The Icarus Program (Chapter 16, Part 1)

[Drethon]

Chapter 14 Part 4

    This is Walter Kerman with breaking news. We have the Mun lander rescue rocket sitting on the pad, ready to depart but it has not left yet. Bob has given me a moment of his time to discuss the issue. Bob, why are we not launching right now?
    “A solar storm just arrived, targeted directly at Kerbin,” said Bob. “Unfortunately it has knocked our communication network offline, so we cannot communicate with the Mun lander probe to launch it, or to control it in flight.”
    Will this mean you are unable to rescue one or more of the stranded Kerbals?
    “No,” Bob shook his head. “The storm is forecast to last less than two more hours. This will delay the rescues but we have more than enough time to complete the operation.”
    With operations at a standstill, our crew was allowed to enter mission control. The wait strung out in mission control as the estimated time to the end of the solar storm continued to count down. As the time approached zero, connections sporadically came online with the communication probes. Five minutes before the predicted end of the storm, full connection was regained with all probes. At the predicted end of the storm, Gene approved launch and the rescue mission started again, and our crew was herded back out of mission control.
 
 

Edited November 22 by Drethon

[Drethon]

Chapter 14 Part 5
    This is Walter Kerman breaking in! We have a rocket failure!*
 
    The second rocket designated for a rescue in low Kerbin orbit has had some failure of the solid rocket booster and is spinning out of control. Even if the controllers can somehow regain control, maybe by separating the failed stage, the rocket would never reach orbit. Controllers seem to be agreeing that the general trajectory of the rocket takes it safely away from any buildings, so it will be left to fly as it is.

    And there it goes, the failed rocket has crashed into the surface and is lost. Fortunately extra rockets were produced just for this reason so Gene has already ordered the next rocket to be moved to the pad. An hour has been lost to the rescue mission, but Gene assures me it will not hamper operations to reach all of the stranded Kerbals.

    * OOC Kerbalism actually broke my rocket on launch, but it doesn’t look quite spectacular enough to just have a booster fizzle out.
 

[Drethon]

Chapter 14 Part 6
    The first rescue rocket is closing on a stranded Kerbal. We are told that Walt Kerman, the head of public relations, not this reporter, has convinced Gene to allow us to document the rescue operations from mission control. The rocket is burning hard to match velocities with the Kerbal so they can use their jetpack to reach the rocket. The burn has completed and we have reports that the rocket is in sight of the stranded craft!

    Tracking reports that the stranded Kerbal is making their way to the rescue rocket. There is a hush over mission control as everyone awaits contact with the Kerbin. We now see the Kerbal has reached the rocket.

    “Unknown Kerbal,” said Bobak into the comm. “This is the KSC, do you read us?”
    “KSC?” crackled the radio. “This isn’t Rockomax control?”
    “No,” responded Bobak. “This is the KSC on a rescue mission. Would you care to identify yourself?”
    “This is Jedrick,” said the Kerbal over the radio. “Pilot for the Rockomax corporation. KSC, your rocket is here to rescue me?”
    “Yes we are Jedrick,” said Bobak. “With conditions.”
    “Conditions?” asked Jedrick.
    “Yes,” said Bobak. “Please electronically sign the following contract for employment with the Icarus Program.”
    “Employment with the Icarus Program?” asked Jedrick. “I work for Rocomax.”
    “When will the Rocomax rescue rocket arrive?” asked Bobak.
    “Rocomax rescue rocket?” Jedrick sounded thoughtful. “I don’t think they have one, and I only have a couple days of air left.”
    “Plenty of air down here once you sign the contract and the Icarus Program rocket returns you to Kerbin,” said Bobak.
    “Um, this seems to be a lifetime contract,” said Jedrick.
    “That would not be too long if you do not sign the contract,” said Bobak.
    “Er… for science, for Icarus?” Jedrick’s digital signature was transmitted across and he boarded the rocket.
    “Please hold for a few minutes, Jedrick,” said Bobak. “We need to switch to control of another rescue interrupt. Then we will deorbit and recover your pod.”
    “Rodger KSC,” responded Jedrick.
    This reporter whispered to Bobak briefly while mission control maneuvered another rescue rocket, would you have actually left Jedrick in orbit?
    “Nope,” Bobak whispered back while covering his microphone. “But no one needs to tell them.”
    Over the next several hours the situation repeated itself three more times as rescue rockets picked up the stranded Ker, er, new recruits to the Icarus Program, and returned them to Kerbin. Over this time two more rockets burned Munward. One odd thing that happened was one final probe launched with no command pod attached. I asked Gene about this extra rocket.
    “We received a contract to fly by Minmus and return the rocket,” said Gene. “This can be done without a Kerbal on board to feed and water, so we are taking advantage of the comm network while it stays powered up.”
    There you have it. In addition to managing the hectic rescue schedule, the Icarus Program has managed to fit in a launch to complete a contract and bring back science from Minmus. Around six hours later the Mun recovery rockets arrived at the Mun. One rocket rendezvoused with the Kerbal in orbit, while the other landed to pick up the Kerbal stranded on the Mun. Both agreed to the contract with the Icarus Program and were returned to Kerbin hours later. Additions to the Icarus Program roster include the following Kerbalnauts:

Jedrick Kerman: Pilot.
Julul Kerman: Engineer.

Seaneny Kerman: Pilot.
Tanbree Kerman: Engineer.

 
Desgas Kerman: Pilot.
Glefal Kerman: Pilot.

    Several days later the Minmus probe returned from its flyby of Minmus. The mission earned World Firsts awards for the first Flyby of Minmus, Gathering of Scientific Data from Space above Minmus and Escape from Minmus. The probe returned with telemetry scans from space over Minmus and a radiation scan that found large amounts of radioactive material in Minmus crust.
    After the round the clock operations controlling the rescue fleet, Jebediah and Valentina are being given mandatory time off to recover before their next space mission. Reports from insiders at the KSC have said a large mission is being planned during Jebediah and Valentina’s time off.
Until next time, this was a Walter Kerman report.
 

Edited December 10 by Drethon
Spelling

[TwoCalories]

2 hours ago, Drethon said:

  “Er… for science, for Icarus?”

Is that a Kerbfleet reference?

[Drethon]

2 hours ago, TwoCalories said:

Is that a Kerbfleet reference?

I think "for science" has been around longer than Kerbfleet, but Kerbfleet definitely iconized it, so I'd say sort of yes.

[Drethon]

Chapter 14 Part 7

    “I wonder what they want us out here for,” Jedrick was walking with his former Rockmax Conglomerate and Goliath National Products crewmates. All of the Kerbalnauts were fully suited up. “Someone decide they don’t trust the Rockomax spies?”
    “Seems unlikely to me,” Seaneny said gently. “Surick is here too,” Seaneny waved vaguely in the direction of the Kerbal pilot that was walking slightly separated from the rest of the group. “She has been working with the Icarus Program for several months now. And Surick is the last person I can see doing something dishonorable like spying for another company.”
    “Surick is an odd one,” Julul stated firmly. “She would not go shopping with Glefal and myself when we were given our advance paycheck.”
    “Surick seems perfectly happy with the uniforms straight out of the stockroom,” Glefal shook her head. “Really though, these suits need some flair.”
    “Working in space has plenty of flair,” said Tanbree. “Not to mention a lot of danger. I would rather focus on the job like Surick.”
    “She may be rather straightlaced, but no one can fly like Surick can,” said Desgas. “There is a reason she is called Rhythm, I heard they are using her piloting to fine tune the MechJeb flight precision.”
    “Anyone who can out fly a computer is alright in my book,” Jedrick chuckled. “Though you don’t have to be a computer to fly like one. No one flew a tanker as steady as you did tank girl.” Jedrick nodded at Glefal who smiled back.
    “She had to fly steady so you could link up, shaky,”* Desgas winked at Jedrick.
    “Hey,” protested Jedrick. “My planes are only shaky in a thunderstorm. If I recall correctly you were a lot more than shaky in that storm.”
    “Even our own ducky is a pretty good pilot, for an engineer,” Glefal smiled at Tanbree.
    “Where did you get the name ducky,” asked Jedrick. “You don’t walk any more like a duck than the rest of us.”
    “Lazy Kerbals mostly,” sighed Tanbree with a shake of her head at Glefal. “My call sign is long distance duck, but no one ever uses my full call sign.”
    “Ducky had just finished refueling at a tanker when I had a low engine oil indicator,” said Glefal. “Ducky flew my wing all the way to touchdown, then she went around to land. She flamed out a quarter mile from the runway and made a safe dead stick landing. They called her long distance duck for stretching her tank out as far as she could.”
    “Nice,” Jedrick bumped Tanbree on the shoulder who blushed in return as the group walked around the corner of the hangar and came into view of the runway. At the sight of the runway arrayed out before him, Jedrick stumbled for a step and Desgas bumped into him.
    “Hey what…” Desgas started to speak when he saw the runway. “Oh wow!”

    Arrayed out before them were nine sleek looking jet aircraft, lined up in a perfect row facing toward the approaching Kerbals. Standing in front of the middle aircraft were Gene, Jebediah and Valentina.

    “Welcome new recruits,” Gene spoke as the group lined up in front of the three Kerbalnauts. “And not so new recruits,” Gene nodded with a smile at Surick who shrugged. “We called you out here today to correct an oversight.
    “You were all brought into the Icarus Program to be Kerbalnauts,” Gene stood at parade rest while he spoke. “While there will be enough missions for each of you to make multiple trips to space, your primary day to day activity will be building up the space program.
    “Each of you has unique skill sets that will be invaluable to the program,” Gene waved a hand over the assembled group. “Some of you will perform primarily as pilots and pass these skills onto future pilots. Some of you will design, build and work on current and future rockets. While others of you will perform scientific tasks to gather knowledge and understand how life in space affects Kerbals. Performing these missions will require significant travel.
    “Jebediah and Valentina entered the program with their own personal aircraft,” Gene nodded to the Kerbals flanking him. “However when Surick was recruited, she had to borrow aircraft or request passage on flights that did not always bring her where the work needed to be done.
    “This was terribly inefficient, so we have assembled a KT-38 aircraft for each of you,” the assembled Kerbals gasped as Gene indicated the row of aircraft with a wave. The Rockomax Conglomerate and Goliath National Products companies had required the Kerbals to finance their own transport for official business. None of them had ever had their own personal aircraft. “While these aircraft are Icarus Program property, each of you will be assigned your own aircraft. They will be used for travel on Icarus Program business, to allow you to maintain your flight proficiency, as well as for your own personal use.” Gene paused briefly before continuing with a crooked smile. “You will need to purchase your own fuel as the Icarus program fuel storage has been assigned for spaceflight use, however your paychecks will be sufficient to cover your fuel expenses.
    “So,” Gene returned to a parade rest stance, “Want to go for a test flight?”
    There was minor pandemonium as the Kerbals swarmed over the aircraft, looking at what name was painted under each cockpit. Even Surick was caught up in the excitement over the aircraft. Shortly each Kerbal found their assigned aircraft then strapped in and started the preflight checklist. Soon all of the aircraft were ready to fly.
    “OK pilots, takeoff by the numbers,” radioed Jebediah. “Party flight one is the first aircraft on the left and the numbers go up for each aircraft to the right. The runway is designed for heavy aircraft takeoff and landing, so no need to taxi to the end of the runway with these little birds. Party flight one, radio the tower for clearance and takeoff when ready.”

    Jedrick was the leftmost pilot so he acknowledged the order and switched to the tower frequency for takeoff. After taxiing to the runway and receiving clearance, Jedrick roared down the runway and lifted into the air, shortly followed by the other eight aircraft. The nine aircraft joined up into formation and flew low and slow over the KSC.
    Lizfal stood at the hangar door and looked up at the aircraft flying overhead. She enjoyed her schooling and the work with Bob, but she was rather envious of the Kerbalnaut recruits. She had two and a half years to go in her schooling, but one day she would graduate, and hopefully the Icarus Program would accept her as a Kerbalnaut.
    “Neat little planes aren’t they,” Bill drawled as he walked up beside Lizfal.

    “Yeah,” said Lizfal wistfully. “I bet strapping into one is just like putting on a glove.”

    “Let me show you something,” Bill waived Lizfal to follow him and then walked into the hanger. They walked over to a corner where an aircraft was partially assembled. “Next to a rocket these things don’t cost all that much, and we don’t have to worry about building a new one each mission.” Bil walked over to the nose of the aircraft and patted it just under the cockpit.

    Lizfal gasped when she looked where Bill’s hand was sitting. Underneath the cockpit was stenciled her name with a call sign of “Lab Rat”. “That…” Lizfal stammered.
    “You can’t take the Kerbalnaut exam until you graduate,” Bill grinned at Lizfal. “But there are no such restrictions for you to get a pilot’s license. And Bob said something about letting you fly out to our other facilities so he can focus on more important research work.”
    Lizfal could not even choke out a thanks as she stared at the aircraft that would become hers. Though after a minute she asked, “Lab rat?”.
    “Blame Surick,” said Bill with a chuckle. “During your KV-2 test she commented the two of you were just lab rats in a ball. The scientists monitoring you started referring to you as lab rat after that.”
    Lizfal shook her head, “Could be worse I suppose.”
    “After some of your landings during the KV-1 test, a few people called you big stall as it rhymes with your name,” said Bill with a broad grin.
    Lizfal shuddered, “Lab rat is good.”
 

OOC: As I was writing this up I realized since I was using "non space rated" airplanes, meaning I had not actually unlocked these parts, but who goes to space before airplanes, I got the screenshots from sandbox mode which has all buildings fully upgraded.  I may get the time at some point to fix these images to show the correct runway, will probably need some save game hacking, but for now, just ignore the fact that the Icarus program hasn't actually upgraded the runway yet. 

Edit: The reference ended up in the wrong place.

    * Jim Lovell was nicknamed shaky by Pete Conrad: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Lovell.
 

End of Chapter 14.

Edited December 1 by Drethon

[Drethon]

Chapter 15
 

    “Good work by all of you on the rescue missions,” Gene opened with after Jebediah arrived. “Six for six on rescued Kerbals, and we have a new group of Kerbalnauts for future missions. While the congratulations are important enough in itself, I brought you all here to discuss one of those future missions.”
    Gene brought up a contract on the display. “Reaction Systems Ltd  is asking us to send a Kerbal to space for at least thirty days.”

    “Surick and Lizfal handled being locked in a KV-2 pod for fifteen days without issue,” said Bob. “With appropriate supplies, it would not cost much to keep a similar pod in space for thirty days.”
    “A Kerbalnaut might not go crazy after thirty days in a pea pod,” said Valentina. “But I still would not want to do it. My twenty eight day quarantine in the hitchhiker was fairly comfortable. I think thirty days in space in a hitchhiker with a companion would be ideal.”
    “Comfort costs more,” said Mortimer. “A thirty day mission with just a KV-2 pod would be the most profitable.”
    “The KV-2 pod does not have much room for science,” said Gene. “The hitchhiker would allow for more science equipment to be used during the mission.”
    “A medium term space station built around a hitchhiker could stay up in space longer,” said Bob. “We could continue performing science experiments long beyond the thirty days required by the contract.”
    “What about power for a longer mission?” asked Gene. “We were pushing the fuel cells to their limit for the fifteen day ground pod tests.”
    “That is right, I almost forgot,” said Bob. “With Linus’ help I produced a prototype set of solar panels. They will need an engineer to maintain liquid cooling, but with enough time to monitor the operation of these prototypes, I believe we can produce no maintenance solar panels for future rockets.”*
    “I like it,” said Gene. “The longer we can keep the mission going, the more data we can gather in plans for long term stations.”
    “Sure,” muttered Mortimer. “Ignore the finance officer and do whatever you want.”
    “Given the mission will now last longer than thirty days,” Gene opened up the crew roster. “I propose the station mission be performed by new recruits, so Valentina and Jebediah are available for other missions.”

    “I second that!” exclaimed Jebediah. “Send me to the Mun, not months orbiting Kerbin!”
    “The mission should include one engineer and one scientist,” said Bob. “The engineer can practice in space maintenance and the scientist can study the long term effects of space travel on Kerbals.”
    “I concur,” said Gene. “However the only scientist recruit we have is Lizfal, and it will be a few years before she graduates and can take the Kerbalnaut qualification test. We should see if any of the new recruits have an overlooked science background.” Gene took some notes. “So what will this station look like?”
    “Well the top stage will be based around the hitchhiker,” said Bill. “It will also need a command pod for flight control and a small engine to return our Kerbals. Then we will need enough rockets to boost the station into space. Something based on an Arethusa class B should work.”
    “The hitchhiker is a large component,” said Gus, wandering in on the conversation. “It will take two weeks for us to assemble the rocket. This will be after we finish rebuilding our fleet of rescue rockets.”
    “The hitchhiker is the one large component on the rocket,” complained Gene. “It will still take two weeks?”
    “Our contract states anything with large parts takes double the time of a small rocket,” responded Gus.
    “Fine,” said Gene. “Let’s start putting this thing together.”

    * Yeah, does not actually exist in KSP.  Somehow I wrote this chapter with solar panels being unlocked a couple chapters in the future.  Not sure how that happened, so the story will be adapted to make this work.  Oops.

 

[Drethon]

Chapter 15 - Part 2

    “Ready to fly Lizfal?” Surick asked as Lizfal was checking out the aircraft. Lizfal still could not get over being assigned her own KT-38. Surick had previously test flown the aircraft to make sure everything operated properly, now Lizfal was checking the aircraft over for her first flight. Lizfal had inspected the aircraft for any damage or debris, ensured all ports were clear, all fluids were at the proper levels, and kicked the tires.
    “Ready and able Surick!” exclaimed Lizfal, then continued more quietly. “If I may ask, why are you taking me on a training flight after Jeb flew me on a training flight previously. Not that I don’t want to fly with you, but what was missed on my previous training flight with Jeb?”
    “A reasonable question Lizfal,” Surick smiled softly. “You performed quite well under stressful conditions with Jebediah. Yet except for special circumstances, a successful flight will be a boring flight. I expect this flight to be particularly boring, and for you to perform each stage of the flight on your own, without fail.”
    “So no go-arounds,” Lizfal hung her head slightly, remembering how she had to make two landing approaches on her last flight.
    “A go-around is not a failure,” said Surick sternly. “A pilot can fall behind the aircraft during a landing and a good pilot will correct this by going around and not forcing a bad landing. However an experienced pilot will be prepared for whatever may happen while flying and not fall behind the aircraft. Training flights are to give you the experience necessary to be a good pilot so you can know what options you have to ensure a successful landing, and when you have exhausted all safe alternatives and must go-around.”

    Lizfal nodded and they boarded the aircraft. After following the proper procedures, Lizfal lifted off from the KSC runway, heading for the island airport.

    “What research are you working on with Bob?” asked Surick as they reached cruising altitude. “I heard part of the reason for this flight is to check on some experiment?”
    “Yeah!” Lizfal’s eyes were bright. “I have been helping Bob adapt some seismometers for use in vacuum.”
    “Seismometers are used for measuring Kerbinquakes, correct?” asked Surick.
    “Exactly!” smiled Lizfal.
    “Interesting science,” mused Surick. “However I do not see how this can help with spaceflight.”
    “Space expiration is not just about flight,” said Lizfal as she adjusted the trim on the aircraft. “We also will be establishing mining platforms, and eventually bases on the moons and other planets. Understanding the tectonic behaviors will help with locating the best sites for mining, as well as building bases to handle any stresses from sitting on the surface of a remote world.”
    “Ah I see,” said Surick. “Also did you notice you passed the next waypoint approximately a minute ago?”
    “No I didn’t,” Lizfal’s mouth was suddenly dry at the thought of making a mistake. “The flight plan shows we will fly over the next waypoint in two minutes.”
    “Perfect,” Surick smiled gently. “You are paying close enough attention despite the discussion that I could not trip you up.”
    Lizfal sagged with relief. This was not a mistake, Surick was just testing her. The flight continued without incident to the Island Airport. The tower cleared Lizfal and she made her approach for the runway. She carefully followed the descent path and reached to lower the gear when Surick spoke up.

    “Do you notice anything with your landing approach?” asked Surick.
    Lizfal lowered the landing gear before she stopped and thought about the approach. “Nothing important that I can think of. I have clearance from the tower, I’ve performed every step of the approach and am ready to touch down.”
    “Your approach is comfortably within tolerance,” said Surick. “However, look further down the runway.”

    Lizfal had been focused on her touchdown point, now she looked further down the runway and realized what Surick was trying to bring her attention to. A deer was standing about half way down the runway. If she stopped rapidly, she could avoid hitting the deer, but she decided it was not worth the risk. Lizfal raised the landing gear and pushed the throttle forward to perform a go around. With the airplane safely climbing away from the ground she keyed the radio.
    “Island, tower this is Kilo-Lima-two-five-Sierra-Charlie performing a go around,” said Lizfal. “The runway is obstructed by local wildlife, request instructions.”
    “Kilo-Lima-two-five-Sierra-Charly, copy runway obstruction by local wildlife.” the tower responded over the radio. “Climb and maintain one thousand feet, turn left heading two seven zero and proceed to ALDEN. Hold at one thousand feet at ALDEN and expect further instructions in five minutes.”
    “Climbing to one thousand feet, left turn heading two seven zero to hold at ALDEN, Kilo-Lima-two-five-Sierra-Charlie,” Lizfal turned to follow the flight path and turned off the radio. “I’m sorry, I was so focused on making a perfect landing and thought the tower would tell me if there was a runway obstruction.”
    “The tower does not always catch everything, you need to do what you can to clear your flight path,” said Surick. “Do not be sorry however. Your response once the obstruction was pointed out to you was perfect. You ensured the aircraft reached a safe flight path before you discussed the situation with me. The runway obstruction is an unexpected scenario for you to experience and learn from. Use this experience to understand to look for unexpected obstructions in the future, as well as understanding you have to plan for the unexpected.”
    “Yes ma’am,” said Lizfal. “Thank you ma'am”
    

OOC: Yeah, I know the Island Airport is not really as far enough away to need a cruising altitude, but I don’t really have an appropriate target airport in stock KSP.

 

[Drethon]

Chapter 15 Part 3

    This is Walter Kerman reporting. Today we are not sending Kerbals further into unexplored space, but longer. Sitting on the pad is the first space station destined for space, the Kerbal Space Station Ranger. The station is designed to house two of the Icarus Program’s recently recruited Kerbals, Seaneny a pilot and Julul an engineer, for greater than 30 days.
    Seaneny has a rare background among pilots, he received a doctorate of medicine from North Station One Medical School.* His education was furthered by attending the Kerbin Navy’s School of Aviation Medicine, which resulted in Seaneny earning his wings and gaining a position of naval flight surgeon with Goliath National Products. He will apply his knowledge of medicine, and its application to pilots in particular, to studying the impact of radiation and microgravity on Kerbal physiology during long missions. Additionally Seaneny will pilot the mission and operate other science equipment on the KSS Ranger.
    Julul received a graduate degree in aeronautical engineering through Kenn State’s Naval KOTC program.** She operated and maintained aircraft on the Kerbin Navy’s naval landing platforms. Julul is an expert in aerospace equipment, and will be responsible for developing zero g maintenance procedures.

    The countdown expires and the first Kerbin space station rockets off the ground. What it must be like to know you will be living and working in space for such a long period of time.
    Until next time, this was a Walter Kerman report.
 

[Mr. Kerbin]

3 hours ago, Drethon said:

The countdown expires and the first Kerbin space station rockets off the ground. What it must be like to know you will be living and working in space for such a long period of time.

Oooh. Now space stations are in the mix too?

This just got more interesting.

I also like the expansion of Lizfal’s story.

Edited December 8 by Mr. Kerbin

[Drethon]

On 12/8/2024 at 4:48 PM, Mr. Kerbin said:

Oooh. Now space stations are in the mix too?

This just got more interesting.

I also like the expansion of Lizfal’s story.

Glad you like it (sorry for the late response, every time I think to post a response, the forums are down, and when they come up I forget...). In the next section, planned on on Thursday, we will see more from our station occupants as they try to begin their mission in orbit. This station is experimental and only has supplies for a few chapters, but once enough science is unlocked for more permeant stations, the Kerbalnauts will have to deal with long term missions in space. In the next couple chapters we will have snippets from four newer characters, introducing their personalities, and starting in chapter 18 our new Kerbals will start commanding missions alongside our experienced crew, and getting into their own interesting situations.

[Drethon]

Chapter 15 Part 4
 
    “Mission control,” Julul’s voice crackled over the radio. “Orbit circularization complete. Our first station is deployed!”
    “Rodger orbit circularized, Ranger,” responded Bobak. “Mission well done Seaneny and Julul.”
    “Flight, EECOM,” The EECOM Patlan’s voice could be heard above the low drone of noise in mission control. “I’m seeing higher than expected power draw from the cooling systems. In spite of this the hitchhiker temperature seems to be creeping up.”***
    “CAPCOM,” said Gene. “Is the crew noticing the temperature increase?”
    “Ranger, this is mission control,” Bobak called over the radio. “We are seeing an increase in temperature in the hitchhiker. Are you experiencing the same thing?”
    “Mission control, copy you are seeing a temperature increase,” Julul’s voice was heard over the speakers. “Moving to the hitchhiker to check out the situation.” Silence was heard for a couple minutes before Julul’s voice was heard again. “Mission control, this is the Ranger. Things are definitely warmer than expected in here. It is not too hot yet but any higher temperatures could be hard to live with.”
    “Mission control copies higher temperatures,” Bobak looked at Gene who held up a finger. “Wait one Ranger.”
    Bob and Bill hurried over to talk with Gene and Patlan. “Increasing hitchhiker temperatures, more heat than the cooling system can handle?” Gene asked Patlan who nodded back. Gene looked at Bill and Bob “Causes?”
    “The micrometeorite shield,” said Bill.
    Bob nodded. “If the micrometeorite shield was torn off by aerodynamic forces during the launch, the hitchhiker will be exposed fully to Kerbol’s heating.”
    “Is this a mission abort scenario?” asked Gene.
    Bill waggled his hand side to side. “Partially. If we cannot come up with a repair the hitchhiker will become uninhabitable after a couple days. Julul and Seaneny could continue the mission in the pea pod, but the hitchhiker science will be abandoned.”
    “The soonest we can get a repair mission up to the station will be a week from now,” said Gene. “They will have to stay in the KV-2 at least until then.” Bill and Bob nodded in response and Gene nodded to Bobak.
    “Ranger, this is mission control,” said Bobak. “The consensus here is the hitchhiker will become too hot to live in after a couple of days, you will have to move what science you can to the KV-2 and wait there for a repair mission to be sent up to you.”
    “Ranger copies evacuation to the KV-2,” said Julul. “What kind of repair is needed to fix the excess heat?”
    Bill and Bob consulted with Bobak for a few minutes before Bobak communicated back to the Ranger. “Ranger, the plan is to create a heat shield blanket, possibly constructed as a parasol to provide easy deployment over the damaged section.”
    “Mission control, this is Ranger,” said Julul’s voice. “I brought a sun parasol up in my luggage.”
    Bob leaned into Bobak’s microphone. “Julul why do you have a sun parasol up in space where you will be spending all of your time inside.”
    “Bob, there are no clouds up here,” said Julul’s voice very patiently. “The sunburns from spacewalks or even just the light coming in the window could be severe.”
    “I… but… never mind,” said Bob, shaking his head.
    “Could we use this sun parasol to fix the Ranger?” asked Gene.
    Bob sighed and sat down next to Bobak’s station, grabbing a headset. “Julul, is this a shade parasol, or is it reflective?”
    “Reflective of course,” responded Julul’s voice. “I don’t want my skin exposed to even filtered sun for an extended period of time.”
    “How large is the parasol?” asked Bob.
    “A bit over two meters,” responded Julul’s voice.
    Bob looked over at Gene. “Could work, depends on the damage.”
    “Well they had better take a look,” Gene looked over at Bobak.
    “Ranger this is mission control,” Bobak called out over the radio. “Please suit up for a spacewalk to check out the damage.”
    “Bring the parasol with you,” Bob said into his microphone.

    A few minutes later the Ranger crew was in space around the hitchhiker module.
    “Mission control this is the Ranger,” Julul’s voice filtered into mission control. “It looks like about a little over one and a half meter wide portion of the heat shield was torn away. It took a row of solar panels and batteries along with it.”
    “Is the missing section small enough to be covered by the parasol?” asked Bob.
    “Absolutely,” reported Julul’s voice.
    “OK Julul, please attach the parasol so it can shade the damaged portion of the Ranger,” ordered Bob. “The loss of solar panels and batteries is a concern, but we should be able to adapt electric use to our new capacity.”
    “Attaching the parasol, mission control,” Julul’s voice sounded a bit put upon. “I will have to shorten the handle a bit with a hacksaw to mount tightly to the damaged section. Gene, you owe me a new parasol.”
    Gene gave a gimme wave at Bob, who handed over his headset. “Julul, we will buy you any replacement parasol you desire with some of the funds from completing the thirty day in space mission.”
    “Thanks Gene!” Julul’s voice was jubilant. After a few minutes Julul and Seaneny reentered the hitchhiker.
    “Cooling systems are drawing less power Gene,” relief could be heard in Patlan’s voice. “Temperatures are no longer rising, and I expect them to return to normal over the next day.”
    “Excellent,” said Gene. “Any other issues to deal with?” Gene glanced around the assembled flight controllers, all of whom shook their heads. “Back to normal operations then.”
    “Ranger, this is mission control,” Bobak communicated with some satisfaction. “You are clear to return to your normal schedule. Good work up there.”
    “Rodger mission control, Ranger is going to normal schedule” Julul’s voice sounded satisfied. “Thanks for the help!”

    Julul Chronicles - Year 2 Day 131
    Temperatures have fallen back to a comfortable range over the past couple of days. The Ranger seems to be operating quite well despite the damage suffered during the launch. Power is still insufficient. We have to shut down experiments during the “night”, and the air circulation shuts off about a half hour before sunrise. Seaneny is comfortable with the lack of air circulation for a half hour given the volume of air within the hitchhiker, and Bill is confident the air circulation can keep up with filtering the air if it is only off for a half hour each day. Eventually experiments will begin to complete and we will be able to run air circulation six-seven.
    Station maintenance is going fairly well in the microgravity conditions. Tools I would normally have good leverage with on Kerbin are more difficult to use when I have to find some way to anchor myself. I have some thoughts on modification to tools that can self anchor, as well as improved anchors within the station so I can anchor myself with my feet, leaving both hands free to use tools. With a few improvements, maintaining a station over the long term will not be all that difficult.
- Julul

    Seaneny Chronicles - Year 2 Day 135
    Really good work by Julul and mission control to rig together a contraption to fix the overheating of the hitchhiker. We would have lost a lot of our science experiments if we were restricted to the pea pod. Additionally the pod is a far more contained space, so we would have learned much less about living in space if we could not use the hitchhiker.
    Radiation levels up here are notably higher than at sea level on Kerbin. No immediate risk of life from the radiation levels, but anyone who remains in space long term at these levels will have an increased risk of cancer later in life. More shielding will be a necessity for longer space missions. My primary focus throughout this mission will be exploring ways we can reduce, or even better, heal this radiation exposure. I have a few ideas I want to experiment with, using combinations of the mystery goo and experimental materials.
    Both Julul and I seem to be adapting quickly to being in space. The initial nausea of microgravity is going away the longer we stay here. Sleeping is getting better. The constant feeling of falling caused serious interruptions to our sleep schedules, but that is causing less problems the longer we are up here. Overall it seems that Kerbals can handle living in space quite well.
- Seaneny

* Seaneny’s background is roughly based on Joseph Kerwin, medical scientist aboard the Skylab 2 mission. https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/kerwin_joseph_0.pdf?emrc=b318a1?emrc=b318a1.
** Julul’s background is roughly based on Paul Weitz, the pilot on the Skylab 2 mission, the first crewed flight to Skylab. Her personality… is likely somewhat different. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_J._Weitz.
*** A much less serious version of repair of the damaged meteor shield on the Skylab. https://www.nasa.gov/image-article/reparing-skylab/.

 

End of Chapter 15.

[Drethon]

Chapter 16
 
    Bob and Gene were in deep discussion as Jebediah walked into mission control.
    “Am I going to the Mun today?” interrupted Jebediah.
    “Yes Jeb,” responded Gene. “You and Bob are going to the Mun today.”
    “Woohoo!” exclaimed Jebediah, punching a fist into the air. “So I get to fly a pea to the Mun?”
    “Yes Jeb,” said Bob. “We will be riding in a KV-2 reentry module”
    “You will be riding,” winked Jebediah. “I’ll be flying.”
    “Between the flying you both have a contract to complete,” Gene opened up information on the Mun contract. “We are being asked to plant a flag on the Mun. Additionally after you landed in a Midlands Crater on your last mission, Jeb, we would like you to actually land in the Lowlands on this flight.”
    “Sure!” said Jeb. “I’m pretty sure there are no other friendly craters to land in anyway.”
    “OK,” said Gene. “Let’s get this mission started.”

    This is Walter Kerman reporting. Today Jebediah and Bob suit up to return to the Mun. They will be flying in the Arethusa class D rocket that Bob so famously used to rescue Jebediah from the Mun. Bob told me that this mission is specifically targeted at gathering data that will be used to design the new Arethusa class E rocket. The class E will include a more stable lander with separate descent and ascent engines to help to avoid a Kerbalnaut being stranded on the Mun like Jebediah was. Jebediah plans very careful piloting to land on the Mun and gather the science necessary to make future flights safer.
 
    Rocket engines roar and propel Jebediah and Bob upward and back toward the Mun once again.
    Until next time, this was a Walter Kerman report.