[AAR] BaseCamp- A Journey to Space -- WARNING: IMAGE HEAVY

[robot_rover]

I really love this series!

[Mekan1k]

Here be Dragns.

Yay!

I really love this series!

Thanks! I am sorry it is taking so long to write up the next chapter, but I am a college student, and I am optimizing my time for it. However, I am still working on the chapter when I have the time.

More picture!

[cziken20]

Oh my! This asteroid is a behemot!

[Railgunner2160]

That a D or an E?? I tried wrangling a D, 500+ tons of rock, spent a entire day moving it into a 100KM orbit in 0 degree inclination. Getting it to stay in kerbin orbit was the easy bit....

Edit: Oh, all of that at 25% throttle......

Edited April 9, 2014 by Railgunner2160

[Mekan1k]

Chapter 10: Testing, Testing...

*In the KSC Mission Control Center*

Kirlak: Jeb, I thought you of all people would want to be present for this auspicious occasion.

*Back in orbit*

Jeb: I would, but the orbital period is wrong. I know that the new hyperdrive must be tested with a mass greater than that of the Long Cruiser, so properly be able to retrieve the ship, and that asteroid can only be tracked for so long.

*Back in the MC*

Kirlak: I understand. We are launching in 30.

Jeb: I will be watching.

Kirlak: Begin the countdown, B9k.

B9k: Engine Checks complete. Launching in 7. 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. Firing first stage.

B9k: Engines are stable.

Kirlak: Trajectory Looks good.

B9k: Approaching cloud layer.

B9k: Passed through. Minimal dew-count means it probably will not rain today.

B9k: Beginning gravity turn. Shaking detected on probe. Stabilizing...

B9k: Altitude- 10 km.

B9k: Main engine cut-out in 3. 2. 1. Jettisoning first stage and probe fairing.

B9k: Jettison looks clean. I am heading to space.

Jeb: Make sure you don't break my hyperdrive.

B9k: If your hyperdrive works as it's supposed to, there is no risk of that.

B9k: MunRise visible.

B9k: Note: engine is expelling unburnt fuel. I will need to change to The Differential Sooner than expected.

Jeb: Don't Break the sails either!

B9k: I don't want to damage this thing. Atmosphere is now thin enough to open the sails...

B9k: Fuel expended in 3. 2. 1. Decoupling and sending power to sails.

B9k: 100 kn of thrust. Throttling back for circularization.... Circularized. KSC, we have orbit.

Jeb: Alright. The drive should have enough charge for 2 jumps. Asteroid co-ordinates are being transmitted now.

Kirlak: Jeb, I know this is your drive, but can you let me, the DIRECTOR of Kerbal Space Operations, run this?

Jeb: Sure. Sorry.

Kirlak: Right. B9k- retract sails, and activate the drive.

B9k: Underway.

B9k: Spinning up the hyperdrive... Vibration detected.

Jeb: Part of it is actually spinning.

B9k: Huh. Quantum-entanglement coms are active. Jumping in 5. 4.

B9k: 3. 2. 1. Jumping!

Jeb: Arrival in 5 seconds...

Kirlak: Jeb, I hope the co-ordinates you directed to the probe were accurate.

Jeb: They were.

***************

In Kerbol Orbit, near a small rock.

***************

B9k: I have successfully jumped from Kerbin Orbit to a near-encounter with the asteroid. There is no debris, and my accelerometers registered a consistent 0.001 m/s^2 over the duration of the jump.

Kirlak: Good. Now, latch onto the asteroid, and calibrate the drive.

B9k: The asteroid masses 2x that of the Long Cruiser.

Jeb: That's good! It will be a decent stress-test of the drive.

B9k: Orienting for center-of-mass connection....

B9k: Approaching the asteroid now.

B9k: Connected! I have successfully connected to the asteroid.

B9k: Utilizing torque to calculate mass...

B9k: Mass calculated. 2.17x more massive than the Long Cruiser.

Jeb: Double-check it.

B9k: Opening sails for acceleration test...

B9k: Test complete. Mass verified. Folding sails, and extending hyperdrive.

B9k: Spinning it up... Anomalous vibrations detected- micro-fluctuations around spacial-torque disks...

B9k: Return course calculated. Jumping....

Jeb: Since the mass is much greater, it will move a bit slower when in that drive-mode.

Kirlak: How much slower?

Jeb: Maybe half a second slower.

Kirlak: That's alright then. He will take it into account when jumping?

Jeb: Of course.

*******

Back in kerbin orbit

*******

B9k: Checking in with KSC- altitude stabilized @ 72 km.

Kirlak: Good to hear you didn't crash B9k!

B9k: Thanks KSC. Good to be back. Accelerometers measured a maximum of 0.002 m/s^2- Hyperdrive verified to be safe for Kerbals. Closing Hyperdrive and entering hibernation mode.

Jeb: Right. MC, I am going to do a rendezvous with the asteroid before I return to Kerbin.

Kirlak: We copy, Jeb. Don't use too much fuel.

********

In near-kerbin orbit

********

Jeb: Understood. Jeb out.

Jeb: You all going to be fine without me?

Jorfield: Yes Jeb. The new Lazer-cannon is operational, and targeting systems are being calibrated. Get going, and stop using up our air.

Jeb: Right. Airlocks are sealed. B9k- everything ready?

B9k: Yes Jeb. Tanks are full and we are ready for launch.

Jeb: Decoupling with RCS push.

B9k: Extending solar panels.

Jeb: Ascension burn in 3. 2. 1. Burning!

B9k: Apeostaisis of 150 km expected. We are on a free-fall trajectory for interception of the asteroid.

Jeb: Estimated rendezvous time?

B9k: ERT in 30 minutes.

Jeb: I hope you don't mind if I sleep then.

B9k: I will wake you when I activate the burn to equalize velocity.

*******

30 minutes later.

*******

B9k: Burning in 3. 2. 1.

Jeb: Well... That was gentler than my usual burns.

B9k: You have a very heavy-handed approach to thrust Jeb.

Jeb: The Asteroid- it's visible?

B9k: We are 1.2 km away from it.

Jeb: That's big.

B9k: Burning to close distance.

B9k: To conserve remaining fuel, I will use RCS for extra DV.

B9k: Decelerating...

Jeb: Begin docking procedures with the probe.

B9k: We are communicating to do just that.

B9k: Docking in 3. 2. 1...

*THUNK*

B9k: Docked.

Jeb: Looks like a perfect excuse to explore!

B9k: Your suit is in the airlock.

Jeb: Right. Time for Science!

Jeb: Right. B9k, can you hear me?

B9k: Yes Jeb.

Jeb: Great. Patch me through to the KSC.

B9k: Done.

MC: Yes Jeb?

Jeb: I am proceeding on an EVA right now to collect data on the asteroid collected. I will be conducting a radiation test, a resonance test, and collect samples on the asteroid, as well as a manual checkup of the probe.

MC: Proceed Jeb.

Jeb: For the record- the probe looks PERFECT. It looks much better than our vehicles do after a Munar Run.

Jeb: Asteroid seems made out of similar material to our munar samples.

Jeb: B9k, could you raise the Hyperdrive fins?

B9k: Sure Jeb.

Jeb: Hyperdrive Fins looks undamaged. No ripples or metal distortion from the energy discharges it has experienced. Proceeding to the asteroid.

Jeb: Looks like there is alot of micro-debris it collided through. We may have needed to armor the interplanetary vehicle to properly make the journey if this can happen to an asteroid out there... Retrieving a sample from the "Top" of the asteroid.

MC: Why?

Jeb: I always wanted to stand on an asteroid.

**************************

NOTE: Any modders who think they could do this, make a mod that allows kerbals to experience gravity when near an asteroid. Or make panels that impart an artificial gravity that we can attack using KAS to an asteroid.

**************************

Jeb: The lack of gravity is not impressive. Collecting the samples now.. Radiation is at non-lethal levels. Resonance indicates the asteroid is stable, and due to compaction, the surface was hard to insert a probe into. Composition- will be tested back on the surface. Returning to the pod now.

Jeb: B9k- Open the door!

B9k: I am sorry Jeb, I can't do that.

Jeb: Why not?

B9k: Kirlak thought it would be funny if I said that when you tried to open the airlock.

Jeb: ..... Let me in or I will pilot us manually on our descent.

B9k: Door is unlocked!

Jeb: Right. Prpep for disconnect, on return to KSC Trajectory.

B9k: Disconnecting now.

B9k: We are drifting away from the asteroid.

Jeb: Orient for burn.

B9k: Doing now.

Jeb: MC- can you hear me?

MC: Yes Jeb.

Jeb: Requesting clear skies for landing.

MC: We have had clear skies for the last hour. Flights actively avoid this place.

Jeb: Right. I am on my way down.

MC: We will be watching.

B9k: Burning!

B9k: Burn complete.

Jeb: Re-orient for re-entry.

Jeb: Disconnect the module umbilical.

B9k: Done.

Jeb: Disconnect ready?

B9k: Yes. Be advised I will need to make a correcting burn to take into account the decoupling.

Jeb: Understood. Disconnect.

*THUNK*

B9k: Altitude- 48 km.

B9k: Slight turbulence due to high-atmosphere weather phenomena. Compensating...

B9k: Below interference layer.

B9k: Hitting Thermal Shock region in 3. 2. 1.....

B9k: Heatshield is maintaining integrity.

Jeb: B9k, it's a good thing you are there, because I can't see anything but sky right now.

MC: This is the Kerbal Space Center- we have eyes on you Jeb.

Jeb: That’s good, because I can’t see anything.

B9k: Dropping through a cloud layer.

B9k: Landing Zone visible.

Jeb: Now I can see some clouds....

B9k: Landing Legs deployed.

B9k: Suicide burn in 3. 2. 1. BURNING NOW.

B9k: And soft-landing now.

B9k: Touchdo-

*THUNK*

*THUNK*

THUNK-THUNK*

B9k: -wn?

Jeb: I think we rolled off the platform.

MC: Yes. You have.

Jeb: Please send someone to extract us.

MC: Already on it.

B9k: Legs Retracted.

************************************

I hope you all enjoyed the chapter- any suggestions for missions the Hyperspace module should be used on? (Besides the "Rescue the Crew of the Long Cruiser" and "Investigate Sentar Object" missions)

Keep in mind, this version will be featured on all ships that include it, and the module cannot function in atmosphere, or within 10 km of a planet's surface.

The Hyperspace module outside the South-Pole Test facility (It's behind the camera, but evacuated) :

Mod used: Kerb-Fu's mod "Professor Phineas Kerbenstein's Wonderous Vertical Propulsion Emporium"

Please comment, and let me know what you are thinking!

PS: Sorry it took so long- end of the year and all.

PPS: How does one rank the asteroids? I have no idea how that would happen.

Edited April 13, 2014 by Mekan1k

[cziken20]

Great chapter! But there were no aliens

I also came up with an idea of another aliens! This time real organic life, but using steampunk rockets!

As for gravity on asteroids i actually think there should be one. Example - 50 tonnes asteroid should have the same gravity as ~60 tonnes ship (because of density), but they would have 0,000000001 G (to small to even feel this).

That last picture looks liek a claw or something! It's starnge when you know it's hyperspace module.

Asteroids... I once found one that was colour of Duna.

[The Error]

Cools. Maybe fit the hyperspace module to an SSTSO?

As in, enough fuel to do a suborbital hop outside the atmosphere, and hyperspace jump from there? Saves the fuel you'd use to circularize.

[Fox62]

That launch vehicle looks like a heavily modified Atlas ICBM. Perhaps using updated and uprated rocket engines to allow for a second stage and payload?

[Mekan1k]

Great chapter! But there were no aliens

I also came up with an idea of another aliens! This time real organic life, but using steampunk rockets!

As for gravity on asteroids i actually think there should be one. Example - 50 tonnes asteroid should have the same gravity as ~60 tonnes ship (because of density), but they would have 0,000000001 G (to small to even feel this).

That last picture looks liek a claw or something! It's starnge when you know it's hyperspace module.

Asteroids... I once found one that was colour of Duna.

They come in more than one color? Cool!

And unfortunately there are no plans for more alien species- mostly because I already have 2 in-plot. Maybe in the next story-set.

Cools. Maybe fit the hyperspace module to an SSTSO?

As in, enough fuel to do a suborbital hop outside the atmosphere, and hyperspace jump from there? Saves the fuel you'd use to circularize.

Clever... But there is a problem. The jump-drive has a minimum distance it can travel, and a safe jump would have to be at least 10,000 km (approximate munar orbit) to prevent it from accidentally bisecting the ship between two locations...

I can post hyjinks if you want to see some of Jeb's earlier experiments.

That launch vehicle looks like a heavily modified Atlas ICBM. Perhaps using updated and uprated rocket engines to allow for a second stage and payload?

I admit I borrowed the design... And that will probably work.

Or crash. Either way.

[The Error]

I meant, (should've clarified), that you can launch fighters or whatnot from Kerbin to intercept stuff before it arrives at wherever, not that you could jump from suborbital to Kerbin orbit.

Makes sending supplies to Duna/Jool/Wherever pretty simple, as well as letting you get the drop on the SWARM.

[Mekan1k]

I meant, (should've clarified), that you can launch fighters or whatnot from Kerbin to intercept stuff before it arrives at wherever, not that you could jump from suborbital to Kerbin orbit.

Makes sending supplies to Duna/Jool/Wherever pretty simple, as well as letting you get the drop on the SWARM.

Indeed.

Oh, and t of Atkin's Laws (The rules that seem to govern space flight), KSP tends not to obey rule number 39.

39. The three keys to keeping a new manned space program affordable and on schedule:

1) No new launch vehicles.

2) No new launch vehicles.

3) Whatever you do, don't decide to develop any new launch vehicles.

Source of the laws: http://spacecraft.ssl.umd.edu/akins_laws.html

EDIT: How do you classify asteroids? I don't think I have read that post.

Edited April 16, 2014 by Mekan1k

[TheGizimboGamer]

Nice Chapter, good to see you using the EPIC new parts but a question.

How does Jeb physically sleep so often.

And a mission idea. KSC detects life Underground on Eeloo, Jeb has to warp out there using the new warpy thing...

Just sayin

[Mekan1k]

Nice Chapter, good to see you using the EPIC new parts but a question.

How does Jeb physically sleep so often.

And a mission idea. KSC detects life Underground on Eeloo, Jeb has to warp out there using the new warpy thing...

Just sayin

He has very little to do in the extra time.....

Nice mission idea!

A image of a vehicle that will be utilized in the next chapter.

The story will be wrapping up soon.

[ramnrmeul]

I want to see some hijinks from the testing!

[Mekan1k]

Chapter: Firefly Hijinks

Jeb: Right- I am hovering....Wow, this is unstable.

MC: Now Jeb, you should be able to land....

Jeb: Right. Activating Auto-landing subroutine....

B9k: Error. LF Engine 2 is developing small errors. Corrections are not succeeding.

Jeb: I got this! I got this-

*EXPLOSION NOISES*

Jeb: I am still alive.

MC: Let's get that vehicle back to the SPH and let's try that again...

*Three days later*

MC: Right. Try not to crash this one Jeb.

Jeb: Give me a minute.

Jeb: Increasing thrust to "hover".

Jeb: I am doing it! Really doing it! OK, slowing down for landing...

Jeb: Touching down....

B9k: Warning- engine instability detected. Fuel injector failure!

Jeb: EMERGENCY SHUTDOWN!!!

B9k: Engine is failing to respond to shutdown commands!

*EXPLOSIONS SOUNDS*

Jeb: Well... It's mostly intact....

MC: Right. Retrieval teams are on their way now.

*Several more days later.*

Jeb: I am not going to crash.

MC: Last time you said anything like that....

Jeb: Yeah. For real this time. B9k, test-fire everything.

B9k: On-it.... Done. We are ready for launch.

Jeb: Spinning up VTOL engines....

Jeb: Slowly... Slowly...

Jeb: Altering angle for more speed...

**********

IN the tower

**********

Kirlak: He has not crashed yet....

Kirk: The test is still early.

*THOOM*

Kirk: SONOFA!

**********

Back in the test plane

**********

Jeb: HAHAHAHAHA!

MC: Not funny Jeb- you broke a couple windows.

Jeb: Sorry guys. I have the hang of this thing now.

MC: Good. Bank due-south, and preform a gravioli-engine test.

Jeb: In atmos? You placed the extra shielding in the engines, right?

MC: Yup. Just make sure you pass the 5km mark before activating the gravioli engines.

Jeb: Right.

Jeb: 5.1 km. Activating gravioli engines.

*Sound of Jeb's head hitting the back of his seat*

Jeb: That's ALOT of acceleration...

Jeb: Hit maximum speed at this altitude. Adjusting for higher altitude...

MC: Jeb, once the stress-test is done, begin a suborbital hop- we need to test your new hyperdrive.

Jeb: Why do I need to test it?

MC: You designed the principles it is based off of. If anything, you should be the first Kerbal test subject.

Jeb: Right. Gravioli engines are working as expected. Beginning Jet-only atmospheric ascension.

Jeb: AHHHHH!

B9k: Engine flame-out! Deactivating LF engines and closing intakes.

B9k: Righting....

Jeb: Activate gravioli engines for out-of-atmos burn.

B9k: Done.

Jeb: It's beautiful up here...

Jeb: Cutting burn in 3. 2. 1. Burn cut. We are out of atmosphere.

Jeb: Right. Destination- Mun. Desired altitude- 10 km. Calculate Jump-vector B9k.

B9k: Calculating... Complete.

Jeb: Testing Quantum Com... Can you guys hear me down there?

MC: Loud and clear.

Jeb: Right. Jumping in 3. 2. 1. Jump.

Jeb: Where was the light and... Everything?

B9k: This version is more streamlined- a jump that is less than 10^6 km does not require a fluctuation that takes that long to charge.

Jeb: Ah. Well, it's nice out here.

Jeb: MC, do you guys mind if I take a walk outside?

MC: You are prepared for a spacewalk?

Jeb: Yes. Suit is airtight, and the cabin is able to de-pressurize. I should be fine.

MC: Whenever you are ready.

Jeb: I am out the door.

Jeb: It's peaceful...

Jeb: Checking Gravioli reactor...

Jeb: Looks good. Heading back in.

B9k: KerbinRise soon.

Jeb: I see it.

MC: We have calculated a rendezvous jump with the Microgravity Test Station. Feeding B9k the vector.

B9k: We need a vector away from the Munar surface....

Jeb: That's all?

Jeb: Burning for Kerbin!

B9k: Vector applied. Jumping in 3. 2. 1.

Jeb: Boop.

B9k: Please clarify?

Jeb: I thought the jump-drive might need a triggering noise. Like "Boop!"

B9k: I can add one if you like.

Jeb: No need now- we are not scheduled to preform any more jumps on this mission. Now- where's that Station?

B9k: Behind us.

Jeb: Oh.

Jeb: I don't think we can mesh with the docking ports but we should still try. MG Station- do we have permission to dock?

MG Station: You have permission to try, Firefly.

Jeb: B9k- please communicate to the MC computers that I want to change this craft-type to "FireFly" Class X ship.

B9k: Done.

MG Station: Did you copy, Firefly?

Jeb: Yes. We copy.

Jeb: None of the docking nodes link to ours....

MG Station: We have Bobbald working on it now.

Bobbald: Disconnecting the micro-pod.

MG Station: Please don't hit the solar panels.

Bobbald: I won't.

Bobbald: It's cramped in here. So- Jeb- how was your trip?

Jeb: It was very fast.

Bobbald: New speed record to Munar orbit and back?

Jeb: For now. Until we can figure out how to activate the hyperdrive in atmosphere...

Bobbald: What is the point of space-travel if we can just Jump between points?

Jeb: To jump, we need to know EXACTLY where the two points we want are, how far apart they are, and what speed we need to go to stay in the location we want to be there. It needs ALOT of data...

Bobbald: Can't the AI deal with it?

Jeb: They do. But the initial data needed is much more precise than I described. There are other factors- we cannot jump in-atmosphere, and we cannot jump too close to a gravitational point-source.

Bobbald: So.. Could you jump to Laythe?

Jeb: No. We could jump into orbit as close to Jool as close as Tylo, and we can jump away from Jool very close, but the gravioli density and fluctuations that close make jumping IN dangerous. Probes can do it, but not manned craft.

Bobbald: Why not? Oh, and I docked. See if you can mesh with this small docking port.

Jeb: The unmanned vehicle hyperdrive had no cushioning- to prevent our rather fragile bodies from becoming a green paste.

Bobbald: So, the test with the unmanned probe and the asteroid-

Jeb: That was done to measure the g-gradient of the cushioning system.

Jeb: I don't think it's going to fit...

B9k: System is repelling- ports are not mating.

Jeb: Right. Sorry MC, MG station, we cannot dock.

MC: The next re-design will include a modification to deal with that.

Jeb: B9k- station us for deorbit burn.

B9k: Taking control now Jeb. Should I autoland?

Jeb: No... Take us down most of the way. I will take control when I need to.

Jeb: MC, this is Jeb in FireFly X. We are heading down- is the vector clear?

MC: It's being cleared now Jeb.

Jeb: Thanks and Copy.

*1.1 revolutions later...*

B9k: Burning for de-orbit.

B9k: Warning- power surge. Adjusted for- burning for suborbital hop to destination.

B9k: Entering Atmosphere...

Jeb: Angle for glide-slope.

B9k: Atmosphere thermal shock in 3. 2. 1.

Jeb: I am glad the insulation is holding.

B9k: Hypersonic shock lessening... Dropped to supersonic... Now subsonic... We are at terminal velocity.

Jeb: Right. Hand over manual control now.

Jeb: I LOVE THE VTOL ENGINES!

Jeb: MC, I overshot. Coming around for a gentle landing.

MC: Rodger Jeb- we have visuals on you.

Jeb: Please have the rescue crews standing by!

MC: When you fly, they are always on standby.

Jeb: I am coming in too low- compensating... And I have missed the runway.

MC: Jeb, just land the prototype.

Jeb: I am trying...

Jeb: Right. I have managed to kill most of my horizontal speed... Taking her down slowly... And.. Landed!

Jeb: Hatch is sealed. MC- a little help?

MC: Dispatching a probe now.

MC: Everything out here looks fine Jeb. Can you still maneuver it to the hangar?

Jeb: I should be able to...

Jeb: Deactivating atmos engines and setting angle to zero.

Jeb: I am on my way into the hangar.

Jeb: So... When do we get to rescue our co-workers?

MC: We will do that soon- this was the last test of the hyperdrive. Next mission- you are bringing them back.

Jeb: Finally!

******************************

How was the chapter? Completed in a mere 7 hours, it is the fastest chapter I have written to date. Enjoy!

As always, please comment- I love hearing what is on your mind!

[cziken20]

Nice chapter! Now i began wondering how long distances can this hyperdrive take... Or how long does it take to charge for really long distances like light years?

[The Error]

Why not build a great big jumpship that has a ton of docking ports, then just use that to tug stuff around via hyperdrive?

Because them you only need one or two (economical), and the small craft don't need to carry them, again reducing cost, and besides, a massive ship with a huge solar array to charge the drive... would be Cool.

[Mekan1k]

Nice chapter! Now i began wondering how long distances can this hyperdrive take... Or how long does it take to charge for really long distances like light years?

Don't know. Jeb has never really tested it....

Now he wants to. I fear we may lose him.

Why not build a great big jumpship that has a ton of docking ports, then just use that to tug stuff around via hyperdrive?

Because them you only need one or two (economical), and the small craft don't need to carry them, again reducing cost, and besides, a massive ship with a huge solar array to charge the drive... would be Cool.

True... And the jump-drive is as expensive as a Dragon capsule, so I can see why this would be ideal....

Oh, and a recommendation for a friend, for use when you see anything you REALLY don't like:

[cziken20]

Too bad i use only kinetics and normal explosives. But i got to perfection in dropping them precisely on the place i want to destroy!

I use geostationary orbit as i found it takes about 1/2 kerbin's diameter to go to place you want.

[The Error]

It's the only way to be sure.

[Mekan1k]

Next update will be on the 2nd, evening- I have three finals (one online, two in-class) this week, and a job interview, and I want to wrap up this story soon, so expect the next update to wrap up loose ends.

[Mekan1k]

I love mods!

[The Error]

Awesome. Is that D12 Aerotech?

And HotRockets, too!

[Mekan1k]

Awesome. Is that D12 Aerotech?

And HotRockets, too!

Yes, and Yes. I was playing around with it (D12), and what do you know- I have to start removing parts that I never use.

Meh.

Update when I have a STABLE version of the game now.

[Mekan1k]

Image from the next/final Chapter. (Yes, I am working on it.)