The Grand Space Race - Chapter 12: Booster Tests Part 1

[The Raging Sandwich]

5 hours ago, TheEpicSquared said:

The outdated version of Kerbinside works perfectly with the new Kerbal Konstructs, at least for me. 

The only other base I get with Kerbinside is Round Range (C7 AF)

[The Raging Sandwich]

Chapter 9: To the Mun!

The KSP was ready to launch a probe to the Mun. They called it Traveler 1. It carried on-board fuel but omitted a battery to save weight. After the Trans-Munar Injection (TMI) burn, all systems except for the antennas (to receive signals) would be shut down to conserve power. Once in a flyby, the instruments would be turned on again. This flight, they hoped, would beat C7 to the Mun.

On Day 227 of Year 1, Traveler 1 was ready for launch.

Objective: Flyby the Mun.

Spoiler

Launch on an Explorer C

First stage separation

Orbit insertion

In orbit, payload fairing separation

TMI burn initiated

Before the burn is finished, the payload is jettisoned to continue the burn as for the decoupler to not interfere with the trajectory.

Payload engine ignition

The angle was off by a good bit, but a course correction fixed it.

Trajectory set. The probe malfunctioned and did not enter hibernation, meaning that the flyby wouldn't be documented.

Flyby initiated

Closest approach, some ~2,000 km away

Results: Partial success; could not document the flyby due to complete loss of power

C7 was a bit struck by the news, but was not that surprised. The KSP was far ahead of them in probe technology and could go much farther, except for the S2 which was orbiting Kerbol.

After the two failures of the KO-B, a complete redesign was in order. It was based off of the KSP's Explorer B, and they could tell. The first stage was wider than the KO-B's and had no side boosters. It had the same engines and same number of engines on the first stage, all clustered together. The second stage also had five engines, one main one and four tiny ones placed radially around the bottom. For its first payload, it carried an identical probe to the failed S4 and S5 to test in-orbit maneuvering for a future Mun mission. 

On Day 231 of Year 1, C7 S6 was ready for launch.

Objectives: Test the new KO-B booster, test in-orbit maneuvering

Spoiler

Launch

The rocket starts to tilt excessively, but is eventually righted. At the same time, the middle engine starts to overheat. It soon explodes, but the other four engines remain functional.

First stage separation

Fairing separation

Second stage ignition

Payload separation

The probe's three engines ignite to circularize the orbit.

Results: Success

The KSP had a failed test of their manned Moho spacecraft under their belt. It was found that it wasn't the weight of the monopropellant that was weighing down the spacecraft, but the position of the SRB nozzles pushing down on the top of the capsule, which could be disastrous in case it ignites the monopropellant tank. To fix the problem, the SRBs were tilted slightly more outwards. 

On Day 235 of Year 1, Moho T2 was ready for testing.

Objectives: Test the LET on the launchpad, recover the capsule successfully.

Spoiler

On the launchpad

LET firing, the tweak of the SRBs worked

The drogue chute could not deploy completely to slow down the capsule, as a result, the capsule was destroyed.

Results: Partial failure; failure to recover the capsule safely

C7 was well aware that the KSP had more probes in space than they did (KSP with 6, C7 with just 4), but just one launch could change that. C7 planned to launch two identical probes in one launch, matching the KSP in probe count. The KO-B was selected to launch the probes. This iteration omitted the large central engine on the first stage which exploded the previous launch.

On Day 241 of Year 1, C7 S7 and S8 were ready for launch.

Objectives: Launch two probes into orbit at one time, match KSP in successful probe count, test the modified KO-B. 

Spoiler

Launch

First stage separation

Second stage ignition

Fairing separation

In orbit. S7 is jettisoned.

After S7's antennae are extended, the second stage moves out of the way to jettison S8 as not to threaten S7.

S8 jettisoned with S7 in the background (below and to the left of the second stage)

Results: Success

The KSP's tracking station detected something new in Kerbin's SOI. It was a large asteroid on flyby, close to its closest approach to Kerbin. It was tracked until it exited the Kerbin system. All launches were halted until then.

The KSP was ready for another Moho test flight, but was scrubbed until the asteroid was clear of Kerbin (even though the Moho T was incapable of leaving the atmosphere). After it left, the mission was ready.

On Day 253 of Year 1, Moho T3 was ready for testing.

Objectives: Test the LET shortly after liftoff, recover the capsule safely.

Spoiler

Launch

LET fired. The capsule lifts away from the also-accelerating SRB.

LET jettison

The retro package (which was left on the capsule by mistake) jettisoned and the drogue chute deployed

After fully deployed, the drogue chute was cut and the main chute was deployed

Successful landing

Results: Success

C7 wasn't worried about the recent successful test flight of the KSP's Moho spacecraft, as it was their first completely successful test flight, while they had 3. And, as they hoped, it was about to become 4.

On Day 254 of Year 1, Ziemniak T4 was ready for testing.

Objectives: Test recovery after a nominal mission.

Spoiler

Launch

LES and main rocket jettison

Retro package ignition

Retro package jettisoned

Drogue chute deployed

Main chute deployed

Landing

Results: Success

The KSP had built an identical probe to Traveler 2 to try again with a Mun flyby mission. This time, they hoped, the probe would go into hibernation while flying to the Mun and return reports during flyby.

On Day 259 of Year 1, Traveler 2 was ready for launch.

Spoiler

Launch

First stage separation

Second stage ignition

Payload jettison to complete the TMI burn

The probe successfully hibernated on its way to the Mun. It reactivated and made a mid-course correction to lower the periapsis.

Closest approach reached

An eclipse was captured

Results: Success

Little to the KSP's knowledge, C7 had prepared a Mun probe. This one would impact the Mun instead of flying by it.

On Day 261 of Year 1, Munar 1 was ready for launch.

Objectives: Impact the Mun.

Spoiler

Launch

First stage separation

Second stage ignition

After the TMI burn was made to put the probe into an impact trajectory, the probe was jettisoned. To stop the hibernation problem with the KSP's Traveler 1, solar panels were put on the probe.

After the sun set under the Mun's horizon, the probe was put into hibernation mode until just after impact.

All the systems are turned pack on. The probe transmits signals to Kerbin until impact.

The probe impacts without an explosion.

Results: Success

To be continued...

[The Raging Sandwich]

Chapter 10: Neck and Neck

The KSP was a bit taken by surprise at C7's Mun mission. It wasn't like anything they thought of; it actually reached the surface rather than flying by the whole moon. It was a bit advanced, but the KSP believed they could do it, and better.

But in the meantime, they had a race with C7 to put a Kerbal into space. C7 was secretive about their Ziemniak spacecraft and what its first mission would be, but the KSP planned for their first manned mission to be suborbital on a modified Explorer A booster. 

On Day 267 of Year 1, Moho T4 was ready for testing.

Objectives: Test the LET at high altitude, recovery the capsule safely.

Spoiler

Launch

Abort procedure initiated

Landing

Results: Success

C7 had no signs of launching anything, as they were being more secretive than usual. The KSP speculated that they had several unannounced launches of their Ziemniak spacecraft, but there was no evidence of it. Others speculated a big mission was coming soon. The KSP wanted to overtake C7 in number of launches, as they were both at 24 each. 

They planned for this mission to be in response to C7's Munar 1 impactor. Traveler 3 was to combine a flyby mission with an impact mission. Smart Kerbals at the KSC suggested that two flybys in one mission could be achieved in only one set trajectory after launch. They planned to utilize this theory. During the second flyby of the Mun, it would lower the periapsis to less than 0 for impact.

On Day 275 of Year 1, Traveler 3 was ready for launch.

Objectives: Flyby the Mun twice in one set trajectory, impact the Mun during the second flyby.

Spoiler

Launch

The trajectory was a bit high, so the second stage had to pitch down to compensate.

Payload separation

The probe finishes TMI burn

Trajectory set, the probe is put into hibernation

First flyby, the second flyby trajectory doesn't require the probe to burn down to impact trajectory.

Closest approach

Arrival at Kerbin apoapsis

Second flyby initiated

Kerbin disappears behind the horizon

 Impact

Results: Success

Traveler 3 was an overwhelming success and it even took C7's breath away. But, C7 was ready to take the KSP by surprise themselves with their next mission. The proof-of-concept tests for the Ziemniak were all completed and it was time to bolt it on the top of a KO-B. Because this spacecraft was to go into orbit, it was technically classified as a satellite, so it was designated S9 as well as Ziemniak T5. C7 had decided that if the mission was completely successful, they would release the details. If it failed, they wouldn't say anything about it. But before the launch, they addressed the KSP about their speculations of why they hadn't launched anything in a while, saying they were just going through some engineering challenges.

On Day 286 of Year 1, Ziemniak T5/S9 was ready for launch.

Objectives: Launch the unmanned Ziemniak into orbit, test the retro package.

Spoiler

Launch

The second stage was designed to fire twice, one to raise the apoapsis into space and another to reach orbit. However, it burned a little too long, leaving not enough fuel for orbital insertion.

LES jettison, spacecraft separation

Because the spacecraft was almost in orbit, the retro package could be tested fairly accurately. It proved successful in low-altitude retro burns.

Retro package jettison

The spacecraft inadvertently reenters over the Umar Badlands, known for savage desert dwellers.

The spacecraft lands in a mountain range in the Umar Badlands. A small group of desert dwellers stumble upon the spacecraft. They left to tell the others and came back soon and in greater numbers. C7 never head from the spacecraft again.

Results: Partial failure; failure to reach orbit, failure to recover the spacecraft

As they said, C7 said nothing about the failed spacecraft. It was rumored how the Umar Badlands desert dwellers stole the spacecraft for their own gain. What they did with it was anybody's guess.

The KSP was ready to put their own spacecraft on its official booster as well, the Explorer A (they found no reason to modify it to fit the spacecraft). More tests were to be put in place before the actual mission. 

On Day 288 of Year 1, Moho T5 was ready for testing.

Objectives: Test the LET late in the mission and recover the spacecraft.

Spoiler

Launch

Abort procedure initiated

LET jettison, booster in the background.

Splashdown

Results: Success

To be continued...

[The Raging Sandwich]

Interim

A meeting between the administrator of the KSP, Mark Kerman, and the administrator of C7, Tanjun Kerman, was held to discuss the future of the Space Race. What they supposed was to make a list of races they wanted to compete in from then on into the distant future. From then on, it was known as the Great Space Race.

 

Main Races

1. Send a Kerbal into Space (C7)
2. Send a spacecraft to Minmus (KSP)
3. Send a spacecraft to another planet
4. Perform an EVA in orbit
5. Dock two spacecraft together in orbit
6. Land a spacecraft on another planet
7. Land a Kerbal on the Mun and return them to Kerbin
8. Launch a habitable space station into orbit
9. Send a spacecraft out of the solar system
10. Land a Kerbal on Minmus and return them to Kerbin
11. Land a spacecraft on the moon of another planet
12. Bring an asteroid to orbit Kerbin or the Mun
13. Land a Kerbal on another planet and return them to Kerbin
14. Send a spacecraft to every planet and moon in the solar system
15. Land a Kerbal on every planet and moon in the solar system

Minor Races

1. Send a spacecraft into Munar orbit (C7)
2. Rendezvous two spacecraft together in orbit
3. Land a spacecraft on the Mun
4. Send a spacecraft into Minmus orbit
5. Land a spacecraft on Minmus
6. Send a Kerbal to hypersonic speeds (C7)
7. Send a spacecraft into orbit of another planet
8. Perform an EVA with an MMU
9. Land a rover on another planet or moon
10. Send a spacecraft into orbit of another planet's moon
11. Send a spacecraft to an asteroid
12. Capture an asteroid

 

Note: as the chapters progress and a single race is accomplished, I will include a link in that chapter to this updated post where I will check off or mark through a race and give credit to each space agency who accomplished it. 

Edited March 1, 2017 by The Raging Sandwich

[The Raging Sandwich]

Chapter 11: A Kerbal in Space

C7 was starting to worry about how far the KSP's Moho tests had come, with more of them being successful or partially successful rather than not. They needed to step up their game with more tests if they wanted to beat the KSP into space. They planned to launch a small probe that would fly into orbit but then deorbit. It would test reentry of a spacecraft returning from orbit. It was designated Test (T)-1.

On Day 292 of Year 1, C7 T1 was ready for launch.

Objectives: Test reentry of a vehicle coming down from orbit.

Spoiler

Launch on a KO-A booster

Almost in orbit, third stage separation

The fourth stage acts to complete orbital insertion and as the retro package

Retro burn activated

Payload separation

Reentry

Parachute deployment

Similar to the KSP's Reentry T1, the vehicle sinks down into the ocean. C7 doesn't particularly care as they know that it survived reentry.

Results: Success

On the same day, the KSP had planned to launch a probe. After the success of Traveler 3, they were ready to get even more advanced. They prepared a probe to flyby the mysterious moon Minmus. Not much was known about Minmus. The only thing Kerbals knew about it was what it's orbit was like and what it looked like through telescopes. They hoped this mission could reveal more about the moon than what they had learned from the hundreds of years observing it through telescopes.

On Day 292 of Year 1, Traveler 4 was ready for launch.

Spoiler

Launch

The apoapsis was a bit high, so the second stage had to compensate by burning downwards.

In orbit, fairing separation

Trans-Minmus Injection (TMnI) burn

Payload deployment

While approaching Minmus, the probe captures the Family Portrait of the Kerbin system.

Closest approach

Results: Success

C7 had no time to deal with the KSP's Traveler 4, as surprised and impressed as they were. They had another mission to deal with. The final test was planned for the Ziemniak spacecraft. They hoped that this time, the KO-B could actually launch the Ziemniak into orbit. 

On Day 302 of Year 1, Ziemniak T6/S10 was ready for launch.

Objectives: Launch the Ziemniak into orbit and recover successfully.

Spoiler

Launch

The second stage extends the apoapsis to 95 kilometers, but C7 already suspects that it's too high.

LES jettison

The second stage fires a second time. The spacecraft reaches orbit, but the periapsis is still well below the atmosphere.

Spacecraft separation

The Ziemniak is ordered to fire the retro package. The close orbit results in a more accurate test for the retros.

Retro jettison

Drogue chute deployment over Ukra

Landed

Results: Partial Success; only reached a partial orbit.

Again, C7 didn't announce the recent test of the Ziemniak. That way, it would come as even more of a surprise as they planned for the next launch to be the first manned flight. They would take everything they did wrong in the second test and apply that to the actual mission.

In the meantime, the KSP had another test of the Moho spacecraft ready.

On Day 305 of Year 1, Moho T6 was ready for launch.

Objectives: Test a nominal mission of the Moho on an Explorer A.

Spoiler

Launch

The rocket pitches over a little more excessively than planned.

The booster fails to reach space. Spacecraft separation.

The retro rocket is as a last attempt to reach space, but the impulse is too small.

Retro rocket jettison

Splashdown

Results: Partial failure; failure to reach space

Finally, all previous C7 launches had come down to this. Virtine Kerman, a C7 test pilot, was loaded into the capsule and was ready for flight. Few Kerbals knew that Virtine was to make the first space flight, and her family only learned a week before. It was a risky mission as the previous orbital test flights didn't even make it to a full orbit, and Virtine had expressed this several times. C7 insisted they knew what they were doing, though. 

On Day 320 of Year 1, Ziemniak 1 was ready for launch. 

Objectives: Launch Virtine Kerman into orbit, orbit once around Kerbin, recover Virtine safely.

Spoiler

Launch

The second stage extends the apoapsis to just 75 kilometers

LES jettison

Circularization burn. The spacecraft fails to reach orbit once again.

Spacecraft separation

Retro burn

Retro package jettison

Reentry, Virtine has faired well throughout the mission.

View of the ocean below

Splashdown, Virtine survives the first manned spaceflight.

Results: Partial success; failure to reach orbit

Virtine wasn't happy that she couldn't reach orbit. Although, C7 had still beat KSP to space, even if it was only a suborbital mission. Virtine was guaranteed a spot in a future orbital mission. C7 had also beat the KSP in sending a Kerbal to hypersonic spees.

To be continued...

Link to updated race list: http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/index.php?/topic/155885-the-grand-space-race-chapter-10-neck-and-neck/&do=findComment&comment=2967349

 

Edited February 25, 2017 by The Raging Sandwich

[The Raging Sandwich]

Chapter 12: Jeb Goes to Space

C7 and the KSP had made a list of objectives for their first few manned flights. Both of their programs would have four flights each.

Moho 1: Jebediah - Suborbital flight

Moho 2: Bill - Suborbital flight

Moho 3: Bob - 1 orbit

Moho 4: Valentina - 5 orbits

Ziemniak 1: Virtine - 1 orbit (partial success; failure to reach orbit)

Ziemniak 2: Verette - 3 orbits

Ziemniak 3: Sheldock - 7 orbits

Ziemniak 4: Hergel - 15 orbits

KSP was shocked about how sudden and how unannounced C7's orbital flight was. Because of the lack of launches C7 had made (or so they thought), the KSP thought they had the race to space in the bag for them. What they didn't know was that C7 was lying to them about their flight. Virtine never even made it to orbit. C7 even made up an elaborate story of a near-tragedy in orbit when the spacecraft started to spin uncontrollably before retrofire. The flight definitely lowered the KSP's moral. But they still didn't let anything hinder their progress.

On Day 321 of Year 1, Moho T7 was ready for launch.

Objective: Test a nominal suborbital flight of the Moho spacecraft.

Spoiler

Launch

The spacecraft will reach space. Booster separation and LES jettison.

Testing the monopropellant while in space

Widening the trajectory at apoapsis with the retro rocket

Retro rocket jettison

Splashdown

Results: Success

Moho 1 was finally ready for launch. C7 had not launched anything since their "orbital flight," and the KSP wanted to capitalize on it by launching their own Kerbalnaut into space. Jeb would be the one to pilot the mission. 

On Day 334 of Year 1, Moho 1 was ready for launch.

Objectives: Launch Jeb into space on a suborbital flight, recover him safely back at Kerbin.

Spoiler

Launch. Jeb keeps his cool.

The Explorer A boosts Jeb and his capsule into space. Booster separation and LES jettison.

Jeb is still functioning nominally

Kerbin's horizon from space

Retro rocket firing to extend the trajectory

Retro rocket separation

A very mild reentry

Splashdown

Jeb is happy to be back home, but he wishes that he could've been up there a little bit longer.

Results: Success

After the flight: the KSP mission list was updated.

Moho 1: Jebediah - Suborbital flight (Success)

Moho 2: Bill - Suborbital flight

Moho 3: Bob - 1 orbit

Moho 4: Valentina - 5 orbits

C7 wasn't very surprised about the KSP's flight, they were more underwhelmed than anything. Their "orbital flight" was much more impressive, and the KSP thought so too. But they were ready to launch something else the KSP wouldn't expect, Munar 2.

On Day 336 of Year 1, Munar 2 was ready to launch.

Objective: Launch a probe into Munar orbit.

Spoiler

Launch

The fairings were jettisoned too early after malfunctioning and the probe was exposed, but surprisingly didn't suffer any losses from it. The rapid weight-change during ascent caused the second stage to go out of control temporarily, but was fixed later on.

TMI burn

Trajectory set, payload separation

Approaching the Mun

Orbital insertion

The Mun and Kerbin

In orbit

Results: Success

Updated race list: http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/index.php?/topic/155885-the-grand-space-race-chapter-11-a-kerbal-in-space/&do=findComment&comment=2967349

Edited March 1, 2017 by The Raging Sandwich

[The Raging Sandwich]

Chapter 12: Booster Tests Part 1

The KSP was once again shocked at the loss of a race. They vowed that they would win another race before C7 did. What it was, they didn't know. But their best shot would probably be to either land something on the Mun or send something to Minmus orbit.

But they also had something else in mind. They had designed two twin orbital boosters, called the Castor and Pollux. They were special because they could launch something into orbit with just its first stage. The KSP coined the term Single-Stage-to-Orbit vehicles, or SSTOs. They hoped that these boosters could get a Kerbal into orbit, land something on the Mun, and even go beyond Kerbin to another planet. They had also designed an upper stage that could be fitted on both of the rockets called the Orion A. The Orion A had a much more efficient engine than on other rockets, so that it could hopefully send spacecraft deeper into space.

The first rocket they wanted to test was the Castor, as they hoped they could use it to send a Kerbal into orbit on Moho 3 and 4. It ran on 3 main engines and 2 smaller engines on the side for maneuvering. A payload had to be prepared for the Castor to launch into orbit, so a small probe was whipped up.

On Day 342 of Year 1, Orbiter 6 was ready for launch.

Objective: Test the Castor booster by launching a probe into orbit.

Spoiler

Launch

The launch is a little slow, but the Castor gains speed quickly.

In orbit, payload separation

Results: Success

C7 was surprised at the scale of the KSP's large Castor booster. They wondered what they were planning to do with it, as it seemed like it could go pretty far, especially if fitted with another stage. But they stopped worrying about the booster and started focusing on their next manned flight.

Verette was chosen to pilot the mission. C7 had made some modifications to the KO-B, as it was fitted with more fuel above the side engines on the first stage. This, they hoped, would be able to boost the Ziemniak and its pilot completely into orbit.

On Day 345 of Year 1, Ziemniak 2 was ready for launch.

Objectives: Launch Verette into orbit, orbit Kerbin 3 times, recover Verette safely.

Spoiler

As Verette was ready for launch, a solar eclipse blocked out most of the light around the C7 AF signalling a bad omen, but Verette wasn't backing down.

Launch

The eclipse causes the sky to become dark

LES jettison

Orbital insertion, the fuel is draining fast.

The spacecraft barely makes it into orbit.

The view from Low Kerbin Orbit (LKO)

The first sunset...

...and the first sunrise

Coming up on the third orbit, the retro package fires.

Retro package jettison

Verette spots the KSC

Reentry

Verette is fairing nicely

Splashdown

Verette is happy to be back home. From then on, C7 considered solar eclipses to be good luck. If that was the case, they also considered lunar eclipses to be bad luck.

Results: Success

The mission chart was updated.

 

Ziemniak 1: Virtine - 1 orbit (partial success; failure to reach orbit)

Ziemniak 2: Verette - 3 orbits (success)

Ziemniak 3: Sheldock - 7 orbits

Ziemniak 4: Hergel - 15 orbits

After this mission, C7 seemed happier than they were after the first "orbital" mission. The KSP grew suspicious of their behavior, as it didn't make sense to be happier about this mission than the last, especially since they didn't win any races with it. A new probe was planned for the first Pollux mission. It would carry a sort-of surveillance satellite. It would carry a camera that could look down at any point on Kerbin.

But before that, they still had to test the Castor/Orion A launcher. Since the Orion A upper stage was designated for deep-space missions, it carried with it a Mun probe. Since C7 beat them to Munar orbit, the Castor/Orion A carried their own orbital probe.

On Day 349 of Year 1, Traveler 5 was ready for launch.

Objectives: Test the Castor/Orion A booster, launch a probe into Munar orbit.

Spoiler

Launch

The booster makes it into orbit with no problem. Castor separation.

TMI burn initiated

Payload separation

Orbital insertion

In orbit

Results: Success

To be continued...

[The Raging Sandwich]

Interim

The KSP needed to start focusing on manned orbital missions. For that, they had to launch numerous missions. First, two test missions were planned for the Moho spacecraft fitted onto a Castor booster.

 

Moho T8- A one-orbit test of the Moho spacecraft on a Castor booster

Moho T9- A three-orbit test of the Moho spacecraft on a Castor booster

 

They also needed more communications satellites. They would be placed in high orbits by a Pollux/Orion A booster. Three were planned.

 

Transit 1- a short-range communications satellite placed in a 90 x 100 km orbit

Transit 2- a short-range communications satellite placed in a 300 x 200 km orbit

Transit 3- a medium-range communications satellite placed in a 1,000 x 900 km orbit

 

The KSP had also authorized their next manned spacecraft, the Cupola. It would also need various missions. A new larger booster was being planned, the Jool A. It could be fitted with various solid rocket boosters on its first stage.