United Space Flight Agency - Mun Flybys, Docking, and a F.O.O.P.E with a purpose

[B0lt]

After the grand  launchadous, the Kerbal economy was in disrepair and dozens of Kerbals are trapped in space. The Kerbin National Government decided to ban space flight. But a few Kerbals from multiple fallen space agencies decided to unite and create a new agency . Will this agency revive Kerbalkinds dream for space flight? Or will it fall down like all the rest?  Guess we'll to find out :                

 United Space Flight Agency

This save decides to combine a similar photography style of @Kerbalsaurus 's beyond horizons (You should check it out it is awesome and a huge inspiration) and the goal of turning interstellar travel into the norm in a 1.5 rescaled universe. The main mods ill be using for this is Kerbal construction time, USI life support, MKS, Unkerballed start and a few more to make this a bit harder 

 

 

Edited November 27 by B0lt
Another post is up!

[B0lt]

Chapter 1: A rocky start 

 

On the first day of the new program the engineers brought out a new probe that they named stayputnik it was a simple test to make sure all systems are working well

A few hours later the same stayputnik probe was then strapped on using a flea solid rocket booster and was launched one day later.

The ignition was successful but one minute after the flight the probe ran out of battery and crashed a few kilometers away from the ksc causing a pr crisis. Fortunately, Walt Kerman (public relations) was able to point out that the rocket ban technically only banned having kerbals on rockets not computers saving the USFA.
 

Spoiler

The stayputnik on the launch pad 

Stayputnik in flight

 

 

Day 5 
    Walt kerman announced the phoenix program which planned on proving to the United Kerbin Government that the USFA was a viable space program and a worthy investment 
 

Day 12
    Government officials gathered around some stands to watch the phoenix 1 launch. One minute later the phoenix 1 crashed a few kilometers away from the ksc. This time telemetry, thermal, and atmospheric data was transmitted back to the ksc along with a picture of the ksc a few minutes before impact. Overall, the mission was a success in proving the USFA's competence in constructing small sounding rockets but the united kerbal government (UKG for short) was yet to be convinced 

Spoiler

Pheonix 1 on the launch pad.

Picture recovered of the ksc from the Phoenix 1's impact 

Day 36 
    After a lot of hard work the USFA has prepared the Phoenix 2 a liquid fuel and (hopefully) recoverable rocket to once again attempt to prove to the UKG that the USFA is a viable space agency and some of the benefits of spaceflight. Right after ignition the phoenix 2 started pitching down. The engine had to forcefully be shutdown before the rocket ended up accelerating into the ground then the two drogue parachutes where deployed successfully showing that the phoenix 2 was a recoverable vessel. But because of the fact that the phoenix 2 didn't fly anywhere close to space (which is 140,000km because i doubled size of the kerbol solar system) the UKG was not convinced and changed nothing leaving the USFA to continue to tread on thin ice

Spoiler

The Pheonix 2 on the launch pad

Ignition!! 

Image transmitted after a successful landing

 

[B0lt]

Chapter 2- Wobbly rocket woes

Day 65
    After reviewing the design of the phoenix 2 engineers realised the offset center of mass was causing this rocket tilt. After alot of thinking a new design was selected. The new design simply featured a rocket engine that can gimbal. The rocket successfully ignited but still ended up tipping over. 
 

Spoiler

Revised Pheonix 2

In flight

Day 66 
    In an act of desperation two srb's were connected to the recovered phoenix 2 rocket. Once again it tilted early into the flight.

Spoiler

Pheonix 2 heavy on the pad

In flight

Day 76
    The phoenix 3 Stood on the launch pad and launched successfully but still ended up tipping over and crashing only being able to transmit temperature data

Spoiler

Pheonix 3

In flight

 

Edited September 10 by B0lt

[B0lt]

Chapter 3 - Things are looking up!

The USFA desperate to get into space decided to listen to anyones rocket concepts so in stepped intern wverner vaun kerman. He proposed the Heracles program.

Day 100
    The Heracles 1 stood on the launch pad. The mission control ertuped in cheers as the heracles 1 reached an altitude that no other rocket has before (roughly 25km. The rocket ran out of battery before the parachutes could deploy. Despite the crash Wernher von Kerman was immediately promoted.

Spoiler

Heracles 1 on the launchpad

Take off!!! And Distant object enhancement getting in the way

Day 164
    Just as the sun rose the hercacles 2 was ready for launch. It almost broke the atmosphere reaching 70km (for refrence 1.5 rescaled kerbings atmosphere is 105km). It ended up splashing down and the temperature and pressure data was recovered. 
 

Spoiler

Heracles 2 on the launchpad 

Wonderous takeoff! But of course Doe has to get in the way again (D'oh)

Image transmitted from the booster as the second take flew off (don't ask how this happened with a film camera just appreciate the beauty of it) 

Nose camera showing the probe getting toasty

Quick picture snapped right before splash down

Day 175
    USFA history was just made with the second launch of the heracles II the probe went out of the atmosphere and transmitted back the first pictures of space and temperature and pressure data. This flight discovered that even though space is closer to the sun it doesn't get hotter leaving alot of scientist's in a frenzy. Unfortunately the vessel burnt up on re entry still this success is monumental for not just the USFA but the scientific industry as a whole. Though now the USFA will take a break to improve their technologies in preparation for orbital flight

Spoiler

The same as last time (But doe keeps on getting in the way  >:( 

Thunderous takeoff!

Nose cam as booster seperate

Nose cam as first stage seperates

Some kerbin clouds captured from the front camera. I think its time for some colored pictures

One last view from the nose camera before the battery runs out.

 

[B0lt]

In partnership with the Kerbin Star Watching Club the USFA is proud to present the new USFA Observatory and with this the Find Out if Other Planets Exist (FOOPE) program. This will put most rocketry construction to a halt for a while 

[B0lt]

Chapter 4- The greatest feats yet

 

Day 248 After a lot of hard work and inventing new technologies for this  flight. The mighty Heracles 3 stood on the launch pad. And 7 minutes into the flight the on board computer transmitted that the orbital insertion was successful and history was made. With the antenna extended the probe started transmitting temperature data, temperature and a message stating that the USFA was the best and was here to stay .

Spoiler

Heracles III in all its glory. The photography department went and bought a much better camera for this flight. Unfortunately, due to the movement of budget, this means taco Tuesday will no longer exist.

Liftoff!  The shorter Kerbals were flung from the sheer force of the lift off

Lovley booster sep

Main stage seperation

Orbital insertion burn (Burn baby burn)

Now for a but ton of pictures captured and transmitted from the heracles III probe now named the CubeSat

Bye bye second stage

The mun

Kerbin from 400, 000m up

A few days public outcry forced the UKG to announce their partner ship with the USFA. In this partnership putting Kerbals in space is the goal

Day 259 The first brave kerbonauts were selected, Jebediah kerman,  Valentina Kerman, Bob Kerman, Bill Kerbin will be the pioneers of kerbaled spaceflight

Day 265 
    Early in the morning an inline cockpit with jebediah inside  was drilled onto a hammer srb. The goal of this flight will be to replicate the effects of an actual rocket launch. The flight was successful and also set a new G-force tolerance record of 6 g's. Though Jeb did end up doing an intensive belly flop maneuver to shave of speed. All in all this flight proved Kerbals resilience and Jebs potential insanity 

Spoiler

The vomit comet as it was later named

These hammer boosters are strong

Jeb snuck a coloured film camera onboard and snapped some nifty pics

So close to space

Landed on the side 

 

Edited September 14 by B0lt

[Mr. Kerbin]

Nice. What mod are you using for clouds?

[B0lt]

Glad your enjoying. I am currently using AVP's 8k textures but I am planning on switching to volumetric clouds a soon as I can

[B0lt]

Chapter 5 - Orbital Shenanigans

Day 282 
    A new stronger launch pad was made in preparation for future missions 

Day 282
    A modified version of the Heracles III now with "hammer" Srbs (aptly named the Hearcles III/H) is sporting a CubeSat with the goal of returning a sample from space. Going supersonic before 5km shocked the bystanders just continuing to prove the USFA's superiority. 7 Minutes and 40 seconds into the flight orbit was confirmed. One day later, the re-entry burn started. At 1 Day 2 Hours and 23Minutes the first ever object from orbit was recovered.

Spoiler

Heracles III/H on the launchpad. 

Wonderful lift-off!  The camera crew had to wear sunglasses due to the brightness of the plume

 Booster sep. The upgraded version now has colored imaging

Bye bye first stage

Spoiler

Look at the wonderful second stage!

Bye bye second stage

Spoiler

New wallpaper

 A picture taken of the CubeSat during re-entry (Credit Alexander Kerman)

   Day 313
    Another Heracles III/H ready to carry another CubeSat this time with a mystery goo with the goal of another orbital recovery and studying the goo without the effect of gravity. 5m 26s orbit confirmed. 7 days 2 hours and 42 minutes into the mission the vessel confirmed touchdown

Spoiler

Heracles III/H on the new launchpad

Camera crew moved further away so they won't get blinded

Bye Bye first stage

Bye Bye second stage

Image taken by recovery crew of the CubeSat

Day 321 
    Valentina Kerman was strapped on the vomit commet. Her flight reached an apoapsis of 59km and she sustained 7g forces beat Jebediah. In an attempt to beat Jeb she also did the belly flop maneuver.

Spoiler

Vomit comet on the launchpad

Liftoff!

Valentina took a picture of the moon near the atmosphere

Spoiler

CAREFUL WITH TIMEWARPING WHEN PARACHUTES ARE DEPLOYED OR THIS CAN HAPPEN!!!

"So close to space yet so far"-Valentina Kerman

Picture of the successful parachute deployment for the booster  

 

[B0lt]

Chapter 6- Kerbal In orbit

Year 2 Day 10
    To celebrate the new year another CubeSat with once again the goal of orbital recovery. But in an attempt to continue to keep public interest, this CubeSat was going to set an altitude record. Which was successful. The CubeSat was placed into a 524Km x 122Km orbit. 69 days 2 hours and 32 minutes in the mission the CubeSat was recovered setting the record for the object that stayed in space then returned back to Kerbin

Spoiler

Heracles III/H on the launchpad

This shot never gets old!

The Heracles III/H has an odd quirk of its Hammer srbs exploding right after separation and fortunately the cameras managed to capture this!

 

Bye Bye first stage

 

Year 2 Day 17
    Another Heracles III/H (Nicknamed the 'ol reliable by the engineers) loaded with (You guessed it!) a CubeSat but with a few modifications for better communications. The goal of the flight is to attempt to create wireless communication between two different posts. If this flight is successful a wireless communication network could be created connect all Kerbalkind with ease. But after noticing the fact that there was fuel left in the second stage. After consulting with some of the flight crew, the mission plan was changed to setting a new orbital altitude. In the end it reached an orbit of 1,908km x 1,712km.
 

Spoiler

Heracles III/H on the launchpad 

Lovley ignition

The most metal booster separation known to Kerbalkind

Bye Bye First stage

Lovely view

Spoiler

A view that ksp2 is jealous of

 

Year 2 Day 79
    After a lot of planning, the first flight in the viator program which will put kerbals in orbit and beyond was ready. The vessel (of course being) the Heracles III/H this time carrying the Viator payload, inside that payload is Jedediah Kerman who (Hopefully) will be the first kerbal to go to space and return. 18 minutes into the flight an orbit of 168km x 125km orbit. Jeb was allowed to unbuckle and record the effects of of being in orbit. The effect included the ability to float which broke scientist's understanding of space. 1 day and 2 hours later the recovery antenna displayed that the vessel had landed successfully

Spoiler

Still a Heracles III/H but this time with a launch tower

Lovley igniton

Even Jeb apporves

An image testing out the periscope

Jeb playing with the Periscope

A hero to Kerbals all over Kerbin 

      

[B0lt]

End of one program, start of another.

Year 2 day 80 

  Today marks the end of the Find Out if Other Planets Exist (FOOPE). Though the program didn't find out if other planets exist, substantial evidence points to Kerbin not being the lonely planet Kerbals thought it was. Unfortunately, due to budgetary issues, extending this program is not a viable option. (Research bodies contracts suck)

Year day 81

   Today, Walt Kerman introduced the Selene program, which plans to send unkerballed probes to the mun in hopes of landing on it and setting infrastructure for a Kerballed mun launch

This is the 3 phase plan in more detail:  
 

 

Phase 1 a fly by of the mun

Phase 2 Mun orbiters

Phase 3: Mun landings 

Edited September 21 by B0lt

[Vanamonde]

Illustrations by Pixar. 

[RedAl1en1]

Edited September 20 by RedAl1en1

[B0lt]

4 hours ago, Vanamonde said:

Illustrations by Pixar. 

Unfortunately, due to budgetary constraints, the graphics department doesn't have the resources to do any better 

[B0lt]

Year 2 Day 84
    Even though Valentina wasn't the first to ride the Viator, she would be the first female Kerbal to go to space (and by extension in orbit) the only thing she had to say about it was "Take that jeb!"
    5 minutes and 40 seconds an orbit of 120,055m x 112,246m  was confirmed. Valentina will now stay in orbit for 6 days to test prolonged exposure to zero g's fortunately the "onion" re-entry capsule is quite roomy. 3days 14minutes, mission control decided that there was enough delta V in the Viator to go into a higher orbit of  352,020m x 281, 563m orbit. Day 6 hour 7 minute 16 Valentina was cleared for re-entry. Day 6 hour 8 minute 14 splashdown was confirmed.
 

Spoiler

The Heracles Blok 2 (this one has extended first and second stages)

Booster sep

Good bye first stage 

And now for pictures taken from the periscope

 

Year 2 Day 91 
    One hour after Valentina's historic flight the first Selene probe (Which is really just a glorified CubeSat) was readied on the launch pad. 1 minute into the flight the rocket starting to tip over sending mission control into a frenzy. Quickly Gene Kerman (Guidance Officer) realised that the faring is too heavy and quickly sent a command to separate it saving the flight. 5 minutes 5 seconds orbit was confirmed. 51 minutes Trans Munar Injection (TMI) Starts. Roughly 1 minute later TMI is confirmed. 1 Day 2 hours and 32 minutes into the flight the first pictures of the Mun started being received. 

Spoiler

The Heracles Blok 1.5 (Only the second stage is extended for this one

Ignition!

A larger explosion during the booster sep

Bye Bye first stage

And now for the pictures transmitted while near the Mun

"Thats alot of craters" 

Here Kerbin too!

Kinda looks like the death star 

Year 2 day 93 
    The FOOPE program is back! 

year 2 day 98
    Another Selene probe was readied this time with the goal of orbiting the Mun. Ten seconds into the flight the guidance systems failed (I forgot to turn on SAS)  and the rocket started to tip over, thankfully Gene Kerman (Guidance officer) was once again able to restabilize the rocket. 5 minutes later an orbit 160,577m x 124,077m was confirmed. 26 minutes in, TMI starts. 51 seconds later TMI is confirmed.
     
Day 1 Hour 5 Minute 23 an orbit of 160, 973 m x 16, 864m was confirmed. Selene 2 will now begin to photograph the Muns surface.

Spoiler

The Heracles III/H B1.5 on the launch pad

Liftoff!

Booster sep

Bye Bye first stage

Are you sure thats a moon?

Spoiler

Lovley view

And now for the images transmitted from the Mun

With the money gained from these missions the USFA will take some time off to upgrade its facilities and improve on current technologies.  

 

[B0lt]

Chapter 8 - Three missions, three milestones.

Year 2 Day 225
    After a long break researching new technologies, the USFA needs to get back into the swing of things, so they decide to warm up by sending Jeb into orbit again.5 minutes and 41 seconds orbit was confirmed. One day later, after finishing the preparations, Jeb was ready to step out into space. He then spent the next 15 minutes shooting out jets of pressurized nitrogen, and proving that Kerbal's eye's don't explode if they go out into space. Day 232 Jeb returned back to Kerbin a hero. 

Spoiler

Heracles III/H B1.5 on the launch now with a service tower!

Liftoff!

Not an explosie booster sep

Jeb's suit camera is working

This is a pretty cool wallpaper

Now this one looks cool!

Splashdown

One day later (Year 2 day 233) the selene III probe was readied on the launchpad and readied to make history. 6 minutes and 12 seconds Orbit was confirmed. 34 minutes into the flight, Mission control realised that the orbital burn wasn't actually complete and a fault in telemetry data has put Selene III on a sub-orbital trajectory and there is nothing they could do but wait and hope that this would not damage the vessel. Fortunately the vessel survived and started its TMI. Roughly one day later orbit was confirmed again around the Mun. Mission control was nervous because the lander only had 600m/s of detla V remaining. But even still they tried. And failed. At 8km the lander stage ran out of fuel. Though the mission was a failure Selene III transmitted pictures right before impact, showing that in fact the muns surface was solid.
 

Spoiler

Im liking the new service tower

What a powerful blast

Another non explosive booster sep

Spoiler

Lovely assent profile

Firey first stage sep

Hello Kerbin!

And now for the surface of the mun!

Yep looks solid to me

After this great embarrassment the higher ups started to review the entire Selene program and came to the conclusion that the Heracles III series of rockets just wont cut it. They needed more. So they went to the only Kerbal that has designed a functional rocket to see if he could make a better one. And of course, Werner von Kerman would deliver.

 

Year 2 Day 243 
    The even mightier Heracles IV stood on the launch pad, its first ever mission will be an ambitious one, with the goal of landing on the Mun. But Whrevener vaun kermans confidence radiates in the mission control room. 13 minutes and 50 seconds later an orbit  of 204, 835m x 184, 172m was confirmed. Less than an hour later TMI was confirmed. 1 day 5 hours and 23 minutes orbit around the Mun was confirmed. After staying in orbit and testing landing systems, Selene IV was given the go for landing. And 50 m above the ground the engine ran out of fuel. Mission control stood with baited breath hoping that the lander was still going to make it. And touchdown was confirmed! The mission control erupted into cheers and Kerbals rushing to go change their underpants. This feat renewed Kerbals awe for space travel. Even president John Kerman shows excitement for what the USFA has planned next. 
  

Spoiler

The even mightier Heracles IV idk if this is the final design, but thats what bloks are for 

What a liftoff

This looks familiar

Thats the lander!

What a view

Hello kerbin!

Look at that!

 
 

[B0lt]

Chapter 9: Maps, and Polar Orbits

Year 2 Day 262
    Another Selene lander stood atop the Heracles V ready to (once again) land on the mun. This will be the last of what the Mun lander team calls ML mk1 because there are new technologies and ways to improve the current lander design. 5 Minutes and 32 seconds orbit was confirmed. 1 Day 5 Hours and 21 minutes into the mission touchdown was confirmed (This time there were no explosions). The USFA was beginning to get the hang of Mun landings.

Spoiler

Fueled Up and ready to go!

New Wallpaper!

Im running out of things to say

Burn baby burn!

Hello Mun!

Spoiler

\

What a view

Kerbin Rise

More Pictures of the Mun !

Yup pretty rocky 

Year 2  Day 267 
    Jeb was once again selected to try out a more maneuverable Viator space craft strapped on a Liquid Methane Variant of the Heracles IV Booster (Heracles IV/M).  7 minutes into the flight an orbit of  323, 235m x 155, 192m was confirmed. Jeb was able to hold positions of Prograde, Retrograde, Normal, antinormal, and radial in and out using the newly installed Orbital maneuvering system before it ran out of fuel. 3 Day's later it was decied to scrap the EVA because of some patchwork issues with jeb's suit and then the whole mission. Overall the mission wasn't exactly what the engineers were hoping for, the new Heracles IV/M booster was lackluster to their expectations and so was the "improved" Viator space craft. This resulted in a reviewing of the Kerballed aspect of spaceflight.    
 

Spoiler

Looks like its using dark more now

Another wallpaper

An explosion from far away

Hey you can see the new OMS

 

Year 2 Day 276
    Another Heracles IV was rolled out with a new OctoSat with a Radiar altimeter to gain altimetry data of Kerbin. The flight profile will attempt to go into a polar orbit, which is something that has never been attempted before. After a very instable and stressful flight the OctoSat was placed in a polar orbit and began its scan of Kerbin. 
 

Spoiler

Same old same old

Poor milkstool 

Super huge kaboom

Lovley horizon

Spoiler

Look at this little goober

Would you look at that 

 

Year 2 Day  291
    Another Heracles IV was rolled out with another OctoSat with a multispectral scanner to create a complete map of Kerbin. Both this satellite and the other OctoSat are apart of a new program named Spectra. The goal of this program will be to map out every celestial body. This program is essential for finding a spot for a Kerballed Mun landing. 

Spoiler

 

I can feel the ground rumbling

This is a large explosion

Altimetry, Biome and a visual map of kerbin

Altimetry map

 

Biome map

Visual map

I love ScanSat! 

 

I will be slowing down my posting schedule from 3-5 times a week to 1 or 2 times a week. 

Edited September 29 by B0lt

[B0lt]

Chapter 10 - Failures and Mun maps 

Year 2 Day 305
    A heavier Selene probe was readied on a Heracles IV booster with parachutes attached to the SRB's (Heracles IV(PSRB)).  Unfortunately due to the way the SRB's separate there was no way to attempt booster recovery, netherless Selene VI presses on. Though 3 minutes into the flight Selene V ran out of battery and ended up crashing into the surface deeming it the greatest failure. 

Spoiler

No service tower

look at the mun

Smokier booster sep

 

Year 2 Day 312
    Deciding to go back to what works and keeping things heavier that 1.5tons to a better booster that is in the works. Another Selene lander was readied. 5 Minutes into the flight an orbit of 141, 751m x 130 860m was confirmed. 26 minutes TMI was confirmed. Though right before landing, it ran out of fuel, crashing into the surface.

Spoiler

The milkstool is back

A further shot

 

Really nicely colored camera

Surface of the mun

Look at that blue marble

 

year 2 day 233 
    After these two major failures the publics view of USFA was not good. Hoping to at least gain the love from the scientific community, a spectra altimetry probe was readied to go to the Mun. 5 minutes and 43 seconds later an orbit of 134,097m x 133,110m was confirmed the most circular orbit to date! 35 minutes into the flight, a much more precise TMI burn was confirmed. 3 hours into the flight a minor course correction burn was done so that Spectra III will arrive at the Mun on a polar trajectory. 3 days later (I missed) a polar orbit of 287, 132m x 263, 540m was confirmed. Spectra III will now begin to build an altimetry map

Spoiler

What a stubby fairing

A rather bright ignition

This is quite the booster sep

Burn Baby Burn

 

year 2 day 238
    Five days after spectra III spectra IV was readied to also go to the mun. 4 minutes in 30 seconds an 152, 902m x 135,247m. 27 minutes into the flight tmi was confirmed. 6 hours into the flight an orbit of 263,681m x 208,370m.

Spoiler

A lovely sunrise

A different view of Heracles IV

Look how fast its going

That is rather toasty 

First stage sep 

TMI burn (The photography department learned that cameras have a zoom feature)

 

 

Visual map

Altimetery

Biome

A major announcement.

Year 2 Day 240

Walt Kerman has announced the Iter program which will put Kerbals on the Mun by the end of year 3 and Minmus by year 4. 

 

 

My posting schedule is going to change to once a week because I want to take more time to improve the quality of the series, to those who have followed along this far thank you for the support, it means the world to me

Edited October 5 by B0lt

[B0lt]

That was...

an experience

I have a back log of like two or three chapters that will come out weekly (I need a break from ksp)

And since I heard the license for the forums is going out soon and what just happened I will also be working on backing up all of my posts in case of a grand migration 

[B0lt]

Chapter 11 - Mun Flybys, Docking, and a F.O.O.P.E with a purpose

Year 3 day 90 
    Foope program was complete, scientists have found a large blue planet named Urlum and a moon orbiting around it named Polta completely shattering Kerbal's view of space around Kerbin 

Spoiler

Urlum

Polta

Year 3 Day 95
    The new Iter space craft was finally readied for launch with Valentina Kerman chosen to fly the craft on an improved version of the Heracles IV. At a later press conference Valentina was asked "If the mun looks the same as it does kerbin, why waste money landing on it?" and Valentina responded, "Because there could be cheese on it and who doesn't want more cheese?".

Spoiler

Iter space craft and Im very proud on how this turned out!

Thunderous liftoff!

Booster sep

First stage sep with the Mun in the background!

5 minutes into the flight an orbit of 121x154m x 116,069m.

Second stage sep

34 minutes TMI burn started.

One day later on YEAR 3 DAY 96 VALENTINA KERMAN BECAME THE FIRST KERBAL TO FLYBY THE MUN.

30 minutes later Valentina was ready for an EVA in space around the Mun

"The Mun is kind of looks like a gray circle with a lot of bumps, so pretty much the same on Kerbin "

Re-entry

Val apon vessel recovery

Year 3 day 107
    Now it was Jeb's turn to try out the Iter space craft. With the goal of an attempted docking wither Iter III.

Spoiler

Iter spacecraft on the launch pad

Liftoff!

Booster Sep

First stage sep

Second stage Sep after  5 minutes into the flight an orbit of 149,993m x 106, 811m was confirmed. And now Jeb waits.

Year 3 day 108 
    Once again Valentina was readied in another Iter space craft. She will be the other spacecraft that will attempt to dock with Iter II

Spoiler

Val is back

Liftoff!

Booster sep

First stage sep

Second stage sep. . 6 minutes into the flight an orbit of 123, 251m x 117,701m was confirmed. 

 

Iter II & Iter III docking posses
    Iter II started by raising its orbit to 226,216m x 216, 056m. Deciding that Iter III would be the one to do most of the maneuvering, Val had to do very precise and complicated maneuvers. 1 day 3 hours and six minutes Valentina and Jeb saw each other and would now start station keeping until sunrise. 25 minutes later it was time for docking.  And after too much fiddling Iter II and III were docked! After a quick game of konnect 4 Valentina went out on an EVA to make sure that every thing looked good. 4 days later they were ready to return back home.  

Spoiler

Station keeping

 

Docked!

 

 

Edited November 27 by B0lt