End Times- A modded career game w/ no plot [Chap. 4: Orbits and stuff!] [READ OP]

[ThatGuyWithALongUsername]

 

On 10/11/2016 at 10:04 AM, ThatGuyWithALongUsername said:

Chapter 3: The Grind is out, and I'm establishing a rule for chapter 4: I won't release chapter 4 unless my comment is not the last comment. I kind of want to stop replying to myself, and also want to hear feedback on this.

SAME GOES FOR CHAPTER 5!

End Times Career (Sorry, no graphic novel here, just a "normal" mission report!)
 

A news quickly spread throughout Kerbin that 8 of the Kerbal Gods just decided to leave and stop working on the universe. This scared some kebals into believing that the remaining gods would destroy their planet and give up on this whole universe thing. (hence the name "End Times")

Wernher Von Kerman thought these fears were idiotic, but after teaming up with Walt Kerman he managed to manipulate these fears to finally get funding for a space program! After all, if Kerbin was destroyed, Kerbals could still live in space, right?

 

This is a HARD MODE career game, and no spacecraft will be tested outside the save in any "simulators". Just realized I forgot to mention that.

 

Mods Used:

• Porkjet's unfinished part overhaul
• Hoojiwana's Stock Replacement Assets
• ALL of Roverdude's Umbra Space Industries mods- after all, he is one of the remaining "Gods", right?
• Kerbal Inventory System (PLUGIN ONLY)(1.2 PRE)
• OSE Workshop (PLUGIN ONLY)(1.2 PRE)
• Extraplanetary Launchpads (PLUGIN ONLY)(1.2 PENDING)

Chapter 1: The Beginning

Spoiler

VAB shot of Sounder 1

I'll be doing one of these for every craft I make.

On the launchpad

Sounder 1 is ready

First stage ignition!

Second stage works too

I was worried this wouldn't work... this is on the KSP 1.2 prerelease, and none of the plugins are updated yet. This includes USI tools and stuff, I decided not to wait because it wouldn't make that much of a difference this early in the game. Eventually, the mods will be updated.

Parachute deployed!

This mission was fairly smooth so far!

Nice, soft touchdown!

Can't wait for the SCIENCE!

First Manned Mission

Obviously, Jeb has to fly this one.

I forgot to take launch pictures

Don't worry, there will be many more launches! I can guarantee there will be launch pictures! (at the time of writing this, I already have the second chapter ready to be uploaded and captioned)

That's the fairings separating

Not sure why I needed to take a picture of this.

Parachute deployed!

Jeb wants to do that AGAIN!

less soft touchdown

NO, NOT THE SCIENCE!

The only surviving experiment was the crew report and a mystery goo container.

Both were successfully salvaged by Jeb...

Science Grinding

I still got some extra science from this. Not shown- second crew report and jumping to get another EVA report "flying low".

See you next chapter!

Chapter 2: INTO SPACE!!1!

Spoiler

Kerb 2 VAB Shot

I was hoping this would possibly touch the upper atmosphere. It's clearly been a while since I've played career mode. I also *may* have gone overboard on the parachutes. I'm not proud of this one.

I realized as I launched that this would never make it t the upper atmosphere, so I tried to get to another biome instead. I failed at that too!

The large sounding rocket fins are much better than the stock beginner fins.

I missed the grasslands- I'm going to end up landing at the shores again.

It was at this time that I realized that I was going to have way too many pictures. Prepare for a long chapter.

A very soft landing. Not surprising if you consider the number of parachutes.

Jeb had a plan.

Water, water everywhere...

Sure, it's just one EVA report, but it still works.Meanwhile, all this water makes me thirsty.

OK, so I did do a few other experiments.

tech tree at the moment- not very far.

VAB shot of a slightly modified Kerb 2.

in about 2 images, the unexpected happens. Except I kind of ruined it, didn't I?

Space key pressed once...

...Space key pressed twice. Oops!

Jeb's enjoying this, I'm sure!

I begin to worry about how close to the ground we are...

Thankfully, the fuel runs out, and Jeb is safe!

This screenshot looks problematic when taken out of context. All it is is me completing a few "test at launch site" contracts. Just for the funds

 

 to take a break from all the "Kerb 2.5" madness...

Knowing my mistake, I will attempt the mission again.

A more successful launch.

It's still going to land in the same biome...

...but now we're taking the hole ship into the water!

more testing

I think it might be finally time to go to space. See you next cha-

Oh wow really? Nevermind, we're going to space RIGHT NOW!

After unlocking some science...

I came up with THIS. I'm letting Valentina fly it.

Finally, a space launch.

I'd say that's at least somewhat impressive.

Notice the "Ring o' Science". There are 3 of each experiment: one for space, one for the upper atmosphere, and one for the "kerbin's water" biome we'll land in.

The second stage is really showing off porkjet's abandoned overhauls. I miss porkjet... 

SPAAAAAACE!!!

After collecting the science, we grab an epic shot of decouplers defying physics.

Val heads home as the first Kerbal in space!

The heatshield might not have been necessary.

The parachute works, that's a good sign.

Splashdowns can look neat if you take the picture at the right time.

That was a VERY successful mission!

Just one more, I promise...

Can you spot my mistake? Always read the fine print.

It's working so far...

I'm nervous because plane flights have always killed of all my crew in previous hard mode career saves.

This is about the moment I realize that I just wasted my time here. The contract asked for a crew report ABOVE 19,000 meters.

Hey, at least my plane works!

No, of course I'm not going to land horizontally. On the tier 1 runway? Are you crazy?

Unfortunately, the parachute didn't quite work out.

As the smoke clears, we can see that BOTH Valentina and the science are perfectly fine!

But this chapter has a twist ending. Milliseconds after this picture was taken, the game crashed. Isn't that just great?

See you next chapter!

Chapter 3: The Science Grind

Spoiler

Since the game crashed, I can cancel these. I also took on a few extra contracts.

I'm fairly happy with the design. I'm normally terrible with planes.

This one, however, can launch from the tier 1 runway!

Just a cab view.

Top speed >300 m/s

One contract down.

I think it's finally time to abuse the fact that there are so many biomes in the KSC. For some reason, the Astronaut Complex didn't show up as one.

Must get all the science...

EVA reports are necessary too.

I used this science to unlock more science experiments.

I managed to pack all the experiments available into one 30 part plane. Plus a cabin for a scientist. I did have to remove a jet engine, meaning all this would rely on 1 Juno.

The first test didn't go very well.

I literally didn't change anything in this screenshot. I just added Bob in the back and showed the contracts. Despite the failures during testing (thankfully Val survived), I think it's ready.

Wings are still there... that's a good sign.

We have liftoff! I'd like to mention that the only reason this thing got into the air at ~35 m/s is that it hit a bump in the runway. The plane works, at least.

Doing science

More flying

Landing in the grasslands after collecting survey data

Doing more science

*yawn*

That went pretty well

tech tree screenshot!

This time it hit the bump at~30 m/s! It was an even slower takeoff this time!

look at me still talking when there's science to do...

highlands landing

so much science

Yeah, that'll work for a chapter.

Cliffhanger for chapter 4, which hopefully will be more exciting than this one!

See you next chapter!

Chapter 4: Orbits and stuff

Spoiler

With all the USI mods working, I had to configure my life support. I guess it doesn't really matter to most people reading this, but if you want the details, here's how I set it.

My first orbital prototype is actually a glider on a booster. I guess it's a bit ambitious, but oh well.

Here it is on its booster. I failed to realize that this thing could never make it into orbit. If you take that as a challenge feel free to try it yourself. (does anyone want a .craft file?)

Launch... again

Accidental preeminent gravity turn

At least the pparachute worked.

Instead of just adding wings, I redesigned the whole thing from scratch.

*begin dramatic music*

Launch!

*dramatic music intensifies*

*DRAMATIC MUSIC CLIMAX*

*dramatic music cuts off*

*VICTORIOUS MUSIC BEGINS!*

Not sure why I showed the apoapsis instead of the periapsis, but I did get to orbit, I swear!

See? Here's proof.

Valentina arrives back at Kerbin as the first kerbal to reach orbit! And the first kerbal to go to space, and a crazy test pilot- Maybe Jeb should get a turn.

I'll let Jeb fly the next Science Flier Mk.2 flight...

... I'm sure he'll enjoy it...

...but I have bigger plans for Jeb...

...and indeed the whole space program...

... but to achieve these goals I have to actually read the contract parameters. See you next time

 

 

If you liked this, please comment below why you liked it. If you didn't like it, please tell me how I can do better!

If you have any comments, advice, or criticisms, please comment them below!

Edited October 14, 2016 by ThatGuyWithALongUsername

[Ultimate Steve]

Nice job on this so far! This might get interesting!

[ThatGuyWithALongUsername]

18 minutes ago, Ultimate Steve said:

Nice job on this so far! This might get interesting!

Thanks!

[ThatGuyWithALongUsername]

Chapter 2 is out! It's a long one!

Spoiler

Kerb 2 VAB Shot

I was hoping this would possibly touch the upper atmosphere. It's clearly been a while since I've played career mode. I also *may* have gone overboard on the parachutes. I'm not proud of this one.

I realized as I launched that this would never make it t the upper atmosphere, so I tried to get to another biome instead. I failed at that too!

The large sounding rocket fins are much better than the stock beginner fins.

I missed the grasslands- I'm going to end up landing at the shores again.

It was at this time that I realized that I was going to have way too many pictures. Prepare for a long chapter.

A very soft landing. Not surprising if you consider the number of parachutes.

Jeb had a plan.

Water, water everywhere...

Sure, it's just one EVA report, but it still works.Meanwhile, all this water makes me thirsty.

OK, so I did do a few other experiments.

tech tree at the moment- not very far.

VAB shot of a slightly modified Kerb 2.

in about 2 images, the unexpected happens. Except I kind of ruined it, didn't I?

Space key pressed once...

...Space key pressed twice. Oops!

Jeb's enjoying this, I'm sure!

I begin to worry about how close to the ground we are...

Thankfully, the fuel runs out, and Jeb is safe!

This screenshot looks problematic when taken out of context. All it is is me completing a few "test at launch site" contracts. Just for the funds

 

 to take a break from all the "Kerb 2.5" madness...

Knowing my mistake, I will attempt the mission again.

A more successful launch.

It's still going to land in the same biome...

...but now we're taking the hole ship into the water!

more testing

I think it might be finally time to go to space. See you next cha-

Oh wow really? Nevermind, we're going to space RIGHT NOW!

After unlocking some science...

I came up with THIS. I'm letting Valentina fly it.

Finally, a space launch.

I'd say that's at least somewhat impressive.

Notice the "Ring o' Science". There are 3 of each experiment: one for space, one for the upper atmosphere, and one for the "kerbin's water" biome we'll land in.

The second stage is really showing off porkjet's abandoned overhauls. I miss porkjet... 

SPAAAAAACE!!!

After collecting the science, we grab an epic shot of decouplers defying physics.

Val heads home as the first Kerbal in space!

The heatshield might not have been necessary.

The parachute works, that's a good sign.

Splashdowns can look neat if you take the picture at the right time.

That was a VERY successful mission!

Just one more, I promise...

Can you spot my mistake? Always read the fine print.

It's working so far...

I'm nervous because plane flights have always killed of all my crew in previous hard mode career saves.

This is about the moment I realize that I just wasted my time here. The contract asked for a crew report ABOVE 19,000 meters.

Hey, at least my plane works!

No, of course I'm not going to land horizontally. On the tier 1 runway? Are you crazy?

Unfortunately, the parachute didn't quite work out.

As the smoke clears, we can see that BOTH Valentina and the science are perfectly fine!

But this chapter has a twist ending. Milliseconds after this picture was taken, the game crashed. Isn't that just great?

See you next chapter!

 

Edited October 10, 2016 by ThatGuyWithALongUsername

[ThatGuyWithALongUsername]

Chapter 3: The Grind is out, and I'm establishing a rule for chapter 4: I won't release chapter 4 unless my comment is not the last comment. I kind of want to stop replying to myself, and also want to hear feedback on this.

(Also, I'm waiting until 1.2 comes out and RoverDude updates his mods)

Spoiler

Since the game crashed, I can cancel these. I also took on a few extra contracts.

I'm fairly happy with the design. I'm normally terrible with planes.

This one, however, can launch from the tier 1 runway!

Just a cab view.

Top speed >300 m/s

One contract down.

I think it's finally time to abuse the fact that there are so many biomes in the KSC. For some reason, the Astronaut Complex didn't show up as one.

Must get all the science...

EVA reports are necessary too.

I used this science to unlock more science experiments.

I managed to pack all the experiments available into one 30 part plane. Plus a cabin for a scientist. I did have to remove a jet engine, meaning all this would rely on 1 Juno.

The first test didn't go very well.

I literally didn't change anything in this screenshot. I just added Bob in the back and showed the contracts. Despite the failures during testing (thankfully Val survived), I think it's ready.

Wings are still there... that's a good sign.

We have liftoff! I'd like to mention that the only reason this thing got into the air at ~35 m/s is that it hit a bump in the runway. The plane works, at least.

Doing science

More flying

Landing in the grasslands after collecting survey data

Doing more science

*yawn*

That went pretty well

tech tree screenshot!

This time it hit the bump at~30 m/s! It was an even slower takeoff this time!

look at me still talking when there's science to do...

highlands landing

so much science

Yeah, that'll work for a chapter.

Cliffhanger for chapter 4, which hopefully will be more exciting than this one!

See you next chapter!

 

Edited October 11, 2016 by ThatGuyWithALongUsername

[The Space Dino]

I'll make your comment not the last one 

I'm excited for this modded career. As a person who likes simple stuff, the amount of mods you have is good for me (regardless of how big the mod is)

I'll follow this. There's a lot of career mode saves around this subforum. I tried and it's currently dead (on the forums at least). No plans on reviving it though.

 

[ThatGuyWithALongUsername]

On 10/13/2016 at 3:31 AM, The Space Dino said:

I'll make your comment not the last one 

And I'll make the last chapter not the last one either. Chapter 4: Orbits and stuff

Spoiler

With all the USI mods working, I had to configure my life support. I guess it doesn't really matter to most people reading this, but if you want the details, here's how I set it.

My first orbital prototype is actually a glider on a booster. I guess it's a bit ambitious, but oh well.

Here it is on its booster. I failed to realize that this thing could never make it into orbit. If you take that as a challenge feel free to try it yourself. (does anyone want a .craft file?)

Launch... again

Accidental preeminent gravity turn

At least the parachute worked.

Instead of just adding wings, I redesigned the whole thing from scratch.

*begin dramatic music*

Launch!

*dramatic music intensifies*

*DRAMATIC MUSIC CLIMAX*

*dramatic music cuts off*

*VICTORIOUS MUSIC BEGINS!*

Not sure why I showed the apoapsis instead of the periapsis, but I did get to orbit, I swear!

See? Here's proof.

Valentina arrives back at Kerbin as the first kerbal to reach orbit! And the first kerbal to go to space, and a crazy test pilot- Maybe Jeb should get a turn.

I'll let Jeb fly the next Science Flier Mk.2 flight...

... I'm sure he'll enjoy it...

...but I have bigger plans for Jeb...

...and indeed the whole space program...

... but to achieve these goals I have to actually read the contract parameters. See you next time!

 

Edited October 14, 2016 by ThatGuyWithALongUsername

[The Space Dino]

5 hours ago, ThatGuyWithALongUsername said:

  Hide contents

At least the pparachute worked.

Instead of just adding wings, I redesigned the whole thing from scratch.

*begin dramatic music*

Launch!

*dramatic music intensifies*

*DRAMATIC MUSIC CLIMAX*

*dramatic music cuts off*

*VICTORIOUS MUSIC BEGINS!*

Not sure why I showed the apoapsis instead of the periapsis, but I did get to orbit, I swear!

 

 

There's a typo up there. You spelled 'parachute' wrong...

SRBs as first stage and boosters. Profit!

I doubt I can do what you did...

Gene has something wrong with him. I'm 100% sure. I'll go check on him in my career mode. He better not be like yours...

OH. Explore the Mun. Now I realize what are the red marks for. I'm sure you need to spend those 80 science. 

WAITING FOR MOAR!

Edited October 14, 2016 by The Space Dino