Rockball Space Program: Whirligig World Mission Report

[Watermel00n]

hello there welcome  to my new mission report. this will have a youtube series eventually but for now ill just be a mission report.

modlist:

intro:

Many years ago, a bunch of Kerbals flew from the Kerbol star system to explore and colonize the Kaywell star system. However, they crashed on Mesbin, a big fat spinny rockball. After a few thousand years of setting up civilization, the Kerbals decided to try and escape this horrid garbage planet.

Mesbin System Map, taken from the Whirligig World forum page

Soon

Edited December 15, 2023 by Watermel00n

[Watermel00n]

Year 1 Day 1

Construction finished on Mesbin Space Centre!

After 2 years of construction, the new Mesbin Space Centre is ready for operations! As a cooperative effort between the many nations of Mesbin, the greatest scientists and engineers will be put to work here. The Space Centre will be the new site for space exploration and research across the whole planet! And the first vehicle will be launched in... *checks calendar* 14 days.

[Watermel00n]

YEAR 1 DAY 59

The Mesbin Times: New advancements in Space Travel!

The Launch of the Jumper 1 Probe

With the launch of the two new probes from Mesbin Space Centre, the Space Program has been improving by leaps and bounds. Earlier today, the Hopper 1 probe was launched to orbit using the largest rocket on Mesbin since the Manifest Destiny!

The Hopper 1 Probe

Unfortunately, the Hopper 1 doesn't have the navigation capabilities to visit any other bodies after entering orbit. That will change with the launch of the Hopper 2, planned to visit Statmun. Stay tuned Mesbin!

Edited November 24, 2023 by Watermel00n

[Watermel00n]

YEAR 1 DAY 89

The Mesbin Times: First Landing on Statmun!

Hopper 2 Probe Approaching Statmun
Today marked the launch of the Hopper 2 Probe, an improved version of the Hopper 1, which successfully landed on Statmun's South Pole earlier today.

Hopper 2 Probe Landed on Statmun
Onboard are several science experiments that will be used to examine the composition and nature of Statmun.

Jumper 2, a atmosphere research probe launched a few days ago
MSP's next goals are obvious: to explore Graymun and Kerbmun, the larger moons of the Mesbin System. "Due to Mesbin's large gravity well, a new probe design will have to be designed for it. These are the Munseeker Probes, equipped with long range antennas and more efficient engines, which will allow us to visit the outer system."

Munseeker 1...

[Watermel00n]

YEAR 1 DAY 113

The Mesbin Times: Success from Graymun!

Munseeker 1 Launch
Earlier today, the Munseeker 1 was launched to Graymun. This new probe design contains brand-new science experiments and a relay antenna. This antenna can be used to relay connections across the Mesbin system after the probe's mission is complete.

\

Image of Graymun's heavily cratered surface, with Derbin on the horizon.

Due to low amount of fuel, Munseeker 1 cannot enter orbit around Graymun, instead passing by Graymun into an elliptical Mesbin Orbit. Plans are being made for an Unmanned Graymun Lander and perhaps a crewed exploration somewhere in the future.

[Watermel00n]

YEAR 1 DAY 163

The Mesbin Times: Updates on the Munseekers!

Launch of Munseeker 2, bound for Thresomin.

Launch of Munseeker 3, bound for Kerbmun.

Launch of Munseeker 4, bound for Graymun.

Due to the success of Munseeker 1, three other probes were built and launched. Munseeker 2 was launched to Thresomin where it successfully performed a landing, Munseeker 3 completed a flyby of Kerbmun, flinging it into a highly eccentric orbit of Mesbin. Munseeker 4 successfully pulled off a landing on Graymun.

Munseeker 2's landing on Thresomin, a small moon with low gravity.

Munseeker 3's flyby of Kerbmun. Unfortunately, there seem to be no signs of intelligent life on Kerbmun.

Munseeker 4 land successfully - but tips over!

Thanks to these recent accomplishments, the space program is gaining quite the reputation. However the next step is a little difficult - launching kerbals to space!

[ffx]

On 12/13/2023 at 11:40 AM, Watermel00n said:

Munseeker 3's flyby of Kerbmun. Unfortunately, there seem to be no signs of intelligent life on Kerbmun.

Go check the kerbals' defintion of intelligent life, and see if they could also count.

On 12/13/2023 at 11:40 AM, Watermel00n said:

Thanks to these recent accomplishments, the space program is gaining quite the reputation. However the next step is a little difficult - launching kerbals to space!

I hope that no "rapid unplanned disassembly" occurs to the rockets carrying said kerbals.

[Watermel00n]

14 minutes ago, ffx said:

Go check the kerbals' defintion of intelligent life, and see if they could also count.

By signs of intelligent life I mean no radio signals or light visible. As for the kerbals... they live underground lmao

[Watermel00n]

YEAR 1 DAY 205

The Mesbin Times: First Kerbs in Space!

Mesbin Station and MSCV.

Today marked the launch of the first kerbals to space ever since they crashed on Mesbin!

Mesbin Station launch.

Jebediah was the first to launch on the Mesbin Station, while Bill 'n Bob arrived on the Mesbin Station Crew Vehicle(MSCV).

MSCV launch and subsequent docking.

Hopefully, if all goes to plan, two of the kerbals will be returning home in the MSCV! How are we so sure that it will work? Well a few days ago, the Sample Return Probe was launched which successfully returned the first scientific data from Space to Mesbin.

Sample Return Probe flight.

Now in the meantime, the krew at Mesbin Station can prepare the expedition to Statmun!

Kerbal Spaceflight Magazine: Probes are going places

Munseeker 6 Launch.

Recently, the KSP has completed the challenge of the Graymun 3: Flyby Statmun, Thresomin and finally land on Graymun! This challenge was posted as a joke, however, the KSP has actually gone and done it! Now we have no choices but to give the money. Boo hoo.

Flyby of Statmun

Flyby of Thresomun.

Landing on Graymun!?

Munseeker 5 flyby of Kerbmun

Anyways, Munseeker 5 was launched to Kerbmun, where it performed a gravity assist to push into a high and inclined orbit, perfect for relays. Speaking of relays...

Relay 1

The Relay 1 satellite was launched today, providing speedy connectivity to TV and radio broadcasts around Mesbin! It currently resides in a orbit between Graymun and Thresomin. Meanwhile, it seems that some goobers are paying big bucks to into space... Stay tuned, Vacuum-Heads!

[Watermel00n]

teaser

[Watermel00n]

YEAR 1 DAY 206

The Mesbin Times: Kerbals on Statmun...

MSCV orbiting Statmun.

Today, the MSCV crew of Jeb and Bob Kerman made their way to the innermost moon of Mesbin, Statmun! Statmun is a clump of metal and iron that spins rather quickly. So quickly, that it is in fact impossible to land on Statmun's equator without floating away!

Jeb takes the MSCV down to the ground

This is why the MSCV crew decided to land on Statmun's North Pole. From the looks of it, the surface of Statmun seems to be half covered in rust, similar to Duna!

Just a little fun on Statmun...

If, I mean- when the MSCV arrives back at Mesbin, the science experiments done there will be of great interests to scientists.

Spoiler

Well this doesn't feel like a real moon... more like a glorified asteroid! - Jeb Kerman

Due to both lack of supplies and boredom, the MSCV Crew make their way back to the station.

I feel underqualified  for this! - Bob Kerman

[Watermel00n]

YEAR 1 DAY 206

The Mesbin Times: Successful Landing!

MSCV undocking from Mesbin Station.

With the science data taken from Statmun, the MSCV prepares for descent!

Firing transfer stage, we're on our way down! - Jeb Kerman

15 klicks up, fire the lander engine Jeb! - Bob Kerman

Watch out, we're tipping - Jeb Kerman

Any landing you can walk away from... - Jeb Kerman

 

 

[Watermel00n]

YEAR 1 DAY 222

Kerbal Spaceflight Magazine: A view from Kerbmun

Munseeker 7, launched aboard a MSCV Lifter (yes it is ssto lmao)

With Kerbmun being the most suitable target for kerbal colonization, the MSP quickly construct a Kerbmun Lander.

A whopping 3800 m/s ejection burn to take the craft out of Mesbin's gravity well

Although this is not the first probe to visit Kerbmun, it is the first to attempt a landing.

Deorbiting/ Orbital insertion

With no atmospheric vehicles built ever since the Kerbals arrived on Mesbin, the technology on this lander is dodgy at best.

Once the parachutes deploy, Munseeker 7 begins sending data back home.

The results are not exactly what the MSP was hoping for. A 5% oxygen atmosphere  which would be just slightly too low for a kerbal to comfortably breathe. Yet, Kerbmun has a similar atmosphere pressure to Kerbin. There seems to be no signs of life here. Maybe in the sea?

 

[Watermel00n]

time to make my trimphant return to writing these mission reports...

with a good ol' fashioned...

Extremely Convenient Timeskip! ™

 

 

 

 

...One timeskip later...

Year 1 Day 415

Mission Control: We have liftoff of the KSS Unity, bound for Graymun!

Crew: *Frightened Screaming*

Mission Control: Side Boosters Jettisoned!

Mission Control: This is Mission Control, the Unity has reached orbit! You may now unbuckle your seat belt.

Samdous: What seat belt?

Seetop: Mmph!

Lizgee: Fine, I'll help you pull off that duct tape...

Samdous: Making rendezvous burns with Mainsails is infuriating...

Samdous: We're here!

Kimbles: This is massive!

Seetop: Why did they recruit newbies to fly this thing?

Lizgee: Hey, I thought you said that going to space was your dream?

Seetop: That was just the interview! Everyone says that!

Samdous: Hard dock confirmed! Phew, nearly ran out of battery there.

Lizgee: Who didn't put batteries on this thing?

 

 

Later...

Jeb: Hey newbies! Welcome to Blunder Station, (previously Mesbin Station), the largest and only space station every constructed orbiting Mesbin! Feel free to explore! But first, your names?

Samdous: Samdous Kerman, Orbital Pilot.

Kimbles: Kimbles Kerman, Scientist.

Lizgee: Lizgee Kerman, Greatest Level Zero Engineer Ever, and the better twin- OW!

Seetop: Seetop Kerman, Lander Pilot! I'm the better twin, you kerbtard!

Val: You're all on mulcher duty today!

Everyone: NOOOO

[Watermel00n]

The Timeskip Leftovers:

Unsuccessful attempt to mine asteroids in Mesbin Orbit

Spoiler

Development of 9 Kerbal to Orbit MSCV 2:

Spoiler

\

Thresomin Mining Base:

Spoiler

Munseeker Probe to Dermun

Spoiler

Second Statmun Mission

Spoiler

Blunder Station Expansions:

Spoiler

 

[Watermel00n]

Year 1 Day 419

Launch of the Thresomin Platform! Its purpose is to allow for more working area for attaching parts on the Thresomin Base.

Arrival at Thresomin.

Diner: Huh, where am I

Mission Control: You're supposed to be the pilot, kerbtard!

Diner:Hey guys!

*mining station noises*

Diner: Anyhow! Docked!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bill: Guess what time it is?

Bob: Oh you know what time it is!

It's TANKER TIME!

Bill: There we go, 2 full tanks to the Blunder Station!

Samdous: Thanks for the fuel, Bill! Now we can finally leave!

Val: Wait, don't go! We need you to finish sorting through our emails! And giving us all cookies! You know it's hard to live on a station with 5 other people?

Jeb: Stupid little newbies and their stupid little work ethic.

Samdous: There we go!

Samdous: We're going TGI, guys!

Everyone else: AHHHHH

 

 

 

20 minutes later:

Samdous: Well here we are, guys!

Kimbles: *frantically scribbling in notebook*

Seetop: Can I go home now?

Lizgee: The return vessel isn't even launched yet, so you couldn't go home if you tried!

Samdous: Buckle up everykerb, we're going orbital insertion!

Everyone else in a puddle of cake batter at the back of the cabin: WHO TOLD LIZGEE SHE COULD BAKE CAKE?

Samdous: Great, we're in orbit!

Everyone else in a ball of floating cake batter: Little help here, please?

 

[Watermel00n]

Year 1 Day 421

Launch of Graymun Shuttle with science package.

Mesbinrise...

Seetop: Mission Control, I have visual on the Shuttle! Engaging docking procedure!

Seetop: Docked!

Seetop and Kimbles transfer to the Lander and prepare for landing.

Seetop: We're sure moving awfully fast for a landing!

Kimbles: Hey, we made it!

Seetop: Hah! I'm the best pilot ever!

Lizgee: You only pushed a single button!

Seetop: Hey, it's harder than it looks!

Cool photo: Check!

Cool rocks: Check!

Well, time to leave!

Kimbles: Hey guys, we're back with the rocks!

Lizgee: Aw, now I don't have room to build a statue out of peanut butter anymore!

 

 

 

 

Bill: Hey, Bob, what time is it?

Bob: It's TANKER TI-

Bill: No silly, it's MSC Meet & Greet!

Bob: Is this what you do in your spare time?

 

 

Gene: Hey guys, it's your favourite competitive steam train racing driver, and part time MSC administrator Gene Kerman! If you didn't know, we are one of many clones of the original KSC staff. Unfortunately, we aren't completely similar in personality to the original staff. Anyways, moving on...

Wernher: Good morning everyone, I am Wernher von Kerman, one of many in the universe! Personally, I feel many of my greatest achievements include:

1. Weaponization  of the toaster oven

2. Construction of an apartment with only plastic chairs that surprisingly lasted one week before collapsing

3. Invention of heated uranium armrests

4. Longest distance traveled on a tricycle

Anyhow, I'm working at the MSC now!

Gus: Hi there, I'm Gus Kerman, the guy who blew up the SPH for fun, and also the-

Bobak: You got to see this!

Gene: It's the Munseeker 8 probe! How'd get connection to it?

Bobak: Oh, it's nothing! But just look at this data!

Gene: There's some kind of plants in that water...

Morty:  Oh, I am finally going to be able to spend all these funds!

Wernher: It's pretty obvious what our next goal is...

CREWED KERBMUN EXPEDITION!

[Watermel00n]

Year 2 Day 1

To start off the year, a contract base was sent to Statmun...

As well as a flag-plant!

Bit of a rough landing on this one.

Some tourists got sent up on an MSCV 2

Val: Welcome to Blunder Station! To properly enjoy your stay... you're all on mulcher duty

Tourists: What's a mulcher?

Val: oh you'll find out... OH YOU'LL FIND OUT!!!

Munseeker 10 leaves Thresomin after a long refueling process.

It quickly makes a burn for Derbin, where it will arrive in roughly a week.

An expansion module is launched to Unity Station to provide a Lab and some recyclers.

Clean Sep!

Capture at Graymun

Samdous: We have visual on the expansion module! Switching controls to station-side right now.

Samdous: Easy does it...

Samdous: Hard Dock confirmed!

Kimbles: Three Cheers for Science!

Meanwhile, the Munseeker 10 entered Derbin orbit, where it will wait in high orbit for a Dermun intercept.

Bill: This sample return craft has so much asparagus it should be illegal!

Wernher: Hey, if it works... actually it might not work. Seems a little 50/50 on this

Bob: Hey, it looks like fireworks!

Bill: Docked! Now that arrangement looks like an accident waiting to happen.

Bill: Oh no, it'll run out of fuel before it can slow down to dock with the station!

Val: Caught it!

Sigbur: Hey, you gotta thank me for adding that Junior port!

Val: Let's send this little guy home!

Val: Nailed it!

 

With that, a large amount of science had been acquired from Graymun including stones to fill the Mun Stone contract.

Now the R&D department could begin their work...

Finally, Munseeker 10 had arrived at Dermun. Ground control decided to attempt a risky landing on Dermun, which was not designed for the probe.

Jeb: Full throttle, slowing down...

Jeb: Oops. My bad.

Bobak: That was the worst thing you could have said when you just crashed a probe that had almost THREE THOUSAND m/s of delta vee!

Luckily, the probe was able to transmit its data through the Munseeker 9 relay around Dermun.

With that, Mission Control decided to try and slide the probe towards a ridge at the edge of the crater.

It didn't go very well.

 

 

 

Bill: Guess what time it is!

Bob: Oh you aren't fooling me, it's MSC meet and greet.

Bill: No you silly billy, it's TANKER TIME!

Bob: I hate you.

Well this time, it's a shipment of fuel to Graymun with the new Tanker LongRange variant!

The "skycrane" was detached properly this time, thanks to the seperatons!

The secret weapon of the LR variant is the detachable asparagus side boosters that were usually used for fuel storage.

Half a tank of fuel to Unity: Pathetic.

sorry this post being so long, i got carried away

[Watermel00n]

Samdous: Okay Crew, it's time to go home!

Lizgee: Aww.

Seetop: Finally!

Kimbles: Great, I can see my family again!

Gene: Nuh uh. You're staying here in the science lab. See, it says so on the paper you signed before going on this mission.

Kimbles: Huh- but when-

Samdous: Bye buddy! See you in a month or two!

Samdous: Hey mining kerbs, please fill up our fuel tanks.

Richnard: Nope.

Seetop: But it's according to our policy...

Richnard: Me, Dubus & Danbas and even Diner helped out to make this whole tank of fuel! It took us a whole month!

Lizgee: *pulls out knife* give us the fuel or else.

Seetop: Whoa, where'd you get that from?

Richnard: Okay, chill!

Samdous: Bye, thanks for all the fuel!

Richnard: You better be.

The Graymun Shuttle arrived at the Blunder Station where it was docked for a later mission.

In the meantime, the crew boarded an MSCV 2 and came back home safely.

 

 

 

 

Samdous: Hey Gene, we're back!

Linus: THE SCIENCE!

Mortimer: THE FUNDS!

Walt: THE REP!

Wernher: To celebrate, I made heated plutonium armrests for everyone!

 

Meanwhile on Unity Station...

Kimbles:  Hey, the locked drawer finally opened. Might as well take a look.

Kimbles: Oh my Moho, it's heated plutonium armrests! I take that back! I love the MSP now!

Edited February 29 by Watermel00n
typos

[Watermel00n]

Wernher: *crashes through the wall with his armoured tricycle* So about that Kerbmun Mission?

Gene: First of all, you can't just gatecrash our finance meeting. Second of all, it takes almost 6 km/s delta v!

Walt: That's more than I can count with my fingers!

Linus: I think I've had enough. I'm going home. Oops, my armrest.

Walt: You went and contaninated the MSC swimming pool! This is a PR disaster!

Gus: ...Huh.

Gene: What?

Gus: The water is getting hotter.

Gene: Hey, get out of the pool!

Wernher: I've had it! We need to build a spacecraft powered by armrests!

Jeb's Junkyard Guy: Oh, I have just the thing. *frantically searches through pocket* Here, it's the LV-N Nerv engine. 

Walt: I don't know who you are, but that looks cool. Here's a ham sandwich. Go get to work. 

Jeb's Junkyard Guy: Uh, ok. *scurries off*

Gene: Okay, it's Nerv barbeque time!

[Watermel00n]

Bill: Guess what time it is?

Bob: I'm not answering the question this time.

Bill: Oh come on, don't be such a spoilsport!

Jeb: It's probe time!

Bill: How did you know that...?

Munseeker 11 launches for the Supreme Statmun 4 Rally, hosted by the Kerbal Spaceflight Magazine. Those kerbs don't ever learn their lesson, do they?

It uses the new Munseeker Mega-Rally rocket which is built to have the longest range imaginable.

Statmun Flyby

Thresomin Flyby.

A final transfer burn to get to Derbin in about 3 weeks.

 

[Watermel00n]

Bill: Guess what time it is!

Bob: Probe time...

Munseeker 12 takes a speedy transfer to Derbin- arriving in just a week! It's almost a carbon copy of the Munseeker 7 Kerbmun lander except with a spare solar panel on the transfer stage.

See you later!

Delivery of a reaction wheel to the Graymun Shuttle.

Docked!