Zedwardson

The launch complex saw a number of sat launches today. A flight test of the Vulcan Blok B booster is carrying a classified payload for the Kerbal Defense Forces (KDF) Reconnaissance office (RO). It is thought that this is a Imaging Sat for the KDF-RO. The Vulcan Blok B is a heavy launcher that is intended ot be lofting major orbital elements and interplanetary probes. While the mission did not need a booster of this size, the KDF agreed to pay for the launcher as it may be used for large military payloads in the future. These sats consist of a imagery sensor with a film return package (that returns both the film and the expensive sensor) It is thought that they use a modified SB-301 Sat bus. Trackers indicate that it it was put in a 40 degree inclination. However due to the massive fuel remianing due to the test of the Vulcan Blok B, it was seen carrying out various orbital modifications. (Editors note, it has over 3,000 deltaV left). Most of these flights will be using the smaller and cheaper Loki Launcher. Sat watchers have nicknamed this craft the KSS-01 "Looking Glass" system, These will be take images for 1 month then deorbit. A small, but good steady stream of income for the KASC. The 2nd notable launch was the rolling out of the KerbKom-1 Communications sat. This is the first launch of the "Loki" launcher, which uses simple technology (the reliant and swivel liquid fuel engines, and some basic solid rocket boosters. Loki technologies indicate this is a Loki 1131 launcher (Standard tank 1st stage, standard tank 2nd stage, 3 SRBs, with one control wheel.) (Editors note, these launchers are loosely based on the "Thor Delta" and "delta" launchers that served the US space program for decades of flight.) Launch is uneventful, even if it has to plow though the air with its large package. The main advantage of the Loki Launcher (other then cost) for Com sat launch is that it is a very clean launcher (no space junk!) , the Terrier engine on the SB-301 (Songbird) class com sat finishes putting it in a LKO of 100k KM. Then it restarts to put in in KTO Then fires a third time to place it in a circular orbit. Kerbkom-1 is owned by Kerbstat, a inter-government organization to provide space communication services. Various private companies are also planning hire up sat launches. Kerbkom-1 is expected to have 10 years of service. Kerbkom-1 is placed over "the eye" and provides 12 C-band communication transponders, 2 are leased by tv channels, and other 10 are being leased to various telephone and data groups and governments. Note: Unless someone wants to know more, since these will be regular launches, I will just note when they are completed unless there is a launch failure or such.

I know it not nearly as neat as some of the stuff being posted, but I made a spy sat for classified missions in my campaign. I used a launcher that might of been too strong as I still have 3000 deltav for orbital changing fun. The camera and the "Film Capsule" detach for return for analysis. I might use that bus design for some Communication sats that I will be tossing in orbit soontm as in this campaign/Career I will also be simulating the idea that I am launching various commercial (mostly com sats) and have companies be formed and merge with each other and simulate failures over time and so on.

Arcturus-2 This will be a night launch, the kerbonauts will be Valentina (Pilot/Commander) and Obgard (science) Night launches are always nice. Rising to the Sun Orbital burn complete This mission focused a fair bit on the science, and two goos were taken and used to make science The "B" has some various changes, no excape tower, and the shoot is on top, and not on the side. Handrails have also been added after the reports from Mission 1 indicated they were needed to grab hold of the craft. After eight orbits and testing out various subsystems and radioing back science data, a short retro burn takes place and reentry begins. After two missions, various issues have been identified, however one of the glowing reports is how nice it behaves in reentry. The landing site turned out to be less then ideal Landing subsystems worked as hoped. It was a long drop hoping that they ended up in the valley, and not on the hill and start rolling. The craft landing safe and sound. Various issues were identified: It does not have much delta V to speak of, it can reach orbit, and deorbit, but not much else. The top being the hatch is also leading to various issues. such as the inability to open the hatch after landing. Thirdly, power generation is enough for operation, but radio communications is limited to when the craft is in the sun to make sure it has enough power in orbit. Future missions of this type may change its nature due to the limits of this craft. the KASC is reviewing 3-5, and may just launch them solely as small science simulators and to gain crew experience before moving onwards.

The KASC Press conference Announced a series of future missions and Mission Goals. Project Arcturus Arcturus-2: Test the Arcturus-B setup (no emergency tower, central para) and power generation. Arcturus-3: Launch in a lower orbit to test fuel limits of the Arcturus craft. Arcturus-4: test the Arcturus-C (Docking version) and test docking procedures with a robot craft, test fuel transfers Arcturus-5: Reserve mission in case Arcturus 2-4 has mission issues. otherwise it to carry out scientific research in LKO. Project Loki Project Loki is a mission to develop a standard small rocket for orbital sat launches. Will be concurrant with Project Arcturus (Arcturus-4 will be docked with a payload launched by a Loki Rocket) Communication sats KASC has been tasked though the economic division to launch regular Communication sats, this will be used both for missions and for commercial use such as TV, radio, telephone, and other communication services. (I will be playing a sub-game were communication sats companies are hiring KASC to launch commercial comsats, and over time they will fail and need to be replaced) KerbKom is the inter-government sat service, while there will be commercial companies that will rise, fall, and then get taken over by other companies. Project Orion After Arcturus will be the Orion, which will be using a 3 man capsule, and this will be a Standard lift system for much of the game (like Soyoz) and will be used at least to explore Mun and Minmus Liberty Station Designers are debating various proposals but Liberty Station is a orbital station to be a fuel depot and science station for various missions. It will be inspired by Mir most likely. Classified missions The KDF is putting the demand for various military missions to be carried out. Plane development it will be a bloody affair, but I will be trying to learn how to build a plane in KSP.

Some questions about Communication sats. -- What are some good builds for comsats? -- I understand the KEO orbit, but how do I make sure it over a set location on the planet? -- What are some examples of a Molniya style orbit in KSP?

Had a rocket failure, SRB flying everywhere, and I stage up and the capsule is fall under a shoot, and while it a failure, it not a disaster. Then a SRB that is uncontrolled hits the pod. It doesn't kill the pod, but takes out the shoot. And the three Kerbals fall to their death. That and doing my 3rd mun mission and everything goes well except I land on the side of a mountain, and roll all the way down and blow up on landing. Flipped a rover on the mun and killed the Kerbal in it. ---------- Only time I lost kerbals, but I have yet to do too many fancy things.

Promised that I was just going to do a quick test. a few hours later I made a successful shuttle to test my future heavy lift - Proton style rocket that will be used to lift heavy stuff to orbit. First shuttle ever, even if it just lugged to Knauts into orbit and production shuttles will most likely have a different wing formation and hopefully some useful payload/crew lift.

I really like this small shuttle and how simple it is. In my current game a goal is to get a working shuttle system working.

I think I like this since it has a nice small orbiter, the Mun, and the Kerbal just drifting

(OOC: I have been away from the game for years, and coming back to it. I am not a great builder of rockets, nor am I a good flyer, I have reached the Mun in the past, and decided to do missions publicly, you will see the good, the bad, and the ugly as some rockets fail badly. I am sure my attempts to build planes will result in a number of deaths. I am playing close to normal game, except that Kerbal deaths are "for real" and I am playing with a few mods - (4 total). Wish me luck as I get them to various spots, try to in the future build a shuttle, and try not to kill too many Kerbals.) --------------------------------------------------------- In Year 0, the Kerbal Defense Force (KDF) , the Kerbal Space Council (KSC) , and the Kerbal Science Board (KSB) called for the creation of the Kerbal Air and Space Command. The Kerbalnaut corps is currently 10, 5 pilots, 3 engineers, and 2 scientists. All are from the KDF who had a rocket program prior to the formation of the KASC except the two scientists who are members of The KSB. The only Karbalnaut who has reached space, as Jeb exited the atmosphere in Zulu-4 test of a large solid rocket booster under the KDF. --------------------------------------------------- The fist set of missions for the KASC is project Arcturus. The plan is using surplus "Zypher" rockets from the KDF, and the Arcturus craft that holds two kerbals, and orbit in 5 missions all 10 of the currant Corps. This will also being testing much untried equipment. Arcturus-1 Commander - Jebediah (Pilot) and Deald (Engineer) Mission goals: Obtain orbit, carry out at least three orbits, and land safely back on Kerbal. Arcturus-1 On the launchpad, First stage is a Zypher IRBM, top is the two Kerbal Arcturus craft. This is variation A that allows for EVA and has a escape tower in case of rocket failure. Liftoff of the Arcturus-1 A shot of the space center as the rocket rises Arcturus-1 begins it turn to obtain enough Delta V to get into orbit. Staging works, and the rocket begins to speed up as the weight is less and it no longer hitting the atmosphere. No longer needing the escape tower, it is removed Power cells are extended and the Arcturus-1 has met primary mission goal of reaching orbit, Proving the Arcturus Launcher (Zypher-Arcturus) has the proper force to get in orbit, though it is noted the fuel is a close thing. First orbit is mostly testing out the craft and testing handoffs on ground communications. Sunrises never get old. The secondary mission goal, to carry out a EVA is also taken care of, even if Jeb had to check the manual to get proper control of his jets. EVA was about one minute as a proof on concept. A goal of landing in the desert region for more science is added at the third orbit as the craft tests it ability for reentry. Reentry goes well , for the most part, however mission planners start to note it looks like the Arcturus-1 will land in water. one more major mission failure point, the landing paras They work, and Arcturus-1 does it slow drop to the surface. Mission success. Arcturus-1 is a major success. All major components tested and work. Obtained orbit EVA carried out Crew landed safely. The next mission will be Arcturus-2, which will use the Arcturus-B setup and carrying a scientific payload into orbit.

Got back into the saddle, and did the "Zulu" tests which were suborbital tests using Jeb to remind myself how to play. Now it time for a attempt at a orbital flight.

Did more testing, and now I have it working. Thanks!

Okay, apparently I might of downloaded the wrong version, off to do more testing.

I assume this is not working yet for 1.7.3?

Hi, I normally just play with a handful of mods (three actually) but I was wondering if there was a good stockalike mod for soviet/russian stuff like soyuz and Vostok. Also is there a good camera mod to have cameras for probes and for film return missions? And I am a idiot, i found the Tantares parts as soon as I posted this. My Apologies.

Loaded it up for the first time in two years, time to relearn everything.

Kash

I plan to play it again after not playing it years (Last version i played is 1.0) Though I have 113 hours in the program What type of new stuff should I be on the lookout for?

Starting off a long campaign for exploration. I will be running a full game, but I am not beyond giving myself cash and some starting science. As a note, I only have a general idea what I am doing. I have landed on the Mun before, but never landed anything beyond the two moons of Kerbal. Mods I will be using include MecJeb, Frontier (for Ribbons), and Kerbal alarm clock. All my parts will be stock. I will be operating missions and also picking out fun things to do. Of course, if the dear readers have ideas, feel free. -------------------------------------------------------------------- The New Kerbal Space Administration (NKSA) annouced the opening of the Kerbal Space Center. In addition, the first 7 Kerbalnuts were announced , These are known as the "Helix 7". The Helix program plans to have both kerbaled program, plus some early support satellites. Mission log Helix Test 0 Tested EVA gear on ground. (No photo needed to be taken.) Jeb was used as the test subject. Helix 1 Using a Hydrogen-Able 220, the aim was a suborbital flight. Crew: Jeb Mission: Suborbital (Success) reached 150,000 km, spashdown at 5 17' South 50 35' West Helix 1 at the makeshift pad, ready for the historic first launching of a kerbal in space. Helix 2 The Helix 2 was a 2nd suborbital flight, goals of reaching over 200k km above Kerbil. Launch was a Hydrogen-Able 320 Crew: Bill Mission: Suborbital above 200k (Success). In addition, Bill did a short 20 second EVA to show it could be done. Landing: 0 6' North, 37 25 West After Helix 1 and 2, it has been decided that Helix 3-7 will be attempts at orbital flight.

I redownloaded the mod and reinstalled... and after a test run, it works. Thanks. Must of grabbed a out of date version or didn't unzip right...

Is there any tricks to get your mod working in 1.2 that are not obvious. I do not run heavy modded game, but your mod is one of the three must haves....

Not played KSP in about 2 years minus some minor short plays, so needless to say, I had a lot to learn. Did 7 launches today. Bravo 1 - no launch, testing launchpad Bravo 2 - Small lauch, reached 10,000 feet Bravo 3 Large solid rocket launch (for the program) - Suborbital, reached 130k km. Bravo 4 Converted over to liquid stages , Bravo 210 (Two tanks in stage on, 1 in stage 2, no boosters Bravo 5 Bravo 310 launch, failure, (need to add fins) Bravo 6 a Bravo 310 launch, not quite orbital. Bravo 7 a Bravo 313 launch, reach orbit, landed on a rock face. Program canceled. Now that I can orbit, going to start a real save and use mechjeb and so on.

This is cool!

Launced Eve-1 and Duna-1, my first inter-planetary probes.

after two spectacular failures (and some cleanup of radiation at KSP) I launched my Delta IV inspired heavy lifter with a test craft for interplanetary flight. Turns out it is a SSTO rocket that can lift my command craft (which has about 7000 Delta V) to 100 mile orbit. All stock parts too.