The Hyperion Program: Kerbalkind's Return to Space

[Autochrome]

I'm not going to lie to you guys, I still have been suffering from major burnout on KSP for awhile. The next part is still in development, but it will be pretty delayed for this reason.

Edited July 2, 2022 by Autochrome

[Maria Sirona]

15 hours ago, Autochrome said:

I'm not going to lie to you guys, I have still be suffering from major burnout on KSP for awhile. The next part is still in development, but it will be pretty delayed for this reason.

Me 2

[Autochrome]

After around two months, the burnout on KSP is finally starting to let up, possibly from being bored from school and homework. The next part of the special chapter will start to be launched and produced shortly!

[Autochrome]

[Autochrome]

THP - Chapter 11, Part II: Odysseus VIII Launch - Mun Landing Special


After the launch of Iliad III on a Hyperion IV vehicle, the kerbonauts that will be the first to land on the Mun in forty-five years, Denzer (Commander), Bill (Iliad Pilot), and Bob (Orbit Scientist) Kerman, are sent on a small transport vehicle early in the morning to Pad 39B. This is where their ride to the Kerbin Departure Stage transfer vehicle and Iliad III is waiting: the Hyperion I launch vehicle. Valentina Kerman is the one driving them to the pad, making sure the crew get there okay and will watch them launch from a distance.

Mission Report:

Spoiler

It is very early in the morning at the KSC. The three Mun-bound crew wake up, eat breakfast, and board the transport vehicle to arrive at their spot in the capsule.

Val: "So, how have your mornings been going?"

Denzer: "Pretty good, I could barely sleep from the excitement of possibly being the first kerbal to step on the Mun in so long!"

Bill: "I'm just glad I get to step on the Mun, unlike Bob."

Bob: "Hey!"

Val: "Don't worry Bob, I'm sure you'll get your chance sometime."

Bob: "I can see the rocket from all the way over here!"

Bill: "It looks so small from this point, but it's giant up close."

The crew continue to approach the pad as Val drives at around ten meters per second.

Denzer: "Almost there..."

Bob: "Yep, finally."

The transport vehicle is driven up the gentle slope as the crew prepare to disembark.

Val: "Well guys, this is your stop. Good luck up there in space!"

Bill: "Thanks Val! We'll make you proud."

One by one, the crew go off the ladder at the front of the vehicle and stand in front of the launch tower of the Hyperion I.

Val: "Bye guys!"

Denzer, Bill, and Bob: "Bye Val! We'll see you in a few days!"

Val goes back down the ramp so she doesn't get blasted by the engine plumes when the rocket launches.

The crew stand in front of their ride to space as they prepare themselves for the journey.

Bob: "You guys ready?"

Denzer and Bill: "Ready as we'll ever be!"

Denzer and the rest of the kerbals board the elevator to go down the walkway of the launch tower.

Bob: "I can see Val in the distance! HEY VAL!!!"

After all of the crew have boarded the launch vehicle, the walkway is beginning to roll away and the fueling process begins for the rocket.

Denzer: "Mission Control, this is Denzer. The fuel pumps have retracted and we are entering the terminal count now."

Mission Control: "We roger you Denzer. Read over the final checks and hold on for launch!"

Denzer: "Roger Control, we have a ten, nine, eight seven, six, five four..."

Denzer: "...Main engine start, four, three, two one...!"

Bill: "We have a liftoff from the pad! Engine chamber pressure is nominal!"

Bob: "Wooooooo!!! Off we go!"

Bill: "Tower is cleared!"

Mission Control: "Roger guys, good luck!"

Val: "Mission Control, I have a good sight of the rocket, everything looks good! There they go!..."

Denzer: "We have a good roll program, trajectory is nominal for now."

Mission Control: "Coming up on stage separation, beginning to throttle down the engines."

Bill: "Launch tower is away! I can look out the windows and see the atmosphere."

Denzer: "Nominal stage separation and second stage ignition! We are continuing our way to orbit."

The second stage is finishing up the insertion into Kerbin orbit.

Bob: "Orbital insertion is finished, we are in a 73x100 km orbit!"

Mission Control: "Alright Bob, panel and Odysseus separation is coming up in a few seconds."

Bill: "We are away! Using RCS thrusters to move away from the spent stage."

Solar panel and communication equipment deploy.

Two small burns with the OMS thrusters are used to correct the spacecraft's trajectory to the KDS and the Iliad III.

Denzer: "Iliad spotted! Slowing down with the Odysseus' main engine now."

The crew slowly start the docking approach to the port during the nighttime.

Bill: "Getting closer... almost there..."

Denzer: "We have a successful docking to the Kerbin Departure Stage!"

Mission Control: "That's great Denzer! Begin the checklists to get ready for Trans-Munar Injection on the next orbit."

Bob: "Roger Control, will do."

Denzer: "Starting the countdown to engine ignition now. Five, four, three, two, one..."

Denzer: "Ignition!"

The three kerbals watch as their destination, the Mun, comes over the horizon as the burn continues to be nominal.

After the engine cuts off, the three vehicles drift away from Kerbin as they begin their journey to the planet's closest celestial neighbor.

Denzer: "Don't worry Mun, we're coming for you..."

To Be Continued in the Next Part of the Hyperion Program: Chapter 11

Sorry for making you guys wait for so long, but you can't really do much about burnout without being extremely bored. I hope you enjoy this longer installment into the series and I'll start working on the next one!

[Autochrome]

[Autochrome]

The posting of the next parts and chapters will probably be inconsistent because of school, homework, and such. I might create a Discord server that I can put updates so you guys aren't left in the dark on the progress of the series.

[EpicRaisin]

Take your time, you don't wanna rush the climax of the whole series.

[Autochrome]

The Discord server is now up and running, although it is still a work-in-progress. Join if you want to keep up with the series' progress in-between posts!

https://discord.gg/xr7yqhrs7C

Edited September 8, 2022 by Autochrome

[Autochrome]

Good news guys: The next part of Chapter 11 will be coming out tomorrow (hopefully)! Stay tuned for that.

[Autochrome]

THP - Chapter 11, Part III: Iliad III Landing - Mun Landing Special


When we last left our brave kerbonauts, they were drifting away from Kerbin on a trajectory that would bring them to the Mun for the first landing in decades. This part will continue with the crew on this journey, and if they will be successful in this bold leap for space exploration.

Mission Report:

Spoiler

The spacecraft stack performs a correction burn under the supervision of the crew to be able to enter into an equatorial orbit of the Mun when it arrives.

One Day Later...

Bob: "The Mun starting to get really big in the window now!"

Denzer: "It won't be long before we insert into orbit. Time to get into our seats perform final checks."

Bill: "Fuel is being pumped into the ignition chamber, all readings are go. T-minus five, four, three, two, one...!"

Ignition! The crew breathe a sigh of relief as they wait through the orbital insertion burn.

Denzer: "Engine shutdown! Alright guys, time to separate from the Kerbin Departure Stage."

Bill and Bob: "Roger!"

Nominal Solar Panel Deployment on the Iliad Lander.

Mission Control: "Alright crew, it's time you guys to board the lander to make your attempt at the surface."

Bill: "We read you Control, preparing for undocking now."

Bob: "Well, good luck guys on your trip!"

Denzer: "Thanks Bob, we'll make sure to bring some samples back up for you to analyze!"

Denzer and Bill back away from the Odysseus spacecraft as Kerbin rises above the horizon of the Mun.

Bill: "Wish you could see this better Mission Control, but it sure looks beautiful right now through the window."

"

Bill: "Here we go, descent begins now!"

Denzer: "Landing site is becoming clearer below us, standby."

The crew maneuver the Iliad III to a flatter surface with less rocks nearby.

Bill: "Velocity is leveling out, easy does it..."

Denzer: "I'll bring her down as smooth as I can."

Bill: "Three meters per second, two, one...!"

Denzer: "We have touchdown! The Iliad has settled on the ground!"

Mission Control: "*Cheering can be heard faintly over the mics of the crew*"

Bob: "Congrats guys!"

Bill: "The surface looks like a sandpit but with Munar dust instead of sand. Wonder how soft it actually is."

Denzer: "Don't worry Bill, you'll feel it soon enough..."

After the crew take a short nap inside their cabin, they are ready to venture out onto the surface below their spacecraft.

Denzer: "Exiting the airlock now."

Denzer hangs onto the ladder just a few feet off the floor, ready to be the first kerbal to step on the Moon in half a century.

Denzer: "I take this step in the name of kerbalkind, for we will journey far beyond the stars. This is only the beginning."

After those inspirational words, Denzer takes a small stroll on the Mun while he waits for Bill to come through the airlock.

Bill: "Don't worry Denzer, I'm coming to join you."

Denzer: "Took you long enough, heh."

The crew pose in front of the vehicle that has allowed them to be here, the Iliad III.

With the first steps taken, Bill goes to the side of lander, where all the cargo is stored, and grabs the flag.

The flag rolls out ceremoniously and... oh.

Denzer: "Bill, did you seriously pack this instead of our country's flag?"

Bill: "...Whoops" 

(Yeah, I might have forgotten to change the banner of the mission to the actual flag before launch, my mistake. I couldn't correct it because these screenshots were taken awhile ago.)

Denzer says some harsh words to Bill for this mix-up.

Bill: "...Alright fine, I'll just take a surface sample before getting back inside the crew cabin."

Bill gets back on the ladder and ascends back to the airlock.

Denzer does the same and starts climbing, but turns back to take one more look out to the vast grey surface of the Mun.

Denzer: "So long Mun, this won't be the last time I'll be here..."

With the surface EVA portion of the lander's mission done, the two kerbonauts start preparing for their launch and ascent from the surface.

To Be Continued in the last Part of the Hyperion Program: Chapter 11

Thank you guys for being patient, it's not very easy to make one of these long parts when I'm still suffering from a burnout on KSP.

[Autochrome]

Now that I'm finished with midterms, I can once again focus on this series, and a new part will be coming soon.

[Autochrome]

THP - Chapter 11, Part IV: Odysseus VIII Return - Mun Landing Special
 

As their main mission is complete, Denzer and Bill are about to make their departure from the Munar surface and back to the Odysseus spacecraft.

Mission Report:

Spoiler

Denzer: "Bill, have you complete all the pre-launch checklists?"

Bill: "Yep, all we need to do now is wait for launch in a few seconds."

Mission Control: "...5, 4, 3, 2, 1..."

Denzer: "Liftoff! We're coming back home!"

The crew admire the nearby mountain range next to their landing site.

Bill: "Hey Denzer, do you also see that strange arch in the distance?"

Denzer: "Yeah I do, we'll have to investigate it on a future mission..." (Totally not foreshadowing)

Orbital Insertion Burn of the Mun.

Mission Control: "Nominal orbit achieved. Rendezvous with the Odysseus in thirty minutes."

Denzer: "Roger Control, we've still getting ready for it."

Bill: "Odysseus spotted, I think I can see Bob through the window!"

Bob: "Hey guys, what do you say we get docked and get out of here?"

Denzer: "Sounds good to me."

Killing all relative velocity with the spacecraft.

Denzer: "Docked!"

After the landing crew transfer back into the Odysseus spacecraft, the ascent stage is ditched and will be deorbited remotely.

Departure Burn from the Mun while a Munar Eclipse is happening.

One Day Later...

Bill: "Service Module has been separated. Prepare for a rough reentry!"

Bob: "At least we get a good view of where we came from while we are subjected to these G's..."

Denzer: "We've immerged from the reentry sequence and are about to deploy parachutes."

Mission Control: "Roger Denzer, it's good to hear from you again!"

Main Chutes Deployed.

Mission Control: "Splashdown! Congratulations Denzer and Bill for being the first crew to land on the Mun in half a century and to a successful mission!"

Bob: "I did something as well..."

Denzer: "Don't worry Bob, I think you did a great job helping us."

It might be two months since the last post, but I thank you guys for believing that I would make another. Not a very long one, but new posts will come out more frequently for the next two weeks.

Edited December 18, 2022 by Autochrome

[Light_Gladiator]

Yay we are back! Nice to see this again. Now that you are done with the Mun landing, maybe it’s time for Minmus?

[Autochrome]

4 minutes ago, Light_Gladiator said:

Yay we are back! Nice to see this again. Now that you are done with the Mun landing, maybe it’s time for Minmus?

I was thinking that after one more landing on the Mun and the launch of the LKO Station Core.

[Autochrome]

Sorry for the absence (again), but I have lost most motivation to work on this thread, as burnout on Kerbal Space Program has screwed me over. I'll probably reboot the series when Kerbal Space Program 2 comes out, but I don't know currently.

[Maria Sirona]

1 hour ago, Autochrome said:

Sorry for the absence (again), but I have lost most motivation to work on this thread, as burnout on Kerbal Space Program has screwed me over. I'll probably reboot the series when Kerbal Space Program 2 comes out, but I don't know currently.

[Autochrome]

Hey all, I currently have a revitalized interest in Kerbal Space Program, so now I have motivation to continue this series! The chapters are going to be a bit different, with more of a focus on screenshots and less text, which gets repetitive over time. The first of these parts will come out sometime in the next few days, so stay tuned!

[Autochrome]

THP - Chapter 12, Part I: Odysseus IX/Iliad  IV - Second Mun Landing

Goal: Land on the Mun again and deploy more extensive science experiments.
Crew: Jebediah, Valentina, and Jay Kerman.

Mission Report:

Spoiler

Day of the Launch to the Hyperion IV Vehicle already waiting in orbit.

Crew Arm Retracted.

Main Engine Ignition.

Liftoff!

Stage Separation.

Launch Escape System Jettison.

Panel Jettison.

Second Stage Jettison.

Approaching the Lander.

Starting the Docking Approach.

Docked!

Trans-Munar Injection.

Munar Orbital Insertion with the Hyper IV Second Stage.

Jettisoning the Stage into Munar Orbit, to be deorbited later.

The Lander undocks with Jebediah and Jay onboard, with Valentina stay behind in orbit.

Beginning Landing Approach on the Munar Surface.

Touchdown on the Munar Surface! - End of Part I

Hyperion Program is back! Thank you all for sticking with me in my hiatus.  Part II should come out sometime soon, so continue to stay tuned!

[Autochrome]

THP - Chapter 12, Part II: Odysseus IX/Iliad  IV - Second Mun Landing

Mission Report:

Spoiler

Jeb leaves the crew cabin.

Jeb deploys the KSP flag.

Jay gets out to help Jeb deploy the science experiments.

All of the science experiments are deployed.

Jay gets back into the lander to get ready for takeoff.

Jeb does the same.

 

Blast-off!

The upper stage of the lander rendezvouses with the Odysseus IX spacecraft.

Docked on the dark side of the Mun.

Undocked after the crew have transferred.

Deorbiting of the ascent stage.

The crew burn for home.

Service module decoupling.

Reentry over the dark side of Kerbin.

Return of the crew of the second Mun landing in the Hyperion Program!

I'm going to be out of town until Wednesday, so the next chapter probably won't come until late in next week.

Edited July 5, 2023 by Autochrome

[Autochrome]

I'm working on the space station core that's going to be launched in the next part, so it might come out a little later.

[Autochrome]

THP - Chapter 13, Part I: Theia Station - Core Module Launch

While the first goal of the Hyperion Program was to land on the Mun once again, the next goal is to set up a permanent Kerbal presence in the orbit of Kerbin. This is what the launch of the Core Module of the first space station, Theia, aims to do.

Goal: Launch the Theia Station Core Module into orbit.

Mission Report:

Spoiler

The Hyperion IV launch vehicle is ready for takeoff.

Liftoff!

Nominal Stage Separation.

The Fairing Jettison reveals the Core Module.

Payload Deployment.

The Theia Station Core Module waits for its first round of crew in a 120km orbit of Kerbin.

Bit of a short episode, but my summer has been surprising busy. Thank you all for waiting!

Edited July 13, 2023 by Autochrome

[Autochrome]

THP - Chapter 13, Part II: Theia Station - Solar Module Launch

Goal: Launch the Theia Station Core Module into Orbit.

Mission Report:

Spoiler

Photo from launch pad of the new Hyperion I Cargo variant, a medium-lift vehicle alternative of the Hyperion I for Low Kerbin Orbit.

Fuel pumps retracted.

Liftoff!

The Solar Module is revealed.

The modified Odysseus service module, which serves as a tug for the module, pushes away from the second stage.

Arrival at the Space Station.

Solar Panels Unfurled.

I can't believe it's already been two years since I first started this series. Sorry for my nearly a year extended break (again), I've just gotten out for the summer and will hopefully be able to upload more often.

Edited May 27 by Autochrome

[Autochrome]

THP - Chapter 13, Part III: Odysseus XI/Theia I - First Space Station Mission

Goal: Launch the first crewed mission to the Theia Space Station.

Crew: Jebediah, Valentina, and Bill Kerman.

Mission Report:

Spoiler

Late evening liftoff from the KSC to send Jeb, Val, and Bill to the waiting station in Low Kerbin Orbit.

Rendezvous with the station takes place just as Kerbol rises on the skyline of Kerbin.

The crew move into the cabins in preparation of their several month stay aboard the station, marking the start of Kerbalkind's first extended mission in LKO.

Speaking of often, I was bored and decided to go ahead and do Theia I/Odysseus X while I was at it. The next mission will be a big one, with an extended stay on the Mun's surface with Odysseus XI/Iliad V-VI.

Edited May 27 by Autochrome