czokletmuss

Speaking about Laythe and radiation, here's my interpretation of how the avarage EVA in its orbit should look like if the radiation get implemented in KSP (I hope I didn't post it already): http://youtu.be/IDMzsK3ROo0

Thank you for this post - I know it's just your personal opinion but it's something I really hope there will be some kind of official statement soon! Sure thing, nobody wants a flamewar. I hope it won't happen.

Oops, accidental spoiler Here you are: If you need more, just let me know.

If I may, I would like to make a humble request of an artistic interpretation of some of the Grand Tour postacards, preferably the one depicting aerobraking in Jool's atmosphere. Thank you!

If it may make devs to think about this issue and give us an answer than no, it's not moot IMHO.

Remember this? Well I do and I think it's potentialy one of the most crucial elements of the KSP. Although it's not a 4X game, adding "Exploit" to "Exploration" would open endless posibilities and would popularize ideas like in-situ resource utilization or made polar Mun base important due to the presence of ice (water -> rocket fuel and oxygen and, err, water). However, there wasn't any update from SQUAD on this in months. What could it mean? Here are the results of my speculations: OPTION 1 - RESOURCES ARE POSTPONED The most probable option. Squad realized that implementing this would a huge challenge, much bigger than the Science system and decided to postpone it for later, say 0.25 or 0.30. OPTION 2 - RESOURCES ARE RESERVED FOR A DLC Another possibly option. Seeing how huge the resources system is and how much it could add to the game it won't be unreasonable to not sell it in a separate DLC for $5-10. Now I know what you think: But I actually think DLC is a great idea. Why? First of all, Squad will make more money. It's good for us, because it means that the company will prosper and hey, who wouldn't want to buy KSP 2 in 5-6 years? Second of all, KSP is ridiculously cheap - I payed for it $16 and calculating (price/hours of fun) it was one of my best decisions ever in case of entertainment. Third of all, it'll be a guarantee of a decent resources system. Why? Because Squad will have a clear financial motivation to do so - and getting money from DLC could mean more free improvements for the KSP itself, just like Paradox does with CK2 or EU4. Anyways, this is a possible option. The third one, unfortunately, also is possible OPTION 3 - RESERVED ARE CANCELLED I don't know for what reasons but sadly yes, it's possible. So, to sum it up: What I really would like to hear during Kerbalkon is official Squad statement about the resources system. To be honest, it's even more important for me than 0.23 release. Too much time have passed without any clear information and I'm sure the community is concerned about this as well. Please Squad, whatever the decision was, just tell us - knowing something is always better than knowing nothing. Signed, czokletmuss

Hmm... POTent All-Terrain Omnibus? Like a software for a BIG rover? It's not a bad idea but I don't think it belongs to this AAR - The Space Race is more crazy and light-hearted. In other news, my CK2 AAR was nominated to the Weekly AAR Showcase: December 11, 2013 award on Paradox Forum. Yay!

Ah, I see I have tought you well

Good. I didn't master the art of cliffhangers to become predictable!

I bet the Pink Floyd fan wrote that. Anyways, that's great news - I can't wait for the landing!

So... we should prepare for a disappointment than?

It's a terrible news. Let me explain - having SLS, Orion and JWST protected from cuts means that if anything happens, the rest of the NASA budget will be butchered in order to preserve this holy cows. What is happening now: http://news.sciencemag.org/funding/2013/12/nasas-planetary-science-shift-rattles-researchers is just a prologue to what may happen in the near future with the unmaned exploration program. Besides, what's the point of having heavy lifter if you won't have any payload? And with tightening budget I doubt there will be much money left to build any significant hardware for SLS. That is, before it gets cancelled - let's be honest, politicians don't give a damn about where the rocket goes as long as their voters and companies who sponsor them get contracts. Oh, and you know what could be a indirect result of this? Cutting spendings is one thing but do you know what's one of the most expensive NASA project now besides SLS/Orion/JWST? ISS. It would be a disaster to see ISS abandoned (no money for prolonging operation to 2020+) only to save Senate Launch System JWST will be a great tool but it's already a financial monster - what would happen if it get the "too big to fail" status? I'm really worried about this, not that it's my taxpayer money, but because I think this bill wont' be beneficial to science and human exploration of space at all. Quite the contrary, actually. What's even worse, is that nobody knows WHAT FOR is SLS and Orion being built. Asteroid mission? Moon? Mars? Langrange points? There are no money, no hardware and no idea what to do with them. This is exactly the opposite of the Apollo program - huge resources and manpower dedicated to, uhm, you know, building giant rocket because of... reasons. To boldly explore... err... what we're exploring again? Just give us few years and we will come up with something! Don't mind one launch of SLS costing $1.5 bln, who cares that it's more or less the cost of Curiosity mission. :sigh: Maybe Chang'e 3 will wake up someone on the Hill.

Okay - expect it when the next chapter is released. That's why I should make a column for "Assignments" Or does he? Or is it?

Nice! Keep up the work, man, your vehicles are great

:dun dun dun: EDIT: And BTW - would you prefer the Crew Status table to include current assignments?

:sigh: Done. Anyways, anyone interested in a sneak-peak screenshot of the next chapter?

Crap, it's my typo - it should be 0.7g. Correcting now.

Thanks and I'm glad you did I'm very happy too - I finally used the Tylo Lander, the most efficient and alas ugliest vessel in the Grand Tour. I put it on "Proteus" in April 2013 IRL and at the start of the journey in the story. After taking it with "Proteus" to almost every celestial body its task is finally completed. Goodbye, Tylo Lander!

And a postcard: Enjoy the new chapter!

CHAPTER 47 TYLO LANDING *** BERTY v.2.0.8b: SAS operational. RCS operational. Engines operational. Solar panel operational. Autopilot system online All systems nominal. Tylo Lander is fully operational and ready for landing. NED: It better be. BERTY v.2.0.8b: Initiating the Smart Eve Suit test. STEVE v.1.0.7: Smart Eve Suit test initiated. Synchronizing with on-board computer. Suit temperature – 20 °C. External pressure – 1 atm. Acceleration – zero g. Exoskeleton operational. Life support operational. AutoDoc operational. Recording equipment operational. Oxium level - 99,83%. BERTY v.2.0.8b: Smart Eve Suit test completed. All systems operational. NED: Huh. JOHNDON: What is it, N-Ned? NED: He's going to land on Tylo, so shouldn't we call the exosuit... STYLO? MALLOCK: :sigh: JEB: Are you feeling alright, professor? MALLOCK: Yes. I'm ready. BERTY v.2.0.8b: Double and triple-checking of all systems is advised before attempting landing. MALLOCK: Would it take long? BERTY v.2.0.8b: Less than completing one orbit, professor Mallock. JEB: We shouldn't take any risk. Let's do this. *** BERTY v.2.0.8b: Approaching the landing zone. Deorbit burn in 30 seconds. NED: This is it. Good luck professor. JOHNDON: Yes – k-kodspeed, Mal. JEB: Remember, if anything happens just press the abort button and Danrey will take care of the rest. DANREY: Exactly. MALLOCK: I, uhm, I will. BERTY v.2.0.8b: Don't worry, professor. Landing procedure is fully automated. MALLOCK: I really hope so. I have no idea how to operate such vessels. NED: That's why BERTY and STYLO will take care of everything. You're going down there as a geologist. JOHNDON: It'll be fine. I'm sure you'll pick up some great samples, professor! MALLOCK: Mhm. Well, I think- BERTY v.2.0.8b: Deorbit burn in progress. MALLOCK: Uh! STYLO v.1.0.7: Acceleration – 1.1g JEB: Are you okay? Doctor, is he okay? CAMBO: It seems so. Such big acceleration is a big stress for his body, but after EVAs on Vall and with the help of the suit there shouldn't be any problems. So far as he don't exceed 2-2.5g. STYLO v.1.0.7: Acceleration – 1.2g BERTY v.2.0.8b: Initiating final descent. 14353 meters above the surface. NED: How are you holding up? MALLOCK: I'm fine! CAMBO: Hmm. Try to calm your breath, professor, you're burning up oxium. You won't have much time on the surface anyways, so try to slow down. MALLOCK: Uh! Understood! BERTY v.2.0.8b: 10000 meters above the surface. STYLO v.1.0.7: Acceleration – 1.3g MALLOCK: I can see Jool and the Sun! Aren't we going too fast? BERTY v.2.0.8b: No, professor Mallock. The rate of the descent is well within projected limits. 6500 meters above the surface. MALLOCK: Are you sure?! STYLO v.1.0.7: Acceleration – 1.4g BERTY v.2.0.8b: Yes, professor Mallock. 3500 meters above the surface. MALLOCK: Uh! I'm pretty sure we're going too fast! CAMBO: Relax Mal, your heartbeat is skyrocketing. And you are burning up the oxium too fast. MALLOCK: Easy for you to say! BERTY v.2.0.8b: 850 meters above the surface. BERTY v.2.0.8b: 300 meters above the surface. 200 meters above the surface. MALLOCK: Oh crap! JEB: Listen to me, you must calm down! You're using too much oxium. BERTY v.2.0.8b: 100 meters above the surface. 50 meters above the surface. JEB: Professor? BERTY v.2.0.8b: 10 seconds to touchdown. MALLOCK: Oh crap, oh crap, oh crap! JEB: I said calm down! BERTY v.2.0.8b: Five seconds. Four. Three. Two. One. Touchdown. Tylo Lander has landed. STYLO v.1.0.7: Acceleration – 0.78g MALLOCK: Good Kod... JEB: BERTY? BERTY v.2.0.8b: 57% of fuel remaining. 55% percent of fuel required for a safe ascent. BERTY v.2.0.8b: Checking oxium level. STYLO v.1.0.7: Oxium level - 86,32%. BERTY v.2.0.8b: Oxium level within limit. Estimated time for surface exploration 4 hours and 20 minutes. Estimated time for ascent and waiting before the rendez-vous with LAMGML “Alfa†2 hours and 30 minutes. Total time required for scheduled activities 6 hours and 50 minutes. Total oxium reserves 7 hours and 38 minutes. JOHNDON: Uff. NED: I knew it! I just knew it everything will be okay this time. MALLOCK: This time? BERTY v.2.0.8b: Cease of communication will occur in 3 minutes. JEB: Do not, I repeat, do not attempt to leave the lander without our supervision. You still have reserves of oxium, so even if you wait 15-20 minutes until we complete the orbit you'll be fine. Do you copy? MALLOCK: Yes. I'm not going anywhere without you. *** MALLOCK: I'm at the end of the ladder. I'm stepping to the surface now. JEB: Doctor? CAMBO: He can go. JEB: Okay, you can do it professor. MALLOCK: Uh! JOHNDON: Any f-first words? MALLOCK: I'm just glad I'm here. NED: Hmm, not that bad. STYLO v.1.0.7: Oxium level – 80%. MALLOCK: Wow. The view is strangely familiar. It looks like some desert on Kerbin, but without the sky and trees and sand for that matter. Only crust. BERTY v.2.0.8b: Professor Mallock, there is a lot of work to be done. MALLOCK: Yes, of course. It's a shame the flag was too heavy to take it though. May I start now? I want to take a closer look at these rocks! BERTY v.2.0.8b: Please wait until the Smart Tylo Suit test is completed . STYLO v.1.0.7: Smart Tylo Suit test initiated. Suit temperature – 20 °C. External pressure – 0 atm. Acceleration – 0.78 g. Exoskeleton operational. Life support operational. AutoDoc operational. Recording equipment operational. Oxium level – 79,87%. BERTY v.2.0.8b: Smart Tylo Suit test completed. You may proceed. *** STYLO v.1.0.7: Sample 15 secured. You have space for – zero – more sample. Oxium level – 31,67% MALLOCK: I think I'm done here. How much time do I have? BERTY v.2.0.8b: Remaining time for surface activities 13 minutes. MALLOCK: Huh. Should I try and do something during these ten minutes? Or should I just get to the lander? JEB: Doctor? CAMBO: After four hours? The exosuit is the only thing that's moving him right now, apart from the adrenaline. If he can, he should go now. JEB: You've heard him, Mal. You should get to the lander and- BERTY v.2.0.8b: Negative. Vital data may still be gathered. Continuing the exploration is advised. MALLOCK: Oh. Okay than, I will- JEB: No Mal, you're exhausted and you're running low on oxium. Get to the lander. JOHNDON: J-Jeb? BERTY v.2.0.8b: Negative. This is unreasonable decision. Please proceed, professor Mallock. MALLOCK: Err... JEB: No! Get to the lander. NED: Am I not getting something or is Jeb arguing with BERTY? MALLOCK: I feel fine, you know. I can do it if- JEB: I said no. If exosuit malfunctions we will loose both you and the samples. We won't risk it, not after... Bob. BERTY v.2.0.8b: Jeb. Your assessment of the situation is heavily influenced by your emotions. It's advised that you take a stress pill and- JEB: No, BERTY. He's going back right now. This is a direct order from your commander. BERTY v.2.0.8b: ... STYLO v.1.0.7: Oxium level – 30% MALLOCK: Err, if you are- BERTY v.2.0.8b: Affirmative, commander. Executing direct order. Professor Mallock, please return to the Tylo Lander immediately. MALLOCK: Copy that. I can't wait to make some experiments with those samples! *** STYLO v.1.0.7: Oxium level – 28% BERTY v.2.0.8b: All systems nominal. Initiating ascent protocol in 10 seconds. MALLOCK: What about acceleration? BERTY v.2.0.8b: Peak acceleration is expected to be equal to 2.1g. Five seconds. MALLOCK: :sigh: I guess I don't have a choice. BERTY v.2.0.8b: Three. Two. One. Ignition. BERTY v.2.0.8b: Liftoff. Ascent protocol in progress. STYLO v.1.0.7: Acceleration – 1.6g MALLOCK: Uh! CAMBO: Try to breath normally please. JEB: It won't take long, professor. STYLO v.1.0.7: Acceleration – 1.7g MALLOCK: Uh! I really, really miss weightlessness, you know? STYLO v.1.0.7: Acceleration – 1.8g MALLOCK: And I would love to get off this suit. It stinks horribly after – uh! - after these several hours. CAMBO: This suit is the only thing preserving you from braking your spine right now, so you shouldn't be so harsh on it. STYLO v.1.0.7: Acceleration – 1.9g MALLOCK: Argh! How long, BERTY? BERTY v.2.0.8b: 30 seconds remaining. JEB: Just hold on a little longer. STYLO v.1.0.7: Acceleration – 2g CAMBO: Crap, I'm getting pretty bad readings! MALLOCK: What?! How bad? STYLO v.1.0.7: Acceleration – 2.1g BERTY v.2.0.8b: Warning. Crew member endangered. 15 seconds remaining. MALLOCK: How bad?! CAMBO: Don't talk, breathe! MALLOCK: Uh! BERTY v.2.0.8b: 10 seconds remaining. JEB: Come on Mal, don't give up! Just a little while longer! BERTY v.2.0.8b: 5 seconds remaining. MALLOCK: Uh! CAMBO: Breathe normally for Kod's sake, concentrate on breathing! MALLOCK: ...! JEB: Professor! BERTY v.2.0.8b: Ascent protocol completing. Orbit achieved. STYLO v.1.0.7: Acceleration – 0.1g MALLOCK: Argh! BERTY v.2.0.8b: Circularization in progress. JEB: It's over, Mal! You'll be alright! Right? CAMBO: Yes, he should be okay. MALLOCK: For Kod's sake! So what was it, doctor? CAMBO: It doesn't matter know. You- MALLOCK: It matters for me. Heart attack or what? CAMBO: Well, yes. Too much stress on your circulatory system. BERTY v.2.0.8b: Circularization completed. MALLOCK: Kod... STYLO v.1.0.7: Oxium level – 25% JEB: Try to relax now, professor. Danrey is on his way. MALLOCK: Copy that. I'll try at least... *** DANREY: Okay, matching orbital velocities. You should see me now, Mal. MALLOCK: Yes, I can see you! I can see the flames! DANREY: Repeat please? MALLOCK: Exhaust gases, I can see the exhaust gases from the engines. DANREY: Roger. And velocities matched. Are you ready for an EVA? MALLOCK: Yes I am. STYLO v.1.0.7: Oxium level – 6% DANREY: Copy that. I'll come closer to you. MALLOCK: Uhm, could you do this a little quicker? DANREY: I'm doing it as fast as I can safely do it, Mal. MALLOCK: Okay, okay. It's just, well, this whole thing really stressed me, you know? I guess I really was burning it much faster than I should. DANREY: You mean the oxium? Relax, I have more than enough for both of us. How about now? Can you see me? MALLOCK: With no problem. You know what? DANREY: Yeah? MALLOCK: There is one thing I want more than studying the samples. DANREY: Oh really? MALLOCK: Yes. Heck, even more than exploring Pol. DANREY: Just tell me what it is already. MALLOCK: I want to get out of this suit. It stinks terribly and I feel like I'm slowly suffocating being inside it. DANREY: Well, technically you are. MALLOCK: No, I mean like I am feeling very bad in it, you know? I don't know why though. DANREY: Mhm. Small discomfort after exploring one of Jool's muns. The little sacrifices we all make. *** MISSION STATUS ***

However I answer to this it would be a spoiler, so I won't answer at all

Oh, it's quite simple actually and BERTY explained it few chapters ago. If you spent energy to transport the crew so far from home, it would a shame to waste biological material their remains when you can use them to do some science. Plus it's not like there are dozens of coffins on board But good question nonetheless! EDIT: Next chapter is coming very Soon, so take a look at this extra phootage between chapter 46 and chapter 47 (next one):

Unfortunately they are not attached to the "Proteus" and I had to use HyperEdit to spawn them - but considering their importance for the story, I think it's fully justified

Romfarer Lazor - it's a great tool if you want to take pretty screenshots from the first person perspecitive

Am I really that predictable? Folks, if anyone here enjoys playing Crusader Kings II and would like to follow my Byzantine AAR in that game, please PM me and I'll give you direct link.