AAR: The Longest Journey

[gumwars]

AAR: The Longest Journey

Prologue

The rules of engagement are simple. No reverts. No do overs. Once lost, it’s lost forever. Use a fair amount of realism but not so much that it becomes a hassle to play the game. This will all take place within career mode from day 1.

I’m new to the forums and not the best KSP player so this should be fun. Like fun in, does he really think that will fly? I imagine the number of missions should get rather high considering my skill at the flight controls.

Also, for those interested, the mod list (all items have been incorporated into the tech tree):

I've also recently added KSPTOT (an awesome planning tool for interplanetary trajectories/departure windows) and Ascent Komputron (for designing launch vehicles, which looks harder to use than blowing stuff up, but the goal is to not blow up your Kerbals, so...looks like I'll be needing to figure it out). They are out of game tools/applications but both are incredible. A massive thank you to Arrowstar and Elington, two extraordinary developers.

So, without further ado, I proudly present, The Longest Journey…

Edited December 4, 2013 by gumwars
New info

[gumwars]

Mission 1 (FAIL)

The LAT-P was launched and promptly spun out of control off the pad. Due to an engineering error that was missed by the ever studious QA team (that claimed watching Regular Show had far greater impact on long term program goals) resulted in improper staging. On launch the parachute deployed with a predictable outcome.

Mission 2 (FAIL)

The revised LAT-P v1.1 successfully achieved flight but exceed nominal thresholds for thermal and structural limits of the airframe. At an altitude of 34,000m, several components failed with the main control unit surviving until impact.

By the way, LAT-P stands for Low Altitude Test - Platform, or Likes Animals That Pee or possibly even Lonely Angry Test Person. Whatever...

Telemetry indicates that the unit did travel outside of the atmosphere, if only to impact the ground a few minutes later. Engineers believe that use of the solid rocket booster resulted in, “Uncontrolled acceleration, just like we told you before you built the damn thing.â€Â

MISSION 3 (SUCCESS)

The LAT-P v1.2 succeeded in achieving suborbital flight after engineers installed the KX-2 liquid fuel engine. This allowed the flight controllers the opportunity to put countless hours of playing video games to good use and avoid costing the agency more money. Unless you consider the fact that the rocket was horribly damaged in the flight and only netted a measly 8 science points.

However, after countless minutes of examining the recovered mission data, the team devised a handful of hastily implemented parts that will be put to use in the next mission; getting a chunk of metal to go around the planet at least once.

Stay tuned for more probably mundane failure!

[gumwars]

As it stands, the team is looking to gain a deeper understanding of of suborbital and orbital vehicle characteristics. Science experiments will focus on vehicle recovery and inspection following flight operations. Our engineers have become adept at identifying conditions like, rapid metal fatigue due to abrupt surface contact and fantastic compression following rapid acceleration. Agency directors have begun screening the pool of candidates for qualified applicants to the manned orbiter program dubbed, HOT-P.

[gumwars]

MISSION 4 (SUCCESS)

Detailed analysis of the LAT-P airframe led our team to identify a need for reducing the mass of the rocket without that loss in mass being an after-effect of hitting things, namely the ground. Our flight director asked if this was some sort of magic or witchcraft and would we need to have a compartment dedicated to voodoo rituals. The engineering team looked at each other and stated, no, this process could be managed through something that didn’t require Kerbal sacrifice, at least not in the sense he was thinking. The director grumbled something about how we were all full of it and proceeded to the nearest Kentucky Fried Chicken for “researchâ€Â.

The LOT-P vehicle profile was designed to complete a single orbit and return with a small science package. The goal of this mission was to determine vehicle design viability for low orbit and to see what effect, if any, micro gravity has on organic material. This test was performed using a combination of recycled containment systems (a colander, two coffee cans and a cardboard tube) and post-consumer foodstuffs processed to make a gelatinous organic object, otherwise known as GOO.

The flight began within expect mission parameters with the ascent stage working as designed. When that segment depleted its fuel supply, stage two activated and detached in a manner consistent with expectations, much to the flight director’s horror. Once orbital velocity and altitude were achieved, it became painfully apparent that the two 9 volt batteries driving the probe core would only last 7.5 minutes before all control would be lost. What was also discovered was that mission control would lose all control of the unit 3 minutes before that as the vessel would pass below the horizon at that time. The final discovery was the craft had reached the definition of “orbit†in both altitude and speed but the periapsis stood at 32,000 km, meaning the ship was coming back. The engineering team coughed and claimed it was deliberate but reviews of the mission profile documentation found in the assembly bathroom trashcan clearly indicated no one had a clue this thing would even fly, let alone make it into orbit.

Science earned: 30

[gumwars]

MISSION 5: FAIL

The conference room door swung open slowly and Tomory calmly walked in, finding the last available seat closest to the bay window overlooking the Center.

Bill looked up from the pile of graph paper at the center of the table and dryly commented, “Thanks for joining us.â€Â

Looking around the room, Tomory didn’t recognize anyone. This team was all management. He wondered why he was even here. Last week he was working on a bridge, spot welding spars, when a buddy said some high dollar outfit was looking for volunteers for some sort of paid test program. When he was in college (before he dropped out) Tomory made some extra cash for beer doing sleep deprivation studies, control groups for pharmaceuticals and donating blood…anything to avoid a regular 9 to 5, and keep his party on. Once he got kicked out, desperate for a roof over his head and food in the belly, the only thing left was manual labor. Shop classes in high school and a natural affinity for all things mechanical proved to be skills that are handy for the heavier industries like bridge building and large scale construction.

After applying for the test program (which was really simple; blood test, basic physical and a 5 minute interview) he went back to work and had nearly forgotten about it altogether. When someplace called The Kerbal Space Center (space?? WTF is space? Tomory thought it was a furniture store like Kikea) called and asked for him to come in for a second interview, all he had on his mind was maybe a six pack for the game this weekend.

Now, however, he stared across a room filled with suits and wondered what he got himself into.

Bill continued, “Now, let’s begin. Bob, could you get the lights?â€Â

Tomory noticed nearly all these Kerbals wore their hair short, like military short. Bob, a fit middle aged fella with his tie loosened, got up a dimmed the lights. A few seconds later, a rotary slide projector switched on, showing…by Kod, a rocket. Not just some toy or flight of fantasy you saw on the Teley, a real rocket. A bead of sweat started forming at the edge of Tomory’s forehead.

“Gentlemen, the council has given the go ahead for phase two of the program, manned flight.†Bill stated as the slides showed several images, some from impossible altitudes. “Over the next seven weeks we are going to modify the HOT-P system with a new command module capable of sustaining a single living body for low orbital operations and testing, next slide.â€Â

The projector rotated and displayed an outline:

1. OBJECTIVES

a. Full orbit with live cargo

b. Observe biological effects of micro gravity on subject

c. Test pressure suit for effectiveness

d. (OPTIONAL) Return to surface with cargo intact

2. INHIBITORS

a. Battery technology lacking

b. Communication impossible while vessel is in orbit

“I can’t stress enough the importance of this mission. Proving that we can reliably launch Kerbals into orbit is key in the longer term goals of extra-planetary operations. What can be done remotely pales in comparison to actually having a live hand flip the switch. This mission must be a success.†Bill’s voice had an audible tone of urgency and concern.

A kerbal wearing sunglasses (in a darkened room) spoke, “Bill, that’s all well and fine but this is all crap if you can’t get them down in one piece. The two ‘successful’, if you can call them that, launches both saw the control pod G-meters well in the red on return…any living creature on board would be dead on arrival.â€Â

“Jeb, for this mission, we’re looking into that which is another reason this is so important.â€Â

Tomory stood and cleared his throat, “What the hell is this all about?? Why am I here? Are you clowns serious about this? REALLY?!?â€Â

Bill waved his hands dismissively, “Calm down. As a matter of fact, just sit there and shut up. You volunteered for this; I love it when the masses are too dumb to read the fine print. I’ve never signed my name on a document without reading the damned thing…Tomory is it?â€Â

Tomory looked at him, dumbfounded that he had, in fact, failed to really look at the paperwork when it was presented to him. Volunteering while at college was a simple affair and he trusted the pretty girls that those outfits usually had running the administration.

Bill smiled at him, “You should be thanking us. You’re going to be the first kerbal in space…â€Â

UPDATE

Bill looked up to meet the eyes of the pastor standing in front of the empty casket. Jeb frowned at him and turned away while the coffin was lowered into the ground.

The team had reviewed the data. Launch went fine, gravity turn perfect, the problem was the module weight. The control pod was far lighter than the command pod used for the manned flight. Analysis of the operation indicated that orbit would never be achieved due to this increase in weight. Engineers pointed out that the drop in TWR was acceptable but didn't factor in the reduction in flight time that would mean all three stages would be fully committed to orbital insertion, rather than using the last stage for circularization and de-orbit. The result was a parabolic sub-orbital trajectory that resulted in a very steep re-entry angle. The craft didn't survive but a few seconds once atmospheric interface was reached.

Tomory was 26. Review of the audio tapes reveal he likely didn't even know what was happening.

Edited November 29, 2013 by gumwars

[gumwars]

MISSION 6 - MANNED FLIGHT, 2ND ATTEMPT

"All right people, focus!" Bill shouted to the room.

"Bill, stuff a sock in it!" Jeb stood at the other end of the boardroom table with a look contorted with anger, "Your nonsense, absolute nonsense in putting a living kerbal in that ****ty pod cost that young man his life!"

Bill's look betrayed no emotion as Jeb continued, "I've been flying my whole life and both Kod and country have seen fit to put my hands to the controls of damn near every contraption that even pretended to fly! Never have I seen a program push agenda and schedule ahead of safety like this one!! I don't give a rat's ass if the Koviets are ahead, it doesn't give you the right to play Kod with people that have no business being in this program."

"Well Jeb, I'll admit we moved fast implementing only because the engineering department demonstrated a viable solution that didn't need any interaction. Why potentially waste a well trained pilot when any breathing creature would suffice? The decision was made and now we are where we are."

"You brought me on board because of my experience, correct?"

"Yes Jeb, among other things but that was the primary reason."

"Then Kod dammit, trust me. That kid Tomory was more than just a kerbal with a heartbeat. I interviewed him and saw to his physical aptitude tests. His scores were damn good. With training, he could have been a fine pilot and maybe even a kerbalnaut. But you cut that opportunity short and," Jeb's brow furrowed and his face flushed red, "You will not do this again, do I make myself clear?"

Bill responded dryly, "Jeb, seeing how the oversight committee saw fit to place me as project director and you as flight director I don't understand what sort of leverage..."

"Because I'll take your ass out back and remind you of what blast fence counseling is and how we don't waste critical resources, that leverage."

A visible sheen of sweat appeared on Bill's brow and after an uncomfortable pause he continued, "Oookay. Jeb, how do you suggest we proceed?"

"A few things. I've been looking at the preflight engineering analysis for the Mk 1 command pod by Kerlington. Has anyone looked at this data? The in house remote pod that we built is good for 3400 degrees, all around."

Zofort, the lead engineer spoke up, "That's because we were unsure of attitude during re-entry Jeb."

"I figured, thanks. Anyway, the Kerlington is only good for 1700. Re-entry angle is critical for structural survival. So, sending a kid up with no control is a death sentence. Only fully checked out pilots that pass my standards will be considered for future missions. Next, I don't know who approved a contract with Kerlington but these clowns caused nothing but problems for nearly the entire Air Force when they managed the P-82 project. Bad design, very difficult airframe to manage. Looks like not much has changed. Drop them."

"Jeb, it'll take nearly 90 days to pass another option through appropriations!" Bill exclaimed.

"Bill, you built the remote pod in house, let's do the same with our command pods."

"Bill we can manage that. As a matter of fact, before Kerlington was brough on, we started schematics for a command pod. We though that was going to be the path forward with that unit's success and all..." Zofort stated, twiddling his thumbs and staring down at his steno pad.

"Alright then, Bill? Any problems with that?"

"No, Jeb. That'll do. Zofort, do you have a timeline for completion?"

"It'll be a retrofit of the remote pod, I'd say less than 45 days before we have a unit suitable for environmental testing. Another 10 days after that and we could be ready for flight. It'll be round the clock work though, payroll isn't going to be happy with the OT."

"Don't worry about payroll Zofort, just get it done. Okay, we have a plan forward, gentlemen let's make it happen."

THREE WEEKS LATER

"Frank! Stop spacing the hell out Kod dammit!" Jeb slapped the young man in the back of his head.

"Old man, you smack me again and I swear!"

"What!?! I'll kick your ass like I did the North Kerians, ha ha! Now, look...this thing is going to go from not steering on take off to being able to kill you with Gees once the last booster stage cuts...tiny inputs Frank! Jerking that stick like a 12 year old isn't going to do anything but **** this thing off and make you puke in your helmet. I've done both and neither was a pretty sight."

Frank had to admit it, Jeb was a crusty old war dog, but a damn fine pilot and an even better teacher. He got pulled from active duty to fly rockets of all things on the southeastern peninsula of the mainland. The first week was nothing but paperwork and books, the whole time he thought of what all the ribbing he would get from his unit once this wrapped up. Once in the seat of the command pod, however, Frank knew this was going to be different. What he was getting ready for was legit.

"Alright Jeb, mind resetting the sim? Let me try a gentle touch this time..." Frank said with a smile.

THREE MONTHS LATER...DAY OF THE LAUNCH

"Alright people, Kerbalnaut is on the gantry, let's start warming it up." Jeb spoke with absolute authority.

"Jeb, telemetry is nominal.:

"Flight, life support is in the green, we'll check back once Frank is wired in."

"Flight, Propulsion is online and all boards show nominal."

"Tracking in Kairo and Kydney are up and ready Jeb."

Jeb picked up the shout line, waited a few seconds for the connection to go through, "Bill, Mission Control is ready, we are go for launch."

"Thanks Jeb, we're observing, you are clear for launch."

Frank made his way across the gantry to the small black pod where two technicians stood wearing surgical gowns, complete with booties. He was clad in full kit, carrying his life support "suitcase".

"Sir, I'll take that from you." The tech calmly asked him.

"Thanks," Frank handed it off and started the process of shoehorning himself into the command pod, called the "Bootleg", which was way harder with a spacesuit on than without.

Once inside, the techs bolted the door shut, performed their final visual inspections and cleared the gantry.

"Here we go folks, let's start the timer at T-120, Geoffry, where's my life support update?"

"Jeb, all vitals are within nominal ranges, we are a go."

"Let's send this man into outer space!"

STATUS: MISSION SUCCESS

Edited December 4, 2013 by gumwars
Correction

[sal_vager]

I like this

Keep it up gumwars!

[gumwars]

Thank you!