Kerman Starship Project

[ruiluth]

The year is 1. The day is also 1. Today is the day that the Kerman family has undertaken a new mission: To explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, and to boldy go where no kerbal has gone before: another star.

A few decades ago, the discovery was made by the Kerbal Space Center that there are a number of asteroids in Kerbol orbit with trajectories that bring them close enough to kerbin to be dangerous. Of course this sparked a huge investigation and subsequent missions to study the asteroids and redirect a few of the most dangerous ones. Unfortunately, it quickly became apparent that no matter how many they tracked and diverted, there were just too many to avoid them all. This realization, coupled with the discovery that the Klaw that was developed for these missions turned out to be a beacon for the Space Kraken, led to the demise of this program.

They of course kept this a secret, since the news would have thrown Kerbin into panic, and probably started a colossal outcry for planetary kolonization on a massive scale. Unfortunately, this came right about the time that Umbra Space Industries released their new line of "life support" equipment and the Astronaut Center began demanding that they be supplied with snacks and other supplies on long missions. After lengthy debate, the space program decided that the cost was simply too much and the company would be driven to financial ruin if they attempted this, dooming the space program and any hopes of even limited survival.

However, certain kerbals of the Kerman family, high up in the KSC bureaucracy, were not so easily discouraged. They held a family meeting and decided to use their vast ancestral wealth and influence as one of the oldest and most respected families on Kerbin to build and launch their own kolonization attempt, with the goal of sending 16 brave kerbals to another star to set up a permanent, self-sustaining base that would survive if the entire Kerbolar system fell prey to the mysterious Kraken (rumors of its demise on Bop notwithstanding).

With the recent breakthroughs in electric and nuclear propulsion by the Post-Terran Mining Corporation and Kerb Kastria Inc, research was done on the possibilities of a gernerations ship using such propulsion methods. However, it was ultimately discovered that that USI products were not capable of creating a closed life support loop in space and the risk of a Kraken attack with such a massive ship would be prohibitive. The entire project was put on hold for several years, while KSC continued tracking the near-Kerbin asteroids, losing money on every redirect mission and worrying that one day they would run out and one of the enormous E-class ones would strike the ground.

However, this all changed with the recent breakthroughs in warp propulsion by Umbra Space Industries and Mikel Alkubierre. A genius kerbal named Zefram Kerman took this advanced technology and created a fast, efficient interstellar warp drive capable of propelling a kolony ship to another star in just a few minutes. The Kerman family seized upon this concept and, after some preliminary research involving a secret FTL probe, decided that the technology was all in place to launch their much-hoped-for kolony ship.

An old launchpad, in a hidden valley on the other side of the world, was dusted off by a secret team and a team was created to make this goal a reality.

At this time, the mission consists of four phases:

1. Test a number of components to figure out exactly how much life support is necessary to support 16 kerbals indefinitely, such as:
   1. The life support capabilities of the Modular Kolonization Systems from USI
   2. The utility and resource tree of workshops from OSE
   3. The feasibility of constructing extrasolar launch facilities in collaboration with Kairyuu Shipping.
2. Scout nearby star systems with a series of FTL probes to discover the perfect planet to kolonize.
   1. This will also be the test for the as-yet hypothetical transwarp drive, which cannot function inside a star system.
3. Research and assemble the ship, hopefully on another planet to preserve secrecy.
4. Travel to the target system and set up a new civilization.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Okay, out of character. This is a plan to set up a permanent extrakerbolar base using a number of mods. The Galactic Neighborhood mod will provide the other star systems, and I will be using Roverdude's warp drive along with a custom, extra fast one to reach the system. I will also be playing with Kolonization, USI Life Support, Extraplanetary Launchpads, OSE Workshops, Planetary Base Systems, and a whole lot of parts mods. I will be playing on sandbox, reasoning that the Kerbal Space Program has already completed career mode, giving us access to all the parts, and that the Kerman family's immense wealth makes funds pointless.

I'm still working out some bugs with Kopernicus, so no screenshots yet, and I won't be starting this for a little while. Of course, if enough people are interested I will put this on the front burner and make more progress with it.

Also, I'm just going to say this now, I tend to start things and never finish them so feel free to bump this thread and ask for the next post  if you really want to see it. It's encouraging to see when people are interested in my work.

Edited June 19, 2016 by ruiluth

[Mister Dilsby]

Interested.

[RA3236]

7 hours ago, Kuzzter said:

Interested.

More interested. Might make for a better star system playthrough than I planned.

[Spaceception]

I'm interested.

[TotallyNotHuman]

Really interested. After reading your first post, I want MOAR already!

[Wallygator]

Interested.

(and a new forum meme begins...)

[Geschosskopf]

On 6/16/2016 at 8:37 PM, ruiluth said:

Okay, out of character. This is a plan to set up a permanent extrakerbolar base using a number of mods. The Galactic Neighborhood mod will provide the other star systems, and I will be using Roverdude's warp drive along with a custom, extra fast one to reach the system. I will also be playing with Kolonization, USI Life Support, Extraplanetary Launchpads, OSE Workshops, Planetary Base Systems, and a whole lot of parts mods. I will be playing on sandbox, reasoning that the Kerbal Space Program has already completed career mode, giving us access to all the parts, and that the Kerman family's immense wealth makes funds pointless.

Kinda my plan as well.  Like you, I'm also in the process of tweaking things, waiting for game updates, and generally thinking things through.  Warp drive is a very complex subject requiring its own ways of doing things and there's no real manual on the subject, so much experimentation is necessary.  Much depends on whether you use the velocity or angular momentum mode of the USI drive, too.  I've been doing the velocity version and have learned a fair amount about how to fly it, but haven't touched the other version yet.

[MatterBeam]

Would you be interested in using my SimpleLife and SimpleConstruction mods?

[ruiluth]

Prologue: Revelations

Jebediah Kerman drifted through the hatch into the crew pod as Bob pored over the data that had just come in from KSC.

"Is it true? We're being reassigned?" Jeb asked as he pulled himself into one of the seats across the capsule.

"More like discharged, it looks like," replied his brother, glancing up with a look somewhere between confusion and worry. "They say that we're being discharged from the Program so that we can be a part of a new team, apparently it's secret and they can't beam the details over the comms. As soon as we get back to Kerbin we'll be taken to our new headquarters and given further details." He looked up at Jeb. "What's going on here? Why would they discharge us? We're the most famous Kerbals in the Space Program!"

Jeb thought for a moment, not sure what to say. "I think they probably have something more exciting and dangerous for us to do and they don't anyone to know about it until we've done it successfully. Maybe they want us to go confirm the rumors about the Kraken on Bop," he laughed. "That would cause an uproar. You know the KKK would try and stop us."

Bob scoffed. He was familiar with the recent cultural phenomenon known as the Kraken Kultists of Kerbin, which recently had hit kerbal society like a class E asteroid. "We should send all of them to Bop," he said. "I don't know why anyone thinks summoning the Kraken is a good idea."

Jeb nodded, just as Valentina floated in. "Don't say its name, you'll draw its attention," she said, looking reproachfully at Bob, who rolled his eyes and shook his head.

"We've talked about this Val-"

"Never mind," she cut him off. "What was it you wanted to show us?"

Jeb and Bob exchanged sideways glances. "We're being discharged..." Bob began before Jeb interrupted.

"They're firing us because you forgot to water the greenhouse," he said.

"Yeah thanks Val," Bob added and they both stared at Val with straight faces. Valentina flushed in embarrassment and opened her mouth to say something defensive, but right then Bill floated in from the workshop and asked, "What's going on?" causing Jeb and Bob to burst out laughing. Bill joined in without knowing the joke.

We were joking Val, it's not your fault," explained Bob after the laughter died down. "Seriously though, we're being discharged. There's some sort of secret program they're starting. They can't tell us the details but we're finding out in a few days after recovery," he explained.

Valentina pulled herself into another of the chairs and Bill did the same. "Well, clearly they have an important thing for us to do," reasoned the ever-calm Kerbette. "Something like-"

Once again she was cut off, this time by Bill. "They probably found out that Minmus IS made of desert products and they don't want anyone to know!" he said excitedly. The speculation that followed was way off the mark and has been redacted for brevity. The following image serves to express their excitement for the news.

Back on Kerbin a few days later, Jeb settled back in his seat aboard the transport plane that was carrying them to their new base. "Well, that was nothing like any of us were expecting," Bill said as he slumped against the window. Ever since learning the news, the team had been in poor spirits. No one was happy to be reminded that their home planet's days were numbered, although they couldn't really disagree with the project.

"No, but at least it's a damn good reason to pull us out," Valentina reminded him. "I would have been upset if they were pulling us out over some of your suggestions," she shot at him across the cabin. Bill just shrugged.

"Do you think we'll find another planet like ours out there?" she asked, looking over at Bob, who shrugged and shook his head. "I don't know. Laythe would almost fit the bill if it weren't so cold and salty. I doubt we'll ever find another planet quite like this one though." He shook his head sadly.

The rest of the flight was quiet, each kerbal contemplating the future and the mission.

"We're coming in over the hill now, landing in a few minutes," came the intercom with the voice of the pilot, a young kerbette named Hayette who had been a test pilot with the Kerbal Space Program for a few months. None of the veterans had ever met her, although she was shaking in her seat with excitement to meet her heroes.

"I hope they choose good kerbals for our crewmates," Bob said doubtfully, and the other three murmured their agreement.

"I hope this new headquarters has a bathroom," said Jeb, met with much more fervent agreement.

Within ten minutes the plane was landed, and the four were inside the underground bunker that served as headquarters, having discovered and benefited from the much-hoped-for facilities. They were standing around, chatting quietly and waiting for some official to come tell them where to go, when Hayette came bouncing into the room.

"It was such an honor flying you," she said enthusiastically. "It's so exciting to finally meet you all. I've been following your missions from Day 1. I can't believe I'm gonna go to another planet, with all of you! This is literally a dream come true." Her grin was wider than a mk II spaceplane hull as she shook each of their hands.

"If you five will follow me," an older voice beckoned them from the hallway. Except for Hayette, who was busy realizing that she had been lumped into a group of five with her heroes and referred to as a single unit, the kerbonauts turned and met the eyes of Werner von Kerman himself, one of the highest ranking kerbals in the Program and inventor of the chemical rocket. Only Bob, the team scientist, had any sort of regular contact with him; the others had hardly ever even met him. Immediately, the tone turned serious as they followed the ageing scientist into the meeting hall, knowing that after this meeting their lives would never be the same again.

 

Edited June 20, 2016 by ruiluth
Didn't want my post merged

[ruiluth]

Hey all, thanks for the interest! I hope I do a good job, I'm excited to start this. I can already tell it's going to take a while, but I hope I'll be able to get it done. This is the first story like this that I've done, so I appreciate constructive criticism and suggestions. I've got Kopernicus working right now (after much coaxing of my graphics card, I had to give up and use a different computer...) so I think I'm all set.

Also a question. What are female kerbals called? Kerbalinas? (that's what the wiki says.) Kerbinas? Kerbalettes? Kerbettes? Girbals? (I kind of hate that one.)

8 hours ago, MatterBeam said:

Would you be interested in using my SimpleLife and SimpleConstruction mods?

I hadn't found them. I've already decided to use the more complex resource trees for this story, but I will definitely give them consideration for my career game, where I like to keep things simpler. Thanks!

Again, thanks for the interest. Hope you enjoy!

[TotallyNotHuman]

Woohoo! The first chapter is here!

Love the "Kraken Kultists of Kerbin" part, really gave me a good laugh.

3 hours ago, ruiluth said:

Also a question. What are female kerbals called? Kerbalinas? (that's what the wiki says.) Kerbinas? Kerbalettes? Kerbettes? Girbals? (I kind of hate that one.)

Well, there's no "official" name for a female Kerbal. I prefer the term "female Kerbal" over all of them, but I do occasionally use "Kerbette".

It's your story, use whichever term you want to.

Edited June 19, 2016 by TotallyNotHuman_

[TotallyNotHuman]

Obligatory "are you still there?" Bump.

[Mister Dilsby]

"Kerbelles" works for me  

[ruiluth]

Chapter 1: Sarn Base

 

Bob Kerman nervously looked out the window of the Hitchhiker Storage Container at the Munar surface. Jeb was down in the landing cupola, and Bill and Val were squirming in their seats, eagerly awaiting touchdown. The four kerbals had been sent to the far side of the Mun, where a secret base had been built. They were the first crew to staff it.

“Do you think we can really grow plants in mun dust?" said Bill.

"Well, I mean... the kerbals at Kerman & Kerman seemed to think so, so... I guess?" Bob answered, trying not to think about landing. Landing had always terrified him.

The thermal engines powering the lander began to hum, ejecting hot hydrogen into space. "I wonder what body we'll be setting up our launchpad at?" Valentina said. "Of course we have to have this base here for training purposes, but I can't wait until they decide where to build the real base."

"Well, it'll have to be somewhere no one ever looks. The far side of the Mun is the most secret place in the Kerbolar system," replied Bill.

"Maybe it'll be Moho," Val mused. "It's so close to the sun I don't think anyone really looks at it."

Bill thought for a moment. "Probably not, Moho's gravity is-"

"The mechanical me messed up again, I'm gonna have to fly us in manually," Jebediah's voice cut him off from the cupola.

Bob muttered something unintelligible and closed his eyes as the engines cut and the reaction wheels spooled up, maneuvering the craft around to a different facing.

"Relax Bob, Jeb knows what he's doing," Valentina said. "Trust me, if he says the mechanical Jeb went haywire we're much safer with him at the stick." Then she unfastened her harness and propelled herself up through the top hatch. "I'll just make sure."

Bill and Bob remained in the HSC, watching the munar surface slip by.

"Touchdown in ten," said Jeb, and ten seconds later the ship shook as the landing feet touched the dirt. After a moment of silence as everyone caught their breath, he added, "That's your cue, Bill."

Bill climbed down into the airlock and put on his EVA suit, grabbing his tools as he did. He had trained for this on Kebin, but it was exciting to be building stuff on the Mun. He stepped outside and attached the inflatable tube to the outside of the hatch, and did the same with the other end. After inflating the tube and checking for leaks he keyed his mic and announced, "Alright guys, we're connected. Come on in, I've got one more tube to connect and then I'll meet you inside!"

The other three all piled out of the ship, and immediately set to exploring their new habitat. In addition to spacious living quarters for the four of them, the base sported a lovely greenhouse with fantastic windows, a well-equipped science lab, and a control center with backup facilities and a fancy life support recycler. In addition there were resource harvesting machines and an ISRU refinery, and automated algae farms to process lunar material into fertilizer suitable for plants to grow in. The whole thing was powered by fuel cells and was planted on the eastern side of the Mun's East Farside Crater.

After making themselves at home and starting up all the important systems, the four pioneers met in the hab module to play cards and discuss the program.

"Gene said we'd be getting a rover, right? Seems like there isn't a lot of ore around here," Bill said.

"Yeah, and he also said the workshop should be here within a couple days," responded Jeb. "Then the rest of the hab modules and then the rest of the crew."

"I wonder how long it will be before they relocate us," said Bob.

"Well, as soon as they get the bugs worked out of that probe they're going to have to scan all the planets and moons for resources," said Valentina. "That could take a while. Werner von Kerman said that there might be two bases, too, one for life support and one for construction."

"I hope it's not Moho," said Jeb. "It's super stressful trying to capture there. I hope it's one of the moons of Jool. That would be way better."

"Well, have you ever flown a warp ship?" said Valentina. "Apparently it's much different than a regular rocket. It might be easier to get to Moho if you can move without using fuel."

"True," said Jeb, "But I'd still rather be at Jool."

"I wonder what kind of planet we'll eventually find for our new home?" said Bill.

"You mean our base or our home?" asked Val.

"Well, both I guess," said Bill. "Although the base will be pretty obvious. It'll be a low gravity, airless world where we can easily mine and launch ships from. I'm more curious what our homeworld will look like. It'll have to have high gravity, probably an atmosphere of some kind, and be around the right temperature. There are a lot of different things that could look like. Even Eve, possibly."

The other three nodded and thought for a few moments. "It'll probably be more like Duna," suggested Bob. "Eve is too hot and dark and soupy. Remember, they said they want to find somewhere that we can EVA without a spacesuit, so it'll probably have an atmosphere more like Laythe."

"Yeah, and it'd be easier to design an SSTO shuttle if the atmosphere contained oxygen to run R.A.P.I.E.Rs."

The others nodded their agreement. After some more speculation, they went to bed. The plan at that point was to have two bases, one on a habitable world to live on and set up their primary colony, and another on a body more suited to mining and launching from. That way the starship would only have to carry enough facilities to set up the smaller base, and they could manufacture a more permanent one on site. Their current base was to be a test of this. Once the rest of the crew arrived, they were to manufacture a base capable of transporting them to another planet and then build the starship themselves.

Back on Kerbin, Hayette wondered what her new friends were doing as she tested the third iteration of the prospecting rover.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Just a short chapter so you know I'm working on it. Designing and flying these craft is turning out to be a lot more work that I was anticipating, especially with stuff being updated so often. I've also been a bit busy, but don't worry! I'm working on it

Edited June 25, 2016 by ruiluth

[max_creative]

Laythe's atmosphere is too thin and has toxic gases anyways. Duna would be good. Ever consider Dres? Good ore there. It has decent gravity, between being a huge pain because it barely exists, and having way to much gravity. No atmosphere there. Fuel just spawns in orbit too! And it has a huge canyon too! The only thing bad is the small Soi. Just ignore those haters.

[TotallyNotHuman]

@ruiluth Have you considered building on Eeloo? It's the furthest out most of the time (and closest to the interstellar medium), and if you use the Karbonite Plus mod, then you can mine Karborundrum there to power torch/fusion (read: uber-efficient) engines.

[OrbitalBuzzsaw]

7 hours ago, max_creative said:

(Pro-Does nonsense snip) The only thing bad is the small Soi. Just ignore those haters.

There are lots of things wrong with Dres - Like being on a weird inclined orbit, being basically the Mun, and most importantly, NOT EXISTING!

[TotallyNotHuman]

53 minutes ago, OrbitalBuzzsaw said:

There are lots of things wrong with Dres - Like being on a weird inclined orbit, being basically the Mun, and most importantly, NOT EXISTING!

*le sigh* Here we go again... 

Edited June 25, 2016 by TotallyNotHuman_

[TotallyNotHuman]

Obligatory bump. @ruiluth, are you still here?

Also, have you considered adding a ToC to the OP?

[max_creative]

On June 25, 2016 at 6:30 AM, TotallyNotHuman_ said:

*le sigh* Here we go again... 

Yes... 

Oh hey! you have 42 posts!

On June 25, 2016 at 5:38 AM, OrbitalBuzzsaw said:

There are lots of things wrong with Dres - Like being on a weird inclined orbit, being basically the Mun, and most importantly, NOT EXISTING!

 

[ruiluth]

Hey all, just fyi I'm still here but I'm having some difficulties with KSP which is making this a bit hard to do. It's also a far huger project than I originally had thought, especially with the writing, so it's just taking a while to set everything up. Especially the wheels, I was planning on using rovers extensively but I've spent hours trying to make a rover that can keep itself together without having its wheels blocked with no success s far. I'll have the next chapter up sometime this week, although I might have to punt the rovers entirely if the wheels keep refusing to work.

[TotallyNotHuman]

Here's an idea: Use hopper-landers! Yes, not as precise as rovers, but a hella lot faster. But there's still the "Kerbal bumps into landing leg, then landing leg dies" problem, but with careful navigation it should be safe.