SESEOR Munbase- A pictorial Mission Report- Update 5/7/14

[Rhyunix]

Making the Mk 2

After the first launch of the experimental MunShuttle design, I had to re-design the craft to make it get to the Mun and add additional parts and tweaks to the vessel.

I decided to take pictures of the re-design in the VAB and make it into an update

This is the first design, the experimental version- the MunShuttle Mk 1

This craft got to LKO- not good enough. I started at the top

Replaced the ASAS & Power pack...

...With RCS

Added power, RCS thrusters and SAS at the top

Moving down now, I go to the orbital/TMI stage, gave it more fuel

Finally, on to the 1st stage- I quickly realized that the boosters that fell during the first 30 seconds were insufficient power and so I quickly opted to make larger boosters with more thrust

Thought about this concept, then scraped it in favor of larger boosters

Created the boosters- skipper engines, parachutes and sepratron motors to help a clear stage separation

With the final upgrades completed, I changed the description and name- the MunShuttle Mk 2 was born

My The SESEOR Board's intention is to land a crew on the Mun for the base- this is not a guarantee but I they hope I they can!

[Rhyunix]

Green light on launch

After lots of waiting, construction and experiments, a moment which can only be matched by the first manned Mun launch has arrived. The launching of the KerMun Lander Mk 6L- a craft that has been tested and redesigned for the mission to the Mun. On the launch-pad, the craft is a reminder of the huge effort first made to get to the Mun and the effort that has been put into this machine. The crew of this great mission are Pilot Tomtrey, Cdr Doodby and Science Officer Newbree- the originals (Somehow, the crew I had before swapped in space to that crew)

On the pad

With the latest re-model and upgrade, a escape tower has been added with the removal of the precarious rover- that may be transported another way to the Mun

Liftoff!

Pulling away from pad

Accelerating on 50% throttle- amazingly, (touch wood) the horizon lag was fixed- for the first time, I could look at the horizon and not worry about lag... don't know why

The escape tower can be seen on the top now- pulling away from KSC

Higher into the atmosphere the ship ascends

Stage separation

Stage ignition- These engines are incredibly powerful & at 40% power, they are making a hell of a racket

Going orbital

20% now, nearly in orbit, stage is on last drops of fuel

Orbit achieved, unfolding solar panels; we missed the Mun but next orbit, then the mission can continue

Stay tuned for more mission progress!

Edited December 30, 2013 by Rhyunix

[SparCehv]

WOW!, that rocket is a beauty. Carry on, please carry on! ;-)

[Rhyunix]

WOW!, that rocket is a beauty. Carry on, please carry on! ;-)

Thanks! It flies well also- I am planning to continue today

[Rhyunix]

Going there

***

Doodby: Tom, prepare staging

Tomtrey: ...Done

Doodby: On my mark-

Doodby: Mark

Newbree: Stage clear, thrusting forward

Doodby: Eject CES in three seconds...

Doodby: ...Now

Tomtrey: CES clear

Doodby: Newbree, I need you to fire up the Lander

Newbree: I'll get right on it-

Doodby: It's gonna get dark in a few minutes, be careful

Newbree: Extra careful, got it

Tomtrey: Depressurizing hatch-

Newbree: Oxium reads... 98.2%; Nearly depressurized

Tomtrey: Affirmative

Newbree: I'm opening the hatch now...

Newbree: Really bright out here, I'm putting on my shader

Doodby: Remember to take it back up when it goes dark

Newbree: Off the ladder now

Tomtrey: Right

Newbree: OK, I've got my pack online- moving to the lander

Newbree: The lander looks good; no visual collisions

Doodby: Good news- get a picture and move along Newbree

Newbree: Roger

Newbree: The sun is going down now- activating lights

Newbree: Approaching the hatch- Tomtrey, instructions

Tomtrey: Twist the central handle... cloc- negative! Anti-clockwise, anti-clockwise

Newbree: Roger that

Click

Newbree: I'm inside, re-pressurizing, stand-by

Tomtrey: OK Newbree, we're waiting on you

***

Newbree: ...and fire up the main targeting control device- checklist complete Doodby

Doodby: Copy that Newbree, undocking

KSC: KerMun, we are tracking the time till next burn- you have 1 hr 40 min, over

Doodby: Acknowledged KSC

Clunk

Tomtrey: We're free

Doodby: Affirmative

Newbree: Internal lights are on, 60%

Tomtrey: Acknowledged N

Doodby: Lock gimbal, thrust, y axis- two pushes

Tomtrey: On it

Newbree: I'm mimicking your maneuver... now

Doodby: Lock axis, Unlock gimbal- yaw 180 degrees left

Tomtrey: ...

Doodby: Lock gimbal, y axis- one push

Tomtrey: Roger

Newbree: Your coming in straight my end

Tomtrey: Same here, five seconds

Tomtrey: Three seconds

Newbree: Magnetism Initiated

Clunk

***

Doodby: The Eastern Deserts...

Tomtrey: Magnificent, aren't they- I've been there once

Doodby: You've been there?!

Tomtrey: Part of a "KSC" Holiday package- I tested planes in the low humidity environment and got to spend two weeks there

Newbree: Where are these packages you speak of?

Tomtrey: Gone with the trainees

Newbree: Gee, I missed out

Tomtrey: I was one of a selected 36 pilots, 20 with a military background- before the endgame war. 5 were commercial pilots for the larger test planes and the rest were there because of some individual talent

Doodby: What was-

Tomtrey: I was a Air force pilot, fighter pilot. I had 3'600 hours of flight time behind me. But this was before the war- I've left that selection reasoning to the books and press

Doodby: ...

Newbree: The view from in here is something else...

Doodby: I imagine

Tomtrey: Burn will take place in thirty seconds, seat up

Doodby: I've gone through the checklist

Tomtrey: Good- this should be a smooth burn then

Newbree: I'm buckled

Tomtrey: Executing burn

Tomtrey: 80%... Power!

Newbree: Ugh!

Doodby: How... ugh...long?...

Tomtrey: You have... the checklist

Doodby: ...45 sec-...onds

***

Stay tuned for part two!

Edited December 30, 2013 by Rhyunix

[SparCehv]

*tuned* ;-)

[Rhyunix]

Landing

Arriving at the Mun after a short TMI, we see our base location

We do a small course correction burn

Then its time to move crew to their positions

***

Tomtrey: I'm moving to the Lander

Doodby: Roger that

Newbree: I'm at the hatch, open when ready

Tomtrey: Thrusting forward

Tomtrey: Open the hatch

Newbree: Roger, opening hatch

***

Tomtrey: LM, the CM's awfully quiet...

Don't show yourself up as a wimp- this is what you've waited for for your whole life!

Tomtrey: Quite... quite-

Doodby: What are you talking about Tomtrey

Crap!

Tomtrey: Tranquil!

Doodby: Sorry?

Tomtrey: Its tranquil, that's the word-

Doodby: Right- you will have a lot of that for a while, remember, take it in slowly or you'll get bored

Tomtrey: Roger that

Tomtrey: I'm preparing the engine-

Newbree: Its already online

Tomtrey: Oh...

Newbree: Means you don't have to fire it up- just thrust control

Tomtrey: OK-

Newbree: KSC has most of the information on screen, follow their lead

Doodby: Ugh! 1.3 gees!

Newbree: Tomtrey! Throttle... down!

Tomtrey: Sorry!

***

A small inclination burn puts of 20 degrees off the base

Doodby: Get some rest, both of you- we're gonna need it

KSC: Roger Doodby, Surgeon's going mad

Tomtrey: ...Roger Doodby, prepare tracking systems over

Doodby: We've prepared the Tracking Module, we've locked onto the base

Tomtrey: Copy LM

Newbree: Frak! Burn calculator's way off! Correcting...

Tomtrey: There's not enough room to correct, abort-

Newbree: Negative, not enough thrust

Doodby: Arrgh!

Tomtrey: No!

Unknown: Newbree...

Doodby: Altitude...300 meters- speed...Koddamn high

Newbree: Engine thrust... dropping

Doodby: Tomtrey...

Tomtrey: Not like this... not like this!

Doodby: Good...show...-ld by

Tomtrey: NO!!

Unknown: Tomtrey! What's wrong?!

Tomtrey: No... no-

Doodby: Tomtrey, wake..up!

Tomtrey: Frak!

Doodby: You're sweating-

Tomtrey: It's... just my imagination

Newbree: Powerful one you got there- better lock that down

Tomtrey: ...

***

Undocking from the CM

Dooby and Tomtrey Leaving for the surface

Sub-orbital trajectory down to the rough vicinity- the Mun is photographed for other research branches

Activating landing gear, testing for any malfunctions early

***

Doodby: We're coming in now

Tomtrey: Activating engines

Doodby: Easy does it...

Tomtrey: Altitude...

Doodby: 20 m

10 m

5...

Doodby: KSC, Commander Doodby here- we're on the surface

Stay Tuned for more news!

Edited January 13, 2014 by Rhyunix

[Rhyunix]

Logging in Orbit

Acknowledging Voice Print - SC1 Crew Member Nelrim Kerman

///

Begin Voice Recording

NELRIM: Is this thing on?

Julius Com: Recording active

NELRIM: ... Right, lets get this ball rolling- err... Log 5, Day... er

Julius Com: Day 18, Nelrim

NELRIM: 18, right... SC-1 - Nelrim Kerman. This is my second log- as far as this mission is going, this is fantastic

Julius Com: Should I upload Images, sir?

NELRIM: Negative Julius Com, not now

Julius Com: Aye sir

NELRIM: Anyway... We've been playing some of our favorite albums from home- got my Boards of Canada on the deck mic and in my section of the station; far beyond this joy though, is the dark side of the Mun and indeed, the dark side of space. Opposite to its description, the dark side of space is full of stars; we dim lights in the cabin for us to see the true beauty of the cosmos- out here, away from all the light sources; its any inner child and astronomer's dream alike. Raydon brought up some of the classic music his Pa told him to listen to- he was lost in it for a while. We got news less than 15 minutes ago- they've done it; they're on the surface. I slightly envy them, but think back to what its like up here, with all the kerbals around me. Anyhow, Flight says they might get to talk to us direct- a real treat. So that's what I am excited for tomorrow, otherwise its back to the work which I sound to shove aside as an inferior work place- its the most inviting place to work in, ever. Period. And I love it. Log End

Julius Com: Recording End

///

Edited January 1, 2014 by Rhyunix

[Rhyunix]

Steps on the Surface

***

Doodby: Power down the Module

Newbree: Roger that

Doodby: -We made it...

Newbree: Yes... we did

Doodby: Outstanding flying Tomtrey, just perfect

Newbree: Thanks

Doodby: KSC, we are in suits now, preparing EVA equipment

KSC: Roger Doodby

Doodby: I'm outside, on the ladder now over

KSC: Affirmative Doodby, tracking

KSC: We've got you on-screen Doodby

Doodby: It's a hell 'a bigger world than the porthole shows

KSC: ...roger Doodby, noted

Newbree: Exquisite choice of words Commander

Doodby: I know, right man!

KSC: Need to get a move on, D

Doodby: Acknowledged KSC, heading to the base

Doodby: Pulling down the ladder

Newbree: The module is on standby, I'm going through the book now

Doodby: Right

Posing for the camera

Newbree coming down the ladder

Newbree: The base has to do its own things now, so I'm coming over to sort it out when its done, that- look at that...

Doodby: Roger To- what...?

Newbree: ...can see...the south...beautiful

Doodby: ...oh- there's gonna be 'lot of them views, this is where we work now

Newbreee next to the beacon in a scenic background

A timed camera takes this picture- finally, there is real regolith underneath the projects feet.

Landing- Complete

Stay tuned for more activity

Edited January 22, 2014 by Rhyunix

[Rhyunix]

Trainer to KOSMOS

So, after a brief interlude in the Mun transfer, there was enough time to complete our Trainer mission- to meet the KOSMOS LKO Space Station- I actually did this before I transferred to the Mun

Burning on nothing but RCS with an empty fuel tank tagging behind, we slowly crawl into an intercepting orbit

***

After reaching the desired orbit, we slow down to catch the fast approaching station

Fast approaching, now going...

And we arrive within 50 m of the station

Unpacking the docking port, we are aiming for the closest module

3 m away...

And docked!

Transferring crew

Finally completed the Training Mission, KOSMOS Crew now consists of Jonrin, Ronand, Kirbus, Ronzon, Milzon, Burrey & Deswell - 7 In total

[Rhyunix]

Flag Ceremony, Solaris Ridge

***

Doodby: Commander here, I'm stepping off the module, copy?

KSC: OK Doodby, Check kit and suit- you are good to go on our side

Doodby: Confirmed KSC

Newbree: To think...

Doodby: Sorry?

Newbree: About our presence- we're here, on a alien Mun, with a handful of tech holding back the vacuum of space and the surface as our roaming ground- we have come so far

Doodby: Quite...

Doodby: I'm on the ground KSC

KSC: Acknowledged

Newbree: *breathing* Shall I leave the ladder down?

Doodby: Course

Newbree: Right

Doodby: Suit check- turn around N

Newbree: OK

Doodby: Valves... good, velcro is *straps velcro* ... now on...

Newbree: Oops...

Doodby: Could'a forgotten some key equipment there or, worse still, lost it into the regolith as we walk

Newbree: Sorry Commander, it won't happen again

Doodby: Tools don't grow on trees- we don't have even a slightest form of tree for another 11,000,000 km

Newbree: Yea, sorry boss

Doodby: Alright, We're gonna go that'a way-

Newbree: How far up?

Doodby: First ridge

Newbree: You got the flag?

Doodby: And the other kit- we're gonna take some samples- later on, we'll probably go back up and get a photo of the whole horizon. That is of course, if Gene gives the "flimsy excuse of a scientific benefit" a greenlight

KSC: Err... Gene acknowledges that Commander

Doodby: Come on N!

Newbree: I can see the pole!

Doodby: We need to get a move on...

Newbree: Fascinating...

Doodby: *sigh* We can do this on the way back, lets go

Newbree: Yea... go. Coming!

Newbree: So what are we doing up there?

Doodby: You already know the answer N, flag ceremony

Newbree: What about the Julius station?

Doodby: Yea, we'll do that too

Newbree: *breathing* This slope... is getting quite pebbly

Doodby: I see it Newbree

Newbree: Ugh!

Doodby: Newbree!

Doodby: N! KSC, d'you read?

KSC: Loud and clear, we here your situation, standing by

Newbree: *clearing pebbles* Urrgh

Doodby: Newbree, you alright?

Newbree: Buried *brushes off stones*

Doodby: KSC, its A-OK, over

KSC: Roger Commander, copy

Doodby: Newbree! You said it yourself it was pebbly you Koddamn fool...

Newbree: Whoops *laughing*

Doodby: Crazy fool

Newbree: *getting up* Can KSC hear me?

Doodby: Yep, go ahead

Newbree: I'm OK, surgeon might not be-

KSC *guffawing*

Newbree: But we're moving on up now

KSC: Right- *laughing* surgeon's face right now...

Newbree: *grinning* Yes, well- ahem- shall we Doodby?

(Note: Upon approaching screenshot666, my Imgur has refused to load several times- underline theories of messy up-ness on 666 and its associated curses)

(And its a nice shot too!)

Doodby: Hey, look at that-

Newbree: Right on the rim- brilliant

***

Doodby: Work your feet just some more, N-

Newbree: *heavy breathing* What workout have you been doing exactly?!

Doodby: Its just my- history

Newbree: What?

Doodby: As a Kerbonaut instructor for 3 years or so, you know

Newbree: Oh yea- clearly *breathing* ... clearly given you somethin'

Newbree: Its the peak!

Doodby: Sure is

Newbree: 'Bout damn time!

Doodby: Can you see the rock, 30 m or so away, over there N?

Newbree: Yep?

Doodby: I'm'a go sample it

Newbree: Right

Doodby: OK, KSC- 4-Bit Titanium core drill bit, slow rev setting *pulls out hand drill* Here we... go

Newbree: Got the sample bag?

Doodby: *drilling* *yelling* YEA!

Newbree: *quietly* OK...

Doodby: *Stops drill* Alrighte, that should do it

Newbree: Lets get this done

Doodby: You recording this KSC, I'm only doin' it once

KSC: Go, Doodby.

Doodby: Ahem... This flag, is not just a pole and fabric- its a emblem of our curiosity.

Our constant urge to explore beyond the bounds of our home has resulted in this flags very placement.

Kodspeed Kerbin.

KSC: Cut- thats a wrap

Doodby: Get the Julius boys on now will ya?

KSC: Patching them through.. cleared in

Doodby: Julius, come in?

Julius Intercom; Unknown: *static fuzz*

Doodby: Julius?

Julius Intercom; Nelrim: I *static* thi-thi *static* are we coming throug-

Doodby: Yes! Yes I can hear you!

Julius Intercom; Nelrim: Commander Doodby, its my great pleasure to be able to talk to as you stand on the surface

Doodby: The feeling is mutual, after all, you boys must be doing wonders up there

Julius Intercom; Nelrim: Not quite, but never-the-less, all for science, eh? Oh, times up, I'll hand this over *muffled thumbling*

Doodby: ...

Julius Intercom; Guston: My dear fellow, my highest congratulations to you and your crewman, Newbree I believe?

Doodby: Hearty thanks Guston?

Julius Intercom; Guston: Yes, its me you two- I must say this is quite a pleasure indeed

Doodby: Likewise; Keeping in touch is a great joy, you know?

Julius Intercom; Guston: Absolutely! I do believe that Raydon would like a word, standby

Doodby: Right... Newbree, you we're right

Newbree: About what?

Doodby: We really have done it

Julius Intercom; Raydon: Chaps! I, as my colleagues have before me, must send my virtual pat-on-the-backs to you both. It is a great pleasure to talk to you, I will never forget it. Commander, would you permit a word with Newbree, via Channel 3?

Doodby: ...well, I guess I don't see why not

Julius Intercom; Raydon: Much appreciated, Doodby

Doodby: ...

Newbree: It won't be long

Doodby: Oh, I don't want it back or anything, just waiting

Newbree: *nodding* ...right... what sett-.......OK, many thanks

Doodby: Julius, its been a pleasure talking- we hope to communicate again soon- Commander Doodby out; Newbree?

Newbree: Just some of his cousin's amateur photography suggestions- he takes pictures of the wild side of Kerbin

Doodby: Really? Channel 3 really?

Newbree: A craftsman never shares his secret forge skill

Doodby: Pfff...

Newbree: All in good time, Doodby

Edited February 1, 2014 by Rhyunix

[Rhyunix]

R & D - LREV

I haven't really been active for a while, so this update will show what I've been up to.

The problem was, as I discovered, the super light-weight rovers brought down by the landers simply weren't good enough for the long distance travels that I intended to make. The answer lay in research. I discovered this:

http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/7487/souz2.jpg

It looked like a design start. Development began

3 weeks later, this is what I would still call in-dev, but a Experimental version of the rover

As I said, its more like a striped down version, reliance and passing some simple tests was the key at this point.

I hope to send this to the Mun for the Expedition, no guarantees.

[Rhyunix]

Toughening & Customizing the LREV

Further testing of the experimental Mun surface rover has found some flaws. I The Scientists and Engineers at the SESEOR R & D facility have made some changes. Below is some pictures of the testing.

Test 001- Surface Traversing

The VAB track to the launchpad is an ideal testing ground

Testing the suspension (screenshot700!)

Got good ground clearance, I think it'll work

Test 001b- Impact suspension damage

Increasing speed to 15 m/s

Off the pad- simulating a crater rim or edge of some sort

The damage is minimal

Repair crew stop the vehicle, begin tyre replacement

The repairman, who's name is to remain anonymous, says "I can move round this thing easily alright"

Test 002- Deployment

The rail deployment method

Separation from the lander

A small motor pushes the detached rail system

FAILED DEPLOYMENT

Well hack gravity saved it One explosion later, the design needed to be changed

Test 002.2

Altered rail deployment method

???

Definite Profit right here A series of unknown events caused this

Test 002.25

Well, its good enough- onwards!

[Transits]

Very good, very interesting design.

[Rhyunix]

Launching the LREV

With all of the plan sorted out- launch, landing and usage- I stacked the design onto an experimental rocket design and shot it into the depths of space

Except for one thing- not all experiments go according to plan...

This area of the ascent is missing as I was trying to deal with the problem- here is the end result.

The landing stage is now towing the orbit/TMI and MOAL Stage (Mun orbit adjustment/landing) running on fumes- its looking bleak

However, the engineering of my lander saves me, scraping a 80 by 81 km orbit. So the challenge is on- initiative time!

Stay tuned for more!

[Rhyunix]

Refuelling the LREV

A lot of attempts were made to get to the stranded LREV- this was a proving ground for the failed experimental satellite launchers to get something right... or try, anyway

First, there was this design

Staging

Didn't make it to orbit, design totally scrapped

Then the improved design of the one before (yes, it was scrapped, but this was using the last of the already built rockets)

Lifting off

Accelerating away

Booster separation

Result- Failed to get to orbit, crashed into the large peninsular east of KSC, on a small farm; village was warned, 200 evacuated due to rocket fuels, 6 minor injury

Using an unmanned LKO MTC, was going to be used for a station rota

Result- Craft missed the vessel, insufficient thrust to slow down, re-entered safely

This launcher used a leftover KerMun launcher, with the altered payload

Launch

Soaring away

Stage separation

Pushing away to orbit

Second stage separation

Third stage pulling away from Upper ascent stage

Orbital (heh, screenshot800!)

This is where it messes up...

Very suddenly, KSP says no- it doesn't save, pause, let me leave even- after much hassling, I used what I had available- Hyperedit. Yes I know, I used a mod but the situation called for it- don't fret though, I did compensate; fuel wasn't transferred I predicted would be used, RCS drained, e.t.c.

Approaching the spider-like lander

Really fortunate I installed a docking port- closing a panel to ensure minimum damage in the event of an impact

Close squeeze!

***

After refueling, we depart

Throttling away

Screeching over a sparsly populated area, the upper stage could of been seen by amatuer observers- it was heading near KSC

During the fireworks, the craft deliberately staged, to maximize the destruction of the craft

Separating again

Ending with a bang

That's it for now, the craft still has to be fully refueled, will do that next.

[Rhyunix]

Unfortunately, I attempted, with no success, to put up my new segment of the expedition- the image server let me down, still waiting on that; in the mean time

*Bump*

[Rhyunix]

Refueling the LREV (Part 3)

Finally, Imgur is being complient!- The launch shown is using a first stage of a SESEOR HLV and some additional modifications, launching a small fuel shuttle *note shuttle* for the final refuel

On the pad

Liftoff!

Clearing the Clamps

Accelerating away, about 70% thrust here, this launcher is quite efficient and will help me with future plans I have

Stage separation, boosters falling away (Note NO Probo-parts (yet (maybe?)

(Ohh, get me with Gifs! )

Gravity turn (late)

Second Stage Separation (prepare for Gif!)

Igniting third stage for orbit

Orbital, extended solar panel, waiting for maneuver

Maneuvers completed, moving toward the target

Nearly...!

There! Docking complete, transferring fuel

***

These next few screenshots are the descent protocol for this custom made capsule design- nothing abnormal happened, standard landing- Did I say we had a stowaway? Yes, determined Jerlin Kerman got in the vehicle and survived the G-force without a proper seat- after being discovered, he was ordered to enter the shuttle and was contained there

Staging the fuel tanks

Re-entry

Using the left-over fuel to slow down the entry

Realizing that the shuttle was over sea, we quickly fired up the engines and moved over to land for a safe landing

Though he posed for the picture of the landing, it was only for a comfirmation of his safety and he was shortly afterwards put back into the capsule. Jerlin is to be court marshaled this week

Edited May 3, 2014 by Rhyunix

[shamil]

It looks very nice

[Rhyunix]

It looks very nice

Thanks!

(10 Char)

[Rhyunix]

Surface Expeditions

Primary Crew, First Trip

After a long rest in the habitat module, Newbree & Doodby received a message from KSC- Orders for their first trip. They received a map, sent from "Julius", that was redirected from KSC- it looked like this:

They boarded the LREV- this would be their first trip in the vehicle, a test run (Note this )

Doodby was driving, Newbree in the back for safety reasons

Doodby: You all tight back there N?

Newbree: Am now, the sampling equipment is netted down, we're good to go.

Doodby: Then lets roll!

Newbree: Roger that!

Travelling out of the home-crater, the duo can see the plateau that they will travel over to get to the target crater

Doodby: Igneous chunk, 11 o clock- N, get your gear

Newbree: Suited and booted Doodby, lemmie at it!

Newbree: You weren't kidding! Sure gonna need the Titanium core drill-bit for this monster

Doodby: Roger Newbree, take your time

Newbree: *cuts off the drill* All done here *sighs* nice... I see Basalt, maybe Granite... neat.

Doodby: Put them in the bag and we'll get a move on, eh?

Newbree: Sure thing pal!

Doodby: I'm only your "pal" 'cause I'm ferrying around your inner Geologist

Newbree: Nah, your a good guy anyway!

Doodby: Yea, I know

Newbree: Well....

Doodby: Just get in before I drive off...

Newbree: OK man!

Nearing the plateau

View from Base, look closely...

(Gifs! Made by me! With GIMP!...!!) 360 of the area

Up a small inclination to reach a "peak" - rim of the target crater

Flag Planting

Newbree: What the!

Doodby: Huh?

Newbree: Someone got the plaque wrong! Damnit!

Doodby: Well, they spelt our names right...

Newbree: Freaking optimist...

Going around a larger inclination, very close to the edge but its the only way!

Doodby: N?

Newbree: Yo?

Doodby: Its cheesy, but very real- don't look down

Newbree: Oh don't worry, I'm taking pictures

Doodby: Huh, alright

Over that ridge, into the darkness

Descending into a small valley, towards the target crater

Interesting terrain, difficult to navigate, Doodby is taking it in his stride though (And the LREV! Glorystealler...)

(screenie 999! interesting scenary) Reaching an overview of the target crater, "Gaza Sr" * Crater

(More Gifs!) Overview of the binary crater

Scenic shot to finish

More coming soon!

*Sr because the crater has a little crater in it- a common feature- so I have called them Jr and Sr; that will be seen in the next update though!

Edited June 7, 2014 by Rhyunix

[Zapness]

I quite like the vehicle. Well done on your part!

[Rhyunix]

I quite like the vehicle. Well done on your part!

Thanks! Its a bit unstable, but I like it

[Rhyunix]

Gaza Sr & Jr Crater

Primary Crew,First Trip Cont.

In order to descend Gaza Sr crater safely, primary crew had to descend by strafing from one side to the other, like this:

So, they began the descent

Doodby: Newbree, got yourself a sample rock here, I'll pull up

Newbree: Right-O Doodby, will be interesting to get a look at them when they are down in the craters...

Doodby: What you got there doc?

Newbree: Magnificent! Got a bunch of small crystals here, perfect condition

Newbree: This is a great find! I'd like to stay here for a while, examine the subject a bit better

Doodby: Sure thing pal, want the drill?

Newbree: Why, yes

***

After their great find, along with a snack break and some quick analysis of the samples in the LREV, the primary crew proceeded to find the lowest(ish) point of Gaza Sr

Newbree: Can we go any lower?

Doodby: Appears not-

Newbree: Well this is it then! Stop the truck!

Doodby: -OK, OK!

Taking a standard picture of the flag with the crew, marking the point

Descending into Gaza Sr

Hard on the brakes

Doodby: Newbree?

Newbree: ...

Doodby: Hey, bud- you there

Newbree: Now- ALL STOP!

Doodby: Aaah!

Newbree: *sniggers*

Newbree: Right, it should be about here... right here

Doodby: OK dude, plant the flag, we need to get back now

Newbree: Roger that

And so they went

Moving back the same way, but up the hill we couldn't go down at the start of the Gaza descent

First Trip- Complete

[Rhyunix]

Crew Rotation on KOSMOS & Julius Part 1

First, we swap out some of the KOSMOS crew with Mission commander Newdin, Gerder and Johning Kerman for their phase on the station- they ride a MTC into orbit

On the pad

Liftoff

Boosters gone

Stage separation

Pushing through the atmosphere

Gravity Turn

Stage separation

And into orbit

At this point, the game crashed- as in, really crashed- as I was screwing around with mods; fixed now, I won't screw around any more

Approaching the station in darkness- After this, I gave the MTC two spotlights for future dark dockings

Under the station, rotating for the docking port in the center of the picture

Lined up, pushing forward for docking, the standard stuff, but still good fun

Edging forward, nearly there....

All done, transferring crew to the other MTC on the top of the station

Scampering around for the transfer, the Kerbals are also unpacking equipment that they brought up, including delicate scientific equipment for... SCIENCE!

Jonrim, Kirbus and Burrey Kerman leave from their record breaking 9 month stay, the longest ever space tour yet

Undocking the aging MTC- this will be brought down for refurb and probably be sent up again, a bit like a shuttle

The MTC then burns to land on Kerbin- Shortly after, the Service section is ejected

A successful re-entry marks the end of the 9 month mission, overshooting and touching down on the shore of the eastern peninsular.

The second crew rota will come soon, this update is big so I will split it into two- I'm sure you can manage without some SESEOR . Stay tuned!