Kerbalsaurus

These are some pretty sick looking bases. Nice job man! Base construction is not easy.

HABITAT AND POWER UTILITY MODULE - YEAR 3, DAY 372 Kerman Station will be seeing a new arrival soon! Today, sitting on LC-39A is Cal Space's Habitat and Power Utility Module (HPUM)! HPUM is a highly advanced, state of the art module with two huge solar wings that can power all of Kerman Station, as well radiators to keep the station cool. The module will also contain many things that will bring comfort to both the crew and tourists on board Kerman Station! Also, this launch will mark the return of the RBS! Beyond put in orders for two new rockets. But where's the second rocket? Well, in the background, you can see the second RBS with Expedition 5 on board! And flip around... There is in fact another rocket! This is a habitat module, due to launch a week from now. More details when the mission comes. The fuel tanks of the mighty RBS are filled, and the countdown starts. "T -15 seconds and counting." "T- 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, ignition sequence start..." "4, 3, 2, 1..." "Liftoff! Liftoff on the HPUM habitat!" "RBS is lookin' good, continuing pitch program." "Go for orbital insertion." "Orbital entry in established." HPUM is now in a stable parking orbit. It'll remain in orbit as systems are checked before docking. Meanwhile, the RBS's EDL team prepares for the landing of the booster. Now, I'd like to say we practiced the re-entry procedure... ... Surprisi- I mean expectedly, the RBS survived re-entry! However, the landing isn't quite over yet. While re-entry is quite hairy, the real challenge is actually getting the booster safely on the ground. The EDL team is now on high alert. "All chutes on RBS deployed." "On final approach, beginning engine puffs." "Safe touchdown confirmed, I repeat a safe RBS touchdown is confirmed!" The RBS has performed its second successful landing! Hope is reinvigorated for this groundbreaking rocket, and Beyond hopes that re-usability is the path space travel goes in the future. *** Meanwhile, back in orbit, the HPUM continues its journey to Kerman Station. Now being push by an interval tug stage, the module burns to rendezvous with Kerman Station. And before you can say we're here... We're here! Following is perhaps the world's most stressful docking ever. I know the solar panels shouldn't have been deployed, but I screwed up with the action groups and now it's stuck like this. "Hard dock confirmed with Kerman Station! Now switching control over to the Kerman Station control team. Signing off." In a single click, Kerman Station has had a HUGE expansion in size. After docking, Danfal Kerman steps out to inspect the spacecraft. "Good Kracken that is a big module. Cool lookin' though!" Once the module is confirmed to be in perfect operating condition, Danfal heads over to the lab module for a fairly difficult job. She will have to remove the solar panels on it, which will make way for future space station plans. What plans exactly? Be on the lookout for a future announcement. "I call top bunk!" - Debo Kerman "What do you mean bunk? We sleep on walls!" - Danfal Kerman

KIWISAT-G1 - YEAR 3, DAY 351 After a brief hiatus, Kiwi Tech is back in the picture! After recalling all Apteryx-9 rockets when Kiwisat 2 had a staging failure, the Apteryx-9B was created. Harder, better, faster, tougher, the Apteryx-9 can carry a max of 2 tons to LKO! A considerable upgrade from the original 600kg. On the top is a satellite meant to be put into a keostationary orbit. However, since this is only a test flight, the spacecraft will not be going that high. This will be a flight to test the capabilities of the rocket and main satellite, and thus will not enter a keostationary orbit. Instead, its apoapsis will reach that height, putting Kiwisat-G1 into a highly elliptical orbit. "The brand new Apteryx-9B rises into the sky, its signature smokeless flame following!" "Altitude 10km, trajectory looks good." "Stage 1 sep confirmed, standby for igniton... and ignition. Stage 2 performing nominally." "Kiwisat-G1 is go for orbit!" "Payload separation! Kiwisat-G1 orbit confirmed!" Sorry for the spam of shots, I just really like the look of this satellite. Well done @Royalswissarmyknife! Kiwisat-G1 enters orbit in a picture-perfect liftoff! Meanwhile, EDL teams on the ground take control of the second stage. Because a probe core is onboard the second stage, it can de-orbit itself and burn up in the atmosphere. This prevents debris buildup, kessler syndrome, and saves my PC. "Stage 2 burn up confirmed. Keep our skies clean, Kerbin." Back to Kiwisat, the spacecraft prepares for the burn to a keosynchronous altitude. This will push the little engine on the aft of the spacecraft to its limit. The long burn begins. "Alright everybody, halfway done... Sooo... anyone here from out of town?" "We're all from out of town, Gene." And the burn is complete! Kiwisat-G is added to the catalog of functioning spacecraft! Many communication companies have already been throwing money for a chance to use a Kiwisat. Space is no longer a place of mystery and intrigue. Now the common Kerbal has access to the stars, and the utilizing of it by companies certainly means rapid growth is just around the corner! "Great job, everybody! Drinks on me!"

Here's a good video: Hopefully this helps.

Yes

YEAR 3, DAY 340 - UPDATES ON THE AURORA PROGRAM Today the UKA has come out with a press statement about the Aurora Program. Uh oh! The government saying something about an expensive program? This can't be good. Everyone braces for the worst. But what's said is in fact the exact opposite of what was expected. The statement goes as follows: "Kerbalkind has put tons of money into the funding of the Beyond program and the endeavors of space exploration. In just three years we've conquered every corner of our own planetary system. And then we suddenly stopped. The Aurora Program shows that we are in fact still capable of deep space exploration. However, its goals are only set for the Mun. Today, we will expand our goals with the inclusion of Minmus expansion too, as well as increased funding into research of deep space stations and surface bases. We've always dreamed of our civilization spreading across the Kerbolar System. Well now is the time we begin working towards it." This stuns not just the public, but everyone working for Beyond. On the one hand, they now have better job security. On the other hand, they now have to work towards setting up infrastructure capable of sending Kerbals to Minmus. Proposals are made that will include the hardware of the minty program, revitalizing infrastructure already in orbit, but it's decided that new spacecraft will have to be assembled. Of course, all this money can't just come out of nowhere. Funding has to be pulled from one program to fund the goals of the Aurora Program, and unfortunately the program targeted is the shuttle program. The ambitious, massive payload carrying Kitsu sadly has to be shelved. But a brand new reusable spaceplane dubbed Orca goes into development, targeting to be done sometime early next year. We can leave the heavy stuff up to the private sector. The plane wil be launch atop and RBS, which Beyond hopes will replace the now outdated Eve II. Exciting times are certainly ahead! However, many have pointed out the strange surge of interest the government now has for the Aurora Program. Just a few months ago, Kongress was constantly complaining that the program costed too much. Now all of the sudden it’s progress, progress, progress? Many speculate that perhaps the government has interest in it for some other secret project. But what do these people know? What, is the UKA running some secret space program? Fat chance! These Kerbals are written off as conspiracy nuts. Who could be so skeptical of this much excitement!

That's a cool looking base right there! I especially like that little sci-fi touch with the giant radio dish.

Kwite ðhe serebral game, but ðhe eksperiment here seems kwite kool. Here's a new rule: Kontraktions are non-eksistent. If you want to spell "here's", it must now be "here is". Ðis solves noðing, and makes everyðing worse.

Yo, what’s the FAA doing here? Power outage that effects the entire east coast.

Yes! It’s back!

AUGUST 4TH, 2025 - ACTS Boilerplate Flight (ACTS 1) Surprisingly to everyone at the ESA, the ACTS boilerplate is done early. It's launching around the same time it should've been finished. The boilerplate contains many of the systems that will be used on the actual ACTS spacecraft, due to have its first flight early next year. The flight will only last about one day, but during that time some of the most important events of the program will take place. Every system, from propulsion to cooling, will be tested this flight. Anything that goes wrong or abnormally can be noted, and a found solution will be applied to the many ACTS under construction. Hundreds of spectators have gathered in Kourou today, most notably the president of France. France is the largest investor in this program, and they want to make sure that this program is worth the billions being put into it. At exactly 9:00, the mighty engines of the Ariane 6 lift ACTS 1 high into the air, marking the beginning of the ESA's lunar program. "Liftoff! Liftoff on ACTS 1, the first mission in the European Lunar Program!" Acts 1 continues into the air with no problem at all, proving the Ariane 6 is a more reliable vehicle than the public likes too pretend. "Orbit confirmed on ACTS 1!" The ESA had done it! They're one step closer to launching their very first (independent) astronauts into space! Immediately, ground teams begin testing the spacecraft. ACTS is thoroughly wringed out during its flight, and by the end all of the systems have been found with close to no issues. The spacecraft turns retrograde, and the most important test begins: re-entry. It's tense, but in the end... ACTS safely returns! It's an exciting day for the ESA, and the success of the mission brings hope to future flights of the ACTS program. The U.S. sends official congratulations, but China remains remarkably silent. Wonder what's going on there... Even so, the ESA is sure that they may in fact be able to launch the ACTS very first crewed by next year! Only time will tell.

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I can't belive I forgot to say something, but it's been a busy day today. Today is in fact the one year anniversary of Beyond! What a huge thread it's become! It was originally just a way for me to catalog my progression throughout my save game. If you look at the earliest post, and then compare to the most recent one, you can see the huge changes this thread has gone through. And boy, has this thread's seen a lot. So many good mission reports have come and gone, and a whole new game was released (to a mixed reception)! I'd like to thank everyone who's followed this thread, especially @2009Tartigrade who's followed since page 2, @Dunas Only Moon, @fulgur , @Watermel00n, and @Royalswissarmyknife with their craft submissions to this thread, @TwoCalories and @SkyFall2489 for their most recent submissions, and @Toaster355 for their suggestions on how to make the thread more pleasing to the eye. This thread wouldn't be what it is without the support and advice from all of you guys. Thank you all so, so, very much. I don't have any special mission to show, but I will share with you all the inspirations to thread. Actually, there's only one inspiration to it. While it does bare some uncanny resemblance to Starbound - A JNSQ Adventure, it was not at all an inspiration. In fact, it's not even from the forums at all. This thread is inspired by @Saybur Stuff's mission blog Kerbal States. It dates back all the way to 2016, and is great reading material if your stuck in a hospital waiting room (that's where I discovered it). I suggest you go check it out. Once again, thank you all for the support you've shown this thread. And I just can't wait to continue it into the future with you all, show you as the stories of the Beyond and the SSP continue. See you all in the next chapter!

Mission reporter and good friend.

I like Pokémon, but only up to gen 7. The new games are a perfect example of the crappy state of modern AAA gaming. Their half-baked, unoptimized, DLC ridden hellscapes with a community that refuses to grow up and see the light. Other games I like are Astroneer (250 hours), Cities: Skylines (230 hours), KSP (god only knows), and Splatoon (500 hours between 2&3).

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It looks really cool! And I like the new look of Kiwisat. I will download it when I’m no longer on my phone (yes, I’m typing this on my phone right now).

I PROMISE there will be a new chapter soon, I just had to redo the first flight of the next chapter like seven times and now I’m kinda sick of my own spacecraft.

Ay, nice job on breaking the Karman Line! Or should I say… Kerman Line. I’ve played PBC before, and I think, just to be safe, you should do a few more launches with the Aether IV before heading to orbit. Just to be on the safe side, ya know?

Yeah, unfortunately. Well, not cancelled per say. Grounded, according to what @Royalswissarmyknife said.

Ay, welcome back man! @TwoCalories beat me to updating you (they ninja'd me), but that's everything important so far. They did leave out one key detail though, which is that the Apteryx 9 has been cancelled after the failed flight of Kiwisat 2. Other than that, that's everything important so far!

Frank Borman died today, at 95. Here's NASA's statement: https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-administrator-honors-life-of-apollo-astronaut-frank-borman/

10/10 The source must flow Click this spoiler if you want your eyes to bleed