chutes deployed. Main chutes deployed. Splashdown! After 4 orbits of the Earth, AFT 2 returns back to the surface. AFT 3 & 4: ORBITAL RENDEZVOUS TEST On July 10th, 1977, both AFT 3&4 are rolled out to the Launchpad and Launch Complex 39b. The flight's goal is to dock two of the Ares modules together in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to practice the maneuvers necessary to dock with the main habitat, due to be launched next year. AFT 3 Crew: Brian O'Neill: Marine Core Pilot; Has been flying for 18 years; Enjoys: chaos, bloodshed, and kittens. Trace Chadsey: MIT Graduate; Has doctorate in engineering; Enjoys: Soft Rock Wayne Deely: Navy Pilot; Has been flying for 5 years; Enjoys: Stuff AFT 4 Crew: Mark Coyle: Air Force Pilot; Has been flying for 10 years; Enjoys: Piloting Roman Bene: Air Force Pilot; Has adequate training, still has yet to fly a plane; Enjoys: ice cold water & dad jokes John Gabriels: Drexel Graduate; Has doctorate in engineering; Enjoys: None of your business AFT 3 Commander Brian O'Neill (front); Docking Specialist Chase Chadsey (right); Pilot Wayne Deely (left) Liftoff! Brian O'Neill claims launch isn't as bad as people say it is. A round 200km Earth Orbit is achieved. AFT 4 AFT 4 at launch complex 39b. AFT 4 in LEO. AFT 3&4 docked together in orbit. "Finally, neighbors! It was getting quite lonely in this neighborhood." -B. O'Neill Touchdown of both AFT 3&4. With the conclusion of both the missions AFT 3&4, NASA has finally proven that the Ares vehicle is a very capable vehicle. Next the element of the program to be launched will be the Mars lander, in 1978. While the AFT program has been going on, various tests of the mars lander have been going on. At this pace, we're already on track for the first humans to set foot on Mars in 1981.
  16. INTRO Hello people of the internet and welcome to a new KSP forum series I am doing. This series will be a kerbalised take on the Apollo Program. After reading a whole host of space alternate histories, from e of pi's "Eyes Turned Skyward" featuring Apollo derivatives, to @TruthfulGnome's No Shortage of Dreams featuring his take on an alternate Skylab program, to @Talverd's Chasing Dreams starring an alternate, kerbalised Space Shuttle program with his own fleet of orbiters and combined with my own love of the Apollo Program and what it could've been, I thought why not start my own alternate history thread, starring my own, kerbalised take on the Apollo Program, or should I say....APHELION PROGRAM. Yeah I'm terrible at introductions, anyhow this thread will feature of a variety of screenshots and missions from the Aphelion program from 1964-1973, anyhow, hope you all enjoy :> And please, go check out all of the post I've mentioned above, not only have they inspired me to create this thread, but also are absolutely astonishing and are certainly worth your time. (SA-1 through 4 have been cut out as, to me at least, they were relatively boring though I do have a screenshot from SA-4, the final single stage flight of the Cronus I) MODLIST:
  17. "Rewriting History" Intro to series: Rewriting History is a series that I've been working on for the past few months, posting mostly on my instagram account and posting highlights on twitter, however a few twitter users inspired me to take my series here, the main focus of this thread is to cover all the major events and/or launches from the begining in 1966 to the current point in 1984. The premise of the series is that the first manned Lunar landing happens in 1966 with Apollo 8 instead of Apollo 11, the public interest for spaceflight grows even after the first few mission to the moon. After, what was supposed to be the vietnam war, doesn't happen, in 1969 NASA budget sees a huge increase and continues to rise through the years, as the world begins to focus more on spaceflight over military conflicts money get poured into space agencies all around the world. This series still is in full swing and should continue for quite a while, as I haven't reached Mars yet... I will be redoing most of the mission from 1966 to 1979 and the rest of them will come from my Instagram account untill I catch up to 1984 on here.... I've taken inspiration from quite a few different sources for this series. These include: @Talverd with his chasing dreams alternative history TruthfulGnome l with the skylab alt history Eyes turned skyward and Boldly Going Mission list as of 1984 Mod list:
  18. Frizzank Aeronautical Space Administration presents - Apollo, Gemini & Mercury. Pronounced like NASA but with an F (FASA) FASA is going to be transferring to NathanKell. I no longer have enough free time to maintain FASA and he is a great choice for it. I gave him complete control over the mod but I will keep the original up on Kerbal Stuff just in-case anyone still wants to download the old, non-updated one. Delete the plugin folder reflections no longer work as of KSP 1.1. Raster Prop Monitor (JSI folder) will need to be manually updated for 1.3 compatibility. RPM Latest download The latest version taken over by NathanKell is here, Module Manager configs make it work with Realism Overhaul. if your not using RO delete the MM configs. FASA/RO Latest Download OLD Stable Full Release Now on Spacedock!!! http://spacedock.info/mod/188/FASA%20-%20Frizzank%27s%20Aeronautics%20and%20Space%20Administration Google drive 5.44 mirror-click download at the top of the page. https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5TWBhfzs3ZXNHlaZmY3QkRjTnM/view?pref=2&pli=1 Dropbox https://www.dropbox.com/s/3qt22esj59yfsi4/FASA5.44.zip?dl=0 These are Kerbal versions of NASA rockets, not NASA replicas. Replicas are not the direction I want to go with FASA. I want to keep it fun, simple, easy, and have it be a somewhat stock like in appearance. Currently there are almost 200 parts in this pack and they give you a wide range of options. Updated FASA Light Version Helpful but not required mods.... I highly recommend Kerbal Joint Reinforcement to help with larger builds like the Saturn V! http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/55657-0-23-5-Kerbal-Joint-Reinforcement-v2-2-4-2-14 Also this pack fixes many bugs including the Launch Clamps going with you to space http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/97285 Real chute module manager fix.(your apollo chutes are messed up) http://www./download/bpig55ly85qawmx/FASA_RealChute_MM.cfg The Apollo CM and Lander were created by DennyTx. You can fallow his development here. http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/70557-APOLLO-LEM-OLDD-%28Odd-Looking-Devices-by-DennyTX%29-present-%28v-0-23-03-03-14%29 Also here is an excellent Skylab part for downloading. http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/86243-23-5-Skylab-%28Compatible-with-OLDD-FASA-LOVAD%29-ALPHA-RELEASE-v0-1?p=1272382 Raster Prop Monitor version of Gemini http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/66824-0-23-5-FASA-Gemini-IVA-Modernization-2-0-%28RasterPropMonitor%29 Realism Overhaul Mod Info http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/84689 Want your own deploy-able rover? http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/86343-Portable-Rover-Components-New-project-from-ASET-%28up-29-07-14%29 Just want the launch clamps and none of the fluff here ya go! http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/71032-FASA-Launch-Towers For CKAN RSS/RO and any other Non FASA mod problems. I work extremely hard to make FASA work well with the stock game I do not provide any support for mods that alter FASA, and I have nothing to do with them. You should ask the associated authors of those mods. A video review of FASA from "The Block Room" Install Instructions All mods reside in their own folder under "GameData" in the main KSP directory. Delete the old version of FASA before installing. The parts folder in the main KSP directory should not have any FASA parts in it. It is no longer used in .20 and beyond. If your upgrading from before .20 your craft and saves will no longer work correctly. Steam install is here. C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\SteamApps\common\Kerbal Space Program\GameData The "Squad" folder is the stock parts that come with KSP, any other folder you add is a mod. To remove the mod just delete the FASA folder. If there are any parts you wish to delete from FASA open up the mod folder and delete any folders you dont like, or want. I do this a lot with mods I download. It keeps loading times low and filters out the parts I never use. If your upgrading to a new version "You Must" delete the old version of FASA before installing newer versions! Having older version parts and not deleting them will give you duplicate parts. Something went wrong and FASA broke KSP, HELP!!! Do this first before asking for help.... Step 1- This helps with memory problems. Delete the FASA mod. Run KSP again. From the main menu, click on settings and then Graphics at the top. Change your "Texture Quality:" to the Eighth Res option. Click apply then exit KSP Re-install FASA and try running KSP again. If nothing is working or some parts are missing, something is seriously broken with KSP continue to step 2 Step 2- This helps with broken or missing parts. Start with a fresh instal of KSP. If you like you can copy the previous install somewhere else as a backup first. If your using steam, right click on the name in the library and click delete local files. Navigate to the steam game directory and verify that the Kerbal space program folder is gone. If it is still there delete it! C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\ After its done double click the Kerbal Space Program name in your list of games and select install. If its a regular version of KSP. Delete KSP and then re-install it. You should now have a CLEAN version of stock KSP. Open the FASA.zip file Copy all of its content into your main KSP directory. If you put it in the correct spot you should get a confirmation popup asking if you want to overwrite the folders and files. Say YES overwrite all folders and files. You should have a clean version of KSP and FASA only. Run KSP and see if it works. If it still crashes on load, verify that you have enough free memory to run KSP with mods. If you have less than 2gb of RAM you are going to need to upgrade your system or install fewer parts. Whats with the sandwich? The Case of the Contraband Corned Beef Sandwich Change Log Special thanks to Tosh, the original Gemini creator. DennyTx for the Apollo parts,NovaSilisko, Captain Slug and Tiberion for their help making this mod. Lots of pics! License/EULA All Rights Reserved I try extremely hard to make this mod as compatible and bug free as possible but I can not guarantee that it will work flawlessly in every situation and on every system. This just releases my liability in those situations. By downloading FASA or any piece of software you understand that you are taking a risk of permanent damage to the system or device it is downloaded to, or installed on. Installing or downloading any software may have unintended or undesirable effects to the system or device it is downloaded to or installed on, and I Frizzank, the developer of this software can in no way guarantee that something will not go horribly wrong when using or downloading the FASA mod. You, the user of the mod FASA takes full responsibility for any damage, real or simulated that may happen to any system, software or device it is downloaded to or installed on. Also by using this software you release anyone else from any liability for any damages, forever. FASA is created and maintained by “Frizzank†@ KSP Forums, and is the author of the FASA mod. DennyTX is the author of the Apollo LM parts, CSM and any others authored by him in the part cfg. DennyTX maintains sole ownership of the parts authored by him and they are used in FASA with permission from DennyTX. You must get written permission from Frizzank to use or redistribute anything in this mod in other mods. Credit for the original Gemini mod goes to Tosh. Reflection plug-in released as Public Domain as was the original plug-in by Razche and modified by Starwaster. Raster Prop Monitor Source code and full license information available at https://github.com/Mihara/RasterPropMonitor/ Special thanks to SundayPunch NovaSilisko Captain Slug Tosh bac9
  19. "...In 1961 it took a crisis--the space race--to speed things up. Today we don't have a crisis; we have an opportunity. To seize this opportunity, I'm not proposing a 10-year plan like Apollo; I'm proposing a long-range, continuing commitment. First, for the coming decade, for the 1990s: Space Station Freedom, our critical next step in all our space endeavours. And next, for the new century: Back to the Moon; back to the future. And this time, back to stay. And then a journey into tomorrow, a journey to another planet: a manned mission to Mars...." --George H.W. Bush, 1989 The year is 1992 America has just completed the assembly of Space Station Freedom 3 years have passed since the announcement of 'Project Constellation'. The Constellation program detailed a multi-step program, which involved completing Space Station Freedom, Developing a crewed Lunar vehicle and lander, finally returning Astronauts to the moon, and eventually settling on a location for a Lunar base, a permanent crewed outpost, keeping humanities foothold firmly beyond earth, with an eventual build-up of Mars hardware, ready to land humans on the red planet twenty years down the line. Out of the mess of competing programs, hardware and timeframes, Artemis emerged, a program similar to the early stages of Constellation, consisting of three major components: - Apollo block V, an upgrade to the block IV and the crew return vehicle for Artemis - The Lunar lander, one Hab lander to carry supplies and a living space for the crew, and the other to be a glorified taxi to the surface -A large 5.5m wide TLI stage to send the crew out to the moon, named Pegasus as it gave the Artemis program wings These components would be launched on three separate Saturn Heavy H03 rockets, NASA's biggest and most powerful launcher since the Saturn V My plan with this thread is to recreate the entire Artemis program, along with Orion, and it's Lunar 'Soonbase' The mission list is as follows March 1996 - Artemis 1 September 1996 - Freedom Expedition 32 October 1997 - Pegasus first flight February 1998 - Artemis 2 June 1998 - Artemis 3 November 1998 - Artemis 4A , March 1999 - Artemis 4B & 4C November 1999 - Artemis 5A, July 2000 - Artemis 5B & 5C January 2001 - Artemis 6A, Summer 2001 - Artemis 6B & 6C January 2002 - Artemis 7A, Summer 2002 - Artemis 7B & 7C January 2003 - Artemis 8A, Summer 2003 - Artemis 8B & 8C January 2004 - Artemis 9A, Summer 2004 - Artemis 9B & 9C January 2005 - Artemis 10A, September 2005 - Artemis 10B & 10C January 2006 - Unmanned Saturn M22 explosion July 2006 - Artemis 11A, February 2007 - Artemis 11B & 11C Late 2007 - Orion assembly mission 1 Late 2007 - Orion assembly mission 2 June 2008 - Orion expedition 1 March 2009 - Orion expedition 2 2010 - Orion expedition 3 I hope you all come to enjoy this project as much as I will making it Ad Astra!
  20. A couple people have expressed interest in my TUFX profiles, so here they are, refined for public use. These are my first publicly-released configs/mods for KSP (or anything, really), so I hope I'm doing this right. My goal with these has been to recreate the appearance of in-flight television footage from the pre-digital era of spaceflight, particularly the footage of the Apollo moonwalks. Basically, if you're looking for something to make your game look "better", best keep moving. This film is usually characterized by a heavy amount of grain, lower resolution, and a sort of washed-out look to the colors in the frame. There are some amazing TUFX setups out there which can sometimes make it hard to distinguish between a KSP screenshot and a real photograph, but I've yet to see anything that properly emulates the feel of the primitive methods by which the early decades of spaceflight were recorded. Hopefully these three profiles will improve the authenticity of your KSP screenshots and make for a more immersive mission experience. All screenshots are my own, captured on various missions performed in 2.5x KSRSS with other visual mods such as Scatterer, PlanetShine, and Distant Object Enhancement. Apollo CTV Camera: This profile is inspired by the television footage of the last three Apollo landings, where the TV camera was mounted to the lunar rover and commanded remotely from the ground and the footage underwent an artificial cleanup and enhancement process between being transmitted to Earth and being broadcast on television. This filter applies a moderate amount of film grain, with a slight alteration to focal length to blur out background objects and reduce the overall quality to appropriate levels for 1970s technology. Additionally, it features a subtle color grading effect to emulate the conditions on the lunar surface and a large amount of lens dirt, light scattering, and an HDR effect to imitate the harsh lighting conditions experienced in zero-atmosphere environments. Apollo CTV Camera (Lower Post Exposures): While the first profile was well-suited to the relatively dim lunar surface, when I began flying more Low-Earth Orbit missions in my current save I realized that it was much too bright to be used so close to a planet or within atmospheres. In order to remedy this I developed a second variant of the CTV Camera profile with reduced post exposures, allowing it to be used more effectively in LEO or in an environment with other bright light sources. The differences won't be very apparent in these screenshots, but trust me when I say that it makes a huge difference in-game. Incidentally, this profile also works quite well for "filming" rocket launches: Westinghouse: While the TV footage of the J-series Apollo landings was the most technically impressive and produced the best image, the ghostly grayscale film of the Apollo 11 landing still remains the most famous. It wouldn't feel right to release the color TV profile without something to represent the footage captured by the rudimentary black-and-white Westinghouse cameras carried on missions such as Apollo 8 and Apollo 11. This profile, in addition to the grayscale saturation, also features heavier film grain and noise, a shorter focal length for even more blurriness in the background, greater chromatic aberration, and a few slight alterations to the color grading, saturation, contrast, and temperature of the image to better suit the colorless film. Installation is simple; all three profiles come bundled in the same config, which should be placed in the "Profiles" subdirectory of your TUFX GameData folder. DOWNLOAD *These profiles require TUFX and its dependencies* *You may copy, modify, or share these profiles, so long as you credit the original author (that'd be me). You may not use these profiles for commercial purposes*
  21. "Thus do we reach the stars" Introduction: Hello, and welcome to the "Sic Itur Ad Astra" thread. For the past few weeks, I have been working on my own alternate Apollo program and I've recently gotten to a point where I am confident enough to share my posts here. The main focus of this thread is to have a cohesive collection of mission profiles / reports, lore and screenshots. The Apollo Program begins in 1961 just like in reality and continues on the same path until November 1967 when the crew for Apollo 8 is announced. From there, everything is from my own mind taking inspiration from cancelled missions, TV shows and more. In order to get some of the shots required, I'll be utilising real world images alongside my Kerbal ones which will be more prevalent. Special Thanks: Raccourier for graciously making the patchwork. @Talverd for convincing me to do this and coming up with the name. The Space Shuttle Adventures thread , ISS Adventures thread & the Chasing Dreams thread. All of the mod developers that made this possible. Mission List
  22. Welcome to my first series, Ares program which mainly focuses on Post-Apollo missions Part I: Introduction and Development After the success of Apollo moon program, by 1973 plans were underway for More Apollo-related missions, with the introduction of Saturn MLV Launch vehicles, which allowed for more payload to LEO By 1976, work started on a new and improved Apollo CSM specifically designed for interplanetary missions - Using the leftover CSMs for Apollo 18- onwards, and some upgrades like an orbital module for the crew, and replacing the AJ10-137 with 2 TR-201 LM descent engines for SPS In 1977, the main contractors for Saturn program decided to begin developing a nuclear stage for interplanetary operations; they looked at the existing hardware like S-IVB stages and they looked at a provider for nuclear engines, They found TIMBERWIND, specifically TIMBERWIND 75 variant because it has a better thrust and exhaust velocity than the existing NERVA because of the usage of a particle-bed reactor By mid-78, NASA searched for a crew module that was suitable for interplanetary missions, they looked at the then-cancelled Venus flyby proposal, so the program was relived in a small form By early-79 The main transfer stage was already built and in mid-79 the habitation module was already built- They were scheduled for shipping to Cape Canaveral in December of 1979 The mission plan was to send a transfer stage into LEO, while it waits there for the habitation module to launch later and finally the 5-crew Apollo CSM to rendezvous with it Mars Transfer window starts at May of 1980 and ends in August
  23. Welcome to the A.A.P. Challenge! Okay, so this challenge is fairly simple: use Apollo tech to go as far as you can. What counts as Apollo tech? The Mk1-3 Command pod, Mk2 Command pod, Mk1 Command Pod, and the M.E.M are the only command pods that can be used in this challenge (Probe cores can be used, but the craft does need crew on board for most of the mission). Also, the only engines that can be used are the Mastodon, Skiff, Wolfhound, Spark, Terrier, Reliant, Swivel, Thud, Ant, and Spider. Electric motors from BG can also be used. No kraken drives. Also, no ISRUs. All other parts are good (May change). Also, any craft made for this challenge needs to have a Mk1-3 Command pod, and a service module. A service module is made of a SM-25 Service module and can contain whatever you want. So how do you get points? Well first, this challenge only involves one flight, though assembly in LKO is allowed. To earn points, that one flight must go to difficult planets and moons to visit. The following is a chart of the scores for landing on or doing a flyby of each planet and moon. (Also, multiple planets and moons can be visited, and the points will stack.) Planet / Moon Score for landing (And returning) Score for Flyby (And returning) Tylo, Eve, Moho. 10 5 Duna, Eeloo, Laythe, Vall, 5 3 Gilly, Minmus, Mun, Bop, Pol, Ike, Dres. 2 1 Kerbol (If you can land on the Sun and return, I would be extremely impressed) Not possible in any way. Leader board: Username: Number of Points: Death Engineering 19 Badge: Please comment if anything is unclear, unfair, or anything like that. Please enjoy. Challenge will end when I decide it has run its course.
  24. My roadmap involves: NFP and MAS powered fully functioning IVA around 12 parts to build your ETS Block V inspired capsule. Life support mod compatibility and stuff. Fully original and self made textures Will feature a custom made lander by my design. Dev Branch Link: To be added. Current List of Compatibility patches included in the mod: To be added Liscense: All Rights Reserved
  25. The following is adapted from a series of blog posts, most of which were timed roughly to coincide with the dates of the real life events 50 years ago. I'm adding it here to show you guys, and so I can add high res photos. Hopefully you're not already burned out about the 50th, as I've put a lot into this. I thought, if I was to one ultimate Apollo, to the best of my skill, what would I include? And then did it. It's going to be basically a J mission, with as many interesting things from the Apollo missions thrown in as I could. We've got launches, landings, EVAs, an elaborate recovery effort, you know, the works. It's not everything, but hey, there's never enough time to do everything. You often hear that an average modern computer has many times the power of the ones used to put a man on the moon. This suggests it should be possible to use an average computer to put someone on the moon. That is what I’m going to do. Sorta. To mark the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, I’m going to attempt an authentic™ recreation of an Apollo mission in Kerbal Space Program. Right now, we’ve got our brave crew, ready to board the Saturn V imitation rocket: An almost as brave group of scientists, getting into position to watch the launch: Just a little longer, as we wait for everything to be ready. Engines are warming up. Countdown begins, here we go… Liftoff! The first stage carries us high above the clouds When out of fuel, it is shed to make way for the second stage: you may notice some irregularities. That's because I part clipped lots of engines together to make it look like 5, and some of them broke off along the way The second stage takes us to the edge of the atmosphere, and much of the way to orbital speed Then it too is shed the 3rd stage Puts us in a low, but stable orbit around Kerbin. The planet below looks amazing, and our astronauts have some time to watch it, and check over the spacecraft, Before it is time to depart for the mun The translunar injection burn accelerates the spacecraft a further 850m/s, using up most of the remaining fuel in the 3rd stage. This is our trajectory post burn. It is a free return trajectory - should anything happen, the slingshot effect will cause us to fall back to Kerbin without needing additional power. But hopefully this mission does not end like Apollo 13. Next, the Transposition and Docking Maneuver. This puts the spaceship in the proper configuration for the munward bound leg of the trip. The Command and Service Module (CSM) separates from the 3rd stage and rotates around, ready to extract the lander: The munar lander has been in its protective shroud on top of the 3rd stage, but that shroud is about to come off With the lander exposed, the CSM moves in for the dock Closer… We have connection, now to separate, Success! The 3rd stage will slowly drift away. We’re all set. Our three Astronauts, Bill, Bob, and Jebediah, (the closest thing kerbal has to main characters) just have to sit tight until they reach the mun. Hang on, what’s this? Bill said he was hearing strange noises from the service module. I sent Jeb out on EVA to check it out, and look: A Stowaway! It’s Valentina, the single named female character they added years after the rest. She must have snuck on board before the others. Yep, she's been there the whole time. Damn it Val, you’re ruining my authentic™ Apollo mission recreation. I’m not supposed to have 4 astronauts. Oh well. The lander still can only fit two. I’ll still have to decide which Kerbals get actually walk on the Mun. Mission control was only slightly annoyed when they found out what Valenina had done. Kerbalnauts have done worse. But the rest of the crew were very happy to have her on board. The mission continues. To keep an even temperature, the spacecraft has been slowly rotating. Much slower than the gif makes it seem. We are almost at the mun. The crew has made a small correction burn, and briefly climbed into the lander to inspect it. The Munar Orbit insertion burn must happen on the far side of the Mun, out of radio contact with the Kerbin Space Center In we go: Sure enough: Commence the burn. And done! We’ve been captured into a low, retrograde munar orbit. K-Apollo is orbiting at a scale height of 15km. Inside, the Kerbals have decided among themselves who will go down to the Mun. Jebediah and Bob will man the CSM, Bill and Valentina have climbed through the tunnel to the LM. On approach, CSM “Cucumber” separates from Landing Module “Seagull”, Bob watches, as the LM moves away, getting ready to begin descent and landing. Our trajectory, as plotted by the guidance computer A shallow landing trajectory uses minimal fuel fighting gravity. Down we go: Out the window, the surface gets closer and closer As speed drops, the spaceship rotates, putting more thrust downward to limit the rate of descent, Coming down vertical now, we hover a bit too check it’s a good spot, before guiding the lander downwards. Inside the contact light comes on, confirming we’re just above the surface. The engine is shut off “Ksc, this is tranquility base.” “The Seagull has landed.” It’s time. Bill stands on the top of the ladder. Bill: “I’m climbing down the ladder now.” Bill: “The ground below me looks mottled, and the pattern repeats if you look far enough, like one repeated texture” “I’m stepping off the ladder now” “That’s one small step for (simulated) man, one giant leap for (simulated) mankind.” The Eva continues. Bill is planting the flag. It’s an Aussie flag because that’s my country Valentina, who has joined him at this point, adds a flag also. This one carries the logo of Australian Research & Space Exploration. Together, they collect rock samples, deploy a variety of experiments, \ And perform some experiments of their own At the end of the EVA, they return to the LM for a rest period. They will eat and sleep and get ready for tomorrow. This is where we diverge a little from the Apollo 11 schedule. From here on, this mission is “Apollo the remix”. It’s time for our Second EVA. We’re about to deploy the Munar Rover. That’ll do. Off we go! Our target this trip is to the north. On the way, we pass many large craters. It takes care to avoid going of the edge. We're visiting the Kerbal space program Neil Armstrong memorial. On the way back, we stop to climb up the back of a cliff. It’s quite a view. Val: “everything the light touches is our kingdom” Bill: “But what happens when it gets dark?” Val: And now, for something slightly different: In orbit, in the CSM: Jeb: ‘It’s fun doing space science, surveying from orbit and all, but I kinda wanna see it up close.” Bob: “We see a lot more up here. Besides, orbiting closer would be dangerous” Jeb: (grabbing helmet and jetpack, moving to the hatch controls) “Mind the command module for a moment,” Jeb. What are you doing. There is no EVA scheduled at this point. Jeb. You’re ruining my reenactment. Come back. Jeb: “Hey Lander crew! Look up!” Val: “Jeb?” Jeb: “Hey Bob, you know how the Suit’s maneuvering unit only has about 500m/s of Delta-V, and the CSM was built with 1K to spare?” Bob: “Have you run out of fuel? :\” Jeb: Bob: “Do you need me to come get you?” Jeb: “Yes please.” Jeez Jeb. Don’t do that again. You’ll give the rest of mission control a heart attack. Back to the mission. After a rest, Bill and Val are back out, preparing for the final EVA. This trip takes us to a moderately sized crater to the south. A geologically interesting site, the rim is consists of lighter, older rock, but the middle is the younger, darker rock found on the maria. The route is carefully plotted to avoid the steepest parts, cutting diagonally down the crater edge. We come across a fresh mini-crater. Examining the inside reveals a lack of dust, but some unevenness, causing geologists on the radio speculate the on angle of impact. The crew wander about the crater, taking observations, core samples, and surface samples. Val: “I like this boulder. This is a nice boulder.” Bill. “That’s not a boulder. It’s a rock!” Bill: “That’s a Boulder.” In the center of the crater, is the mysterious munolith The kerbals cautiously try touching it, but nothing happens. Heading back now. As we climb, we get a fantastic view back into the crater. Arriving back at the landing site, Val and Bill drive the rover to the front of the LM. This trip across the Mun is over. Before they seal the hatch for the last time, a few last last tasks must done. All samples and data must be brought into the LM in preparation for launch. To save weight, anything not needed must be left on the Mun. Val places a plaque on the ground, in honour of those who lost their lives during space exploration. Tasks done, they take one last look around before climbing aboard. Time to head home. We’re on our way! Val: “Ascent is nominal. RCS is throwing us around a little, though.” Bill: “Cucumber, we’re on track for rendezvous. Computer predicts closest encounter in 12 minutes.” Bob: “Confirmed. Our numbers match. See you soon Seagull.” Jeb: “Just like we practiced, eh Bob.” Bob: Val and Bill climb through the tunnel into the CSM. It’s a little cramped with 4 of them. Next, we must dispose of the lander. We do this by slowing down, dropping it off, then accelerating back to orbital speed. The ascent stage will be crashed into the Mun, generating shockwaves which can be used by the seismograph we deployed earlier. While still in munar orbit, we drop off a subsatellite: The real life versions of these only lasted a few months, due to the Moon’s uneven gravity. Kerbal however, doesn’t model this. Time to go! To break free of the Mun and return to Kerbin, we need an injection burn of about 270 m/s. Leaving the Mun, now high over Kerbin, Bob goes on EVA to collect the film from the service module. We’re all set for the journey home. Morning before splashdown Operations Manager Jorford Kerman looks out over the deck of the spacecraft carrier K.S.S. Harvester, mentally going over his checklist as they pull out from booster bay. On the deck, Quarantine Officer Meagen inspects the containment unit, adapted from an old trailer. Hopefully, it will contain any strange mun disease they end up bringing back. Onboard are media, scientists, and all sorts of top brass. All are hoping for a smooth recovery of the kApollo spacecraft. Hours later, hundreds of KM above…. Jeb pulls the switch, and a guillotine mechanism severs the connection to the service module. Its has provided electricity and life support for 12 days now, but must be dropped before reentry. The Command pod, all that’s left of the spacecraft, plunges through the atmosphere, reaching temperatures exceeding 2760 C After the flames die down, parachutes are deployed, And the heat shield jettisoned. The capsule drifts down, untill Sploosh! Flotation devices hold the capsule upright, and the crew alight into a boat provided by the recovery team. The helicopter moves in, Picks them up, And takes them to the ship, where they are immediately placed in quarantine Some time after, the Capsule is also recovered. Everyone gathers around to hear from the returned astronauts. The first men on the Mun. It will be another week before the crew is released from quarantine. Ahead of them, is a lifetime of interviews and fame. This concludes the Apollo Reenactment. Thanks for reading!
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