TerLoki

Finally came up with a naming system for all these rocks, decided to use first names of sci-fi writers. So far I have Frank, Arthur, Eric, and Kevin. Because one of them had to be Kevin.

Not sure about a function, but the shifting of the orbit is just the planet's rate of rotation relative to the speed of the orbiting object.

And what IS that capsule I spy in the rendezvous images?

The three I have are just sitting for now, though I did visit my first class B with an MOL style mission for samples. I plan on turning at least one into a space station, probably two and maybe even all three if I can get that class E moving. For now I'm just unlocking stuff from Minmus landings to progress in the tech tree and get bigger parts, but if I can get a nice little class A to fly by I plan on sending it to Duna for a very special mission.

First of all, a big thank you to bwalker1974 for the new logo, which will now be used on pretty much all flights unless I undertake a mission big enough to warrant requesting its own patch, and is also now at the top of the page. I'm posting it here anyway to save some scrolling, and because it looks cool. Now with that said, on to the last two missions: Explorer 9 and Laythe 3. The first, Explorer 9, was a rather ambitious attempt to revisit the Jool system and test out new technologies. Specifically this is the first test flight of the new barometric pressure sensors in deep space, as well as a dry run of the service module for the proposed Laythe "Enhanced Endurance Crew Vehicle". Aerobraking at Jool. Coming in a little shallow, but I'm sure it's nothing to... Oh. Well... Crap. Okay, that mission's a wash. Let's try going back to Minmus. Jeb and Corvan on the pad, ready to go. Up in orbit, executing the TMI burn. No problems so far. He may not have as much docking experience as Milbert, but Corvan still pulls it off nicely. Separated from the third stage, we get a better view of the new Ike 2M lander as the crew readies for their first course correction burn. A close-up of the flag in-game, also showing off the side of the Laythe 2M service module and its bells and whistles. Now in Minmus orbit, Jeb separates the Ike 2M and prepares for descent. Right on course for a landing in the lesser flats. Easy does it, Jeb. And touchdown! This landing went even smoother than Bob's on Laythe 2, the added gyroscopic stabilizers really help. One small step for a Kerbal, one giant leap for Kerbal-kind! Wait, that was Bob's line. Though I feel like even he was quoting someone, probably just deja-vu. Bouncing around in low gravity like a superhero, because why not? With science done and samples loaded, Jeb reluctantly heads back to orbit. Since the Ike 2M has a stripped-down RCS system to save weight (only intended for horizontal translation), Corvan and the Laythe 2M have to perform the final docking maneuvers. Its purpose served, the lander's propulsion module is jettisoned. With all the modules detached, Jeb and Corvan begin reentry. The service module burns up below our crew as they blaze across the sky. Landed safe and sound! Now only one more of the trio has yet to land on Minmus: Bill. But before then, I think it's high time we paid a visit to that E class asteroid.

I do, thanks! That'll work just great.

Pretty much. I cast my vote for moon-ception.

Well, I still have yet to land a kerbal on any body other than Kerbin, Minmus, or the Mun.

Testing out a new modular lander/crew vehicle system, where the orbital module detaches to become the lander's command pod, then ejects the engines once in orbit again and docked. About right after undocking and doing my deorbit burn I noticed the lander had no attitude control, so I had to perform my first SUBorbital docking to catch it before Jeb turned into a splatter on Minmus.

I don't know how I managed it, but I got a dwarf star to capture another planet into a stable orbit around itself.

I tend to use it as a node for space stations and multipart ships, since I've got the KSO and inflatable parts for habitat space. But yeah, I do like to have extra capacity for long term missions, increasing with the duration of the trip. For example a ship bound for Duna might have 30 capacity and crew of 6, while a survey of Minmus that spends a week in orbit would have a capacity of 4 and a crew of 2.

I can think of a couple reasons off the top of my head. Firstly, with the command module on top the launch escape system can be built smaller, since it just has to pull away a three-man capsule. Secondly, the LM only had to operate in space, so it was better to put it under a protective fairing rather than add more weight by designing it to survive the aerodynamic forces of take-off directly. And finally, if you're going to have to dock in lunar orbit to retrieve the lander anyway, then why not use a simpler lighter lander under a fairing and dock with it en-route to the Moon. Side note: Been playing KSP too long, I had to stop myself from using "Mun" and "Munar" while typing this. Edit: Crap, ninja'd.

After the success of Laythe 2, our engineers are hard at work on an upgraded spacecraft for the next Minmus landing. After complaints about conditions aboard the capsule during the long return flight and debates over whether to have an orbital module or separate lander, one engineer supposedly said "Why not have both?" After the ensuing fiesta work began on the Ike 2M. The new design makes use of a a detachable command pod that can remain with the return capsule until reentry, improving living conditions for the crew. The capsule can also stay in orbit under autonomous control for long durations, if so needed. Other upgrades to the Ike 2M include high fuel capacity, a simplified RCS system, improved communications systems and extended life support capabilities. The Laythe M also received an upgrade, the 2M version now possessing improved electrical systems and a more robust parachute and docking system. Meanwhile KSC has been using passing asteroids as an excuse to test out improved launch systems. Here we see the new Taurus 4 carrying ADA 2 on course to capture a B class asteroid. This rock won't be as easy to capture as the first ADA's target, but engineers are confident the improved propulsion system is up to the task. Capture went smoothly and hardly used up any fuel putting the target asteroid into a circular orbit just outside of and on the same plane as Minmus. The plan is for this asteroid to form the base of an eventual Minmus research and refueling station, but those maneuvers will have to wait as KSC just spotted a D class inbound! Hastily modified and mounted atop a Taurus 5 rocket, ADA 3 launches to attempt KSC's most ambitious capture yet. Despite the asteroid still being a week from periapsis at launch, it was decided to loiter in orbit and plan the rendezvous as it was heading out of the Kerbin system to reduce the required dV for capture. Now that's one big space rock. Docked and burning for capture. It took nearly all the ADA 3's fuel, but eventually this new asteroid was put into a highly inclined orbit just outside the Mun. The next few weeks were spent getting ADA 2 and its payload into a nice 75x70 equatorial orbit above Minmus. Its purpose served, the propulsion system separates. Since designers of the old Titan Asteroid Tug didn't have the foresight to add docking port, the new Laythe AR (Asteroid Rendezvous) is being tested for a mission out to the Titan's E class behemoth. Like on the new Laythe 2M, the orbital module can be separated for autonomous flight as a permanent docking adapter to the asteroid. Another happy landing. Because of the grabber unit, the Laythe AR has to use a pusher launch abort system similar to the later Eve missions. There has been a bit of debate on whether to use the Laythe AR as-is or develop it into an super-extended orbiter using modified station components.

It should, I use the standard 1.25m shield as a workaround for the Radish and it can survive reentry from Minmus just fine with the default settings.

Is there any chance of getting a better exhaust effect for the 2.5m service module engine? The one on it right now is just a 2D plane that clips through the engine bell at full throttle. In fact I think it's been that way since they introduced docking. :/

What Komodo said. This isn't that big of a deal since there are workarounds, and I wouldn't want you to burn out on this before getting things the way you want. I'm still loving the Soy-Juice. I started using it as a stopgap until I got all the parts for the SDHI system unlocked, but now with three different craft based on it and the flexibility of the Onion I'm pretty sure I'll keep it in service a good long while this save.

Probably Bop. Eeloo might count as well since it's usually the last body orbiting the sun that I visit, and I'm tempted to count Gilly despite the fact that I sent two probes there last save.

I was wondering if I could get a logo for my space program, CosMech Astronautics ("Cosmic Mechanical", just the "CosMech" part is fine). Something like the Orion logo would be nice, but with a rocket sort of like the KSP logo rather than the generic swoosh. Also, using a crescent moon for the "C" in "CosMech" would be cool. I'd do it myself, but I cannot into Photoshop.

Captured two asteroids, a B and a D. Went to move the first one into Minmus orbit to use as a space station, then looked up to see that, despite being captured in an orbit roughly around the same distance from Kerbin as the Mun last time I checked, the D had been flung out into interstellar space. Yeah, don't think I'll be getting that one back.

Three captured asteroids, two or three interplanetary probes that have served their purpose and run out of fuel, an obsolete space station I'm on the fence about deorbiting or upgrading, and an upgraded asteroid tug on course for a juicy class D I just spotted.

Yes, this. I absolutely adore Alpha Centauri, and if this game really is following in its footsteps then I support it wholeheartedly.

It is. Well, part of it is, the radial chutes were problem too, but the SDHI docking port/chute combo is also getting destroyed.

That's an interesting idea, but it's kind of invalidated by all the little videos Squad has with Kerbals messing around at KSC.

Basically what happens is when you put a parachute or the SDHI docking port (and probably some other parts) on a part with a built-in heatshield, the part reaches the same temperature as the shield and makes the part go boom. Happens with the Mk 1 capsule too.

Would it be possible to get an attachable heatshield and decoupler for the Soy-Juice? Using them as-is tends to make parachutes explode, and while the Radish can still look pretty good with the 1.25m shield, there's not many 1.875m parts out there.