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The Phoenix Space Program - The Complete Overhaul Edition (PIC HEAVY!)


Fenisse

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Introduction: Years 14-951

Please, to all the readers, go to post #45 (on page 5). It is important. Thanks.

Total overhaul!

This was what I was working on for two months. There are several reasons for this. Really, I write not much. I don't think it's fun without some story. Instead of leaving this dead, I'm just going to do all posts again. From scratch. Yay. The second reason is that I started with customs rockets, and ended up with horrible replicas of real life launch veichles. Since I'm a RSS/RO geek, I'm just going to do (better) replicas of real life launch veichles, with some Kerbal variations of course. Don't worry, the nations and such will still be the same, with changed names for the most part. But no war!

These are just two reasons, there are many more. I just hope you'll enjoy the new Phoenix Space Program! As always in version 0.25. Not anymore

TIME FOR PSP NOW!

The earliest rocket ever developed on Kerbin was used to boost a small rock about 2 meters in the air before exploding. It was the year 14 on Kerbin, more specifically in Chidor, a nation at war with the nearby Nunguuls. The first rockets destroyed Nunguuls chivalry in year 16 with a warhead made with a mix of gunpowder and iron shrapnel. Such an invention was so secret, no one in the western nations, the ones west of the Sea of Tarn, knew of it until the year 379, when the Sermans got their revenge against the Krench. It's narrated that Krench regiments "never made better use of their legs". Unfortunately for the Sermans, stone didn't catch fire, and the advanced Krench siege machines made the capture of some 40 rockets possible.

By the year 635, rockets division were widely used all around Kerbin, with Kertalian engineers producing 30 centimeters diameter rockets for all the western nations. The largest use of rockets for war in the Renaissance happened however more than 100 years later, in 758, with the United Kerbal States independence war from Kurtain. The UKS had the biggest rocket regiment of the time, and they managed to hit Kurtain ships even before they could land their troops.

Upgraded solid propellant mixtures were developed in the 800s, and were used in all military rockets afterwards. Rockets were used by Kershians to suppress revolts all over their now unstable nation, with great results practically, but making the uprest worse. On the naval side, rockets appeared as a secondary piece of armament during this period. Unfortunately, attrition from the sea meant that the whole launch structure, and so the rocket too, needed to be replaced once in 3 months. As a result, naval rockets weren't really used until the middle-900s.

During the First Kerbal War, long range cannons were widely used, and rockets were now considered obsolete. However, this changed in the Second Kerbal War, when in the end of it UKS carriers had planes carrying rocket missiles, and the last cities of Kermania were being pinned down by Kershians and Kurtainsh rocket divisions.

In the aftermath of the Second Kerbal War, a lot was to be rebuilt, and most was, indeed. Jet engines were first appearing, but liquid rockets were thought impossible. This is the point our story starts.

Modlist:

-000 Toolbar

-Alternate Resource Panel

-ASET ALCOR

-BahaSP (BDAnimationModules)

-FASA Launch Clamps

-Kerbal Alarm Clock

-Kronal Vessel Viewer

-KWRocketry

-MechJeb

-ModuleRCSFX

-Docking Alignment Indicator

-Near Future Solar

-NovaPunch 2

-Procedural Fairings

-Procedural Parts

-Taurus HCV

-Trajectory Optimization Tool

-Real Chutes

-Real Fuels with Stockalike config

-SCANSat

-Trajectories Indicator

-Tweak Scale

-64K

-Ferram Aerospace Research

-Better Buoyancy

-Clamps-Be-Gone

Enjoy, my friends! (Update to all the posts are coming!)

Edited by Fenisse
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Phoenix Space Program Personnel

Mission Control

Flight Director: Gene Kerman

CAPCOM: Derby Kerman

FDO: Geofry Kerman

GPO: Phil Kerman

DPS: Dildon Kerman

Flight Surgeon: Giller Kerman

Propulsion Engineer: Hadgee Kerman

GNC: Danburry Kerman

EECOM: Hadbin Kerman

EGIL: Munlas Kerman

INCO: Kirvey Kerman

GC: Doodvan Kerman

FAO: Kelnard Kerman

Payload Engineer: Aldbald Kerman

Public Affairs Officer: Edlu Kerman

Research&Development Directors

Propulsion Engineering Director: Werhner Von Kerman

Structural Engineering Director: Robert Koddart

Calculations Bureau Director: Kiolkovsky Kerman

Fuel Systems Department Director: Chris Kerman

RCS Systems Department Director: Genefen Kerman

Communications Department Director: Camnard Kerman

Spacecraft and Payloads Division Director: Gusburry Kerman

Crew Life Support Systems Department Director: Gerkin Kerman

Winged Flight Engineering Director: Cammon Kerman

Test Department Director: Billy-Boblas Kerman

Crew Members (as of 959)

Rocket Division

Cmd. Jebediah Kerman, Pilot -Available

Doc. Bill Kerman, Surgeon -Available

Doc. Bob Kerman, Engineer -Available

Winged Flight Division

Cmd. Buzz Kerman, Pilot -Available

Lt. Heremy Kerman, Pilot -Available

Lt. Theodun Kerman, Pilot -Available

Mission List

Sounding Rockets

None yet

Satellites and probes

None yet

LKO Manned Missions

None yet

Space Stations

None yet

Kerbin System Manned Missions

None yet

Interplanetary Manned Missions

None yet

Programs

Pulse Program: Study of flight at Mach 1+ speeds and 15000+ altitude. Study of the upper and lower atmosphere.

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Chapter I: The Pulse Program

Part 1: "Flying faster than the sun"

The Phoenix Space Agency wasn't a space agency at the time. It was simply known as "Phoenix Aeronautics Works". Founded in the late 948 in Kertalia, in the middle of the economical regrowth, by a Kerbal named Phoenix Kerman. It was rapidly growing, and, in 951, a large test facitlity was built: the Phoenix Test Facility, with a 2.5 km long runway, R&D labs, and two buildings later used for rockets. Now there was much more space, and a lot of Kerbals were hired. At the end of 951 the company counted more than five hundred employees, most of them hired in the last year.

PAW, as i will refer to it, was an expert in propeller planes, and propellers in general. Most of the airliners of that period used PAW-built propeller engines, most notably the PAC-45 radial engine, four of which were used as the powerplant of the KA-230 airliner. Unfortunately, the cost of PAW engines and parts was quite high for the time. They were built with extreme caution and attention to detail, and, while costly, they didn't need to be repaired once in three months, as a result of the incredible reliability they had.

In 952, however, jet engines were becoming the standard for airplanes. Much more powerful and efficient at higher altitudes, they were widely used by the military. But no jet plane had ever flown faster than the speed of sound, about 343 m/s. PAW decided to take the risk. This was to be the first jet engine they developed. Development wasn't a big problem. Testing however was. Luckily, lots of military pilots made request to be the first Kerbal to fly "faster than the sun". Of over 50 candidates, only three were selected: Commander Buzz Kerman and Lieutennants Heremy and Theodun Kerman.

Training lasted about five months, and was about recovering at high speeds, high G turns and other related subjects. Meanwhile, the first jet engine made by PAW was built and tested. It had a max thrust of 150 kN, but required more air than other jet engines. It was mounted on a test stand, built at an airstrip of the Kertalian Air Force near the Phoenix Test Facility. It was named Basic Jet-1 or BJ-1, not really fantasious but it worked. It was first fired on the 21st of Karch 953, attended by a crowd of military officers, but also civilian audience, and the test was even televised.

In the morning, at about 9 a.m., the speaker announced the start up of the engine was going to happen in about a minute or two. It was a sunny day at KAF Island, and all was going according to plans.

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As you can see, the engine is composed of four main parts: the intake, which sucks air to make the engine work, the engine, which is the white cylinder at the bottom, the nozzle, where the thrust is output, and the fuel tank, the cylinder at the top.

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Whoosh! A great boom accompanies the engine start, and the crowd stands up to applaude.

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It reached full power on schedule at 1:20 minutes after ignition, a record time for that period.

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After ten minutes of burn at full power, the engine is slowly turned off, reaching 0 power after 50 seconds, for a total operation time of 12:10 minutes, great for a first test!

All the Kerbals in the crowd congratulated with Phoenix Kerman and his engineers for building "such a marvel of piece of engineering". Lots of military officer seemed interested in a prototype for study. But this was as much that could be done on the ground, the next step (after some revising in the lab of course) was to mount it on a plane, and launch it. Another month and the pilots would have finished training, so the engineers needed to hurry up building that plane, although the pilots stated that they could wait for another month after finishing training. The engineers still decided to do it in about a month, but to do it well, so if it wasn't finished in time, the pilots would have to wait.

The month passed, but the plane still wasn't finished, "about a week or two" said Cammon Kerman, director of the engineering lab. The pressure was overwhelming. The military really wanted to see the lift-off of this plane, and so wanted the civilian industry. Finally, on 4th Kay of 953, the KX-1, as designated by the International Plane Society, was ready to take off for a test flight, with Commander Buzz Kerman at the controls.

"Are you ready?" radioed the Control Tower.

"I am" answered Buzz.

"Ok then. You are authorized for lift-off. Good Luck!"

"Authorized for lift-off. Thanks" said Buzz with a voice halfway between being calm and frightened "C'mon, let's see what you can do!"

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"Oh wow, this thing really is a blast!"

"We can hear you!"

"I haven't said anything wrong!"

"Just letting you know"

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"A bit slow on the pitch side. Needs more control surfaces"

"Copy"

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"Is it normal I'm not slowing down at a 50 degrees angle of attack?"

"Seems so"

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"Whoah, this fall was great, but as I said needs more pitch control"

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"My Kod, not slowing down at a 75 degrees angle of attack!"

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"Leveling at 6000 meters"

"Copy"

"I'm coming home after this manouver"

"Copy, again"

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"Descent and alignment with the runway"

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"Hello, Control. I'm home for dinner!"

"A big steak is waiting for you, Buzz"

"I won't make that become cold for sure!"

Buzz was enthusiastic. He wasn't the only one. While the plane needed a new set of pitch control surfaces, the speed reached was great: 270 m/s in level flight at 6000 meters altitude. That gave hope of succeding in breaking the sound barrier at an higher altitude. However, the next flight wasn't going to be the day after. People were reading on newspapers all over Kerbin of the Mach Breaker flight happening within a month, and many science geeks were already buying tickets to see the flight. Heremy and Theodun agreed to let Buzz be the first Kerbal "To Fly Faster Than The Sun".

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Chapter 1, Part 2: "Flying faster than the sun; part 2"

The updated version of the KX-1, the KX-1a was essentially the same plane, but a set of canards was added near the front of the plane. While this doesn't seem like a big change, it was indeed. First of all, the engineers needed to find out whether or not the Center of Lift was still behind the Center of Mass (you should already know it, but if the CoL is ahead of the CoM the plane will fly like a lawn dart), secondly, the canards required a new set of hydraulic fluids and tubes, just to keep control in case the other surfaces failed. The pilot could also press a button and the canards would give roll control too.

The test flight was very simple: fly around the Phoenix Test Facility and land. It all went as planned, and, to test the control authority in case of control surfaces failure, the hydraulic tubes in the back of the plane were closed electrically, this feature, however, would be removed in the final version due to weight and safety concerns.

As stated by Buzz during and after the flight: "Pitch authority is great now. I hadn't felt so much g-forces since i flyed in a dogfighter!". Regarding the canards-only flight, it was excellent. Buzz managed to land without much struggle and added: "This feature, added to the fact that the hydraulics are detached from the rest of the plane, could save many lifes. I am really happy that Phoenix Aeronautics Works thinks "safety first". It makes me feel relaxed every time I climb the ladder to enter the cockpit"

It is a mildly cold morning at the Phoenix Test Facility, on the 25th of Kay 953, and all the staff is ready for the first supersonic flight in kerbal history. Buzz climbs the ladder to the cockpit, his suit tight, his heart beating like a drum during the Dalkernian Independence Festival (those Dalkerns are really, really mad when it comes to drums). He enters the cockpit and just says "Let's do this" in a strangely trembling voice for him.

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The air intakes start to suck air and fuel is pumped into the combustion chamber. A second later, the engine starts with its recognisable "Whoosh" and Buzz is pushed back into his seat. The plane climbs slowly but steadily to 5 km altitude and there Buzz asks for permission to perform the test. "Permission granted, good luck" is the response.

Buzz lifts the nose and climbs at 15 m/s vertical speed until about 8700 meters. Then, at 330 m/s, there is a strange smoke outside of the cockpit. Some seconds later, at 343 m/s, Buzz and the control tower hear a loud "Boom". At first it is tought that the plane has exploded, and it explains the smoke, but then Buzz says "Control, this is Buzz, the wall is broken!". The only thing that is heard through the radio is cheers and applauses.

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"Control, I can't hear a lot from outside, is it normal?" "I guess so, Buzz, just stay calm and let's see what speed we get."

The plane flies for quite some time in the supersonic regime, the top speed being 450 m/s at 13 km altitude.

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There, the plane is too far from the PTF to land there, so it is decided to land at an airbase on the peninsula east of the PTF. (Strangely, it seemed like the KerbinSide files were deleted...? So I landed on an hill, in pure Kerbal Style ;) )

But before, out-takes! (I flipped the plane and I don't know how I did it :P)

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The flight was a great success, and all the newspapers were talking about it even before it was considered a success. Just the fact that the plane was in the middle of the flight made the Kerbal Insider write: "Plane flies faster than the sun." on their front page.

Here are the photos of the "landing".

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Nailed it.

Flight at supersonic speeds was discovered to be simpler than expected. The only real problem was with high-speed turns and altitude. Mostly altitude. At least 8000 meters altitude were necessary to achieve supersonic speeds (at least in 0.25) and as air got thinner, the planes became less controllable. To find out what lies in the upper atmosphere, a new invention was to be used. A young scientist invented what was now called "the solid rocket", basically a tube filled with a mixture of gum-like materials. It was able to achieve incredible thrust, but at the cost of specific impulse. A lot of it. Unfortunately, the KX-1 wasn't able to carry itself AND the rockets, and so a new plane was to be built.

Guys, after this "episode", I noticed that most things were broken in my game. I would ask you to wait for a bit, as I need to reinstall all the mods, change all the settings and whatever for 1.0.4. Thank you for the support and keep reading ;)

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Chapter 1, Part 3: Something got bigger

It was a wonderful day at the Phoenix Test Facility, and Tyron Kerman, a newly employed gardener, was doing his job, gardening, outside of the Control Tower. Suddenly, he realized the mountains weren't at sight, and he noticed the sea was too.

A bit frightened by what was happening, made sure he wasn't dreaming by putting his head inside the water-filled canister he was carrying. He wasn't indeed dreaming. Even more terrorized, he ran to an Army Officer, asking him if he could see the mountains.

"Are you mad?" he asked. But suddenly he noticed the mountains disappeared. "Urm, that is strange."

He told Tyron that it was better to talk with Mr. Phoenix in person. While he was heading to the office, he met two aviators, who were flying that morning. They were even more terrified than Tyron. They had seen the planet grow in size. All the mountains, the oceans, were now bigger.

He arrived at the office, and a guard stopped him:

"Hey, you can only enter with an invitation. You do not seem to have one. So, please stand back."

"B-but I have a reason to enter."

"And what is this reason, hm?"

"Look at the mountains."

"Holy mother of a Kraken! What is happening here!?"

"Can I enter now?"

"S-Sure y-y-you can." Said the guard trembling in fear.

While climbing the stairs to the office, he was thinking what to say, as he wasn't invited in there. He came up with an "effect phrase". He knocked at the door and Phoenix opened it:

"Oh hey Tyron, what brings you here? Can you be fast, I have lots to do."

"Urm, sir..."

"Is it about your job?"

"Not really sir, it is..."

"Did someone bully you? You burnt a plant? C'mon tell me!"

"Sir, what I was trying to say is to go to the window".

Phoenix went to the window and just said a simple "What."

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Chapter 1, Part 4: Exploring the New Kerbin

With a bigger planet, also come greater difficulties, as the Kerbals figured out. Planes that could fly half-way around the planet now could just make small trips around it, at least without refueling. Now the atmosphere was even less known, and aerodynamics rules changed as well (as a result of FAR integration). Most planes now fell to the ground like rocks, although very little still held on to their title of "airplanes". One of them was a subsonic fighter, the KF-12 (even though with FAR it's now supersonic, barely) built just before the first launch of KX-1. The most important invention this plane carried was the afterburning turbojet, as well as a really base level of area-ruling understanding.

The KF-12/Victor Mk.3

Designed in late 951, with a first test smaller-scale model built in Kanuary 952 and a full-scale mock-up in Kergust, the KF-12 was the first of the next generation fighters: the supersonic fighters. Designed to outmatch bombers in speed, to carry a heavier armament due to more power, these fighters were a considerable threat to any obsolete airship. Unfortunately, the new size of the planet meant that now these fighters could engage targets only at close range from their base.

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The KF-12, also called Victor Mk.3 internally, was a very interesting design. It sported a pair of internally produced KRB-146 Mk.302 (3rd version, 2nd refinement) producing, with afterburner, 56.45kN dry and 72.77kN wet each, with a static compression ratio of 7.2 and a temperature design limit of about Mach 2.4, even though it never reached that speed. To achieve that high temperature resistance it made use of a special alloy for the internal parts, as well as a pair of pre-coolers to keep the airflow cold. The special engine nacelle and air intake were designed to minimize drag at high speeds.

An interesting choice is the positioning of the two engine bodies. Due to the discovery of area rule in 950, although to a very, very minimal understanding, the designers pointed out that a plane built keeping in mind those principles could easily fly faster than the speed of sound. And so the positioning of everything on the plane, from engines to the tailplane, is important to keep the airflow steady, even though not to an acceptable standard even for 10 years later, when area ruling was fully understood.

The positioning of the wings was quite normal for early supersonic planes, as it was both aerodynamic and manouverable. The KF-12 earned a good reputation during its service for being very stable and controllable even at high speeds and altitudes. The real problem however was that, since it was designed for "stock" Kerbin, now its incredible range was dwarfed by the size of the planet, but it was considered by military officers that very long range combat by flying means was now impossible. The maximum range of the KF-12 was 1010km without afterburner, while it could fly for 25 minutes, with 300km range, with afterburner fully on.

The mission

The mission was very simple: do a flight to the mountains west of the Phoenix Test Facility to determine the size of the planet and to scout the landscape if it changed at all. During the flight a full-afterburner test was to be performed to examine how the plane reacted to supersonic speeds. A pilot from the military aviation was to carry out the flight as there was a risk of losing the plane, even though our veteran crew members protested.

As the Victor Mk.3 was being prepared for the flight (it was still a test version), its first flight, Buzz said to the pilot: "Please, don't crash. I want to ride that plane too. Good luck." to which him replied with a smile.

"Biley ready for take-off, waiting for permission."

"Aknowledged. Permission granted."

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At take-off the engine is at maximum thrust, afterburners engaged at around 7500 meters altitude.

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Turning west to 270°. Quite an hard manouver (4 gs acceleration maximum)

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At 7500 meters, the afterburners are engaged, and the plane accelerates past the speed of sound.

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"Biley, keep in mind the distance of the mountains from PTF was about 47.6 km. You need to calculate how many times it is bigger." "Copy that."

Looking down to the ground, Biley says: "Wow. Everything looks so... plain." "No hills?" "There are hills, but not that prominent"

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"Disengaging afterburners." By this time, the plane has traveled 200km

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"Sir, the mountain ridge starts here, about 304,64 km from the PTF! That's 6,4 times bigger!"

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On the way back to the PTF.

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Landing safely after a 35+ minutes mission.

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The calculation of the size of the planet was announced worldwide on TV and radio. Kerbin was still shocked. How could that even happen? The scientific community hadn't got an answer, but it was ready to pursue the truth, or whatever they said at the press conference.

For Phoenix Aeronautics Works that meant that research of the upper atmosphere could be continued, bringing the company one step closer to ending the Pulse Program.

Edited by Fenisse
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Chapter 4: Heat Testing

The Phoenix Space Organization mission control had strange reading when descending from space. In fact, the temperature arose when it should've descended. A new probe, HeatSAT, was launched to found the source of those readings. It had a Heat-pipe based "heatshield", along with some heat sensors, and a small cam mounted on top of the rocket. It was also the first two stage rocket, and the first to use Kerosene and LOx in the first stage. Unluckily, that mixture was instable at the time.

The first launch attempt took place on 8th Kapril 958. 5 hours before the launch

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5 seconds to launch!

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And we have lift-off!

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Oh crap! The rocket burn chamber just burnt in a spectacular flame

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As a result, the engine shut down. We were really lucky, in most cases that would've ended in an explosion

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3 seconds after, the rocket explodes on the ground

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There is a big fire near the pad. Firefighters coming in

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The second launch attempt took place on 9th Kay 958. The rocket was a bit smaller than before, as a result of more capable tanks.

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Initiating gravity turn. Everything fine as of now

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Separation successful. 3 seconds to second stage ignition

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Oh noez! The second stage failed to ignite. We can conduct slower speed tests tho- Beeep. Connection lost. WARNING.

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Yeah the rocket just exploded.

The third attempt took place on 10th Kune 958. It was the last test veichle available.

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An hopeful liftoff

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In the middle of the gravity turn

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Separation of stage 1 successful

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Second stage ignition successful

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MECO happens at 50km

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The small cam starts the feed at 33km on descent. What is happening?!

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The cam just broke loose!

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Parachutes didn't work, but the rocket was capable on landing with just a secondary sensor destroyed

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Well, Kerbals had just discovered Re-entry heating, putting even more stress on their launches that had to return. Good. Like there weren't enough problems...

Edited by Fenisse
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Chapter 5.1: Satellites are hard Part 1

After more or less successful suborbital flights, the public attention raised, and the next goal was to achieve orbit with an unmanned spacecraft around Kerbin. Most would've gone for manned spacecraft, but no one signed for them. Like if someone wanted to explode ten meters from the launch pad six seconds after launch (cough... HeatSAT ...cough). Whatever.

Many rockets were built, but none succeeded. It was the same for Phoenix Space Organization. Although we had the technology to launch satellites, rockets were very unsuccesful and unstable, as stated in other chapters.

PhoenixSAT was our first series of satellites. The first two were actually called PhoenixSAT TV-1/2 because they were supposed to be test veichles, although intended for orbiting Kerbin. The first series of satellites weighted about a ton or so, and were equipped with a propulsion module and solar panels, scientific equipment and also a new(ish) sensor on the top.

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To launch them a new launch veichle was crafted: Phoenix I. It was a two stage rocket, fully powered by second generation hypergolic engines. The first stage was powered by a Coxswain engine, while the second by a LV-909 engine.

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The launch of PhoenixSAT TV-1 happened on 15th Kergust 958. It was a beautiful morning, and the launch was planned for 10:30AM.

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The rocket is launched, however sensors are showing errors in the propulsion system, and Mission Control is looking for for the issue

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Well, the issue was that the Coxswain lost power, as a result the rocket fell back to the pad

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This surely wasn't supposed to happen...

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And then the rocket went payload-first into ground

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A great, toxic fire starts at the Launch Pad, firefighters scrambled

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Surprisingly, the payload and second stage tank survived, altough damaged

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This was a great set-back for our organization. The payload survived, although really bad damaged. The Coxswain needed further testing and a new engine was in the process of being built. Hopefully it would've replaced the first stage engine on the Phoenix I.

Fun Fact:

The rocket really crashed. I didn't consider atmosphere when building, and the rocket had a TWR of 0.91, so I was really surprised too when it fell back, that wasn't supposed to happen. Better for me, it adds more suspance.:sticktongue:

Edited by Fenisse
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Chapter 5.2: Satellites are hard Part 2

With the failure of PhoenixSAT TV-1 Phoenix Space Organization had lost a lot of reputation. Although the failure was nearly identical to the first one of HeatSAT, this time the rocket didn't even lift, and just crashed some seconds after. However, as someone in another dimension stated, "Per Aspera ad Astra" - we just had to carry on, one day we would succeed. This wasn't the day unfortunately. PhoenixSAT TV-2 was to become the biggest technical failure of the year. If only someone had kept the hands off the spacebar!

Phoenix Ia was an upgrade to the original one. The first stage was built with another engine, the Bearcat SLS-125, way more reliable (and powerful). The second stage was the same, but now the satellite had to circularize orbit on its engines.

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A month after the previous launch, PhoenixSAT TV-2 was ready to make a difference. -ish

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Launch! Everything, strangely, nominal

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Gravity turn nominal

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Unluckily, an error in the computer guidance separated the first stage too early, when it was still firing. No explosions (for now)

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At least the separation was successful! The rocket still has plenty of Dv left

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Still had a lot of Dv left! The early separation had damaged the struts that held the payload, and without fairings it separated

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Phoenix Space Organization was burying itself even deeper. The next launch had to be a success, or we'd have to close. For the next launch, and for the laters, a new auto pilot was installed: it was called MechJeb, still working today. And also the Bearcat was reduced in power.

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Chapter 6: Around the world in 30 minutes

Two failures, two probes lost, more than two supporters lost. Phoenix Space Organization was on its knees. But I told my team to carry on recklessly, even if International Space Program had more support and funding, in fact, we were more advanced than everyone, and we could make it. Program Astra was started. First phase was to look for three Kerbalnauts. It wasn't hard. Only three Kerbal signed.

Jebediah Kerman interwiev:

Dildon: So, mister, uh, Jebediah Kerman, why d'you want to become a Kerbalnau-?

Jebediah: I want to become a Kernaught because I fear nothing.

Dildon: Yeah, Kerbalnaut. Have you had any experience befo-?

Jebediah: I played with model rockets in my garden. And in neighbour's.

Dildon: Whatever. You're assumed. (This will be bad)

Bill Kerman interwiew:

Dildon: So, mister Bill Kerman, why d'you want to become a Kerbalnaut?

Bill: I'd like to be a Kerbalnaut because I've studied hard in (Astro)Phisical subjects at University and ISP hasn't opened a Kerbaled program.

Dildon: Really good. Have you had any experience before?

Bill: I repaired cars with my father.

Dildon: Assumed ASAP!

Bob Kerman interwiev:

Dildon: So, mister Bob Kerman, why d'you want to become a Kerbalnaut?

Bob: I watched lots of TV programmes about space, and I am a medic. I think that could help.

Dildon: Good. Any experience before?

Bob: I am Chief Medic at Kertalia National Hospital

Dildon: Really? You must be assumed!

End of candidates

Now, let's switch to second phase: launching a satellite.

Many failures had plagued Phoenix I before. But our engineers made sure that any previous error was resolved. So on 21st Kerbnember 958, PhoenixSAT I was launched. Win or die.

Before flight, all our Kerbalnauts went to inspect the rocket.

0R6zQFd.png

Bill: Do we really have to fly on these things?

Jeb: I think its fun. And afterall, we have composite helmets.

Bob: I have a bad feeling about this. I think I'll need to do lots of work...

Heremy: I think we are safer than you in our supersonic fireballs.

The rocket was scheduled for launch in the early morning

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5 seconds to last chance

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We can't go back

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Gravity turn nominal

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Separation nominal!

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Second stage ignition nominal!

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Coasting to apokerb

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Orbit burn

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Satellite deployed, last 40m/s

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Should be in orbit

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Antennas delployed. Ready to transmit data

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Success!. This was the first satellite around Kerbin. Orbit was 97,987 x 72,401 at 18,981° of inclination, orbital period was 31m 36.33s.

The international community was shocked. No one believed it. But even ISP trackers could confirm it: PhoenixSAT-1 was going around the world in 30 minutes.

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Chapter 6: Tensions Arise

From First Page of "The Daily Kerbal" 15th Kerbember 958

KERBIN IS THREATENED AGAIN!

Last afternoon the small but powerful nation of Kergrain has scrambled the Main Army to the Keriigan border: Keriigan leaders call for help, an invasion might be imminent. This night there was another breakthrough: the nations that didn't join "International Kerbin Council" created an organization hostile to IKC, leaded by Kergrain: "United Kanarcho Organization".

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IKC member nations are meeting right now to decide what to do, until new orders, all space exploration programs are halted, and development is focused on ICBMs, missiles capable of launching a bomb across Kerbin. Phoenix Space Organization is, redundantly, providing rocket technology.

At the IKC Building, United Kerbal Republic

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UKR President: This, my fellow leaders, is a really difficult situation. We need to act immediately! We must maintain our interceptors on alert every second!

KKB Leader: But we mustn't attack! A war is going to just get the situation worse!

Kertain First Minister: We should as well just send fees for the attack!

Kertalia First Minister: As you know, we are for the peaceful solution. But we must keep our Armies on alert. I'm sorry to say that, but that might save us if anything goes wrong.

Kermania President: I agree.

IKC President: Do we all agree on this proposal?

Council: Yes, we do.

IKC President: Alrighty then, keep Armies on stand-by, fees will start tomorrow, or if we manage, also this evening.

COUNCIL CLOSED

Wait until "tomorrow" to see the latest ICBM development notes, thank you.

Edited by Fenisse
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Chapter 7: Shingeki no Kerbin

(That's not how it's translated!)

But before, let's test two ballistic missiles: InterKerbin 1 and InterKerbin 2. Such creativity...

So, InterKerbin 1 was actually the "long" range one. The first stage was powered by KWRocketry new engine: WildCat V, and the second stage by our well known Coxswain. Hoping it won't flame out. The Nukenix 34 warhead weighted two tons, but was dummy in the tests. Luckily for the Kerbals below.

Ready to launch

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That engine is a beast!

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Nice flames

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Coxswain working! Hooraa!

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Still burning...

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Warhead separated at 66km

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At apokerb

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Trajectory simulation

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Re-entry

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Falling

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What a timing!

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It exploded. Did you really expect anything else?

InterKerbin 2 was instead fully solid fueled. It was designed for a bit smaller range, but still quite long!

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Ascending

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Gravity turn

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Second stage ignited!

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Big flames for a small rocket

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Warhead separated at 45km

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Trajectory prediction

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Re-entering the atmosphere

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BOOM!

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They were really nice missiles and moreove....

BREAKING NEWS!

United Kanarcho Organization has invaded Keriigan! Troops have already entered the capital!

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IKC is incoming

To protect Keriigan capital, a squad of K-3 Fighter/Bomber was sent in. Lieutennent Theodun Kerman was in one of the planes. He had to destroy the veichles near the Presidential house.

Launched from the UKS Wernan, arriving at the capital

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Target hit, only collateral damage was done to a flag.

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Mission Successful!

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Our Air Force stopped the invasion, while the Navy was attacking the coast. But the main UKO base was ready to send reinforcements. Unless we destroyed it first.

Meanwhile, a KB-1 Bomber of the UKS Air Force took off to destroy the Base Hangar.

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Ready to bomb

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Bombs away!

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It's an hit!

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As soon as the Bomber striked, another KB-1 piloted by Commander Billy-Bobsen and Captain Heremy Kerman was launched to destroy the factories and Army Base.

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Arriving from another angle

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Bombs away!

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Oh my Kod, we crushed them wankers!

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Big fires for a big bombing!

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The invasion was finally stopped on 23 Kerbruary 959. Rocket development was restarted. Luckily nothing was lost by IKC. There were however 12547 casualties. From both sides, and a lot of civilians too.

Edited by Fenisse
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  • 2 weeks later...

Chapter 8: Radiation in space

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Four months after its launch, PhoenixSAT-1 had already re-entered the atmosphere, and had been destroyed by the rigors of re-entry. During its life in orbit, it discovered strange levels of radiation: not all of it was coming from Kerbol. Unfortunately the probe wasn't equipped with specialized radiation equipment over than a basic Keiger counter. UKR scientist James Van Kallen developed a way to not only measure radiation, but also giving a rough estimate of the source of it. The International Kerbin Council asked us to put in orbit a PhoenixSAT equipped with a Van Kallen counter. The Van Kallen counter, however, had to be mounted in a tube about 2 meters long and half a meter wide, and the old design couldn't be used. Instead, using a smaller computer core and fuel tank, PSO was able to create a new satellite with the Van Kallen counter on the top.

Some days after the end of the war, a Phoenix Ib, basically a smaller version of the basic Phoenix I, was being readied for launch at KSCLP-1.

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In the late morning, the rocket engine is ignited, and it starts lifting off

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During the gravity turn the first stage is separated

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Note the second stage is less powerful than before

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The fairing is separated at 22km altitude

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At SECO the probe engine ignites, giving the last 50 m/s to get into orbit

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The probe reaches orbit and is deployed. Final orbit is 133,552km x 80,835 at 5,203° inclination

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The first results arrive in a matter of half a month. There are radiation "belts" that dissipate radiation from Kerbol, now named after the scientist who discovered them: Van Kallen. These belts seem to go higher than 130km, and we aren't certain how high they'll go, however this is a great discovery for Kerbaled spaceflight: these belts' radiation is not dangerous for Kerbals, but Kerbol's is. By having a natural shield against radiation, the capsule designers had to replan everything they had designed.

Meanwhile, as the probe was sitting in a quite high orbit around Kerbin, the orbital decay showed it was to return to Kerbin in more than a century.

Excuse me for the long absence, I had to be operated to remove a nevus, and, you know, the operation itself is not that much, matter of minutes. However, the medicinals I had to take before it were really terrible. One gave me stomachache and the other made me fall asleep every now and then. But don't worry, I'm fine and I hope to keep this thread updated as frequently as possible :)

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