Pyrope Exploration Program

[septemberWaves]

A direct technological continuation from the now-cancelled Captor program, the Pyrope Exploration Program seeks to thoroughly explore the Mun (and eventually most of the Kerbol system) using mimic Apollo-era technology. All of this is done at 4x scale (with atmospheres at 1.4x scale).

Completed missions:

• Pyrope 4: test of Serket V and Pyrope CSM
• Pyrope 5: test of Pyrope MEM
• Pyrope 7: first crewed flight of Pyrope CSM
• Pyrope 9: crewed test of MEM in Kerbin orbit; first crewed flight of Serket V

 

Current goals:

• Orbit the Mun with three kerbals and return them to Kerbin
• Land two kerbals on the Mun and return them to Kerbin

 

Vehicles:

Spoiler

Launch Vehicles

Spoiler

Serket IB

The Serket IB launch vehicle is a two-stage rocket. The first stage is an S-IB stage, powered by 8 Vector engines, the inner four of which can gimbal to control the rocket. The second stage is an S-IVB stage powered by a single Vector engine. Payload to LKO: 20 tonnes.

 

Serket V

The Serket V launch vehicle is a three-stage rocket. The first stage is an S-V stage, which is powered by four Ratite engines and an Emu engine. The second stage is an S-II stage, which is powered by four Moa engines and a Ratite engine. The third stage is an S-IVB stage, which is powered by a single Vector engine. Payload to LKO: 90 tonnes. Payload to TMI (trans-Munar injection): 24 tonnes.

Spacecraft

Spoiler

Pyrope command/service module (CSM)

The Pyrope CSM is the spacecraft that the entire Pyrope exploration infrastructure is based around. It holds three kerbals for extended periods of time, has a small service bay which can contain microsatellites or equipment, and has a powerful propulsion system capable of lifting the spacecraft from the surface of the Mun and returning it to Kerbin using a direct-ascent mission profile, though it has been adapted for use with a Munar-orbit-rendezvous profile for most missions. The service module engine (SME) is a Corvette engine.

 

Pyrope Munar Excursion Module (MEM)

The Pyrope MEM is a two-kerbal Mun lander used in the initial stages of the Pyrope Exploration Program. It is a two-stage design, consisting of a descent module (DM) and an ascent module (AM). The DM has storage space for some equipment, and the AM includes a RCS (reaction control system) for docking maneuvers. The descent module engine (DME) is a Hemi Cuda engine, and the ascent module engine (AME) is a Spark engine.

 

 

Edited March 2, 2017 by eloquentJane

[septemberWaves]

Pyrope 4

Mission objectives: test the Serket V launch vehicle; test autonomous control of the Pyrope command/service module, test command module heat shield at Munar re-entry speeds.

Crew: none.

 

Spoiler

Ignition.

Liftoff of Pyrope 4.

The Serket V is a three-stage rocket. The S-V first stage is powered by an Emu engine surrounded by four Ratite engines.

Commencing gravity turn.

Breaking sound barrier.

Approaching maximum dynamic pressure.

First stage cutoff.

First stage separation.

Second stage ignition. The S-II second stage is propelled by a Ratite engine surrounded by four Moa engines.

Second stage cutoff.

Second stage separation, LES separation. Separation motors will need to be installed on the second stage in future launches.

Third stage ignition.

The S-IVB third stage is identical to the third stage used on the Serket IB launch vehicle. It is powered by a single Vector engine.

Third stage cutoff as 113km apoapsis is reached.

Circularizing.

After circularization, the S-IVB stage continues to burn, to raise the apoapsis up to the Mun's orbital altitude.

Fairing separation.

Third stage separation.

Extending the service module antenna.

The spacecraft high above Kerbin.

The SME (service module engine) is fired to lower the periapsis to 30km for re-entry.

Approaching the atmosphere.

Service module separation.

The service module can be controlled autonomously, and is moved away from the command module before re-entry.

Re-entry successful, drogue chute deployment. The landing sequence is fully autonomous, and can occur even if the crew are rendered unconscious by excessive forces during re-entry (the re-entry profile is designed to avoid this, however).

Main chute deployment.

Splashdown was successful.

Mission outcome: total success. The command/service module performed as expected, and so did the Serket V launch vehicle.

Edited February 14, 2017 by eloquentJane

[septemberWaves]

Pyrope 5

Mission objective: test Munar Excursion Module propulsion and control systems in space.

Spoiler

Ignition.

Liftoff of Pyrope 5.

Commencing gravity turn.

Breaking sound barrier.

First stage cutoff.

First stage separation.

Second stage ignition.

Second stage cutoff as 115km apoapsis is reached.

Fairing separation.

Circularizing.

Circularization complete.

Payload deployment.

DME (Descent Module Engine) ignition.

The lander is placed in a sub-orbital trajectory to avoid leaving it in orbit as debris.

DME cutoff.

AME (Ascent Module Engine) ignition. The stage separation is somewhat explosive, as is to be expected when igniting a rocket engine that's directly adjacent to other parts.

AME cutoff.

The descent module is in about as good condition as could be expected.

Mission outcome: total success. The Munar Excursion Module systems performed as expected, and so did the Serket IB launch vehicle.

[septemberWaves]

Pyrope 7

Mission objective: first crewed flight of the Pyrope command/service module, remain in Kerbin orbit for several days to test CSM systems. Crew: Valentina Kerman, Maenna Kerman, Stala Kerman. Launch vehicle: Serket IB.

Spoiler

Ignition.

Liftoff of Pyrope 7.

Commencing gravity turn.

Breaking sound barrier.

Reaching maximum dynamic pressure.

First stage cutoff.

First stage separation.

Second stage ignition.

LES separation.

First stage cutoff as 110km apoapsis is reached.

Circularizing.

Circularization complete.

CSM deployment.

The crew spend a little under four days in orbit of Kerbin.

De-orbiting.

Approaching the atmosphere.

Service module separation.

Atmospheric entry.

Re-entry complete.

Drogue chute deployment.

Main chute deployment.

Landing successful.

Mission outcome: total success. The CSM performed as expected and is cleared for supporting crew on a trip to the Mun and back.

[septemberWaves]

I've just updated the first post. The vehicles section now contains the Serket IB and V launch vehicles and the Pyrope CSM and MEM.

[septemberWaves]

Pyrope 9

Mission Objectives: crewed test of MEM in Kerbin orbit; first crewed flight of Serket V. Crew: Valentina Kerman, Maenna Kerman, Stala Kerman. Launch vehicle: Serket V.

Spoiler

Ignition.

Liftoff.

Commencing gravity turn.

Breaking sound barrier.

First stage cutoff and separation.

Second stage ignition.

LES jettison.

Second stage cutoff and separation.

Third stage ignition.

Third stage cutoff as 115km apoapsis is reached.

Circularizing.

Circularization complete.

Fairing separation.

Separating the CSM.

The CSM docks to the MEM, which then separates from the S-IVB stage.

Maenna and Stala transfer to the MEM, which then undocks from the CSM.

Testing DME.

Stage separation.

Testing AME.

Returning to the CSM.

The ascent module docks to the CSM and the crew return to the command module.

Undocking the ascent module.

De-orbiting the ascent module.

De-orbiting the CSM.

Service module separation.

Re-entry successful.

Drogue chute deployment.

Main chute deployment.

Landing successful.

Mission outcome: total success.

[FleshJeb]

I really appreciate your text posts, but I hadn't looked at your craft before--Fantastic documentation you've got going on here.