Operation Harpoon

[Vagrant203]

Operation Harpoon: simple concept in theory, but difficult in practice. An asteroid has been discovered having just entered Kerbin's sphere of influence. Class D, tracking designation NVO-129. Its trajectory is highly elliptical, not quite a closed oval but fairly close distance between its entry and projected escape of Kerbin SoI. 

The asteroid's existence is thus far an open secret amongst the personnel, and the decision to mount a mission to stabilize its orbit was practically unanimous.

Operation Harpoon is named after the Javelin launch vehicle which has served as a workhorse since its development. The name is shared with a single vessel thus far, a probe-operated station featuring a klaw and plentiful docking and RCS equipment. Further launches will be made, as Harpoon Station is currently calculated to have rather low delta V. In the event of a failure to capture the asteroid, the mission will be considered a partial success if Harpoon can manage to at least lock to the asteroid. The multiple relay antennas also present will serve their primary purpose as well as a beacon for future missions.

[Vagrant203]

Operation Harpoon has succeeded in capturing and decelerating NVO-129 into an elliptical but still accessible orbit. The space program personnel are now scrambling to figure out what to do next. Future operations will be launched to study the asteroid and perhaps even utilize it for resources. For the moment however, the primary focus is on figuring out how to get some good pictures for public release.

(F12 isn't working for me like usual. What's KSP's built-in screenshot method?)

[Vagrant203]

The first data from NVO-129 has been transmitted by a small probe equipped with a magnetometer and surface ablation laser. Preliminary calculations place the asteroid at total 212 tons, with a theoretical yield of 87%, or approximately 184 tons, of useful resources. ISRU technology is still in a theoretical state for our space program at the moment.

The current hot topic of discussion at the space center is the best pronunciation of the asteroid's designation, most popularly EnVEEoh or ENvo. All personnel agree a permanent crewed station ought to be established, with several scientists being particularly excited to test the practicality of using hydroponic gardening to sustain a crew.

[Vagrant203]

The program has developed a new heavier launch vehicle, dubbed Ballista. This was then modified into a dedicated propulsion module for NVO Station. With a total of three separate locked vessels, the probe operators have dubbed the rock itself Anchorage.

The name would be more widespread, but the probe operators have not been very social lately, having worked round the clock for several days to wrestle Anchorage to a lower orbit. With invaluable help from Mechjeb, a long series of Mun gravity assists and one aerobraking pass, the orbit is now 95km by roughly 10 thousand km, still significantly inclined.

A refueling mission is now necessary to continue operations. A crewed maintenance vessel is in the design phase, and is likely to serve as the basis for a new series of craft. Further research is required for some of the necessary technology, specifically high-efficiency nuclear engines.

Edited April 10, 2021 by Vagrant203

[RealKerbal3x]

5 hours ago, Vagrant203 said:

 

(F12 isn't working for me like usual. What's KSP's built-in screenshot method?)

F1. You can find your screenshots in KSP/Screenshots.

(You can also turn the UI off using F2 )

[Vagrant203]

I was aware of F2, but not F1. Thanks kindly! Hope everyone is enjoying so far!