Pipcard

1982-10-05 - MELODI (Mars Exploration with Lander-Orbiter Data Interactions) lands on Mars

1982-09-17 - MELODI (Mars Exploration with Lander-Orbiter Data Interactions) enters Mars orbit, and lands on 1982-10-05. (video)

Phase 3 - 10 1982-04-26 - An M-2-20 rocket launched Saki-03 with Tomohiro Sasaki, Kosuke Kokubun, and Yayoi Mimura. The latter two were new astronauts. 1982-08-07 - Usagi-12 was launched by an M-1B rocket to the bright lunar crater of Copernicus, which is thought to have formed relatively recently (800 million years ago) compared to the 4-billion-year age of the Moon. 1982-09-17 - MELODI (Mars Exploration with Lander-Orbiter Data Interactions) performed an insertion burn to enter an elliptical polar orbit (approximately 300 km x 30000 km) around Mars. The orbiter observed Mars for over two weeks before making a small de-orbit maneuver on 1982-10-05, releasing the lander in its aeroshell, then returning back to orbit. The lander itself entered the atmosphere of Mars and was slowed down by the 4-meter-wide shield without excessive heating. At a speed of about 300 m/s, the aeroshell and lander separated from the heat shield using small retrorockets (slightly imbalanced to prevent the shield from coming back and colliding). Parachutes deployed 12 to 6 km above the surface, but it was still traveling at about 50 m/s. After the landing legs (which had triple symmetry like the Viking landers) were deployed, the lander dropped from its aeroshell to peform a soft propulsive landing. The landing site was in Amazonis Planitia, a flat region northwest of Olympus Mons that formed with volcanic activity about 100 million years ago. The camera took high-quality images of the surface, while a gas chromatograph mass spectrometer and a sample digging apparatus measured the composition of the Martian regolith, mostly made of silicon, oxygen, and iron. No organic compounds were detected. Data was relayed to the orbiter, which could transmit back to Earth using its larger antenna.

1981-11-29 - Launch of MELODI (Mars Exploration with Lander-Orbiter Data Interactions) 1982-01-04 - Launch of the "Mokume" Jupiter orbiter

Phase 3 - 09 1981-11-29 - An M-2-32 rocket launched the MELODI (Mars Exploration with Lander-Orbiter Data Interactions, a.k.a. PLANET-H) spacecraft. Similar to the Viking spacecraft, the vehicle consisted of a orbiter with solar panels and a lander component powered by RTGs. After entering an elliptical Mars orbit in September 1982, MELODI would observe potential landing sites and wait for the right conditions, then release the lander which would enter Mars's atmosphere in a protective aeroshell (similar to the fairing for the Saki crewed spacecraft) which would deploy parachutes and be jettisoned before a propulsive landing. 1982-01-04 - The Jupiter orbiter "Mokume" (PLANET-I) was launched by an M-2-34 rocket. Its name meant "wood grain" in reference to Jupiter's Hatsunese name, Mokusei (木星 or "wood star," another one of the Chinese five elements), and the fact that Jupiter's swirling clouds as observed by the Watarimono probes coincidentally resembled a wood grain. Its literal meaning of "wood eye" (木目) also represented the probe's mission to observe Jupiter and its moons. Unlike the Galileo spacecraft which NASA would launch later, Mokume did not carry an atmospheric probe and was thus lighter, being able to launch directly to Jupiter using the M-2 rocket and its Hakuba hydrolox upper stage. Mokume would enter Jupiter orbit in July 1984. In some aspects, Hatsunia was starting to pull ahead in the space race.

https://www.orbiter-forum.com/threads/the-kerbal-space-program-version-1-2-x.21020/ So on this 10th anniversary, I wanted to show where it all started (publicly). I actually started with Orbiter before getting KSP in 2013 (because I needed a better computer and was busy with school at the time). And I still need a better computer to handle KSP with Real Solar System/Realism Overhaul and a bunch of visual enhancement mods at a decent framerate. HarvesteR:

1981-05-29 - Watarimono-2 Jupiter flyby (to Uranus and Neptune) 1981-05-30 - Watarimono Saturn flyby Mimas flyby (sorry, no Death Star crater)

Phase 3 - 08 1981-02-14 - After the retirement of the original three "Rocket Women," Saki-02 launched with the first of a new generation of Hatsunese astronauts: Hitomi Kuriyama, Haruyoshi Yasukawa, and Tomohiro Sasaki. The latter two were the first male astronauts in Hatsunia. They also spent 24 hours in orbit before returning east of Negishima. 1981-05-28 - Watarimono-2 passed by Jupiter on its way to Uranus and Neptune, which would be reached in 1986 and 1989, respectively. It arrived in its massive sphere of influence on 1981-04-11. It could take pictures of Jupiter and its moons in greater detail compared to its predecessor, such as the swirling storm clouds in Jupiter's atmosphere, as well as the thin ring surrounding the planet. However, the trajectory and closest approach had to be farther away, passing as close as the orbit of Europa. Continuing observations made by Voyager 1 and 2 two years earlier, it saw the battered surface of Callisto, the grooved terrain Ganymede, the streaked icy surface of Europa, and volcanic activity on Io from far away. 1981-05-30 - At around the same time as its successor's flyby of Jupiter, Watarimono flew by Saturn, having arrived in the sphere of influence on 1981-03-20. It observed Saturn, its prominent ring system of small particles, and its magnetic field, but was only able to do so with a resolution similar to the Pioneer 11 probe which reached Saturn two years ago. It also zoomed by the moon of Mimas for a few seconds. However, it was not able to see its most famous feature (discovered a year earlier by Voyager 1), Herschel Crater, from up close as it was on the night side. Saturn would be the final planetary destination for Watarimono almost 6 years after launch, but it would not reach interstellar space because it passed in front of Saturn's path around the Sun, thus reducing its velocity. Instead, it would go into a highly-inclined (almost-polar) elliptical heliocentric orbit which would return to a distance between Earth and Venus in 1987. From there, it could measure the Sun's magnetic field from a new perspective. Mimas encounter

1980-10-12 - The Advanced Marine Investigation and Ground Observation Satellite (AMIGOS), also known as Aomidori

Phase 3 - 07 1980-07-02 - An M-1B rocket launched Usagi-11, the fourth lunar lander probe. Its destination was the southern rim of Tycho crater, to analyze the composition of regolith just outside the main impact zone (similarly to the Surveyor 7 mission). It was at a higher latitude compared to previous missions (45 degrees south), so sunlight was hitting the vehicle at a lower angle and power had to be conserved more often. Anorthosites with high levels of aluminium were detected. 1980-10-12 - An M-2-20 rocket launched the Advanced Marine Investigation and Ground Observation Satellite (AMIGOS), which was nicknamed Aomidori (blue-green), to a sun-synchronous orbit almost 800 kilometers above Earth. It was used to take imagery and collect data of Earth for civilian purposes such as farming, land-use planning, fishing, environmental protection, and climate research, to make sure that Earth's natural resources were being used wisely. To do this, it used an near-infrared imaging spectrometer to measure differences in surface temperature, and a new type of small optical camera to take many high-resolution images of forests, urban areas, etc. all over the globe for public and private use.

1980-03-24 - Saki-01 crewed spacecraft (minimum system)

1980-03-24 - First launch of the Saki crewed spacecraft (minimum system) - [video]

Phase 3 - 06 1980-03-24 - An M-2-20 launched Saki-01, Hatsunia's next-generation crewed spacecraft, named after the tallest mountain in the country. This would be the final flight of the three "Rocket Women," Yuzuki Morita, Marumi Nabatame, and Akari Miura, who were now in their 30s and ready to pass the torch to the next generation of astronauts. Unlike NASA, which was going to launch a large reusable spaceplane (with expendable tank and boosters) known as the Space Shuttle next year, HASDA chose a smaller, disposable capsule design like Apollo to reduce development cost and time. During the launch, 2 out of 5 first stage engines and 1 out of 3 second stage engines were cut off later in the burn period to prevent the acceleration from exceeding 4 Gs [1] . Saki-01 was in the "minimum system" configuration, consisting only of a Core Module (flat capsule to reduce deceleration forces during reentry to 2.4 Gs) and a small Service Module (with fuel cells, RCS thrusters, and propellant for maneuvers). The life support systems were meant to support 3 people for 24 hours in orbit. The living room was larger than that of Utahime, but it was still a tight space. Re-entry and splashdown occurred in southwestern Hatsunia on the next day. The Saki "standard system," to be launched later in the decade, would add an additional Expansion Module and Propulsion Module for longer-term stays in orbit. [1] Using kOS scripts (for the first time) to disable engines (and jettison the launch escape system) using action groups

Made a video with the "minimum system"

1979-11-05 - Watarimono-2 was launched by an M-2-34 rocket to Jupiter (1981), Uranus (1986), and Neptune (1989)

Phase 3 - 05 1979-11-05 - In the last major launch of the 1970s, HASDA took advantage of a rare opportunity (once every 175 years) to send a spacecraft to Jupiter, Uranus, and Neptune. After the M-2 rocket had been proven over two years, Watarimono-2 ("Wanderer-2") or PLANET-G was launched by an M-2-34 rocket early in the morning. From low Earth orbit, the kerolox second stage burned its remaining fuel for about 15 seconds, then the "Hakuba" hydrolox third stage burned for over 7 minutes, boosting the spacecraft's velocity by over 7200 m/s. This would put it on a course to visit Jupiter in May 1981 (concurrent with Watarimono visiting Saturn), Uranus in January 1986, and Neptune in August 1989. The Uranus and Neptune encounters would occur slightly before the arrivals of NASA's Voyager 2, which was launched two years earlier. Afterwards, it would continue into interstellar space. Watarimono-2 had a large 4-meter high-gain antenna transmitting in the X-band frequency (8-12 GHz) to be able to send lots of data from 4 to 5 billion kilometers from Earth, and was powered by two multi-hundred-watt radioisotope thermoelectric generators (MHW-RTGs). (A course correction would be needed later to reduce the distance to Neptune)

Not really his canon name, but sure.

1979-04-09 - Neginohana-5 automated docking test (satellites nicknamed "Orihime" and "Hikoboshi")

Phase 3 - 04 1979-04-07 - The engineering test satellite "Neginohana-5" was launched by an M-2-20. The mission would evaluate automated rendezvous and docking technology (Utahime dockings were conducted with partial autonomy but still required a person for final guidance) with a pair of identical subsatellites. They were nicknamed "Orihime" and "Hikoboshi" after the two separated lovers in the Hatsunese adaptation of the Chinese folk tale "The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl," who are celebrated in the Tanabata festival. They are also the Hatsunese names for the stars Vega and Altair, respectively. A similar feat was performed in the previous decade by the Kosmos 186 and 188 satellites of the Soviet space program. Once reaching space, Orihime boosted to a higher orbit to act as the target satellite, while the chaser satellite Hikoboshi waited two days in a lower orbit to catch up. Hikoboshi then performed a transfer burn and rendezvous with Orihime before docking. Navigation was assisted by geostationary satellites. At close range, internal radar systems within Orihime and Hikoboshi were used for telemetry and guidance. On the same day of the launch, an animated series known as "Mobile Suit Zaku"[1] aired for the first time. The premise involved giant humanoid machines or "mecha" used for construction and combat in space, and the relations and conflicts between the democratic Federal Republic of Shion, living in large space colonies in the Earth-Moon Lagrange points where the gravitational fields of the two bodies cancel out [2], and the more corrupt and hegemonic Terran Sphere. The franchise would popularize the idea of millions of people working in space habitats like O'Neill cylinders [3], envisioned earlier in the decade, and the use of robots to construct even larger megastructures like Dyson swarms to surround and collect the Sun's energy, trillions of times more powerful than what the Earth alone could support. The Orihime and Hikoboshi satellites were just the beginning of robotic space assembly. [1] Yes, this is a Gundam mirror universe. Because of a number pun in which "Za-ku" = "3-9" = "Mi-ku." And since the Principality of Zeon is a literal space version of Germany in WWII (this forum replaces the particular word with "pedant" as in "grammar pedant"), it has to be a mirror universe. [2] which are not simulated in KSP unless you use the Principia mod, which is more processor-intensive and makes planning and doing missions much more complicated. [3] The idea that a colony could be dropped on Sydney is not as emphasized. Because civilian applications of giant robots are shown more, there is more of an unironic "wow, cool robot" effect.

1978-05-09 - Advanced Information Gathering Satellite 1978-07-27 - Usagi-10 in Aristillus Crater

Phase 3 - 03 1978-05-09 - An M-2-24 launched the first Advanced Information Gathering Satellite (IGS-A) for the Cabinet Intelligence Office. Many details of its capabilities and operations are still kept secret, but it is believed to have a similar design to the "Stargazer" space telescope launched several years later. Much larger than the last IGS generation, it does not rely on film that has to be returned to Earth in a capsule, but instead uses electro-optical digital imaging. 1978-07-23 - Usagi-10 was launched to land in Aristillus Crater on the Moon, located in Mare Imbrium (the "Sea of Rains"). The landing site was between the crater rim and the peaks of the impact site at the center.

1977-12-27 - Watarimono Jupiter flyby (will reach Saturn in 1981)

Phase 3 - 02 1977-05-31 - Neginohana-4a and 4b were communications and engineering test satellites launched by an M-2-30 (three stages, zero boosters) with a Payload Append System (PAS), an additional fairing structure designed to contain one satellite and support a second satellite on top. The satellites tested a new standardized bus for geostationary applications, with three-axis control and sun-tracking solar panels. 4a and 4b were respectively placed above the western and eastern sides of the Pacific Ocean. 1977-10-02 - Watarimono arrived within Jupiter's massive sphere of influence. Over the next two-to-three months, it would approach the largest planet in the Solar System, getting as close as 12000 kilometers from the cloud tops, and reaching a speed as high as 56 kilometers per second. About a week before the closest approach on December 27, it crossed the orbit of the moon Callisto. The trajectory of the spacecraft took it within Jupiter's equatorial radiation belts (of solar particles captured by the planet's magnetic field), which were ten thousand times stronger than the Van Allen belts surrounding Earth. The probe's camera took close-up views of the swirling cloud bands in Jupiter's atmosphere, including the centuries-old storm known as the Great Red Spot. The four Galilean moons (Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto) were also imaged, but from a farther distance. Jupiter was used for a gravitational assist to reach Saturn in 1981. (The Titan flyby was cancelled as a closer approach to Saturn was prioritized. The moon of Mimas would be flown by instead.) The shadow of Europa is visible on Jupiter (default TUFX)

@alzayaniAR made a rough translation

It's based on the Fuji capsule, which I have recently adapted for Realism Overhaul.