Conquering Space with Snacks! A KSP Mission Report

[rlin]

This is my first mission report. Currently I don't have much else to say about that. Here we go!

Mods:

• Atomic Age
• Community Tech Tree
• Hyperedit (I don't plan to use it for this save)
• Snacks (hence the title)
• FMRS
• Kerbal Alarm Clock
• MechJeb
• Kerbal Engineer
• KAS
• KIS
• RealChute

Table of Contents:

Chapter 1 (OP)

Chapter 2

Chapter 3 Part 1 Part 2

Chapter 1:

It begins

One day, RnD director Wernher Von Kerman and Flight director Gene Kerman decided to start a practical space program, abandoning the model rockets and snack payloads of the past. Instead, they decided to use capsules with a kerbal inside and an even larger snack payload. And so they built the Courageous Mk1. They loaded the rocket, whose mission was dubbed the Courageous I, on the launchpad, which could hold the rocket well despite being built for model rockets.

After that, Wernher had to fix a staging error to keep the famous kerbonaut, Jebediah Kerman, alive. Then Gene had to accept some contracts.

Gene, after announcing the mission was go for launch, counted down. "10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3...2...1...0...Liftoff!" Launch was nominal.

For some reason, however, it tipped on its side after SAS was disabled, and after the parachutes were activated. It righted itself after the parachutes fully opened.

The rocket landed softly and without a scratch, that is until it tipped over. SSSSCCCCRRRRAAAAPPPPEEEE!!!! Jeb was successfully recovered.

Everybody was happy. The usually grumpy accountant Mortimer really liked the 100% recovery refund and the money from the contracts. Walt, who ran public relations, enjoyed the reputation from the contracts. Wernher liked the 30 science gained.

What wasn't known was how far the program would go...

Edited September 18, 2016 by rlin
Table of Contents

[rlin]

Here are the links to the Imgur galleries with mission highlights:

Courageous I Highlights

Courageous II Highlights

Courageous III Highlights A missed pic another missed pic

Working on Courageous Mk.4

Observant Mk.I Highlights

Edited September 18, 2016 by rlin
new links

[Kerbalstar]

Awesome!  Following.

[Gamax19]

Following this.

[rlin]

Chapter 2:

Reaching New Heights

Shortly after the flight of the Courageous-I, Wernher had enough information about Kerbin's atmosphere to be able to use more advanced parts. The Space Program Administration held a meeting. Walt said,"The Courageous-I has gained us plenty of reputation [and a few replikes (see Kerbfleet: A Jool Odyssey)]." Mortimer, the accountant replied,"The contracts also gained us quite a profit. Are you sure we should use building separators to split our rockets in half?" Linus, Wernher's intern, bit into his sandwich and said,"Yes. We would have to fit even more fuel tanks for that. Also, we would have to deal with the aerodynamics." "Fine, fine," said Mort. Gus Kerman, head of the ground crew, walked in and said that the new Courageous-II was ready. Gene, meanwhile had accepted a contract.

Gene performed the systems check. "Guidance?" "Go!" "Comms?" "Go!" "Staging?" "Go!" After that, Gene started the countdown at T-60, saying "All systems are go. Begin launch countdown." Wernher nervously bit into his strudel. He had personally designed this rocket, built for high-altitude flight, and possibly flying in space. Gene's voice boomed over the comm. "10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3...2...1...0...Liftoff!" Flames flew out the nozzle.

 

It reached high altitude, but didn't get into space, but that was fine with Valentina, the pilot. She still flew higher than Jeb. She even managed to rotate the capsule and take a picture of the KSC.

It landed perfectly.

A ranking system was developed: 0 stars is a recruit, 1 is a junior astronaut, 2 is a astronaut, 3 is a senior astronaut, 4 is a officer, and 5 is a commander. Recruit Jebediah Kerman flew the Courageous-III, managing to get itself into a suborbital trajectory.

Why, green text, why?

Edited May 29, 2016 by rlin
changed some images

[rlin]

Chapter 3:

Orbit, Part 1

A few minutes after Jeb and the Courageous Mk.3 were recovered, another conference was held, unanimously approving Wernher's plan of "having ein Rakete constantly fall and miss." Afterwards, Wernher made a preliminary design for this rocket, the Courageous Mk.4.

 

Unfortanatley, there were a few kinks to work out. Mainly that the level 1 VAB could not support the rocket.

Tune in next time for Part 2!

Edited September 18, 2016 by rlin

[rlin]

Sorry for the delay.

Chapter 3.25:

Orbit, Part 2

It was a calm day in the KSC. That is, until the admin meeting erupted into chaos. "What do you mean, 'more contracts‽'" After the shouting settled down, Mort replied, "This space program needs a lot more money. We will be wasting most of our funds if we upgrade the VAB. Also, Walt wants his reputation soon. These survey contracts will get us money and reputation."

[the insert album button seems to be missing. ]