Kerbal Space Program Mission #6: The mission itself

Munar Lander 3: Thunderbird Three, go!

Day 13

Active project: Munar Lander Project

Active mission: Munar Lander 2
Next mission: Munar Lander 3

Selected vehicle: Lightning 2

Assigned crew: Unmanned

The one with the big round thing on top is the water tower. Oh, wait.

The selection of the unmanned prototype as the Lightning 2 came down to three factors; Nick commented first, his argument was more compelling, and I felt like it.

No point in a countdown on an unmanned launch; nobody's got cheeks to nervously clench in anticipation.

Although the Munar Lander 3 mission is the first unmanned flight, the probe allows for the same range of controls a pilot provides. The reaction wheels are less powerful so it's slower to rotate itself without rocket thrust vectoring or utilizing the empty command pod's control system (which it seems to be doing successfully.

The major difference is the lack of a crew member to perform any reports on its own. There won't be much for the probe to do on this mission except plot a course.

Today's global weather report is zero overcast.

 The launch vehicle and orbital transfer rocket perform the same as last time, putting the similarly-sized Lightning 2 on a path to the moon.

Ugly lighter, or crappy lightsaber? You be the judge.

The rocket passes close to the Mün after a 6-hour journey and decelerates enough to be placed into orbit. So far the solar panels have been collecting enough sunlight to maintain power close to full, though the battery itself holds about six hours charge.

Landing at the exact same site as Munar Lander 2 is going to take some precision maneuvers to line up, not to mention I want to wait until it's daytime down there for visibility. The first maneuver instructed to the probe is to tilt the axis up to match the latitude of the site. Performing it on the further end of the elliptical orbit costs less fuel.

Great, I've just turned this mission into an Energizer commercial...

It's only after reaching that distance a few hours later that I see one point to making bigger initial orbital adjustments: for some reason the unmanned rocket was left in a such a position that neither solar panel would face the sun. In an orbit that will probably never tilt them towards the sun.

By the time I realized the error, the probe was out of power. No power means no turning to face the sun on its own, let alone restarting the engine.

...And our rocket into a $25m lawn ornament.

Looks like we'll get to try out that 2-seat lander design after all! 

Thong was rather keen on that version, so I think I'll assign his Kerbonaut to pilot the mission unless another volunteer steps up.

"I'm cold and I think there's wolves out here..."

Josh will just have to spend another dreary Münar night waiting while I get the Lightning 3 assembled and stitch up a new mission banner.

Kerbal Space Program Mission #6

Munar Lander 3: Rescue mission

I realize it's been a while since my last update, I suppose my attention had been drawn away by a couple various things.

Fortunately for our first astronaut on the moon, we'll pick up the same day we left off, even though he doesn't have to worry about food or air.

At least the landscape is more interesting than driving through Nebraska.

Day 12

Active project: Munar Lander Project

Active mission: Munar Lander 2
Next mission: Munar Lander 3

Selected vehicle: ?

Assigned crew: ?

My readership has generously spoken and the immediate goal is to rescue Josh from the Mün and return him to planet Kerbin. Without an engine his lander cannot leave the surface, thus a new lander must be brought to his location to within a couple kilometers of the site itself. This lander must contain one empty command pod to accompany Josh.

Our available technology provides two general design solutions: A lander with a second command pod or a lander with a computerized probe to fly the unmanned pod.

I present our two prototypes: the Lightning 2a and the Lightning 2b.

In addition to the newly-developed probe, Josh Kerman's surface broadcast provided enough scientific data to complete several new pieces of technology to accompany its operation, namely electric battery packs and solar panels.

You'd think sticking an Everlasting Gobstopper on top wouldn't consume so much electricity.

Since the probe consumes electricity continuously, the solar panels are necessary to collect more energy from sunlight during the 7 or 8 hours of flight to reach the Munar 2 site. The battery increases the lander's reserves during time spent in the shadow of Kerbin or the Mün.

Mostly aerodynamic.

After testing the probe body's ability to maneuver the lander prototype, i've concluded the added mass of the probe, two panels and a small battery module appears to be negligible.

R2-D2: professional skydiver.

A single radial parachute has been mounted on the back of the lander and a successful landing was tested at KSP. Barring any electrical power issues during the flight, this design should work.

Meanwhile, the Lightning 2b involves simply attaching a second pod between the fuel tank and the original command module.

I heard you like command pods.

This is an inelegant but straight-forward solution. To test this configuration on such short notice, James Kerman has volunteered for a short takeoff and parachute-assisted landing.

"I preferred my experimental rocket, it looked less stupid."

Prototype 2b presents the advantage of only utilizing pre-existing components tested on the last mission, though it also has the disadvantage of weighing considerably more than 2a; the fuel tank has been extended to compensate for the additional ton of mass.

This would mean a second astronaut to collect samples and make flight reports for science, on the other hand. The lander itself works fine on the descent to Kerbin. Hopefully this wont impede fuel consumption for the rest of the rocket.

So it looks like all we have to do now is pick which prototype to go with; the new lightweight experimental unmanned lander or the bulkier two-seater? 

Josh will just have to wait a bit longer while we decide.

Doesn't look like cabin fever has set in yet.

Kerbal Space Program Mission #5, part 2

Munar Lander 2, part 2: Finally, the moon.

Day 12

Active project: Munar Lander Project

Active mission: Munar Lander 2

Selected vehicle: Lightning 1

Assigned crew: Josh Kerman

A day has passed as Munar Lander 2 makes its approach.

If you can play beer-pong with a table mounted on an airplane two miles away you can intercept the moon with a rocket.

The lander and its orbital transfer stage will pass within 50 kilometers of the Mün's surface and then perform a retro-burn to first decelerate into an orbit.

A Kodak moment.

It will perform this on the dark side of the Mün, which doesn't provide enough light for a good photo so you'll just have to picture the Lightning 1 rocket thrusting backwards.

Orbital parking: still easier than parallel parking.

Landing on the night side is difficult due to reduced ability to gauge correct altitude and terrain. A few minutes of orbiting provides Josh time to line up a landing site.

KSP said to be sure you park in the correct crater.

 The largest crater currently under sunlight should make for an easy flat target. The Lightning begins to decelerate and bring itself out of orbit.

That can't be Kerbin, Kerbin looks way bigger than that from space.

My knowledge of landing without an atmosphere tells me it's best to not slow down too much too early, as gravity will only continue to pull you down and accelerate every time you try to kill your speed.

Looking desperately for the runway lights...

At an altitude of about 15,000-10,000 km the downward velocity can be reduced to under 40 meters per second and allow the rocket to come down for a final landing burn.

There's a bit of extra fuel left in the orbital transfer stage, but at this point Josh is given the go-ahead to decouple the lander, it can perform the rest of the landing on its own engine and fuel.

Um, why is stage 2 still going?

Josh, you did remember to cut the throttle on before disconnecting that stage, right?

Your circuit's dead, there's something wrong.

...Because otherwise its going to accelerate up into the lander and hold it in place by force...

PANIC!! Panicpanicpanicpanic-

...Which if incorrectly countered can result in the LV-909 lander engine catastrophically collapsing.

Now it is at this point I must apologize, as I would have liked to have been able to photograph this with better timing, but take my word for it that these events occurred in real time as described and were not staged.

No food, no water, no air supply. not that he technically needs those, but still.

Well then. At least the remaining lander module survived impact. In retrospect there were several ways the lander could have separated from the runaway orbital transfer stage, including briefly thrusting at full throttle or simply letting it fall to the ground and implode under the weight of the lander, but who knows how that would have played out.

Josh Kerman's Munar Lander now lacks an engine and thus any means to return home on its own. Until another ship arrives he is stranded here.

That doesn't mean he can't do the mission objectives we sent him here for, on the other hand!

The first words spoken on the Mün were incomprehensible due to uncontrollable sobbing.

First of all, the radio antenna has enough power to transmit one full crew report from the surface of the Mün. That's valuable history, so we'll gladly accept that.

"I think it's gonna be a long long time 'till touchdown brings me 'round again"

The space program will still want Josh to perform the first Extra Vehicular Activities on another planetary body, even though it will be just for posterity at this point (or for whenever we manage to pick him up).

"Hey Joshie, he coming to your town! Hey Joshie, he never wear a frown!"

We're also able to confirm that giant steps are what you take, walking on the moon. I dunno, I heard someone claim that once.

If you spot one with a fossil let us know.

No need to rush finding the perfect moon rock to bring home, Josh. Take your pick.

We would have flown the flag of a sovereign nation if planet Kerbin had any.

Finally, The flag should be planted to commemorate this event and mark where Kerbal-kind first landed (I suppose the ship itself is doing that already; not like it' going anywhere).

Josh can also try out the reduced gravity at his leisure and see how high he can jump. As theorized, astronauts really enjoy jumping around on the moon.

I hope you brought a couple books.

So dear readers, should we hastily assemble a 2-seat rocket and prepare a rescue mission next, or move on and retry like nothing happened? I will showcase a couple potential rescue designs over the next few days but leave our astronaut here until a rescue mission is requested.

Kerbal Space Program Mission #5

Munar Lander 2: What happened to #1?

Day 11

Active project: Munar Lander Project

Active mission: Munar Lander 2

Selected vehicle: Lightning 1

Assigned crew: Josh Kerman

Finally, the Lighting 1 launch vehicle is ready to send astronaut Josh Kerman to the moon. Topping it off is the new mission patch, which shall serve as the flag at the first Münar landing site.

Yes, I am counting the lander prototype test flight as mission #1. The fake moon landing was real; the real flight will thus be #2.


Anyhow, let's get his beast in the air and out of the atmosphere.

5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Ignition!

The completed Lightning 1 consists of the Munar Lander, a single-engine second stage (much like an extended version of the Thunder Road) meant to transfer the lander from Kerbin orbit to the Mün's orbit, and a triple bundle three-engine first stage flanked by a trio of the new extended solid rocket boosters.

The boosters will burn considerably longer and push stage 1 closer to the upper atmosphere, where it can accelerate quicker with less air resistance.

Our biggest lawn dart yet.

The Lightning is proving itself to be a far superior launch platform, although it does cost almost twice as much to build as the previous rocket.

We actually don't have a working means to recover spent stages at this point. No joke.

Josh is almost in orbit before stage 1 is finally spent. All that needs to be done next is accelerate to orbital speed.

How majestic.

This will actually be a short mission entry, the trip to the Mün will again take one standard Kerbin day and give me time to prepare the log for the landing approach itself.

You may want to take more than a couple days off your day job for this trip, josh.

Not to spoil anything, but it's going to be challenging surprise.

Kerbal Space Program Mission #4, part 3

Explorer 4, part 3: The voyage home

Day 9

Active project: Project Explorer

Active mission: Explorer 4

Selected vehicle: Thunder Road 3

Assigned crew: Nick Kerman

I almost forgot about Nick. Let's tune in for his atmospheric descent.

Ask me about how I almost got Nick killed again on this mission.

Nick's bringing the Explorer 4 back at about the same speed as David did in the previous mission, and in the same type of rocket. I wouldn't call it 'routine' just yet but some of the surprises and possible mishaps have been eliminated.

Don't touch the floor or sides of the cabin for the next couple minutes.

It does still give us some great photos and sense of accomplishment, though.

"There a limo ready at the landing site, right?"

Parachute successfully does not rip out of its mounting when released. That's always a plus.

That's no moon...

Again, parachute lines fail to break upon the force of opening.

...Oh wait, it is a moon. (Two moons, if you look close enough.)

Nick lands his pod on an incline and waits for recovery.

Kerbal Space Center is able to properly analyze the material experiments and confirm a great amount of scientific data, not to mention all the information from the command pod itself. These findings will bring us closer to some major R&D results soon, particularly new scientific measuring tools and experiments, in addition to bigger rocket parts and unmanned probes.

We'll put the Explorer project on hold while we focus on the new challenge of reaching the Mün.

Day 10

Active project: Munar Lander Project

Active mission: Munar Lander 1

Selected vehicle: Lightning Lander Prototype

Assigned crew: Josh Kerman

As previously outlined, the new launch vehicle needs to be able to bring our lander into orbit of Kerbin's moon. That function will have to be tested in the field (the Kerbal way of doing things), but we should at least ensure the lander can be used to perform the critical mission objectives by our selected astronaut: Josh Kerman, first Kerbal in space.

"I'm going to the moon already?"

Here we have the Munar Lander Lightning prototype on the launchpad. This test is simply confirming the lander has the capacity to maneuver, land, and allow for EVA operations upon exiting the craft. If it can be accomplished here it can do so in a lighter, airless environment.

"Because I thought you said the rocket would be bigger this time."

The new engine has a low maximum thrust but the lander is light enough to easily lift off in Kerbin's gravity.

"That was quick."

This is also a good test for my ability to perform a landing while also taking screenshots; The lander will fall more slowly in the moon's gravity so I may have sufficient opportunity for good snapshots before touchdown.

"The moon appears to be already inhabited, with its own space center that looks just like ours."

With gravity being only 1/6th of Kerbin's, Josh's spacesuit rocket pack will have enough thrust to fly him back into the command pod, assuming he can't simply jump up to the hatch. Here on Kerbin, he'll just have to settle for walking back to the command center.

"There's grass on the moon!"

Our primary objectives on the surface itself, other than getting Josh's reports of his first-hand experience of the moonscape (Münscape? Am I bugging anyone with these derived words?), will be two-fold: grabbing a surface sample and planting a flag. A substantial amount of science data is expected from a set of Mün rocks.

First Kerbin to land in the back lot and walk around in a spacesuit.

The flag will merely mark the landing site for future posterity and record-keeping. We'll humor Josh and let him put up the Kerbal Space Center's default flag. We'll take it down again as soon as he leaves.

Of course I will have no idea whether there's enough fuel to bring the lander to the Mün and back, but we'll find that out on the next mission. As always, questions and comments appreciated, whether here, on Facebook, or in person.