Reports from Orbit: the KerbalLab Program

[AndrewBCrisp]

Preface

As Kerbals began to set their sights on conquering space, it soon became apparent there were a number of questions that must be answered. Questions of physics and engineering - can spacecraft be launched, travel to their destinations and return safely - were the easiest to answer. However, questions of biology, medicine, and psychology - how will Kerbals adapt to freefall, and how will long-term exposure to the space environment affect them - were not so easy.

As a first step, KerbalLab was launched:

From the spacecraft description:

An orbital laboratory designed to study how Kerbals respond to microgravity, and to prepare for long-term presence in space, KerbalLab can house up to 4 Kerbals for 3 months. Because boredom is expected to be the biggest danger, a sizeable supply of board games have been placed aboard, and all sharp objects have been removed prior to launch.

KerbalLab was placed in a 150 km equatorial orbit courtesy of the KerbalLifter-II launch vehicle, the current workhorse of the KSP. The first crew is currently being selected and will fly up to the orbiting habitat for its first mission shortly. Full reports of their activities will be provided in this thread.

[AndrewBCrisp]

KERBALLAB 1 - LAUNCH REPORT

Date: 124/101 K.E. (Kerbal Era)

Crew Roster:

• Mission Commander: Bob Kerman
  
• CSM Pilot: Jebidiah Kerman
  
• Mission Specialist: Mungel Kerman (engineer)
  

Launch Transcript Begins:

T-00:00:01:00

CAPCOM: KerbalLab 1, this is CAPCOM, you are GO for launch. T-60 seconds and counting.

BOB: Roger, CAPCOM.

CAPCOM: T-30 seconds. Retracting fuel lines.

JEB: Roger CAPCOM: Engines nominal, tank pressure is nominal. Engaging SAS.

MUNGEL: Is that normal? Shouldn't we use that after launch?

JEB: Relax, Mungel. I've flown these capsules before.

CAPCOM: T-10...9...8...7...6...5...4. Engine Start... 2...1...LIFTOFF!

T+00:00:1:30

JEB: CAPCOM, this is One. First booster pair separation complete.

CAPCOM: Roger, One, separation confirmed... checking ascent profile now.

BOB: How are you holding up, Mungel?

MUNGEL: Nnnnn... Didn't feel like this in the simulator...

JEB: You're right, somethings off. CAPCOM, this is One. We're showing reduced thrust, can you confirm?

CAPCOM: Roger, One, we see the same. Thrust is 75% of optimal. Stand by.

JEB: Roger, CAPCOM. Uh, make it quick, okay?

BOB: Jeb, can we still make it to orbit?

JEB: If we can get the engines back up soon, yeah. If not-- Oh. Ha. Hahaha.

BOB: Jeb?

CAPCOM: One, this is CAPCOM. We're registering zero errors on our end. What's your systems show?

JEB: CAPCOM, this is One. I've found the problem. Ah... heh-heh... I think the thrust control got stuck. Giving it a shove... There we go!

MUNGEL: NNNNN! This is worse!

CAPCOM: One, we are showing 100% thrust now. Good job. Recalculating your flight profile now.

BOB: "Got stuck", Jeb?

JEB: Heh. Sorry about that...

T+00:00:5:00

JEB: Final booster seperation complete. Gravity turn looks good. 25,000 meters and climbing.

CAPCOM: Roger, One.

T+00:00:9:00

CAPCOM: One, this is CAPCOM, we read your orbit as stable at 75,000 meters.

JEB: Roger, CAPCOM. Core Stage separation in 3...2...1... Firing bolts.

CAPCOM: We copy your separation. Assuming control of core stage for deorbit burn. Have a good trip to KerbalLab, guys.

BOB: Roger that, CAPCOM and thanks. Whew. Zero-gee. Feels good, doesn't it, Mungel?

MUNGEL: Yeah. I... I can get used to this. Oh, wow! Guys, look at Kerbin!

JEB: Awesome sight, isn't it?

MUNGEL: Yeah... This was worth the trip, alright.

JEB: Hey, Bob, Kerbal 2 and Kerbal 3... they managed their rendezvous in, what? 20 hours?

BOB: Yes...?

JEB: Well, a dinner at the Astronaut Complex says I can get to KerbalLab in just ten hours. You in?

BOB: I don't bet, Jeb.

CAPCOM: One, this is CAPCOM, you've got a hot mike up there. Flight wants to remind you there are to be no wagers during the mission. Copy?

JEB: Ah... Copy that, CAPCOM.

BOB: See?

T+00:09:35:21

BOB: Mungel, how does it look?

MUNGEL: Almost there. Jeb, we're drifting a little off axis.

JEB: I got it, Mungel. Relax!

MUNGEL: Nnnn...

BOB: Mungel?

MUNGEL: Less than 5 meters now... Contact in...3...2...

JEB: Capture! RCS off. Engaging clamps... there.

BOB: Kerbin, this is KerbalLab 1. We have hard-dock.

CAPCOM: Copy that, One. Nice going.

BOB: Well, Mungel, you helped build this habitat. Care to be the first inside?

MUNGEL: I want to inspect the outside first.

BOB: Okay then. Helmets on, everybody.

MUNGEL: Exterior check is complete. Everything looks good, Bob. I'm entering the habitat now.

MUNGEL: Okay. Life support is active. Computer is active. Switching communications from CSM to Station now.

BOB: Capsule communications are off. Kerbin, you still copy?

CAPCOM: We copy, KerbalLab 1. Signal's coming in strong. Getting station telemetry and all systems look nominal.

BOB: Mungel, how's our consumables?

MUNGEL: We've got enough food to last us for a full 30 days. We'll only be here half that time, of course. Oh, yes, and one other thing. Hah!

BOB: What is it?

MUNGEL: I had the launch crew stow a couple of packages of chocolates aboard in the instrument bay. They made it through the launch just fine.

JEB: Hahah! Well, that's another first for the Kerbal Space Program. First contraband in orbit!

BOB: Our thanks, Mungel. Looks like our fifteen day mission is off to a good start.

Mission Clock: Day 1 Start

Edited September 16, 2013 by AndrewBCrisp

[19spacepug]

Nice mission log I like how you did a little roleplay with the kerbals.