Kethane crisis forces kerbals to go to space

[elkar]

Hello there and greetings. I've decided that it might be worth of shot to start to tell story of my KSP game since I've recently started new one with a little bit of a back story to it and I'm going to update this topic with news as space program progress, of course.

Legend:

KSP - Kerbal Space Program

KSC - Kerbin Space Center

KUS - Kerbin United States (covering most of the Kerbin)

KSA - Kerbin Space Agency (press division of KSP)

KCT - Kerbin Central Time (same as at KSC)

KIA - Kerbin Investigation Agency (CIA ! )

PART 1 - KSP confirmed

Additional backstory:

Kerbals always had desire to go explore the space but there was never enough political will to make it happen in a serious way. But kethane is more like oil on Kerbin. Fuel, industry, everyday objects are made from it or at least it's needed as catalyst. And sources of kethane on Kerbin are running thin and new ones are not being found.

So for the first time in kerbal history there is kethane crisis starting and it's predicted that in 20-25 years there will be no precious gas left. There is no replacement for it so people, goverment but esspecially kethane union (richest mining companies on the planet) are now looking with hope towards real space program with the main goal - find ethane, mine it, bring it to Kerbin. Observations from Kerbin's surface so far revealed that there is possibility that there can be sources of kethane on Mun. But there is only way to confirm it ...

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PART 2 - first launch

Additional backstory:

After several months kerbal's engineers and top minds put togeather space ship and used simulations to be sure that first launch will be easy and silky smooth. Well reality is reality. Spaceship broke the record to get almost to 40km but it was supposed to get on sub-orbital trajectory with 100km apoapsis.

The failure of mission was caused indeed by structural failure as investigation revealed and J. P. Kerman announced just few days later after investigation ended that next they will build BIGGER ship, more POWERFUL ship and skip the sub-trajectory flight completely and go for the stable orbit flight because: "Not small pylon failure nor even big space can scare us kerbals from getting up there!"

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PART 3 - private companies are entering goverment's space program

Additional backstory:

Allowing private companies to enter this KSP was on the goverment's table since ever, but just after failed first launch it was actually allowed. What stronger reason that goverment's KSA should need. They need resources and brains for completing such a epic-scale task. Especially after the totally failed first flight. And that was supposed to be only sub-orbital short flight. Goverment offered so far 3 companies to join the KSP. All of them are top in their fields of business. Of course it's very hard and innovative work for all of them but it seems to work well so far. KSP is progressing and second attempt is planned on December. Not only sub-orbital flight but stable orbit and EVA during that. First time ever of course.

In short - KW Rocketry and Robert Kerman's Space Indrustries are working on long term job - getting heavy-duty unmanned cargo ships on orbit and designing and putting togeather first Kerbin International Space Station (since all those companies are from different countries). That should be happening sometime next year and KSP CEO J. P. Kerman has not yet confirmed anything to public (about ISS).

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PART 4 - first manned space flight and EVA ever!

Additional backstory:

Bill, Bob and Jebediah Kerman, those three elite kerbonauts were into space on 19th December. Dragonfly ship was working perfectly and all three kerbonauts spent more than 4 hours in space orbiting Kerbin more than 10 times while making science experiements (top secret). Then on the light side of last orbit, Jebediah Kerman went for the first EVA ever using his jetpack to fly around ship while laughing and smiling - as he does. That has proven that not only it is safe for kerbals, but also that it is pleasant and KSP can continue.

Two days after, J. P. Kerman, CEO of KSP announced that for the next year they are planning to build complete Kerbin ISS as a first non Kerbin place to live for 6-kerbal crew for a) scientific purposes, and a starter point to other moons and planets which suggest that KSP leadership, Kethane union and KUS are thinking BIG after last successful mission.

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PART 5 - Kerbin ISS is almost done!

Additional backstory:

Space station is almost done and soon there will be first crew trying out longer survival and enjoyment of being in space, living on station. Station itself is on 160km orbit with 0° inclination and it has 4 main modules with practically everything what such station needs. Central hub for future expansion - if needed, crew module with different instruments but also TV and dvd player for Kerbals (!) and of course including life support, power supply module with 8 solar panels and batteries to power the base + coffee makers and finally huge storage module with different fuels that may be needed for trips back to Kerbin or away from Kerbin.

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PART 6 - Kerbin ISS done and first crew got over

Additional backstory:

Now when everything is set around Kerbin, KSP is focusing on getting information out of the Mun if there is actually kethane, how much and how pure and if it's worthy to go there to mine it or if it would be better to just skip it and go for Minmus perhaps. Hopes are that Mun is kethane rich actually, but the challenge is way more difficult and on another level to get anything bigger than a probe there. Will kerbals get heads togeather even more for this?

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Edited May 22, 2013 by elkar
Part 6 added

[Cdr_Zeta]

Greetings,

KSP Launch, Communications, and Data Center, would like a column in the Science section. We are Division Zeta of the Kerbin Space Council. We have funding for all of our main projects, altho Kethane is low on our totem pole, we have yet to investigate the various sources of propulsion, and other uses for them.

You may take blurbs of our reports off our main website, and we will gladly reciprocate by adding the Times there; emphasizing our Science Section of course!

Cdr Zeta

[ramnrmeul]

Is that Scott Manley's Reusable Launcher on the right?

[elkar]

Is that Scott Manley's Reusable Launcher on the right?

Yes it totally is. but for some reason mine is kinda weak. I mean TRW is like 2.93 but delta-v only about 3200 and thats barely enough to get on higher orbit so I'm not sure how he was able to pull such cargos on orbit with this. And I'm even decoupling those air engines so...

[elkar]

Bump, added poll and part 2

[elkar]

Part 3 added, if you are skilled in making crafts/station parts, you stil have a chance to get in news/story just like Laz. Corp!

See here!

[Darth Lazarus]

seeing my Dragonfly there is ... well .. i'm proud

[elkar]

seeing my Dragonfly there is ... well .. i'm proud

I guess it wil be mentiones as long as it serves. Ofc in time it's gonna be more and more... rutine job. I hope.

Part 4 is up btw. (got too much time today)

[Darth Lazarus]

Very pelased to read the Kerbal Times. Seeing my ship performing so well is just ... a very good feeling. and i'm very glad to read that nothing went wrong.

~Laz. Corp - doing exactly the right things.~

[elkar]

Part 5 added with kerbals slowly but surly getting to LIVE in space!

[Darth Lazarus]

Laz. Corp is currently working on a new Dragonfly with improved service module (mostly better docking section with Heatshild). A new testvehicle should be avalible soon and it would be great if KSP could test it during their normal spaceflights.

[Flater]

Yes it totally is. but for some reason mine is kinda weak. I mean TRW is like 2.93 but delta-v only about 3200 and thats barely enough to get on higher orbit so I'm not sure how he was able to pull such cargos on orbit with this. And I'm even decoupling those air engines so...

I noticed in the Reusable Space Program that he only uses the main engine in small bursts when ascending, are you doing the same? I haven't used his design yet, but I think that should save a lot of dV for your actual orbital burn at the end.

[elkar]

Bump.. I was wondering if this form of "story telling" is near to interesting for at least some people or if actual videos with kerbal chatter would be better..?

[runmug]

ok.. wheres my shuttle!

[sytaline]

Please keep doing this