AssidiousBlue

While the J-1 was recovered from that somewhat... ignoble landing, reconditioned and loaded ready for air launch, the Wawal-Crow program continued a series of launches, including; Wawal-Crow 7 launching a 75L Sounding Payload above 180 km (Sounding Rocket - Difficult) Wawal-Crow 8 launching a Biological Return Sample and Sounding Payload to 120km ("First" Low-Space Biological Sample) Cheekily, the engineers at LC1 managed to both of these with identical rockets. This pleased the scientists, because of the additional biological samples. The samples themselves may have been less happy, although they were saved aa second trip into vacuum due to a loss of thrust on the Wawal-Crow 8's second stage. As the science program was hoping for higher flights and heavier payloads, the Wawal-Crow team started working on a heavier sounding rocket to set new milestones - which of course meant a larger launchpad. Meanwhile, Elaine prepared for the second J-1 Flight. Once more airdropped, the ASSn1 engines were fired Only for one of them to suffer a 50% performance loss. Hoping to nonethless break the sound barrier in sustained flight, Elain climbed to 14,000m before levelling out. The Mach number slowly climbed, and Elaine held the plane level... And at flame-out, she had sustained Mach 1.2 for over 30 seconds in level flight. A controlled descent followed. And successful landing - although not on the centre line. It may have been several years after the Americans, Soviet and British, but it was a headline worth celebrating. Amidst celebrations, the plane was rolled back into the hangar for a refit. The performance of thee Snarler had been suboptimal, but even with optimum performance there was a limit to how high and fast it would be able to push the J1. Thankfully, there was scope to improve the engine. Make it faster, Stronger. Make it Scream... Craft File: https://kerbalx.com/AssidiousBlue/Juwanbin-1 Post-Launch Statistics Reputation Science Confidence 191.5 42.4 691 Post-Launch Facilities Funds 10372 Hangar 10 Engineers / 30% Efficiency LC1 - Wawal 17 Engineers / 29.5% Efficiency LC2 - Bulualum 53 Engineers / 23.4% Efficiency R&D - Early Mat. Sci. 100 Scientists / 34.76% Complete

As LC2 worked on the upgraded Bulualum, Wawal-Crow 4 was launched to deliver the first biological experiment packaged to the upper atmosphere. The rocket exceeded expectations, reaching apogee above 200km. Unfortunately, the duration of the flight exhausted the battery supply shortly before re-entry resulting in descent without telemetry. Thankfully, the parachutes deployed automatically and the precious biological samples were recovered. The engineering team quickly went to round up additional "volunteer samples" for a series of flights to help the science team fully understand conditions in the upper atmosphere and low space. They also put in more battery and prepared for a series of high-altitude and low-space missions. Thius followed Walwal-Crow 5, and 6 launched east and wesstward, respectively But in the background, another program had been running, working on a project to break new barriers. Specifically, the sound barrier. Aboard the Juwanbin-1 ("Bird" in the Yagera Language) or J-1, Elaine had been performing ground and glide tests in preparation for an historic attempt on the airspeed record Sucessfully launched from a borrowed Stratofortress, pilot Elaine Barnes pressed the ignite button on the two ASSn-1 "Snarler" engines mounted to the rear of her rocketplane, intending to climb to 12000m before leveling out and attempting to break Mach 1. Despite the prior ground testing, one of the two engines failed to light, resulting in significantly lowered thrust. Elaine, recognising the asymmetric thrust and inability to perform the planned flight, immediately sought to salvage the team's reputation. She might not break the sound barrier, but she could still set a record. she angled the plane upwards, reaching 15,000m in crewed flight. With the remaining engine now well beyond its planned firing time, she angled her craft for a steep descent over Minjerribah, and as the engine flamed out, making several turns and lining up on the runway Ultimately, she deployed her 'chutes short of the runway and came to a safe, if embarrasing, stop. The civilian first pilot above 15,000m Craft File: https://kerbalx.com/AssidiousBlue/Juwanbin-1 Post-Launch Statistics Reputation Science Confidence 131.3 32.7 392.2 Post-Launch Facilities Funds 12899 Hangar 10 Engineers / 30% Efficiency LC1 - Wawal 10 Engineers / 28.3% Efficiency LC2 - Bulualum 50 Engineers / 21.2% Efficiency R&D - Early Mat. Sci. 100 Scientists / 34.76% Complete

After nearly a year in integration, it was finally time to launch a new class of rocket - Bulualum ("Pelican" in the Yugarabul Language). Using an XLR41 engine designed and manufactured by the USA, as well as an early near-earth avionics core to provide guided flight, the intention was to demonstrate the capability of returning film from low space. With the Autopilot engaged, and a calculated "Classic" ascent profile aiming for 20o through a 40% turn shape, the rocket was launched on 1st September, 1952 Lift-off was a success At 450m/s, the rocket developed a roll oscillation, however as the rocker passed maxQ it stabilised, and Fairing deployment went successfully As the vehicle passed into low space, the instrument package and film was staged separate from the launch vehicle, testing in-space staging for the first time. Launching high over the ocean, the film camera captured the launch vehicle high above the coastline and the break-up on re-entry. Experiencing nearly 10G of acceleration, the broad profile slowed the vehicle rapidly and successfully, and the design demonstrated the ability to use centre of mass as an orientation mechanism during re-entry. After losing radio contact over the horizon, chute deployment was confirmed, and the recovery craft rapidly approached, recovering the craft. After the failure of the Wawal-Crow 3, the success of the first Bulualum launch was widely celebrated and work began on a second vehicle - this time with improved, aluminium tanks and basic reaction thrusters to provide in-space orientation. Of course, interest in the planetary photography was high, although sadly did not reach the front page of the newspapers - instead featuring a 10pc defence levy as part of plan to constrain the budget, a schoolgirl starting holidays, and stories regarding the rising cost of living. It was not, however, the only notable aircraft flight before the end of the year. Craft File: https://kerbalx.com/AssidiousBlue/Bulualum-1 Post-Launch Statistics Reputation Science Confidence 110.5 15.2 331 Post-Launch Facilities Funds 18942 Hangar 2 Engineers / 30% Efficiency LC1 - Wawal 10 Engineers / 26.5% Efficiency LC2 - Bulualum 53 Engineers / 19.1% Efficiency R&D - Early Mat. Sci. 100 Scientists / 19.55% Complete

Wawal-Crow 2 launched successfully, following a near-identical trajectory to Wawal-Crow 1, and returning more information about low space. Once again the instrument packaged was retrieved successfully. As the program achieved its goals, focus moved towards learning about the effects of high altitude on biological samples with a view towards the upcoming high-altitude manned flights. After nearly complete integration, a new package was rushed over from R&D - a biological container, with samples provided by international labs (it was not felt appropriate to use Australian native fauna). The slightly modified Wawal-Crow 3 launched the first biological experiments. However, the 30 seconds into the flight, the second stage XASR-1 (which had performed perfectly on the previous two flights) failed to ignite and although the biological samples were recovered, the team learned nothing that couldn't have been achieved with surplus war materiel and a warm jacket. Still, it was rocket science, and failure is expected. Dr Dhawan was known for protecting his teams, taking responsibility for the failure while highlighting the Team's sucesses. A slightly reduced staff started members being pulled in preparation for Launch Complex 2's debut, work began on Wawal-Crow 4. Craft File: https://kerbalx.com/AssidiousBlue/Wawal-Crow-3-Bio-So75 Post-Launch Statistics Reputation Science Confidence 65 8.0 309 Post-Launch Facilities Funds 200138 Hangar 5 Engineers / 30% Efficiency LC1 - Wawal 10 Engineers / 25.5% Efficiency LC2 - Bulualum 50 Engineers / 18.0% Efficiency R&D - Early Mat. Sci. 100 Scientists / 10.9% Complete

Come launch day, it rained. All eyes were on the surrounding weather stations, watching the storm over over the coast. Lightning Flashed. It was in a brief break in the weather the MSC's latest sounding rocket was launched with the goald to break not only the Karman Line, but reach out into the true reaches of space As the rocket climbed past 5000m, and broke through the cloud layer, skin surface readings reported back the change in temperature. At burnout into coast, all was nominal, the Sprite Dsp2 now well-understood and reliable, and the new aluminium tanks meaning it was coasting to a higher point before second stage. Here, then, was something new - a partnership with the USA allowing use of the XASR-1, an evolution of the WAC-Corporal engine, lofting high-pressure Aluminium tanks. Although a new variant, there was some experience with handling the hypergolic fuels and the process of lighting mid-flight from the previous Crow 1 and 2 flights. This was the Wawal-Crow, using a combination of engines from the new world and the old, and it would reach 1,500m/s and 190,000m, breaking several records in the process As the instrument package fell back to Earth, the science team couldn't help but wonder what the view would have looked like. Still, having surpassed the mission goal of 130,000m the team was elated, and program confidence was inevitably building. Several more Wawal-Crow rockets were put into production. Craft File: https://kerbalx.com/AssidiousBlue/Wawal-Crow-1-So75 Post-Launch Statistics Reputation Science Confidence 68.3 19.8 291.8 Post-Launch Facilities Funds 201148 Hangar 5 Engineers / 25% Efficiency LC1 - Wawal 7 Engineers / 23.3% Efficiency LC2 - Bulualum 45 Engineers / 15.0% Efficiency R&D - Early Tracking 94 Scientists / 43.3% Complete

With the confirmation that the Australians had a usable sounding rocket, and the expansion of aerospace activities, it was clear that the organisation needed to grow. And to Grow, it needed clear leadership. This triggered a search across the Commonwealth, looking for someone who could provide the inspiration for a multi-racial team, as well as the technical skills and scientific knowledge. Although there were several promising candidates, many of them were spoken for - either swept away from Europe in the aftermath of World War 2, or deep in the Soviet Politburo. One candidate was identified from India, who had recently completed his PhD. thesis at CalTech on Direct Measurements of Skin Friction. As Such, Satish Dhawan was recruited to lead the burgeoning Meanjin Space Complex. Under his leadership, three more Wawal flights (Wawal 5, 6, and 7) would be quickly launched, testing sounding payloads in the upper atmosphere over Quandamooka Country, east over Mulgumpin (Moreton Island) and Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island), and north towards K'Gari (Fraser Island) respectively. It was clear that to do useful science at or beyond the Karman line, the current technology had reached its limits. Using Dr Dhawan's and the team's understanding of materials science, as well as his connections to the USA, however, a new option would soon be trialled. Craft File: https://kerbalx.com/AssidiousBlue/Wawal-5-So75 Post-Launch Statistics Reputation Science Confidence 35.0 12.7 126.5 Post-Launch Facilities Funds 20132 Hangar 5 Engineers / 25% Efficiency LC1 - Wawal 7 Engineers / 23.3% Efficiency LC2 - Bulualum 45 Engineers / 13.7% Efficiency R&D - Post-war Mat. Science 88 Scientists / 98.9% Complete

A Tale of Two Crows - Part 3 Having outperformed the Americans with the demonstration of the Wawal 3, the locals hatched a plan to be the first to break the Karman line. By using a different catalyst, the Hydrogen Peroxide would burn more efficiently allowing similar thrust, but higher specific impulse. By slightly underfilling the first Sprite stage, using DSpr-2 configuration, and timing the second stage ignition to minimise the chance of ignition failure, calculations suggest they would make 100,000m mar. But would they succeed on the day? After a successful Launch And second stage burn-out Wawal 4 was successful in crossing the Karman Line! Now with a proven sounding rocket, it was time to do some science, starting with the recovery from a sub-orbital flight Craft File: https://kerbalx.com/AssidiousBlue/Wawal-4 Post-Launch Statistics Reputation Science Confidence 24.4 14.0 64.0 Post-Launch Facilities Funds 19163 Hangar 5 Engineers / 25% Efficiency LC1 - Wawal 17 Engineers / 20.6% Efficiency LC2 - Bulualum 35 Engineers / 11.0% Efficiency R&D - Post-war Mat. Science 60 Scientists / 15.4% Complete

A Tale of Two Crows - Part 2 With the engine reconditioned, the Americans quickly turned around a second launch, whilst the Australians worked on their 2.5-stage design. The Crow flight 2 successfully launched... But again fell short of the planned burn time, and failed to reach the Karman line. Perhaps the prolonged burn time - well in excess of the rated burn time - would prevent reaching the Crow's goals. Finally, flight Wawal 3 would demonstrate the advanced staging that would be required to eventually reach out into the stratosphere... Completing its 1.5 stage burn, the vehicle coasted to a height of nearly 20,000m before firing its ullage motors, then lighting the second Sprite engine. After burn-out the payload reached the edge of space, with an apogee of 96,000m In the background, the researchers finalised the technology and plans for their first supersonic crewed flight, then began looking into lightweight aluminium tanks. Meanwhile, a new facility was working on something substantially... Bigger, with lessons learned from the competing sounding rocket programs and the spoils of a horrible war. Craft File: https://kerbalx.com/AssidiousBlue/Wawal-3 Post-Launch Statistics Reputation Science Confidence 10.5 8.3 41.1 Post-Launch Facilities Funds 35718 Hangar 5 Engineers / 25% Efficiency LC1 - Wawal 17 Engineers / 19.6% Efficiency LC2 - Bulualum 35 Engineers / 10.6% Efficiency R&D - Supersonic Plane Development 60 Scientists / 1.6% Complete

A Tale of Two Crows: After the sucessful Wawal 2 flight, work began on an extended, 2.5-stage version for testing in-flight staging and ignition of the sprite engine. A new series of parts incorporating timing were developed, with these so-called "Smart Parts" able to use simple logic and timing gates to control staging through flight. Additionally, after reviewing the flight data and on-ground testing, a new generation of post-war rocketry was unlocked and work began on integrating rocketry with atmospheric flight Meanwhile, as part of a joint training program with the USA, Kerbodyne imported one of their QAC-Corporal based sounding rockets. After a quick paint job and integration with the Meanjin Team's telemetry, it was rolled out of LC-1 to "Show these Australians a real rocket" Although burning shorter than planned, nonetheless the "Crow" reached 59,00m on its first launch - soundly beating the record set by the Wawal 2 flight. Furthermore, despite residual fuels the american parachutes successfully recovered the vehicle intact, allowing an intact motor to be analysed for the first time. Craft File: https://kerbalx.com/AssidiousBlue/Crow-1 Post-Launch Statistics Reputation Science Confidence 7.7 4.3 25.3 Post-Launch Facilities Funds 35718 LC1 - Wawal 10 Engineers / 16.6% Efficiency LC2 - Bulualum Under Construction / 82% R&D - Supersonic Plane Development 50 Scientists / 36% Complete

Launch 2: After the engine failure of Wawal, the second sounding rocket was quickly intergated and rolled out to LC-1. and a period of integration, the Wawal 2 was launched on 12th June, 1951 This time, the Sprite engine burnt to completion, reaching an apogee shy of 50,000m but for the first time recovering data from a vehicle in the high atmosphere. Despite sucessful deployment of the parachute system, the vehicle still suffered a hard touchdown resulting in loss of the engine, although the science core was recovered sucessfully. The Spirte engine, having finally proved some reliability, would nonetheless have its results challenged by a new import from the testing grounds of the USA Post-Launch Statistics Reputation Science Confidence 7.9 3.9 15.6 Post-Launch Facilities Funds 33746 LC1 - Wawal 10 Engineers / 15.5% Efficiency LC2 - Bulualum Under Construction / 31% R&D - Post-war Rocketry 50 Scientists / 86% Complete

Launch 1: After construction of LC1 - Wawal, and a period of integration, the first launch of the Wawal 1 was performed on 13th May, 1951 Shortly after launch, the Sprite suffered a loss of thrust, resulting in a maximum altitude of just under 20,000m, falling short of expectations, Additionally, due to incomplete use of the propellant, the parachute failed to adequately slow the vehicle resulting in a hard touchdown and complete loss of the vehicle. With lessons learnt, and a subdued celebration for their first launch at least making it of the pad, construction begins on a second LC intended for the much larger, "Bulualum" ("Pelican" in the Turubul language) launch vehicle. Nonetheless, wit the performance data more science was required, and additional scientists joined the program. Perhaps they can start designing a plane Craft File: https://kerbalx.com/AssidiousBlue/Wawal-1 Post-Launch Statistics Reputation Science Confidence 6.0 0.0 0.0 Post-Launch Facilities Funds 42888 LC1 - Wawal 10 Engineers / __ Efficiency LC2 - Bulualum Under Construction R&D - Post-war Rocketry 50 Scientists / 55% Complete

Today, we start on our steps to space. It's 1951. Despite becoming citizens three years prior, The aboriginal people will not be recognised as part of 'the people' of Australia for another 16 years. Nonetheless, near the mouth of the Meanjin River, a group of engineers and scientist group together to start reaching for the stars. With only 10 researchers, work begins on researching post-war rocket engines including upgrading the "Sprite" engine, recently imported from the UK. Meanwhile, in the VAB a sounding rocket is proposed to test said de Haviland Sprite. Although not requiring pressure-fed tanks, the concentrated HTP (High Test Peroxide) nonetheless causes safety concerns and requires specific handling. A new launch facility commences construction in order to launch the "Wawal 1" ("Crow" in the Yugura Language) which will be fitted with a telemetry unit, temperature sensor and barometer, with a small parachute package to hopefully to recover the craft intact. Simulations suggest success will be possible, presuming the engine has survived the three-month sea voyage and the tailfins are large enough to withstand the high dynamic loads. A Surplus "Tiny Tim" solid rocket will provide the initial boost before a sustained burn, aiming to reach the upper atmosphere over Qunadamooka Country and Moreton Bay. (First Launch to follow)

Table of Contents: First Launch A tale of Two Crows (Path to the Karman Line) First Film Return First Rocketplane Breaking the Sound Barrier First Capstone - Suborbital Advanced Biological research The first supersonic jet Discovering the Van Allen Belt Crewed flight into the high atmosphere and Mach 5 Lorraine joins the program, and Elain lands in a forest Elaine and Lorraine contemplate their place in the Space program Bulualum almost reaches orbit with 500L sounding payload Crewed Crossing of the Karman Line Hypersonic flight and finishing the x-plane program First object in orbit! Craft Files: Please Note: In addition to the standard RP-1 mods, These craft often use the UKSPACE mod by seyMonster, as well as Smart Parts mod to automate some staging Sounding Rockets Wawal 1- Early Sounding Rocket Wawal 3 and Wawal 4 - Early sounding rockets, two stages Wawal 5 - Early sounding rocket with 75L Sounding Payload Crow 1 - Early Aerobee rocket Wawal-Crow 1 - Karman line capable sounding rocket with 75L Sounding Payload Wawal-Crow 3 - Karman line capable sounding rocket, with 75L: sounding payload and Basic Biological Sample Wawal Heavy-Crow 1 - Low Space capable sounding rocket with 115L sounding payload and Basic Biological Sample Wawal Heavy-Crow 4 - Updated low space with 75L sounding payload Wawal 3-AJ Crow -Updated low space with 75L sounding payload, capable of 300km+ Wawal3-AJ Crow 1 - Low space altitude sounding rocket with 75L sounding payload Wawal 3-AJ Crow 4 - Low space altitude sounding rocket with 75L sounding payload, 500km+ Early Guided rockets Bulualum-1 - Basic guided rocket with recoverable avionics and Early Film Bulualum-2 - Basic Guided rocket Bulualum-3 - BasicGuided rocket Bulualum-4 - Basic guided rocket with recoverable avionics and Early Film Bulualum-6 - Basic guided rocket with recoverable avionics and Early Film Bulualum-8 - Downrange guided rocket with 500L sounding payload Bulualum-16 - Downrange guided rocket, capable of 6000km downrange contract with 500L sounding payload Bulualum-17 - Orbit-capable guided rocket with 50L sounding payload and mass spectrometer X-planes Juwanbin-1 - Early rocketplane, capable of 20,000m or Mach 1.2 missions Juwanbin-1B - Early ocketplane with upgraded engines Juwanbin-1C - High altitude rocketplane with upgraded XLR engines and cockpit, reaction control system Juwanbin-1/B - Upgraded Rocketplane Juwanbin-2/A Supersonic jet plane Juwanbin-2/B Mach 2 jet plane Juwanbin-2/C Pending Juwanbin-3 Stratospheric research, subsonic jet plane Juwanbin-4/A Suborbital and hypersonic spaceplane Juwanbin-4/A with droptanks and pink foam covering

Yet another (Down Under) RP1/RSS/RO Playthrough, this time based in Meanjin (Brisbane) on the Australia East Coast. Key Goals Get off the Launchpad Complete Suborbital Science and X-Planes Try to make almost every launch a progression (No repeat missions until full rewards to grind Confidence / Rep, so can only do one "Intermediate" mission before tackling next "Difficult" versions) Get To Orbit Stretch Goals (Please offer suggestions) Complete Light Satellites Open a new Cape York Launch Complex for Geostationary Operations Custom leaders representing Australian and Aboriginal leaders taking the reins Key Challenges I haven't managed this before RP1/RO is Hard and can be grindy Meanjin isn't that much closer to the equator than Woomera (Australian geography is a bit... Weird. Perth is further north than Sydney? Thanks, Mercator Projection!) Mod List: Custom Space Centre (From LaunchSites.cfg) - Also need to do localisations (Still fine-tuning the launch site. Until recently it has been on a bit of a slope, so although the end of the runway is on the ground, the VAB floats above a pond. Slowly moving eastward to try and avoid this, and have re-oriented the runwayto face East properly) Additional configuration Modifications: