Zhartelian Space Program (Modded career mode diary)

[Zhartek]

Zhartelian Space Program

This is my attempt at a modded career mode diary. I often find myself installing new mods and starting over in career, but a log like this may keep me going.. I won't show pictures of every launch (some will be tedious money-making..) but I'll show a natrual progression as I go to space! Feedback is appreated, though I do this just as much for myself as I do for others

The core mods are most mods by RoverDude, SCANsat, Outer Plantes Mod and SETI Community Tech Tree. This gives a start more focused on probes and rovers, which I like the thought of. Some other mods are KW Rocketry, Kethane and a bunch of contract packs. The goal of the program is to explore as many bodies as possible in the system and locate anomalies on said bodies.

Entry 1: First flight

Kerbals are rumored to be disposable, but the head of the program decided a non-crewed vehicle should be the first to be launced. This was backed by the fact that parachutes was not yet invented by Kerbin scientists. The Bullfrog was small, but was hopefully able to leave the atmosphere and enter space around Kerbin (even if just for a brief moment..).

Bullfrog was launced straight up, and reached an altitude of 83.000 meters! On the way it transmitted a good amount of science.

It ended just like any other spacecraft without parachutes. Despite his eagerness to get to space, Jeb was happy he did not fit in the nose cone.

From the adventures if Bullfrog, Kerbal scientists made progress in aerodynamic flight, rocketry and rover deployment. All will be put to good use in the program development.

This entry was mainly to get me going. I have few more entries ready to go, but I might want to work a bit on the format first.. As stated above, any feedback is welcome!

[Mister Dilsby]

Good start, just enough images to tell the story. Welcome to the forum!

[lajoswinkler]

Despite his eagerness to get to space, Jeb was happy he did not fit in the nose cone.

He'll find a bigger one next time.

[Zhartek]

Thanks guys! I'm a busy man from time to time, so there might be some time between updates. That being said, here is entry 2!

Entry 2: Manned shenanigans

The kerbonauts are eager to get to space. Before they can do so, there is extensive training to be done. Valentina and Jebediah have been doing scientific missions in close proximity to the space centre using the Watson Short Range Explorer. The Watson is a simple jet-powered airplane, which is fitted with simple science equipment. Rangewise it has not yet been pushed to its limits, but is not expected to reach the poles.

For a basic test-flight, Val went on a journey to take atmospheric preassure readings. She flew back to the space center over the ocean, and gathered some scientific data on the way.

Her landing was very smooth, and only 61 kerbucks was spent on fuel!

There was a request from the program administration to reach an altitude above 18 000 meters with a manned plane. The basic jet engines does not work very well at this altitude, so the Watson was augmented with two hybrid rocket boosters. Jeb got the honor of bringing the plane up to 11 000 meters, where he fired the boosters. The rocket propelled Watson was able to reach an altitude of 19 000 meters, but a steeper ascent could have brought the plane even higher.

Jebs landing was slightly less successful... Initial reports from the Accident Review Committee suggests some balancing issues with the plane when the hybrid rocket boosters are empty, as Jeb had trouble pulling the nose up during final descent.

In the meantime, Bob got his hands on a rover prototype and did science around the space center. Due to snack accessability, the space center was deemed almost as attractive as space itself. Not that he could compare the two yet, but snack is always a highlight.

Bill did some parts testing to gain funding from external companies. Luckily, someone forgot to fill the SRB with fuel..

There's been some preparation, but in the next entry, we might just get to space! I'm trying to work some more text into the entries, and try to add some character