Mün

[MatttheCzar]

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Starting a serial story (novella?) about the Mün.  Teaser picture, thread up in a few hours.

 

 

 Prologue

 The rovers had driven for 80 km, when out on the horizon, the glint of metal appeared, glistening, bright enough to outshine even the bright münar soil.  Valentina turned to Seanfel, who was busy warming up chili in the rover's microwave. 
    "We finally made it!"  To that, the entire cabin perked up. Copilot Wehrton started to get a little giddy at the thought, while engineer Megta broke into questions immediately.  "Is the descent module intact? Is it true that the flag was knocked over in ascent? Why, I can't wait to see the effects of the münar heat cycle after so many years! Does it st—"
    "Slow down!" Val had to giggle at her passionate wave of questions. "We'll know soon enough." As she focused back on her driving, a smile overtook her face too, as it often does.  
    The descent module had been there for more than what some kerbals would call "many years."  A kid could have been born on its landing date, and would be married and with children by now, much like the pilots were at the time.  Seanfel peered up from the chili with a look of awe on his face.  Even though there was barely an atmosphere on the Mün to weather the craft, the lander showed its age.  Decades of micrometeor impacts had faded its shiny orange paint, and the lander feet were buried in regolith.  As the rover got closer, the radio onboard flickered to life.  It was Jebediah Kerman, Kerpollo 11 pilot and now aging space booster entrepreneur.
    "How is it, crew?  Is it as good as the pictures?"  Wherton peered past Val, looked for a few seconds, and said, "Better, much better! Now can we finally get out of this tiny car and get a look at it on foot?"  Jeb's laugh came out as static. "Ha-hah, just my style! Bring out the camera too, this is a milestone!"  EVA suits on, the crew depressurized the rover and stepped out.  The regolith under Valentina's feet was unlike the virgin soil she was used to.  It felt packed; she looked down and saw a bootprint, under her own boot.  She looked back up, and there it was.  Kerpollo 11.  Jebediah interrupted that thought.

"Look at the TV, Bill! Home again!"

Edited January 28, 2016 by MatttheCzar

[MatttheCzar]

 Chapter One: The Party

   It was quite a large party.  Not as large as the last one, but Jebediah Kerman didn't expect it to be.  Sitting in his old spacesuit he wore for the event, he looked around the KSP banquet hall.  In front of him, dozens of kerbals were recalling stories about missions.  The OrbitLab kerbals were talking to the Star Shuttle crews, and the KSS astonauts mingled between them.  There were plenty of things to talk about too.  The saving of OrbitLab by OL-2, the assembly of the KSS, and various shenanigans around the center, and the new Artemis kerbonauts and their training.  But, as Jeb looked around, he started to grow discouraged.  Less Kerpollo kerbonauts were around each year.  They were getting old, up in their sixties.  Jeb was starting to get a bald patch, even if he hid it well.  Of course Bob wasn't here.  All Jeb needed to see was Bill.  
    And just then, he walked in!  The crowd cheered, and the stage crew started playing the video as the lights dimmed.  It was that old grainy video of Jeb stepping out of the Münar Lander.  "Well, it seems that the ground is quite dusty, not craggy or ragged at all."  Jeb had to blink.  Did he really sound like that back then?  "Well, one small step for Kerbal, one giant leap for Kerbalkind."  Jeb was about to add that he said "a" in there somewhere, but was muted by the clapping and cheers.  Jeb decided to make a small speech.  
    "I'd like to thank you all for coming here tonight, on this, the 30th anniversary of our famous landing."  Jeb flashed his famous smile.  "I'd like to thank Von Kerman, for designing our little craft."  Von Kerman waved from his wheelchair.  "Bill, for saving both our butts on the way down.  And for Bob, well, let's hold him in our hearts."  At that, the crowd started to bow their heads in respect.  "I am also stepping down as senior training instructor at the Kerbal Space Center.  Im gonna enjoy that fat pension now, and I'm sure Jerdus would love to have my spinny chair."  Plenty of laughs at that.  "Its been a wonderful time with KASA, and I've glad to have been with you all!"  He was escorted back to his seat by a throng of fellow kerbonauts.  Jebediah helped himself to a glass of sparkling grape juice, then turned to Bill.  "Bill Kerman, how have you been?" said Jeb.  I need to talk to you outside."    "Do I have to, these saltines are delicious!" 
    Jeb snapped.  "Yes!  I need some fresh air!"  A few kerbols turned to face the outburst, but Jeb flashed his smile, more and more so forced, and walked Bill outside.  It was summer at the KSC.  The air was warm and muggy, even at night.

    "Bill, I think I'm turning into a cynic."  Jeb's smile was gone now.  "Well why is that?" said Bill.  
    "I'm tired of being the posterboy for KASA.  KASA is half dead already.  KASA'S never going to do anything useful involving manned spaceflight in our lifetimes." "Its underfunded, and constantly getting stripped down.  The missions they're planning are either underambitious,
or too relliant on uninvented technology to ever get support."  Bill was quick to respond. "But Kongress—"
    "Dont get me started about Kongress!  Take for example the Star Shuttle.  Before, it was a way to get back into space, and maybe even go to Minmus or Duna!  What did it turn out to be?  A plane built by commitee, unable of even saving OrbitLab.  And if a mission reaches prices equal to how much the Army pays to keep its toilets clean, its too expensive!"
    "I've never seen you like this.  You okay Jeb?  Did you have a little too much grape juice?"
    "No, I'm not, and no.  What do we have in space?  A gutted spaceplane to be scrapped in the next decade, a space station they're gonna deorbit once it's completed, and your project Artemis, which they're sure to cancel by the time the next administration comes around."
    At that, Bill started to speak up.  "Jeb, the President's already considered starting to cut the budget of Artemis.  Still, what do we have to lose?  It's just one project, and I'll come up with another one.  Look, Bob wouldn't want to see you like this."  
    "What do we have to lose?" Jeb paused a bit. "Kerpollo is slowly leaving the living memory. Who knows if spaceflight itself will leave too. And Bob's dead.  He's been dead for 3 weeks."  Both remember seeing him crushed up in the emergency room.  He was hit by a truck when riding his motorcycle, and on his way to Kerbopolis too.
    "So what do you want Jeb?  You're not going to get anything done ranting at me and the night."  Jeb seemed to calm down at that.  "Right.  "I didnt bring you out here for that.  I want to ask you to join me in a business project.  You still have those plans for a booster system?"  
    "Dynalift Multibody? Yeah, I have them in a filing cabinet back home. What for?"
    "I want to start something new.  A commercial launch company."  Jeb was now the one surprised by Bill as they walked over to the pool.

    "Thats... That's just crazy! No company could ever offset the costs of space!"
    "Now Bill, we're selling rockets, not spacecraft seats.  And I'm sure you'll find plenty of ways to make it work.  Maybe it's a crazy, risky project, but so was KASA when it started out.  When it was just a branch of the Air Force, and Von Kerman had all those crazy plans for the Moon and Duna.  I want to go back to those days."
    There was a long pause. "OK. So, what will it be called?"
    "Star-EX"
    "That's a dumb name."
    "I'll think of something."

Edited January 28, 2016 by MatttheCzar

[Mad Rocket Scientist]

I can't wait for more! 

[MatttheCzar]

New piece up, less dialogue, more rockets.

Chapter Two: A Worthy Sendoff

Dynalift was indeed a wonderful family of rockets, and indeed the key for StarEX's success.  The parts were more reliable, and thanks to the materials available at Jebediah Kerman's Junkyard Co., more cost effective than any other designs Bill had made before.  Oddly enough, most of the improvements were made simply by taking cost into account.  Bill once remembered using RTGs in a disposable first stage.  He had to cringe.

 Anyway, he had to show his new plan to Jeb.  He walked between the buildings of the SXSC.  For four years the coastal base had been leading up to this.  It was the first test of the Reusable Dynalift.  It promised 95% reusability, with the solid rocket boosters, fairing, and first stage tanks being jettisoned.  It also had a very important payload.  

"So, Jeb, here is the path that Bob's Chariot will take.  The Dynalift-R will take it up to a low orbit.  Then we will focus our efforts on first stage engine and second stage recovery.  After that, solid rocket boosters will be used, and then the liquid fuel stage for extra speed.  The whole payload will weigh 20 tons, a good test of the rocket."

"Sounds good.  I'm glad we get to do this.  It'l be a great test, and a worthy sendoff."  

The next day it was out on the pad.

"T-Minus 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 4, 3, 2, 1, LIFTOFF!"

A few minutes in, the SRB boosters burnt out and were jettisoned.

Finally, the first stage burnt out.  The engine separated from the fuel tanks, just as the tanks fell of the second stage.

The fairing separated, and the final stage was revealed.

After the circularization burn there was a problem.  The second stage had no fuel!  Most of the fuel of the payload had to be siphoned off.

Meanwhile, the Ratite was falling to earth.

After its descent, it opened its parachutes up early to show the ground crews where to get it.

An orbit passed, and it was the second stages turn.  It had quite the hilly place to land on, and Bill was afraid the stage would tip over.

But it held, and the Stage Carrier was able to retrieve it.

Bill walked into Jeb's office with a calculator.

"So Bill, how much did this mission cost, when you factor in for the money we saved?"

"25 thousand.  We paid that is, not saved."

Jeb's jaw dropped. "That much?  That's... incredible!  I think we are finally ready."

Edited January 29, 2016 by MatttheCzar

[legoclone09]

This is awesome! Can't wait for more!

[KSK]

Heh - Jeb's company reminds me of something but I can't quite put my finger on it...

Nice designs for the Dynalifts and don't be too quick to lose the dialogue - I thought your intro read really well. Looking forward to seeing where this goes, or rather, how it goes, since we already know where StarEX are going in the short term!

 

[MatttheCzar]

Sorry for delays.  Damn life, messing with plans...

Image light, dialogue section up next.

[MatttheCzar]

Chapter Three: A Proper Sendoff, Part Two

Meanwhile, Bob's Chariot was left to its own devices on how to get a münar impact.  It's onboard computer decided to use the solid motors to get close to completion, then release.  The liquid motor did the fine tuning.

Separated from its launcher, the chariot made its way to the Mün.  At last, the cargo bay opened, and alongside 10 grams of Bob's ashes, his flight wings were ejected; scattered into several kilometers of moondust.

 

***

 

Meanwhile, Jeb was preparing for a press conference with the technology heads of all the papers in the Kerbal States. His are always quite short, compared to Bill's in depth reports.  As they shuffled into the room, Jebediah entertained them with a few stories and jokes from the Kerpollo missions.  Once everyone was in, Jeb spoke.

"I'm glad you could all make it.  It's been an amazing time as the leader of a great, innovative company.  So, I am here to present you all the next step in our program.  We are breaking a promise our company made when it was created."  Gasps came from the room, but he pressed on. "We are sending kerbonauts up there!  We are working on a brand new crew transporter, one that is fully reusable.  I present to you: KTS!

its the world's first fully reusable orbiter; both the crew cabin and service module arrive home in one piece!" To this there was clapping.  "Then, we'll build a space station— in a low münar orbit!  Any questions?"

A kerbal in a brown suit said "Now, you send up cargo to the KSS every so often with the Wyvern system.  Any chance of sending your kermen there?"

"No.  We barely have enough funds for our training already.  We have taken KASA contracts for bringing their crews up however."

A kerbal in a grey suit asked "Mister Kerman, now this will take two men from the surface to the moon, but it seems awfully small for that."

"There will be a tug push it into the right orbit.  We'll dock two KTSs onto it, taking four kerbals to the Mün."

Another one, who had his hand to an earpiece asked "Now, I have been informed that a low münar orbit is rather unstable due to the composition of the Mün's, ground.  How will it stay in the air?"

"We are working on such a problem now.  Our best bet seems to be two ion engines, burning slowly when needed.  If we can't find a way, I don't know, we'll go out and give it a push!"

Finally, Kronkite Kerman asked, "Whatever would you need a space station in a low orbit around the Mün for?"  

Jeb quickly answered, "Well, there will be a lot of useful purposes.  Many experiments will be taken in such a low orbit, and the naked eye will pick out things on the ground better." He began to walk off the stage, before "remembering" to add with a smile, "Oh, and for the Münbase, of course."

The press went nuts.

 

 

Edited January 31, 2016 by MatttheCzar

[KSK]

Nice chapter - good blend of images and dialogue.

 I was wondering what Bob's Chariot was for. Very fitting and I did like that final image of the Chariot heading towards the Munar surface, cargo doors open.

And Jeb, you old showman you.  Definitely looking forward to seeing the reusable Munar transportation system in operation and that base going up!

 

[MatttheCzar]

Chapter Four: Training

The plan was to train astronauts in groups of four, to grow bonding with the crew they will do shifts with.  The "First Four" were Seanfel, Megta, Erley, and Valentina.  Bill, sitting in his chair on the top of the VAB, looked down at his clipboard.

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Valentina Kerman

-Graduated from TOPKUN with flying colors.  Considered one of the best pilots in the Navy.  Known to take risks and generally be reckless, but cooperates well if reminded to.

Bill snickered.  Sounds just like Jeb.  Bill picked up his binoculars and looked down at the training set.

 It had replicas of both the Münbase and the Münlab.  Right now, Valentina was working on getting off the ladder.  

She slipped a step and fell onto the ground.  "Oof!" Her voice came out over Bill's walkie talkie.  "That was not one small step!"

 Laughter from the other trainees.  Bill had to roll his eyes. 

Training for the Münbase went fine.  The crew learned how to cycle the airlock, climb the stairs, and set up the bunkbeds in the four side rooms.  They even made lunch using the hab galley.  They then went back out and calibrated the communication dish and solar panels.  Next, it was time for the Münlab sessions.

Seanfel climbed up the ladder to the docking bay first.  "All right, I'm checking the seals on the airlock.  Everything seems to be in order.  Hmm, there seem to be some... scratches on the side of it."

Bill said, "What scratches?"

"No, wait. It seems to be blocked out writing. Let's see here. OrbitLab.  Property of KASA.  Do not steal."

"Very funny, Seanfel."  Apart from that, things went fine.  Next was the isolation challenge.  Each kerbonaut was placed in a room the size of a walk in closet full of rations, and expected to stay sane for a week.  Erley took a loose screw and carved his ideas for spacecraft into the wall.  Megta passed the time by criticizing Earley's designs and scratching them out.  Wherton slept a lot and cracked bad puns at the camera.  Val went in.  Bill started watching.  Instead of looking around like the others, she stretched her waistband and pulled out a small black device with earbuds attached. She smuggled in an MP3 player!  Bill ran to Jeb to report it.  Jeb simply said, "Hey, that's what I would do."  All four were deemed ready for their first missions.  Due to redesigns of the program, it was considered a waste to bring two KTSs to the Mün.  Instead, a ferry was designed, and will dock with both a Münlab and a copy of it in a Kerbin Orbit. Megta and Wherton would set up Kerbin Station, while Valentina and Erley would set up Münlab.  After a fortnight, they would switch.  However, a proposal from KASA delayed this...

 

Edited February 1, 2016 by MatttheCzar

[MatttheCzar]

NOTE:

Due to technical issues (I have so many mods going that I can only load a few scenes before a game crash), I will be postponing the next installment until late February or early March.  In the meantime, I'll have something to keep people entertained.

[Andem]

34 minutes ago, MatttheCzar said:

NOTE:

Due to technical issues (I have so many mods going that I can only load a few scenes before a game crash), I will be postponing the next installment until late February or early March.  In the meantime, I'll have something to keep people entertained.