[Picture Heavy] KAAST Mission Log

[AustralianFries]

The Kerbal Association of Aeronautic and Space Technology is an emulation of a real world space agency's approach to aerospace technology development. Missions will be carried out as realistically as possible, and outcomes of said missions will be responded to with the same level of realism. This thread will document each flight. KAAST will create an objective and will then create a program to complete the objective. Each mission will go towards completing the program's objective. Once KAAST feels like the objective has been complete, the program will be closed.

To see the more aeronautic side of KAAST, click here.

*Based on the time of the latest mission's completion time.

Courtesy Holo for making the pixel-art depiction of the KAAST flag.

Announcement: New world has been created. Launch Vehicle Designations have been reset, the report format has been slightly changed, and KAAST is starting fresh. Come back soon!

Programs:

Stella Program - Build, test, and launch light communication satellites that will pave the way for future programs.

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.20 Programs:

Orbiter Program-Place small satellites into Low Kerbin Orbit where experiments will be completed and information will be relayed back to KSC. Album link.

Axis-Send Kerbals into orbit with various vehicles and practice EVA flights and docking. Album Link.

Luna-Land Kerbals on the Mun and return them back to Kerbin + Study geologic features of the Mun. Album Link.

ISSO - A joint opperation with several other companies. Click here for more information.

Celestia - Construct a multipurpose [refuel, research, observation, ect] space station in LKO. (Missions that service/add to the Celestia station will recieve the designation "Excursion".) Album Link.

Completed

Underway

Planning

Proposed

Mission Log:

.21 Missions:

Coming soon.

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.20 Missions:

Orbiter 1 - Launch a satellite into LKO.

Orbiter 2 - Launch a satellite into equatorial LKO with scientific equipment relaying information back to KSC.

Orbiter 3 - Launch a satellite into a 45 degree orbit and establish communications with KSC.

Orbiter 4 - Launch a satellite into a 45 degree orbit with scientific equipment relaying information back to KSC.

Orbiter 5 - Launch a satellite into LKO and return it to Kerbin safely.

Axis 1 - Test Aurora by launching it unmanned and testing all functions + Get Aurora into equatorial LKO.

Axis 2 - Launch a Kerbal into LKO and return him to the surface.

Axis 3 - Launch a Kerbal into orbit and complete an EVA.

Axis 4 - Launch Spirit into LKO and preform a PRL (Precise Return and Landing) at KSC.

Luna 1a - Get into a low orbit around the Mun and search for a good landing site for future missions.

Luna 1b - Land Excel on the surface of the Mun.

Axis 5a - Launch Tronix into equatorial LKO.

Axis 6 - Dock with Axis 5 + Preform a PRL back to KSC.

Axis 5b - Deorbit and land as close to KSC as possible.

Luna 2 - Get into equatorial LMO (Low Munar Orbit) and relay information from Luna 1 back to KSC.

Luna 3 - Perform a low fly by above Luna 1 + Look for suitable landing sites for future missions.

Luna 4 - Land Marathon (rover) on the Mun + Explore the valley previously spotted by Luna 3.

Luna 5 - Land Reach at LZ-2 (Landing Zone-2; A.K.A The Valley).

Axis 7 - Launch Tronix into LKO and test all RCS systems.

Luna 6 - Send a manned mission around the Mun and return to Kerbin.

Luna 7 - Land a Kerbal on the Mun at LZ-2 and return him back to Kerbin.

ISSO 1 - Send an ADP (Atmospheric Drop Probe) to Duna and record data from its scientific devices.

ISSO 2 - Find the average atmospheric pressure on the surface of Kerbin.

Excursion 1 - Put the Celestia station core into equatorial LKO.

Excursion 2 - Attach the TPSM to the Celestia station.

Excursion 3 - Attach the ERED segment to Celestia.

Luna 8 - Leave a Kerbal on the Mun for an extended amount of time.

Successful

Partial success

Complete Failure

KAAST is currently mod-free!

Thanks to Pipcard for letting me have a similar layout. Checkout the KASDA mission log here!

Edited July 26, 2013 by AustralianFries

[AustralianFries]

Mission: Orbiter 1

Mission objective: Launch a satellite into LKO.

Launch Vehicle: LV1A (Launch Vehicle 1, A Model) ~ FL-T400 Fuel Tank with LV-T30 Liquid Fuel Engine.

Payload: Orbital Communications Satellite (OCS) ~ A small communications satellite fit with 4 OX-STAT Photovoltaic Panels and a main communications dish.

Mission Outcome: Probe was launched into a 78km by 76km orbit around Kerbin. Communication has been established and probe is responding to commands from KSC. Mission Successful.

Mission Highlights:

On the Launch Pad:

Launch:

Deployment of payload:

After one orbit, OCS flies over KSC:

Edited June 15, 2013 by AustralianFries

[AustralianFries]

Mission: Orbiter 2

Mission Objective: Launch a satellite into equatorial LKO with scientific equipment relaying information back to KSC.

Launch Vehicle: LV1B (Launch Vehicle 1, B Model) ~ Same as LV1A, except two RT-10 SRB's have been added so fuel can be saved.

Payload: IRS (Information Relay Satellite) ~ A satellite which features four Communotron 16 antennae and several scientific devices.

Mission Outcome: Satellite was launched into a 80km by 80km equilateral orbit around Kerbin. IRS is relaying information gathered by scientific devices back to KSC. Mission Successful.

Mission Highlights:

Ascent of IRS after boosters have been decoupled:

IRS preforming its orbital injection burn:

Deployment of IRS:

The satellite flies over KSC, relaying valuable information to mission control:

Edited June 15, 2013 by AustralianFries

[AustralianFries]

Mission: Orbiter 3

Mission Objective: Launch a satellite into a 45 degree orbit and establish communications with KSC.

Launch Vehicle: LV1A (Launch Vehicle 1, A Model) ~ FL-T400 Fuel Tank with LV-T30 Liquid Fuel Engine.

Payload: Orbital Communications Satellite (OCS) ~ A small communications satellite fit with 4 OX-STAT Photovoltaic Panels and a main communications dish.

Mission Outcome: The satellite managed to make a 75km AP, but during the orbital injection burn, OCS ran out of fuel with a PE of 17km. Scientists were able to observe and learn from the effects of reentry, but it was not enough to call the mission even a partial success. Mission failed.

Mission Highlights:

Orbiter 3 on launch pad:

Orbiter 3's ascent:

Orbiter 3, now out of fuel, opens its com dish to communicate with KSC that it is falling back to Kerbin.

The doomed satellite reenters Kerbin's atmosphere at over 1.5 kilometers per second:

Edited June 15, 2013 by AustralianFries

[AustralianFries]

Mission: Orbiter 4

Mission Objective: Launch a satellite into a 45 degree orbit with scientific equipment relaying information back to KSC.

Launch Vehicle: LV1B (Launch Vehicle 1, B Model) ~ Same as LV1A, except two RT-10 SRB's have been added so fuel can be saved.

Payload: IRS (Information Relay Satellite) ~ A satellite which features four Communotron 16 antennae and several scientific devices.

Mission Outcome: The satellite reached an orbit of 75km by 75km at a 29.5 degree inclination. A plane change burn was preformed, and now Orbiter 4 orbits Kerbin while relaying information back to KSC. Mission successful.

Mission Highlights:

Orbiter 4 right after launch:

Orbiter 4's ascent:

Orbiter 4 ditches LV1B and switches to it's main stage:

Orbiter 4 is deployed:

Edited June 15, 2013 by AustralianFries

[AustralianFries]

Mission: Orbiter 5

Mission Objective: Launch a satellite into LKO and return it to Kerbin safely.

Launch Vehicle: LV2A (Launch Vehicle 2, A Model) ~ An RT-10 SRB underneath a LV-T30 Liquid Fuel engine fueled by a FL-T400 Liquid Fuel Tank.

Payload: Reentry Capable Probe (RCP) ~ A small probe with a parachute, 2 small solar panels, and two batteries.

Mission Outcome: Orbiter 5 was put into a 70km by 70km orbit. After orbiting Kerbin twice, Orbiter 5 preformed a deorbit burn and landed just off the east coast of the KSC continent. After the probe was recovered, scientists gathered all of the information gathered by RCP from reentry. Mission Very Successful.

Mission Highlights:

Orbiter 5 on launch pad:

Orbiter 5's ascent:

RCP-Orbiter 5 being deployed:

After preforming the reentry burn, parachutes open to slow the decent of RCP-Orbiter 5.

Orbiter 5 lands at 2.5 meters per second in the ocean:

[Pipcard]

The satellite designs are pretty cool, nice log.

[AustralianFries]

The satellite designs are pretty cool, nice log.

Why thank you! (:

[AustralianFries]

Mission: Axis 1

Mission Objective: Test Aurora by launching it unmanned and testing all functions + Get Aurora A into equitorial LKO.

Launch Vehicle: LV3A ~ A four segment launch vehicle comprised of 3 TVR-200 Stack Bicouplers, 4 FL-T400 Liquid Fuel Tanks and 4 LV-TV30 Liquid Fuel Engines.

Payload: Aurora A ~ A small space vehicle designed to be flown by one Kerbal, although unmanned flight guided by KSC is possible. Features an abort sequence that fires two small Sepratron I's, decouples the guidance unit and capsule, and shuts down all engines.

Mission Outcome: Axis 1 maintained a 90km by 90km orbit above Kerbin for three orbits, before preforming a retroburn. Parachute was deployed and the capsule landed in the east desert. Mission successful.

Mission Highlights:

Axis 1 on launch pad:

Ascent:

Axis 1 separating from LV3A:

Orbiting Kerbin:

Axis 1 decouples from the main stage as hard reentry begins:

Parachutes open without any anomaly:

Landed:

[AustralianFries]

Mission: Axis 2

Mission Objective: Launch a Kerbal into LKO and return him to the surface.

Launch Vehicle: LV3A ~ A four segment launch vehicle comprised of 3 TVR-200 Stack Bicouplers, 4 FL-T400 Liquid Fuel Tanks and 4 LV-TV30 Liquid Fuel Engines.

Payload: Aurora ~ A small space vehicle designed to be flown by one Kerbal, although unmanned flight guided by KSC is possible. Features an abort sequence that fires two small Sepratron I's, decouples the guidance unit and capsule, and shuts down all engines.

Jebediah Kerman ~ A highly trained and experienced pilot. Very brave and willing to put his life on the line for science and understanding of aerospace travel.

Mission Outcome: Axis 2 maintained a 90km by 90km orbit above Kerbin for six orbits, before preforming a retroburn. Parachute was deployed and the capsule landed off of the shore of the east desert. Jebediah Kerman is now the first Kerbal to ever be sent outside of Kerbin's atmosphere. Mission successful.

Mission Highlights:

Photo taken from Jebediah Kerman's helmet camera prior to launch:

Ascent profile of Axis 2:

Aurora-Axis 2 decouples from LV3A and transfers power to it's main stage:

Photo taken from one of Aurora's on board cameras during orbit:

Another on board photo:

Axis 2 prepares to preform a retroburn:

Deorbit burn:

Axis 2 just misses the desert shore line:

Parachute deployed:

Soft splashdown:

[AmpsterMan]

I like these, keep 'em coming

[AustralianFries]

Mission: Axis 3

Mission Objective: Launch a Kerbal into LKO and preform an EVA.

Launch Vehicle: LV3A ~ A four segment launch vehicle comprised of 3 TVR-200 Stack Bicouplers, 4 FL-T400 Liquid Fuel Tanks and 4 LV-TV30 Liquid Fuel Engines.

Payload: Aurora II~ Similar to Aurora I, this payload is equipped with RCS parts, for maneuver practice.

Jebediah Kerman ~ A highly trained and experienced pilot. Very brave and willing to put his life on the line for science and understanding of aerospace travel.

Mission Outcome: Axis 3 launched into orbit. About 2 days, 15 hours and 17 minutes into the flight, Jebediah Kerman became the first Kerbal to preform an EVA space walk. He was outside of his vehicle for a total of 10 minutes and 27 seconds. Axis 3 returned safely. Mission Successful

Mission Highlights:

Axis 3 on LP:

LV3A decouples and Aurora II is left to complete the ascent:

Aurora II-Axis 3 at AP:

Orbiting:

Jebediah Kerman becomes the first Kerbal to preform a spacewalk:

Jeb floats around his ship:

Silly Jeb:

[AustralianFries]

Mission: Axis 4

Mission Objective: Launch Spirit into LKO and preform a PRL (Precise Return and Landing) at KSC.

Launch Vehicle: LV4A ~ A very powerful launch vehicle that includes three Rockomax Jumbo-64 Liquid Fuel Tanks, crossfeeding, surface controls, and a crazy layout. LV4A was designed specifically for the Spirit orbiter. The two outside engines are placed just in the right spot, so during the gravity turn the vessel does not tumble over.

Payload: Spirit ~ A highly tested and optimized, one man vehicle designed for PRL and orbital docking procedures. Can be flown automatically.

Jebediah Kerman ~ A highly trained and experienced pilot. Very brave and willing to put his life on the line for science and understanding of aerospace travel.

Mission Outcome: Axis 4 got into a 90km by 90km orbit around Kerbin. During the second orbit, at 30 minutes and 2 seconds, the orbiter preformed a retroburn above the desert, causing the vehicle to deorbit at 2.3km/s. The vehicle made it through reentry and peacefully glided towards the KSC runway. However, a prototype of Spirit was still on the runway from previous testing, and groundcrews did not have enough time to move the vessel. "Axis 4-Spirit Return, runway 09 is not clear for landing. Runway still has debris on it. I repeat: runway 09 is not clear for landing. You are approved for a deadstick next to 09." This was no problem though; Jebediah landed parallel to runway 09, the vehicle still singeing from reentry. Mission Successful.

Mission Highlights:

Spirit and LV4A fully completed, ready for launch:

Axis 4's ascent:

To the stars:

Cruising to AP:

LV4A falls away:

Jeb Kerman EVA's to inspect the vehicle. He needs to make sure that the vessel is ready for the forces of reentry.

Spirit Return-Axis 4 breaks away from its orbital stage and prepares for PRL:

A snapshot taken from Jeb's helmet camera during reentry:

Right on target:

Spirit Return lines up with RW09:

"Axis 4-Spirit Return, runway 09 is not clear for landing....You are approved for a deadstick next to 09.":

A successful PRL, with the reason Axis 4 could not land on the runway, in the background:

Edited June 21, 2013 by AustralianFries

[Pipcard]

So you're already making spaceplanes. Nice job.

[AustralianFries]

So you're already making spaceplanes. Nice job.

Yes, and they go through extremely extensive testing. For example, YSP15 (Prototype Space Plane 15; a.k.a the final version of the Spirit orbiter) went through 17 unmanned flight tests, and 19 manned flight tests before Axis 4 was launched. Same goes for launch vehicles. I would have to make a full on separate thread if I wanted to document all of my tests flights.

Edited June 21, 2013 by AustralianFries

[AustralianFries]

Mission: Luna 1a

Mission Objective: Get into a low orbit around the Mun and search for a good landing site for future missions.

Launch Vehicle: LV5B ~ A launch vehicle that includes 5 LV-T30 Liquid Fuel Engines, 5 FL-T800 Liquid Fuel Tanks, and 3 RT-10 Solid Rocket Boosters. The 3 boosters were added to LV5A (making LV5B) because once the three radial engine stacks decoupled, the vehicle did not have a sufficient TWR. The boosters provide extra thrust while the main vehicle burns fuel and gets lighter.

Payload: Excel ~ Excel is a very tiny probe that is designed to land on the surface of the Mun. It has all 4 scientific instruments, and includes 8 OX-STAT Photovoltic solar panels which are mounted on 2 Octagonal Struts. The probe is also equipped with 4 LT-5 Micro Landing Struts. Excel has only 5.74 units of fuel, but giving that its TWR is 3.1 (in reference to the Mun), it is considered very efficient.

Mission Outcome: Luna 1a launches at sunset, getting into a 75km by 70km. Then, the Excel orbiter transfers to the Mun, and completes 1 course correction burn. The orbiter then burns retrograde for approximately 19 seconds before getting into a 71km by 68km orbit. The Excel lander decouples from the transfer vehicle, and burns retrograde for another 6 seconds before getting into a 10km by 70km orbit. The lander then adjusts its orbit; Luna 1a gets into a 10km by 9km equatorial orbit around the Mun. Mission Successful.

Mission Highlights:

Excel and LV5B fully assembled:

Launch and Ascent of Luna 1a:

Getting into orbit:

Transfer to Mun:

After the transfer burn:

Capture into Mun:

Orbiting the Mun:

Spotting one of the Mun arches:

[AustralianFries]

Mission: Luna 1b

Mission Objective: Land Excel on the Mun.

Payload: Excel ~ Excel is a very tiny probe that is designed to land on the surface of the Mun. It has all 4 scientific instruments, and includes 8 OX-STAT Photovoltic solar panels which are mounted on 2 Octagonal Struts. The probe is also equipped with 4 LT-5 Micro Landing Struts. Excel has only 5.74 units of fuel, but giving that its TWR is 3.1 (in reference to the Mun), it is considered very efficient.

Mission Outcome: Excel burned retrograde on the far-side of the Mun, putting it into suborbital. By the time it killed most of its orbital movement, Luna 1b had only .2 units of fuel left. It touched down at 5 meters per second, which is pretty fast for such a small lander. The vehicle lost an LT-5 Micro Landing Strut, and the engine experienced a structural failure. The equipment managed to survive the impact, and Excel is still a success. However, it is landed on the far-side of the Mun, and the single Communitron 88-88 dish is not powerful enough to get the geological information back to Kerbin. A satellite will have to be put up to beam the information back to the KSC. Mission Successful.

Mission Highlights:

An anomaly is spotted from 10 kilometers high:

Excel-Luna 1b begins its deorbit burn:

Luna 1b lands safely on the surface of the Mun:

[AustralianFries]

Mission: Axis 5a

Mission Objective: Launch Tronix into equatorial LKO.

Launch Vehicle: LV6D ~ A highly tested launch vehicle that includes 21 LV-T30 Liquid Fuel Engines and 11 Rockomax X200-32 Liquid Fuel Tanks. The 8 radial engine stacks feed into the main stack with 4 FTX-2 External Fuel Ducts, and decouple with the assistance of 8 Sepratron I's.

Payload: Tronix ~ A very maneuverable, 3-man orbiter that includes an escape tower activated during abort sequences, several RCS blocks, and a docking port. Engineers believe it can be KAAST's go-to vehicle for putting Kerbonauts into space.

Bill Kerman ~ Pilot of Axis 5. Bottom Seat.

Bob Kerman ~ Commander of Axis 5. Right Seat.

Wildorf Kerman ~ Mission Specialist of Axis 5. Left Seat.

Mission Outcome: Axis 5 launched with no anomaly. All boosters decoupled properly, and soon Trinox got into a 100km by 100km orbit. After decoupling LV6D and the escape tower, Altas 5 made an orbital adjustment. It rose to a 101km by 101km orbit, to avoid debris.

Mission Highlights:

Launch of Axis 5:

Decoupling boosters:

Ascent:

Orbital insertion:

Decoupling from LV6D and the escape tower:

LV6D falls away:

Edited June 22, 2013 by AustralianFries

[AustralianFries]

Mission: Axis 6

Mission Objective: Dock with Axis 5 + Preform a PRL at KSC.

Launch Vehicle: LV4A ~ A very powerful launch vehicle that includes three Rockomax Jumbo-64 Liquid Fuel Tanks, crossfeeding, surface controls, and a crazy layout. LV4A was designed specifically for the Spirit orbiter. The two outside engines are placed just in the right spot, so during the gravity turn the vessel does not tumble over.

Payload: Spirit ~ A highly tested and optimized, one man vehicle designed for PRL and orbital docking procedures. Can be flown automatically.

Jebediah Kerman ~ Commander and Pilot of Axis 6.

Mission Outcome: Axis 6 docked with Axis 5 above Kerbin before its first orbit was even complete. The two ships stayed docked for only about 20 minutes. During that time, Jebediah Kerman left his cockpit and joined Bob Kerman, MC (Mission Commander) of Axis 5. The two Kerbonauts EVA'd together for about three minutes, and each inspected the two ships for any damage or anomaly. Jeb then got back in his cockpit, and after a few more minutes undocked. He then preformed a retroburn, deorbiting the ship and causing it to enter the atmosphere at 2.3 m/s. The ship landed on runway 09 at T+1 hour, 6 minutes and roughly 23 seconds. Mission Successful.

Mission Highlights:

*Note, not all screenshots have been used. Please visit the Axis Program Album to see them all.

Axis 6 on launch pad:

Decoupling from boosters:

Spirit leaving behind LV4:

Approaching Axis 5:

Docked:

Jeb and Bob EVA together:

Axis 6 undocks from Axis 5, and starts its retroburn to preform the second ever PRL:

Spirit prepares to reenter the atmosphere:

Reentry:

Lining up with Runway 09:

Almost there:

Safe landing:

Edited June 22, 2013 by AustralianFries

[AustralianFries]

Mission: Axis 5b

Mission Objective: Deorbit and land as close to KSC as possible.

Payload: Tronix ~ A very maneuverable, 3-man orbiter that includes an escape tower activated during abort sequences, several RCS blocks, and a docking port. Engineers believe it can be KAAST's go-to vehicle for putting Kerbonauts into space.

Bill Kerman ~ Pilot of Axis 5. Bottom Seat.

Bob Kerman ~ Commander of Axis 5. Right Seat.

Wildorf Kerman ~ Mission Specialist of Axis 5. Left Seat.

Mission Outcome: After docking with Axis 6, Tronix-Axis 5 burns retrograde over the desert. It lands within 5 kilometers of KSC. Mission Successful.

Mission Highlights:

Reentry over KSC:

High altitude chute pull over KSC, in order to get as close as possible:

Chutes fully deployed, within 5 kilometers off the shore of KSC:

Safe landing:

[AustralianFries]

Mission: Luna 2

Mission Objective: Get into equatorial LMO (Low Munar Orbit) and relay information from Luna 1 back to KSC.

Launch Vehicle: LV5B ~ A launch vehicle that includes 5 LV-T30 Liquid Fuel Engines, 5 FL-T800 Liquid Fuel Tanks, and 3 RT-10 Solid Rocket Boosters. The 3 boosters were added to LV5A (making LV5B) because once the three radial engine stacks decoupled, the vehicle did not have a sufficient TWR. The boosters provide extra thrust while the main vehicle burns fuel and gets lighter.

Payload: Excel II ~ Excel II is a very tiny probe that is almost the exact same as Excel I. It has all 4 scientific instruments, and includes 8 OX-STAT Photovoltic solar panels which are mounted on 2 Octagonal Struts. The probe is also equipped with 4 Communotron 16's. These replace the landing struts, and are the only difference between Excel 1 and 2. Excel has only 5.74 units of fuel, but giving that its TWR is 3.1 (in reference to the Mun), it is considered very efficient.

Mission Outcome: Luna 2 launched in the early morning, about half an hour at sunrise. It then got into a 75 by 75 kilometer orbit. Before Luna 2 orbited even once, it began its transfer burn. After transferring and injection adjustment, Luna 2 got into a 75 by 75 kilometer orbit. After Excel II was deployed, it lowered its orbit to 70 by 70, in order to avoid collision with the transfer drive. After only 1 orbit, Luna 2 was able to fly over Luna 2 and retrieve information about the surface, and after a short time later, beamed it back to KSC. Mission Successful.

Mission Highlights:

T-2 minutes before launch:

Ascent:

Getting to orbit:

Transfer to the Mun:

Capture:

Deployment:

Orbiting the Mun:

[AustralianFries]

Mission: Luna 3

Mission Objective: Perform a low fly by above Luna 1 + Look for suitable landing sites for future missions.

Launch Vehicle: LV5B ~ A launch vehicle that includes 5 LV-T30 Liquid Fuel Engines, 5 FL-T800 Liquid Fuel Tanks, and 3 RT-10 Solid Rocket Boosters. The 3 boosters were added to LV5A (making LV5B) because once the three radial engine stacks decoupled, the vehicle did not have a sufficient TWR. The boosters provide extra thrust while the main vehicle burns fuel and gets lighter.

Payload: Excel II ~ Excel II is a very tiny probe that is almost the exact same as Excel I. It has all 4 scientific instruments, and includes 8 OX-STAT Photovoltic solar panels which are mounted on 2 Octagonal Struts. The probe is also equipped with 4 Communotron 16's. These replace the landing struts, and are the only difference between Excel 1 and 2. Excel has only 5.74 units of fuel, but giving that its TWR is 3.1 (in reference to the Mun), it is considered very efficient.

Mission Outcome: Luna 3 gets into a circularized 72km equatorial orbit around Kerbin before starting its burn to the Mun. The probe arrives at the Mun, 32 kilometers off the surface. After the probe is deployed, it sets up a 15km by 4km orbit. The lowest point of the orbit is directly over Luna 1. Luna 3 takes a few pictures of Luna 1 as it flies over head. After flying over the probe, Excel circularizes its orbit at 15km. Mission Successful.

Mission Highlights:

On Launch Pad:

After the Transfer:

Close call with Luna 2:

After deployment:

Coming in over Luna 1:

Shot of Luna 1:

Video Feed of Luna 3 scouting out a valley:

[Odo]

I like these, keep 'em coming

I found you on youtube 0_0 I was watching a kerbal space program video (Journey to Duna) and I looked in the comments and you had a comment that says: "You just got a new sub" By: Ampsterman.

Same profile pic and erything. Small world

[AustralianFries]

Mission: Luna 4

Mission Objective: Land Marathon on the Mun + Explore the valley previously spotted by Luna 3.

Launch Vehicle: LV6A ~ A very useful launch vehicle that includes 4 radial boosters comprised of Rockomax "Mainsail" Liquid Engines with respective stacks, each topped off with an aerodynamic nose section that has an SAS module, to reduce spinning.

Payload: Marathon ~ An M-ESR (Medium Class - Exploration and Survey Rover) that is capable of high speeds, due to the fact that the wheel axes reach very wide. This was also done so that more instruments and equipment could be mounted on the rover. Marathon holds six Z-100 Rechargeable Battery backs, two OX-4L 6x1 Photovoltiac Solar Panels, and two PB-NUK Radioisotope Thermal Electric Generators. The rover also houses two headlights and a docking port, and uses Rovemax Model M1 wheels.

Mission Outcome: As soon as the feed from Luna 3 came in, and scientists saw the valley the probe had orbited over, they became instantly interested.

Luna 4 gets into a 75 by 75 km orbit, and starts its transfer within 10 minutes of establishing LKO. Model 1 of the Marathon transfer/lander section does not include any fuel lines, to feed fuel from the main tank to the radial tanks. So within approximately 1 minute and 18 seconds of burning, engines cut out. Fuel had to be transferred manually; however, this did not prove to be a set-back. After fuel transfer was completed, Luna 4 continued its burn, finished, and recieved a 40km PE around the Mun. After fuel had yet again been transferred, Luna 4 lowered its orbit to 40 kilometers by roughly 38 kilometers. After orbiting for about 2 minutes and transferring fuel, Luna 4 began its deorbit burn. It touched down on the surface of the Mun within 7 hours and 30 minutes of the flight. Marathon undocked from its landing vehicle and began heading for the valley to survey. Mission Successful.

Mission Highlights:

*Not all screenshots have been included in this log; please take a look at the Luna Program Album to see them all.

In the VAB, completed, and ready for launch:

Launch:

Decoupling boosters:

Transfer to the Mun:

Descent onto the surface:

Safely landed:

Driving to valley:

Looking over valley:

Quick timelapse of the position of Luna 4:

[AustralianFries]

Mission: Luna 5

Mission Objective: Land Reach in LZ-2 (Landing Zone-2; A.K.A The Valley).

Launch Vehicle: LV6B ~ A variant of the A model; the only difference being the booster engines are "Skippers".

Payload: Reach ~ Reach is an unmanned Munar lander that is made out of an RC-001S Remote Guidance System and a "Hitchhiker" habitation unit, fit with four landing legs. It uses SC-B3 (Skycrane - Block 3) to deorbit and land safely. With Reach and SC-B3 combined, the lander has 1,300+ Delta-V and weighs roughly 10 tons.

Mission Outcome: Luna 5 gets into a 87 by 81 kilometer orbit above Kerbin, and almost immedietly starts burning towards the Mun. Its Munar PE was about 30 kilometers high. After circularizing and orbiting about 5 times around the Mun until the launch zone was in the light of The Sun, Reach began to deorbit. It landed about 3.3 kilometers away from Luna 4, and was later joined by the rover inside the valley. Mission Successful.

Mission Highlights:

Luna 5's ascent:

Cruising to AP:

Transfer to the Mun:

Transfer prediction:

After deorbiting:

Safely Landed:

SC-B3 detaching:

Excel united with Reach, on the surface of the Mun:

Edited June 26, 2013 by AustralianFries