A New Dawn

[Vittorio]

For those, who want to read more of my story about solar system exploration, there is a link to my story. From time to time, i will add an further part here, where i took a further step in to space.

http://kerbal-a.blogspot.de/

Flight One - Zero Mk I

The new space center was opened on Kerbin today. With the aim to explore the solar system, the ground control hired a few engineers and test pilots.

Immediately started the construction of an aircraft to become familiar with the aerodynamics and to test the various systems, which are intended to be used in space.

The result was the Zero - Mk I.

Fairly rudimentary and only equipped with one engine, the first test plane was this. The engineers suspected shortly after the production of the first prototype, the Mk I would be difficult to control, but eventually they decided to dare the risk.

From the giant squad of recruits for the new space program stood out a pilot, who had the honor to attend this first flight: Jebediah Kerman.

The start was bumpy. The aircraft was on the runway difficult to control, but Jebediah managed to pull the machine fast enough due to the high acceleration. However, as expected, the flight then was also not very good. Difficult to control and some times coming into a tailspin, Jebediah reached at his short round over the sea east of the space center still has a height of almost 3000 meters and had his eyes already focused on an object of desire before he again turned back to the runway.

Like the start and the flight, the landing was also fraught with problems. Instead of coming to stand on the runway, the Zero shot far beyond its destination and only came to a stop a mile away. But since neither Jebediah, yet the Zero something happend, in the control could all breathe calm. Ultimately Jebediah Kerman steered his machine back to the hangar. Proud of his first flight he could not resist to pose for a few photos on his plane.

[FlamedSteak]

When I kick off my next new save, I'm going to start with an aeronautics program.

Has anyone pulled off a non stop atmospheric cirumnavigation of Kerbin?

[Vittorio]

With a very light plane and enough boost, it shouldn't be a problem *think so*

----

Doryphoros II to V

In order to have longer-lasting satellites in orbit, the problem with the power supply was fixed. Furthermore, we examined the problem that the following generations of satellites should be placed in an orbit so they would not crash again at some point, or if, in decades far ahead. Doryphoros II was, like his predecessor, easily assembled, but now already contained more instruments than it. To ensure a constant power supply, an external battery has been attached, which could be recharged by two solar panels. The orbit should be less eccentric than for Doryphoros I, but also located equatorial. After the experience that have been already attained in the previous launches, there were no difficulties with the mission.

The Doryphoros program was therefore continued with the objective transport three or more satellites. However, these should now transport more scientific devices. Doryphoros III should be a communications satellite, "DP IV" a satellite to study the regional space and "DP V" was designed for deep space exploration. To accomplish this, the satellites have been modified in size and extendable solar panels have been installed to cover the increased energy demand.

During the third and fifth satellites everything went well, there were technical problems with the fourth satellite, which was unable to reach its orbit and thus crashed back on Kerbin. Because of this, no money for a rebuild was available, the fifth satellite was equipped with additional devices to take over some of the tasks.

An additional feature of the four missions was that the rocket stages, which should put the satellite only on their position, were not left in orbit, but should fall back on Kerbin again. This was not considered during Doryphoros I. However, as there were fears that it would eventually produce too much waste remains with countless rockets and risking the danger of a collision, they immediately wanted to find a cleaner solution.

Thus, only five objects exist now, after five missions in space: four satellites and a burned-stage rocket of Doryphoros I.

[Vittorio]

Three flybys

For each of the employees involved, it has been obvious that a flight to the Mun or even to Minmus with the Kaifeng III would not be possible. It was therefore necessary a completely new system to be developed in order to accomplish this flight. The first stage of the rocket were an additional tank and four solid-fuel boosters added. This should provide the required speed right after the start, especially since the weight of the overall package would be now higher than before in all lift-offs.

The second rocket stage represents the main part of the ship and was responsible for the flight towards the Mun and flight back to Kerbin. To analyze the data obtained completely the tip was equipped with reentry material, which the computer should land safely with a parachute on Kerbin. This rocket was to remain true to the name, called Kaifeng IV.

Than without problems on the day of the launch, the rocket reached a relatively low orbit around Kerbin, it was seen with satisfaction that the rocket stages have worked perfectly. The low orbit it was accelerated chosen to use as little fue as possiblel. Because they were not sure if the fuel would be sufficient for the entire flight. To get into the orbit of the Mun, it was accelerated always shortly before reaching periapsis in order to increase the apoapsis. Having thus twice the engines were fired, the Kaifeng IV should be able to reach the Mun.

Nearly 24 hours after the start from Kerbin the rocket reached the Mun and flew past him. Here first times pictures could be made from the dark side of the Mun.

Due to the force of attraction the rocket has been accelerated back again towards the escape point to Kerbin. The mission objective was hence achieved successfully.

However, it turned out that there enough fuel was present in the tanks for another maneuver of the rocket. It was therefore decided, after some calculations were performed, the second moon of Kerbin, Minmus, pay a visit to and also to take pictures.

The point where actually the re-entry should be initiated, the ship accelerates to enter into the orbit of Minmus. Although the mission was planned to only a few days, now it was clear that it would take at least ten days. The maneuver was perfect and the Kaifeng IV was now in the direction Minmus.

Because Minmus had no equatorial orbit around Kerbin, the distance between the vessel and the moon was slightly big in this first flyby, but it's been impressive to be able to have for the first time photos from here. Although the mission had already surpassed all objectives, mission control did even dare to attempt to get closer to Minmus. For this purpose, a second flyby was programmed into the onboard computer. But unfortunately the flyby was not closer.

After 26 days it was time for the real return flight to Kerbin. A specific landing near the space center was not possible, but at this moment no one bothered.

[Vittorio]

Silence had returned. Intended celebrations were canceled. No one was in the mood. There should be an intoxicating feast, a cheered homecoming. But that it was not. The triumphant welcome was already prepared, the parades organized. Jonbald Kerman, a highly decorated pilot of the space program should be a legend, to which one should be remembered his whole life. He would be poured with medals, his life would be filmed. The Kerbals would have hung on his lips when he talks about his deeds.

Yes. Jonbald Kerman should be a legend. But a legend, which one was able to think of only posthumously. Jonbald Kerman died for something that should bring many joys and hopes, for something for which he had been long prepared for something that was an honor for him. He was the first Kerbal on the Mun and the first who found his final resting place on it.

Jonbald was enthusiastic already in his early years of aviation and learned from his father how to fly. Later, he was an outstanding pilot and thus also qualified for participation in the space program. He was one of the best, which is why he finally was selected to fly to Mun.

Once successful, but unmanned landings had taken place, it should be Jonbald, which should leave the first footprint.

Due to the legitimate concern, that something could go wrong, they wanted to protect the mission and his life, by starting two parallel flights.

Both flights went smoothly and reached the Mun as planned. The landing site for both missions was the Luminis Crater, in which good results have been achieved so far.

The landing approach was exactly as those, which took place previously. Both ships landed at a distance of one kilometer safely on the ground of the moon. The ground control first checked that all systems were operating correctly. When this was ensured Jonbald was given the green light that he could get out. He opened the capsule door and moved to the top rungs of the ladder. Slowly he climbed down in his astronaut suit ponderous. It felt like an eternity to himself as he waited at the lower level before he did the last step.

Now he was a hero. The first Kerbal on Mun. But not much time remained to him, for his oxygen supplies were scarce and also he should still visit the landing sites of its sister mission and Mun Lander I. But first he placed the flag which was given him, as a sign that here the first Kerbal had landed.

Then it was for him to work and he flew with his jetpack across the ground to the landing sites. His first target was the Mun Lander I.

After that he went to the sister ship. From now on, the mission was doomed, and with it Jonbald Kerman. Because what he saw at the second landing site, made him worry. Due to some technical defect, the thrusters had been dissolved and now stood just a few meters away from the main part.

Because of the construction, this unit was now without power. As Jonbald reported this to the ground station, restlessness began to spread out and it was decided for the protection of Jonbald to return the ship immediately to Kerbin in order to check whether a return flight with the limited fuel was possible.

Jonbald should return to his ship at the time and had to wait for the uncertain outcome. After a few hours it was clear that the sister mission would make the way back, but would not survive due to the lack of power supply the reentry.

Concerns about Jonbald were not initially for everyone understandable, because his landing process ended without complications. But since both ships were almost identical, the same could happen with him.

By the lack of sufficient oxygen, a decision had to be made and it was decided to start the flight.

The engines ignited and his ship lifted gradually as a sudden jolt went through the capsule. The computer revealed it, the left fuel tank had dissolved. It was thus difficult to control and balancing, so more fuel was consumed and the second stage had to be ignited prematurely. In this firing was a second excessive shock. And around Jonbald there was silence. The right tank had also dissolved and thereby apparently hit the center engine, so it was now also down. Jonbald was stuck in its capsule, but without the possibility to oppose the impending death. He turned off the radio contact and looked one last time at Kerbin.

In his honor, the landing site bears his name.