Y1D45 MISSION002 PROGRAM: ICARUS

Location: Kape Karnival Space Center, United Kerbal States

Crew: Elsen Kerman

Objectives:

Primary:

-Achieve first manned orbit of Kerbin.

-Safe recovery of crew.

Secondary:

-Collect scientific data from crew, telemetry, and geiger counter.

-Study effects of vacuum on Material G00-1 sample.

-Perform Extravehicular Activities once in orbit.

Preparations have finished for the PSEB’s second manned launch. Icarus II, the first craft meant to reach orbit, is lifted onto the launch clamps as the team at MICON looks on. Elsen Kerman, the pilot selected for this mission, settles down into his seat. The uneasiness that surrounded the program following the launch of Icarus I two and a half weeks prior. In the Mission Control room, a lone Kerbal stood off to the side sipping coffee, her arm in a sling. Harster Kerman had survived Icarus I’s harsh landing, thankfully with little more than bruises and a broken bone. Despite her fears for this mission, her demeanor was cool and professional. Gene Kerman, MICON’s director, cast a glance at her before beginning the pre-launch checklist.

The design of the rocket had been updated. Following the near disaster of the previous mission due to insufficient planning, a directive had been sent out by the administration of the PSEB: All future flights must ensure the survivability of the crew at every stage of the mission. The interior of the AIES C1 Orbiter pod was now padded, and the control systems had redundancies built in to ensure their continued function in the event of a failure. Additionally, the life support systems that would provide air, water and food to the crew had been installed in the pod for this launch. Mounted onto the side of the pod were two parachute systems. Each one was capable of safely landing the pod on its own. The rocket stack is topped by a newly invented component known as a Launch Escape System, or LES. In the event of an emergency during the ascent stage of the launch, the abort procedure could be triggered, by either the crew, or MICON in the event of the crew being incapacitated. Triggering the abort procedure would cut the fuel to all engines on the craft and release the pod from the rocket stack. The LES, essentially a rod with solid rocket motors mounted on it, fires at the same time, pulling the pod up and laterally from the rocket stack to a safe distance. The parachutes could then be released, and the pod can land safely to be recovered by emergency crews. Mounted to the bottom of the pod is an ablative heat shield, which will protect the pod from the intense effects of reentry into Kerbin’s atmosphere.

Icarus II has a number of secondary goals related to the gathering of scientific data. As before, instruments in the C1 will record and send biometrics and telemetry data back to MICON during the flight. On top of the pod sat the science package, which includes a geiger counter system, short range antenna, and a device designed to test a substance that scientists classified at Material G00-1. G00-1 exists as a highly viscous putty at STP, but it is extremely susceptible to environmental conditions. PSEB researchers believe the reactions that G00-1 shows when exposed to the harshness of space will provide a glimpse into how conditions in space differ from Kerbin. Once the craft has reached a stable orbit, MICON will give the Go/No-go for Elsen to attempt an Extravehicular Activity, or EVA, during which he will fly around the craft and perform a visual inspection of the craft.

The rocket stack consists of a Loki 1.25m upper stage, mounted on top of an Odin 1.25m ascent stage. The Odin, which was developed in parallel with the Loki, has been cleared for launch following off-site unmanned test. It consists of five small booster engines, arranged in a cross. They provide more power than a single 1.25m engine of any existing design. Odin will carry Icarus II into space, then separate with pyrotechnic charges. Following the separation, Loki, which carried Icarus I to the upper atmosphere, will ignite near apoapsis, propelling Icarus II to orbital velocity. When the orbital mission is completed, the craft will be turned around and Loki will fire a second time to bring the periapsis inside the atmosphere.

Mission control completes the pre-flight checks of the craft. Gene Kerman gives the go ahead. As before, contractors stand by to observe the launch in preparation of their future engineering tasks.

“Icarus, MICON. All lights are green, we are go for launch.”

“MICON, Icarus. Copy that, ready for ignition,” replied Elsen. The Kerbalnaut released the transmission button on the pod’s console and braced himself.

“10… 9… 8… 7… 6… 5… 4… 3… 2… 1… Ignition!”

Odin ignites immediately, sending a plume of smoke out of the launch pad vents. The clamp releases, and Elsen is pushed back in his seat as the rocket roars into the sky.

“We have liftoff. All systems nominal.”

Icarus II shakes violently as it ascends into the sky. Odin’s five engines gush bright jets of light. The craft reaches an apoapsis of 100km before Odin flames out.

“Icarus, confirm burnout on Odin,” crackles MICON in Elsen’s headset.

“MICON, Odin has burned out.”

“Hard copy, Icarus. Initiating stage separation… separation confirmed. Activating Loki… ignition!”

Loki roars to life, accelerating far faster than Odin. Elsen is slammed back in his seat from the 3+ Gs.

“We have ignition on Loki. Tminus thirty four seconds on the burn…”

Loki brings the craft to a 100km x 120km orbit. As the engines flame out, Elsen feels weightlessness take over his body, which is restrained by the harness on his seat.

“Icarus, telemetry shows that you have achieved orbit. Congratulations.”

“Congratulate yourselves, MICON. All systems look nominal from here.”

“Confirmed, Icarus. Sit tight for a bit while we check everything here.”

Elsen takes out his notepad and begins recording observations. PSEB protocol dictates that all pilots should keep detailed records of all experiences when on missions. Meanwhile, tests from the ship’s science package are performed. As the second orbit completes, mission control calls the craft.

“Icarus, primary scientific objectives have been completed. Systems still nominal.”

“MICON, requesting permission to perform EVA procedure.”

“Request granted, Icarus. You are go for EVA. We are taking control of the craft.”

Elsen closed the visor on his suit and sealed it. The air was pumped out of the C1 and into holding tanks, which would be refilled following the completion of the EVA. With mission control keeping watch over the craft, Elsen checked his maneuvering pack and opened the hatch.

“MICON, hatch is open and maneuvering pack is functioning. Leaving the ship now.”

Else undoes his harness, grips the edges of the opening, and pulls himself out into space.

“MICON, I sure wish you could see this. The pictures won’t do it justice,” reports Elsen.

Gingerly, he pushes off the spacecraft. Allowing himself to drift a short distance from the craft, he kills his relative velocity and turns around. The view is unlike anything ever seen by Kerbalkind. Elsen begins the procedures for inspecting the craft. He only gets partway through them before he is cut short by mission control.

“Icarus, we’re going to have to end your walk a bit early. Return to the ship as soon as possible.”

“Copy that, MICON. Aborting EVA procedure.”

Elsen maneuvers back to Icarus, and climbs in the hatch. Once he is seated, the hatch is sealed and atmosphere is returned to the cabin.

“Icarus, we’re detecting an issue with part of the battery unit on the C1. Nothing alarming but we are going to cut the flight early. Returning manual control to you. Prepare for reentry procedures and await further instructions.”

A short while later, mission control begins reentry. Loki fires again, bringing the periapsis under 20km. Loki is then jettisoned, leaving just the capsule and the heat shield.

“We’re beginning to see reentry effects on our systems, Icarus. We’ll talk to you again real soon. MICON out.”

“Copy, MICON. It’s nice and cool in here.”

Bright plumes of plasma appear around the pod [this post is unfinished]