MB Astro - The struggles of a start-up style space agency

[mb_astro]

The premier Kerbin launch company.

Hiya, nice to meet you all! My name is Monry Kerman; me and Bobnand Kerman set up MB Astro with a main goal of colonising Duna. However, this is going to be a long journey, and we want to make sure that we approach this with these values in mind:
 

• Reusability
• Reliability
• Safety

We've already come a long way in the story of MB Astro, and we hope that you join us in looking forward to what the future holds!
 

A history of MB Astro (with pictures!)

Spoiler

Our first launch vehicle, Altair, had its maiden flight with the KerbCom 1E payload. However, all did not go to plan, as the payload was deployed on the wrong orbit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkqgAfii_NM

We then moved on to a new design, called Jupiter IV. This new two-stage rocket was capable of launching bigger, heavier payloads, as well as having better flight software.

Jupiter IV

The first proper mission for Jupiter IV was to launch the ATV-2 supply vehicle to an orbital research facility, K-Lab. This was a very successful mission and brought with it some exciting visuals of the K-Lab.

The K-Lab space station, complete with two vehicles.

A handful of missions later, and we were ready to roll out our new family of vehicles - Jupiter IVB, a direct upgrade of Jupiter IV; Jupiter IVB Heavy, a three-cored version of Jupiter IVB; and Altair 2, a new light launcher.

A poster explaining the various vehicles we offered.

It was for the KCOM-3 communications satellite mission that we first introduced live launch streams. These meant that our followers on Twitter (and now Twitch) would be able to watch the launches as they took place, and see interesting telemetry, such as speed and altitude above Kerbin. We even fitted hull cameras to the vehicles so that the viewer would get a "rocket's eye view" of the Kerbal Space Center:

Looking back at the Kerbal Space Center.

At this time, launch cadence was improving fast. We launched the entire K-COM communication satellite constellation by now with a mix of Jupiter IVBs and IVB Heavies, and were now working hard on not just getting automated supply vessels to orbital stations, but also kerbalnauts. We even launched parts of the IKSS station.

ATV-2 approaches the IKSS station.

KEVIN Sat will always be known to us as the coolest satellite we've sent up to Kerbal orbit so far (cheers, Probodobodyne).

A visualisation of KEVIN Sat.

We also launched the Gene Kerman Space Telescope:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IecNly5VIJc

Sadly, a logistical problem meant that we could no longer use the engines we had been using up until now. So, we introduced the VARO engine:

An infographic of the VARO engine.

And after a brief naming period, we were ready to reveal our new vehicle to the Kerbal public. Janus, a new formula for us! Janus was designed to be built and launched in "sprints" of four or five launches, meaning that we can very quickly iterate and improve the design over time. Janus 1 was our first sprint, which included launching the SAR-1 mission - a science payload, and two Phoenix CRS missions to the Valkyrie space station. We had additionally planned for a launch of Mun-X, another scientific mission, though sadly there was a depressure event whilst the vehicle was on the pad and the vehicle was lost.

A screenshot from the Phoenix CRS-1 livestream.


Phoenix approaches the Valkyrie station.

Launch Manifest

Spoiler

Mission	Customer	Vehicle	Destination
PrecipiSat 1	KASA	Janus 2	KTO
CRS-3	Phoenix Industries	Janus Evo	LKO
Rodan Pad Abort	MB Astro	Rodan	Suborbital
Figaro Mission 2	KLS	Janus Evo	MKO
CRS-4	Phoenix Industries	Janus Evo	LKO
Duna First Contact	KASA	Janus Heavy	Duna
Figaro Mission 3	KLS	Janus Evo	MKO
Lumio	KASA	Janus Evo	KTO
CRS-5	Phoenix Industries	Janus Evo	LKO
Rodan Demo Flight	MB Astro	Janus Evo + Rodan	LKO

Key:
KTO - Keostationary Transfer Orbit
LKO - Low Kerbin Orbit
MKO - Medium Kerbin Orbit

Past Missions

Spoiler

Mission	Customer	Vehicle
KerbCom A1-5	KerbCom Ltd.	Altair
KEVIN Sat	KASA	Jupiter IV
KARA Sat	KASA	Jupiter IV
Gene Kerman Space Telescope	KASA	Jupiter IVB
ATV2 1-2	FusTek Industries, Ltd.	Jupiter IVB
IKSS Node Module	Station Alpha Inc.	Jupiter IVB+
IKSS Research Module	Station Alpha Inc.	Jupiter IVB+
Phoenix CRS Demo 1	Phoenix Industries	Jupiter IVB
SAR1	KASA	Janus 1
CRS-1	Phoenix Industries	Janus 1
CRS-2	Phoenix Industries	Janus 2
MunX + skySCAN	KASA, Kerbal Intel Service	Janus 2
Figaro Mision 1	KLS	Janus 2

So, how can you catch up with us?
Latest MB Astro news will be posted onto our Twitter page.
Livestreams are shown on twitch.tv

Of course, we will also be updating this thread with mission reports and interesting going ons.

Ad Astra!

-Monry

Credit: KASA/Munshot-1

Edited January 10, 2016 by mb_astro
Formatting fix

[SpaceplaneAddict]

Cool, can't wait to see moar! :)

[mb_astro]

[quote name='SpaceplaneAddict']Cool, can't wait to see moar! :)[/QUOTE]

Sadly no spaceplanes in the pipeline, but keep your eyes peeled!

[mb_astro]

Mission Report

Janus-2 Flight 1
Phoenix CRS-2 capsule to LKO

This mission marks the return to flight (RTF) for the Janus vehicle, and its first upgrade, known as Janus-2. The payload was the CRS-2 capsule developed by Phoenix Industries and the target was the Valkyrie space station. Everything went perfectly, so we view this as a success!

Images

Spoiler

It's a great day to be launching.

Phoenix CRS, perched on top of Janus.

Lift-off!

Gravity turn, all engines burning at full power.

CRS arrives at Valkyrie station and begins to orient itself.

CRS swoops in as it completes the terminal docking sequence.

The next launch is this weekend, with the next Janus-2 flight. The payload will be Mun-X, a scientific craft being sent to the familiar grey rock.

What's new with Janus-2?

Spoiler

The second batch of Janus rockets, denoted as Janus-2, have a set of upgrades that improve upon the Janus rocket first introduced earlier this year.

• The first stage VARO engines have been rated for their full power, after being certified for use. This means that we can pack more fuel into the vehicle, allowing us to use heavier payloads and deploy them further out.
• The first stage also benefits from new landing legs, grid fins, guidance computer and cold-gas thrusters which give it the potential to land back at the launch site to be reused.
• Ullage motors have been fitted to the second stage to allow it to cleanly separate from the interstage and reduce the risk of a collision.
• Customers can now choose between a single or dual motor second stage.
• Updated fairings mean that the payload is better protected from acoustic shock, heat, and debris.
• The launch structure has been upgraded to provide more support to the vehicle as it sits upon the pad.

 

Edited December 16, 2015 by mb_astro

[mb_astro]

Mission Report

Janus-2 Flight 2
Mun-X probe to Munar Insertion Orbit, skySCAN-1 to LKO.

The second flight of Janus-2 launched Mun-X, an interesting science payload, as well as skySCAN-1, a satellite that aims to measure ozone levels in the atmosphere. This flight also introduces the new-look fairings, which are designed to avoid the vehicle when ejected.

Images

Spoiler

Janus 2 sits on the launchpad.

Liftoff!

Here are those new look fairings, being thrown away from the craft as we don't need them any more.

skySCAN-1 is released from the vehicle.

With the dual payload adapter now removed, Mun-X can now capture some beautiful images.

Mission success! Mun-X is released and is on its way to the Mun. The Janus-2 upper stage is in a free return trajectory, which means that it will swing round the moon and then burn up in Kerbin's atmosphere.

In the next week, we are planning on testing our reusable test article, Janus-R, by flying it vertically to 500 m and then attempting to land it again. We hope to share more information with you soon.

[mb_astro]

Mission Report

Janus-2 Flight 3
12x KLS satellites to Medium Kerbal Orbit

This launch had been delayed numerous times due to weather and pressure issues, but finally roared off the pad yesterday, carrying twelve Kerbal Location Services satellites to a 500 km inclined orbit. Once deployed, these satellites would then use onboard thrusters to distribute themselves along the orbit to form the 'A' band of the KLS constellation.

To lift twelve satellites at once, engineers at MB Astro devised a payload dispenser which could radially sit four small satellites safely inside the payload fairings. Three of these were stacked on top of each other to hold the twelve spacecraft. The satellites were then released two at a time to prevent any risk of collision, and finally control was passed over to the KLS operations centre, who would be able to control and monitor each satellites' health.

KLS is a new positioning service, provided by a consortium of companies. It uses state of the art ground stations as well as Figaro spacecraft to enable any user to find out precisely where they are on Kerbin. KLS made a contract with MB Astro to deliver thirty six satellites to three orbital planes, meaning that you'll have full coverage everywhere. KLS will also be used for time synchronisation and other professional uses.

Images

Spoiler

Janus basks in the gorgeous evening sky.

Two by two, the satellites are deployed into orbit.

A view of Kerbin, with some of the satellites in the background.

We'd like to thank our partner, KLS, for working with us and we look forwards to the other two missions with them.

We have one more mission for Janus 2, PrecipiSat 1, which is currently slated for a Thursday launch. Keep updated with us on Twitter, at @mb_astro!

[mb_astro]

Mission Report

Janus-2 Flight 4
PrecipiSat to Keostationary Orbit (KEO)

The final launch of Janus was as successful as it was beautiful. It lifted the 2.3 tonne PrecipiSat weather monitoring satellite to a synchronous orbit, giving it a steady view of Kerbin's surface. The launch also gave us an opportunity to test out the first stage's reusability, by attempting to "soft-land" it onto the sea. Sadly we were not successful, but we will keep trying!

Images

Spoiler

The final Janus 2 lifts off from Kerbal Space Center.

Stage separation completed, the second stage burns for a keostationary injection orbit.

PrecipiSat is deployed and its solar panels are extended.

 

[Delta_8930]

Does the Figaro GPS mod work in KSP 1.0.5 (seeing that you've launched a Figaro mission)?

[mb_astro]

8 hours ago, Delta_8930 said:

Does the Figaro GPS mod work in KSP 1.0.5 (seeing that you've launched a Figaro mission)?

I haven't tried the GPS functionality, but I don't see why it wouldn't, since the changes since 1.0 have mainly targeted the atmosphere modelling.