CELESTIA III CAPTURES FAR SIDE OF THE MUN

KSP - Year 2, Day 85

Celestia III, the second probe of it's type, made history when it successfully passed behind the Mun and sent back images of the side that never faces Kerbin. After Celestia II, which is now in a permanent orbit around our star, failed to return to Kerbin after acquiring the images, the staff at the KSC needed to get it right this time.

'What a relief,' Gene Kerman said in a later inteview. 'We needed to hit the mark this time. Had we screwed up again... well, I'd hate to think where we'd be.'

Celestia III, which is an identical copy to Celestia II, took several images over forty-minutes as it passed 62km above the surface of the Mun's far side. The best images released to the public are shown below. After the images were captured, Mission Control had to wait for the probe to return within two-million kilometers of Kerbin so it could successfully transmit the images back. A short while later, the probe burned up in Kerbin's atmosphere.

The most striking feature is the huge impact crater with a very distinct canyon to the crater's north. It seems that this side of the Mun is perhaps much more mountainous than the side that faces Kerbin. Even Celestia II's broken image shows the enormous crater, although no one wanted to speculate at the time due to the poor quality. The crater is not the largest of the Great Craters, but it does appears to have the largest canyon running into it. Although the quality of the images does limit the amount scientific data that can be extracted, staff say there is yet much studying to be done.

Celestia II's image for comparison. It is now clear that the speculated large crater was apparent even in this image.

The booster, which trailed the probe, could not be detected once the probe passed behind the Mun and is thought to have crashed somewhere on the far side.

The next step is rumored to be an attempted landing.

THE MUN RETAINS IT'S FAR-SIDE SECRETS

KSP - Year 2, Day 61

The Mun proves to be a challenging target as Celestia II missed it and shot off into the solar system. The idea of the mission was to capture images of the far side of the Mun for the first time. But an incorrect burn caused the probe to miss its target. Although it successfully flew behind the Mun, it failed to then return to Kerbin to send the images it had captured.

A model of Celestia II performing am attitude thrustering test

However, once Mission Control realised that their probe was not on a return course for Kerbin, they tried to send the data anyway. Most of the imagery was far from clear, but the best example is shown below.

Far side of the Mun from Celestia II

A project spokesman commented:

'We miscalculated a burn due to a faulty booster. We had already missed one transfer causing Celestia II to be stuck in orbit around Kerbin for over a day before the next window. After we knew the probe would not return to a good communication range to transmit the images, we tried to capture the data anyway. Although nothing solid can be concluded from the images, we suspect the far side of the Mun to be quite similar to the side we always see.'

The mistake from Mission Control sent Celestia II and it's booster on an orbit around the Sun, making them the first objects launched from Kerbin to have a heliocentric orbit. The probe continued to send data for three days until it fell out of communication range, destined to forever orbit our star. 

OBSERVER MOSAICS THE MUN

KSP - Year 2, Day 47

Today, the Observer team released an image that trialed a detailed map of the Mun. In recognition that a Mun landing with a probe might happen this year, the team set to work on taking close-up images of the Mun's surface for suitable landing sites. They then pieced these images together like jigsaw puzzle to create a large and detailed map.

'It wasn't a complete success,' said one of the projects leaders. 'There are several gaps in the mosaic. But by the time Observer was back into position to retake the areas we missed, everything was so out of alignment it just didn't work. We have to be quick with this kind of imagery, because everything is moving so fast up there. As it was just a test it wasn't vital to get it right this time, though. It was a lot of fun, but a lot of work. Once the polar studies are completed, we will move Observer to a higher orbit and then do a much more thorough job.'

Below is the work produced by the Observer team. It was made up of 38 separate images and shows finer detail of the cratered surface than other images produced from the probe.

The Mun Mosaic

A single-shot image from Observer to show the detail difference. The smaller craters are not visible using this method of imagery

There is speculation that the KSP staff have left out the blank areas on purpose to conceal objects they have found on the Mun. Objects that they don't want the public to see.

One skeptic commented:

'It's obvious that there is stuff on there they don't want the public to know about. How could they miss an entire equatorial plane with their telescope?'

KSP staff simply laughed at the claims, calling them 'complete rubbish'. The mosaic images were captured in very quick succession and they commented saying:

'We're just surprised we didn't miss more!'

KSP REACHES THE MUN!

KSP - Year 2, Day 36

Named the Celestia Project, the staff at KSP have finally turned their attention on the Mun. Yesterday, Celestia I was launched with the mission to prove that a probe can leave the orbit of Kerbin an successfully reach the Mun. And it succeeded. 

An artists painting of the Celestia-I impact probe

A Houndstone C-2b was used to escape Kerbins gravity and deliver the probe to the Mun. Although a success, the mission, once again, wasn't without glitches. An ill-placed gravity detector unit failed to turn on. Other data, such as altitude above the Mun and velocity, were measured successfully from other equipment, however. Also, the probes separation from the booster altered the course to a point where it caused Celestia I to nearly miss the Mun completely. Celestia I also became the furthest-traveled Kerbal-made object, the first vehicle to enter the sphere-of-influence of another world and also the first to impact another celestial body.

An image of the Mun taken from the Observer telescope showing the impact site of Celestia I

The probe had no propulsion system itself. For a machine that is designed to impact another world and destroy itself, there seemed little sense in adding such systems. So from an orbit of 80km above Kerbin, the second-stage booster took aim and fired the probe to the Mun. Under the watchful eye of CommSat IV, Celestia I crashed into the Mun at a speed of 845m/s just eight hours and twenty minutes after launch.

The second-stage booster followed Celestia I and impacted the Munar surface a few minutes after the probe. However, the booster had nearly half of its fuel remaining, which is a common trend with the launch vehicles. As the missions become more complex, the price-tag usually goes up with it. And can KSP really justify wasting resources like this? When asked about the projects funding, a spokesman replied:

'We are aware that our rocket division is perhaps a little over-zealous. However, we have begun to invest a lot of time into this issue. We have a new series of launch vehicles in development which we can expect to see soon.'

Regardless of this, we look forward to the next mission.

DEATH OF STARCOMM

KSP - Year 2, Day 9

The staff at the Kerbal Space Centre started the second year of their operations with some what of a bleak beginning. The two StarComm satellites, which were the first long-term communication satellites put into orbit, were purposely returned to Kerbin's atmosphere.

After the CommSat geostationary network project was completed, the two StarComm satellites were rendered obsolete. Although arguments were made to use the satellites as back-ups for CommSat, the decision was to test de-orbiting for scientific purposes.

An illustration of one of the StarComm's being lifted into orbit on it's second-stage booster

StarComm I burned up in the atmosphere after more than 270 days of operation. Starcomm II, which was de-orbited several hours later, had complete more than 197 days.

'It was a sad day to see these pioneers of space sent to a fiery death,' said one of the Kerbin Orbital Communications project leaders. 'But they were now obsolete. To use them as spares for the CommSat's meant getting them into the same orbit. Although achievable, they would have used almost all of their fuel to do so and it was deemed pointless. But the teams used to operate the craft will benefit the project more by concentrating on the next phase.'

When asked what those other things might be, the reply, with a smile, was simply:

'Well, the Mun, of course.'

KSP LAUNCHES COMMSAT, THE BIGGEST PROJECT YET!

KSP - Day 347

The staff on the KSP usually don't do things by halves. And to end the year they embarked on the biggest project yet - the placement of a geo-stationary satellite communications network. A total of four geostationary satellites were put into equitorial orbit around Kerbin, 90 degrees apart from each other. Then a further two were placed in polar orbit. The satellites were named CommSat I - VI and are a successor to the two StarComm's that are doing a similar job at the moment.

A new rocket system needed to be developed due to the amount of fuel required to put each satellite at an orbital distance of 2.8 million kilometers. This makes the CommSat series the furthest Kerbal-made objects to date (roughly one-third of the way to the Mun). To achieve this distance, the Houndstone C-2A was presented to KSP. These also sported reusable boosters and a more sophisticated fuel-delivery system. Once the boosters are jettisoned, they will parachute back down into the ocean for collection, refueled and then re-used for another launch.

In addition, the second stage was also a 'smart booster' and had the ability to be remote controlled once the payload is released. This allowed the booster to be de-orbited back to Kerbin to eliminate any danger of a future collision with the satellites. This heralded the 'Orbital Debris Reduction Program', or ODeRP for short.

The C2-A launcher was also able to carry the polar CommSat's into orbit with some modifications and were re-named to C2-B's. Their boosters were not re-usable, but the launch vehicle was a much cheaper option than the Houndstone II system. During booster separation of CommSat VI, one of the boosters collided with the first-stage after a roll misalignment during jettison. This damaged the first-stage, which had to be immediately shut-down and jettisoned several seconds before originally intended. The second-stage and probe were unaffected and were cleared to continue as normal.

A new Houndstone C2-A lifter on the launchpad sporting it's new reusablebooster system. The C2-B had larger boosters for extra grunt for the polar orbits

The whole mission took nearly seven days to achieve. But now that the satellites are there, Mission Control has global communication with any vehicle they put into space. Gene Kerman said at a press release on the mission's completion:

'This is a very valuable step towards our space program. We no longer have to rely on our communications stations around the world to keep in contact with other probes. This ensure things run much more smoothly.'

What a view! An impression of one of the CommSat's illustrating it's orbital distance from Kerbin

FIRST SATELLITE RECOVERED FROM KERBIN ORBIT

KSP - Day 283

Scientists had brought the level of technology down a few notches with their next mission, but had raised the bar of the challenge. Their task was to see if a probe can be launched, put into orbit and then return to Kerbin. Similar projects had been attempted before, but they just went straight up and then came straight back down. This time it had to go up, stay up and then come back down at a chosen time.

Dubbed Frontier III, the first mission was a failure in the end. The launch and orbit went well, but the probe did not survive re-entry. A spokeman said:

'After completing ten orbits it was time to bring Frontier III back down. It was cutting it a bit fine because the batteries were beginning to run low. And without battery power, the parachute won't be able to open. But the data we were gathering was crucial for future mission. After nearly six hours of space-flight, the probe began the re-entry sequence, but we were never able to re-establish a signal.'

An impression of Frontier III in orbit. Frontier IV was identical. Only the nose of the probe returned to Kerbin while the thrusters and main battery packs were destroyed in re-entry

It turned out that Frontier III was running on out-dated software that caused malfunctions during the deadly re-entry, and the probe was destroyed at around 30km. So the software was updated for the next attempt with Frontier IV. This time, the mission was a success and the probe splashed down safely in the ocean. The team at the KSP have done proud again as they move yet another step closer to Kerbal space-flight.

'KSP' - THE KERBAL 'SPY' PROGRAM?

KSP - Day 225

Excitement grew today when the KSC successfully launched our first imaging satellite into a polar orbit, named Observer. Although there are rumors that the satellite is being used as a test-bed for a 'spy' network, the staff at KSC ensured us that this is not the case. The camera on the satellite is the latest technology and will be used mainly for imaging the poles and the Mun for scientific study.

Artists impression of Observer over the North Pole, with it's new state-of-the-art retractable solar panels

The Observer project leader stated:

'We are very excited with this mission. It will be a long-term project that will be keeping the satellite very busy. At the moment, Observer sits in a low orbit while we focus on studying the polar regions of Kerbin, which is it's primary goal. Then we plan to move the satellite into a much higher orbit to focus on the Mun. Minmus is too far away for a decent study with this equipment, but we will be spending some time there, too, anyway. This was a very expensive project, but I think the results will be spectacular.'

After reaching a low 80km polar orbit, Observer tested it's camera system. Several shots were taken of the North-Pole and one of the South-Pole, making these the first images of Kerbin's polar regions from space. In addition, Observer captured images of the Mun and Minmus to test it's zoom function, which also proved a success and became the first images of worldy bodies from space. The camera system is, however, not powerful enough to capture other planets.

First orbital image of the north pole

First image of the southern pole

A close-up of our nearest neighbour

Although not officially part of the project, it is hoped that Observer can shed some light on the mysteries of Minmus

The last time a satellite was put into a polar orbit, there was much controversy as the rocket would fly over land. With no such hope this time, DAA Aerospace were contracted to design a new rocket. The Houndstone II launch system was a modified version of it's predecessor, but with much bigger tanks. Lighter and more powerful engines were fitted to compensate for the additional mass. 

Houndstone II, the largest rocket to date, launches with Observer

In another break-through, Observer was fitted with a third-stage to push it through the final leg. This is the first time a probe has been fitted with it's own liquid-fueled 'micro' stage. This was later jettisoned. These efforts allowed the satellite to be put in the safer equatorial route, and then later changed it's angle for a polar orbit. As well as proving that it can be done, it is the most costly venture for the KSP to date.

STARCOMM II SCALES KERBIN'S POLES

KSP - Day 179

As mentioned previously, Mission Control stated that StarComm, our first communications satellite in orbit, would be joined with a twin. Today, StarComm II made it into a polar orbit - the first satellite to do so. However, a polar orbit is a little more tricky than the normal equatorial ones we've seen so far. And it's more to do with safety than anything else. 

The normal launch route is to head East over the sea. If there is a failure, the rocket will just fall harmlessly into the ocean. To head directly North for a polar orbit, the rocket would need to pass over land and populated area's. The safest option would be to first launch into a normal equatorial orbit and then change the orbit for polar alignment. The Houndstone launch system, however, does not have the fuel for this. But after several days of debate, the reliability of Houndstone and considering the path directly to the North is mostly mountainous, it was approved to proceed with a direct polar approach.

StarComm II is the first artificial satellite to fly over the poles of Kerbin

The mission was carried out successfully, with the only hindrance being more orbital corrections with the on-board propulsion than planned. This mission also saw the first 'zero space debris' as the second-stage was jettisoned at 67km. At this height there is still some atmosphere, meaning the assembly eventually slowed, fell and disintegrated. StarComm II's on-board propulsion carried the probe through the last leg (another first) and up to 300km. It deployed it's dish successfully and continues to operate.

FIRST IMAGES OF KERBIN FROM SPACE!

KSP - Day 156

Over the past few days the KSP team at the Space Center have been making more history as the ITAD (Imaging, Thermal and Air Data) satellite sent back the first images of our world from space.

The mission of the satellite was to take measurements of our upper atmosphere and also a few snap shots while it was at it. The probe itself was a modified version of Frontier II's spare model. The engineers took it and added the necessary instruments to complete the next mission.

A painting of the ITAD satellite in orbit

Although the mission wasn't a complete success due to an incorrectly calibrated processor, there was still much useful information gleaned from the data sent back. ITAD was also the first true scientific satellite, carrying the imaging camera, thermometer, barometer, dynamic pressure and altitude measuring equipment. Three images were also taken with the on-board camera and transmitted back to mission control.

The first image transmitted back as the satellite passed from the shadow of the planet. The objects at the sides and top of the image are the probes antennas

A picture of home. The bottom-right antenna points to the KSC launch site

The white band around the planet is our atmosphere, which is seemingly thin and fragile from space

Due to the probe skimming the upper atmosphere for a small part of it's orbit, ITAD slowed to a point where it eventually fell back to Kerbin. But not before it completed nineteen orbits over nine-and-a-half hours. During that time, ITAD sent back interesting data, including a lowest temperature recording of -140.6C. 

A LOOK AT THE HOUNDSTONE LAUNCHER

Today I managed to talk to some of the engineers at the KSC about the new Houndstone I rocket system that has been taking the first Kerbal-made satellites into space.

The Houndstone launch-vehicle ready to take the successful StarComm probe into space

Developed by DAA Aerospace, the Houndstone I has taken three satellites into orbit to date, with another one due soon.

In an interview with Jebediah Kerman, he stated:

'It is a powerful rocket. Too powerful for the job it does at the moment. I think on our first mission the second-stage booster still had over half of it's fuel remaining. But I'm sure that once the equipment we send up get's more advanced, and therefore heavier, the rocket will come into it's own. And it's always better to be over powered than under powered!'

The first stage is a tri-engined set-up, using three S1-48A boosters strapped together with LV-T45 rocket motors. It is simply a modified version of the X-1 and X-2 system. This will take the vehicle above 40-50km (depending on payload weight) before being jettisoned and falling back into the sea. The second stage will then ignite and push the probe into orbit around Kerbin. The S2-4A vehicle is also fitted with an RCS system, which allows for attitude control in a vacuum. Once the probe is released, the S2 booster will usually remain in orbit around Kerbin to forever trail the satellite.

A diagram breaking down the stages

The Houndstone is also the largest rocket to date, towering above any of it's predecessors:

A size comparison of all the vehicles developed and launched at the KSC

Whenever I asked if the Houndstone launch vehicle will continue to take our satellites into orbit for the foreseeable future, I usually got a few raised eyebrows. Although the engineers didn't like to say much, they hinted that it was an expensive and over-the-top piece of engineering. I got the impression from them that it was designed for something else other than the relatively light-weight satellites it continues to push above our atmosphere. Jebediah just grinned when I asked if it was designed more towards putting Kerbal's into space, rather than satellites.

KSP LAUNCHES FIRST COMMUNCATIONS SATELLITE

KSP - Day 104

There is an undoubted benefit of having a machine relaying signals between two locations that would normally be out of range of each other. So the boffins at the KSC built a vehicle that would do this from space. A small communications station was constructed on the other side of the ocean to the Space Center. If all went to plan, Mission Control and the communications outpost would be able to send data via the satellite.

'This is an exciting mission,' said one of the scientists at a press conference. 'The thought of eventually having world-wide communications from one location would have limitless benefits. But as well as this, the signals will go beyond our world to control future space missions.'

The probe is named StarComm I. The satellite successfully reached orbit using the Houndstone I launch vehicle. Later, The S2-4A second-stage booster fired it's engine a second time to change the orbital altitude to 300km. The on-board computer was then programmed to ignite the rocket motor a third time to circularise the orbit, but failed to do this. When the probe was back within communications range of mission control, the computer was reset. However, the rocket still failed to restart. A manual firing was attempted and carried out successfully, although the mission was now delayed by several hours.

After a systems check of the probe, the second-stage was jettisoned. The probe then carried out two orbital corrections under it's own on-board thrusters. This was a first for a probe to have it's own propellant system. The test signal between KSC and the communications outpost was tried. StarComm relayed the signal successfully and the mission was declared a success.

Artists impression of StarComm in Orbit

An identical StarComm II is scheduled to launch soon, and both satellites are planned to remain in orbit until superseded.

FRONTIER II HARNESSES SOLAR POWER

KSP - Day 64

Now that KSP has been able to send satellites into a sustainable orbit, more expensive technologies can be trialed. Today, a satellite named Frontier II was launched to test solar panels, which harness energy from our star to recharge the batteries and prolong it's operating life.

Although a success, the mission didn't go ahead without its glitches. An unexpected ignition delay in the engine of the Houndstone's second-stage booster is thought to have been the cause for it's highly elliptical orbit. However, it is now the furthest-traveled Kerbal-made object in space to date, with a peak altitude of 812.9km!

Artists impression of what the Houndstone launch-vehicle might look like in orbit

The probe, however, functioned perfectly. Frontier II lost contact and disappeared into the shadow of Kerbin nearly six minutes after launch. Once in the shadow, Frontier II would have to rely on it's batteries to function. If the solar panels were working correctly, the satellite would pass back into sunlight and recharge it's batteries by the time it was back in communications range with Mission Control.

A spokesman said:

'Almost an hour after we had lost contact, Frontier II moved back within communications range indicating that it had one-hundred percent battery power. This told us that the solar panels were doing their job. Every step we do here is significant, but this one is crucial if we are going to progress efficiently.'

An illustration of Frontier II in space

So satellites now have a sustainable energy source, which we are sure will pave the way for advanced satellite and probe development.

KSP LAUNCHES THE FIRST ARTIFICIAL SATELLITE

KSP - Day 51

Today, the team at KSC made history when they launched the first artificial satellite into orbit around Kerbin. This started the dawn of a new era. Named 'Frontier', the probe was lifted by a brand new two-stage rocket design named 'Houndstone', which was developed from the X-Series rockets. The second-stage booster of the new launch-vehicle is also expected to stay in orbit with the satellite. It had been mentioned that the new rocket turned out to be over-powered when instruments showed that the booster still had over 50% of it's fuel remaining at the time of engine shut-down.

The new Houndstone launcher with it's tri-booster first-stage leaving the launchpad with Frontier

Frontier is a small satellite that was designed only for proving that a sustained orbit around Kerbin can be achieved. At it's peak, the probe has an altitude of 208.7km, and dips down to 74.3km at the lowest point. Confirmation that it is operating in space comes form a continuous series of 'beeps' that it transmits.

Gene Kerman said:

'What an achievement. It feels good. Of course, shortly after it reached orbit we lost contact with the probe as it disappeared over the horizon. We had guys here turning blue waiting for signal re-acquisition, which would indicate the probe had made it into orbit. Sure enough, it appeared again on the other horizon thirty-eight minutes later.'

An artists impression of Frontier in orbit

There was a cheer at mission control as the probes beeps were detected again, proving that Frontier was in a stable orbit around Kerbin. Being battery powered, however, Frontier eventually ran out of power nearly three-and-a-half hours after launch. In that time, it completed four orbits.

Frontier and it's second-stage booster are expected to remain in orbit permanently.

X-4 WRAPS UP THE X-SERIES

KSP - Day 40

X-4 marked the final X-Series rocket to be tested after it's successful flight today. It's mission was the most complicated yet in that it had to mimic R-5's success with it's more sophisticated and heavier systems. We saw the two-stage system reappear, except this time the probe had to survive re-entry from an orbital altitude.

 X-4 at lift-off, sporting four control-fins instead of the traditional three

X-4 lifted off and aimed for an altitude of +70km. The rocket motor was shut off at 40km and the vehicle coasted to a peak altitude of 75.8km. X-4 made a first for rocketry when the engine was restarted for a course correction. This proved that a restart was possible in space, which is an essential feature for future missions.

On the return, the X-4 probe jettisoned the rocket stage at an altitude of 65km and on-board systems detected re-entry heat at 19km. By this stage, the probe was travelling at 860m/s. For the probe to survive the heat of deadly re-entry, a protective heat shield was fitted to the underside of the probe. Once X-4 had slowed down enough through atmospheric friction, the parachute deployed to allow a safe landing in the sea.

The view from the recovery vessel as X-4 parachuted down

Although the batteries died before the probe splashed down, the mission was a success and ended the X-Series program.

At a press conference later, Gene Kerman said:

'Today marked the end of the Age of Rocketry. Tomorrow, we start a new era.'

X-3 A TRIUMPH

KSP - Day 26

The KSP team finally enjoyed success with the new liquid-fuel technology today. Some major changes were also made, with the addition of a larger fuel tank and a new control system. The new equipment, known as the Reaction Control System (RCS), involved the method of venting gas to change the attitude of the rocket once the control fins became ineffective.

In X-3's presentation, one of the lead designers stated: 

'We already knew that the control fin system would be no good at high altitudes. We were just unsure of how high. We've had the RCS under production for a while, and X-3 was already fitted with it when X-2 ran into difficulty. Thankfully, we had all the information we needed from X-2 despite the complications, so we can progress as planned.'

The improved X-3, the tallest rocket yet, on the launch-pad at the KSC

The main objective of the mission was to reach an altitude greater than 70km. At this height there is a complete absence of an atmosphere and a stable orbit should be achieved. Although this target altitude was greatly surpassed with the S-Series, it was very much uncontrolled. The secondary objective is the testing of the RCS. Once the target altitude is achieved and the RCS tested, X-3 will fall back to Kerbin. 

X-3 at launch

The mission from start to finish was a success, with X-3 reaching a peak altitude of 75.6km. The RCS was also successful in controlling the rockets attitude in sparse atmosphere and vacuum. Re-entry heat was felt on the return fall at 19.3km while travelling at 960m/s. X-3 finally broke up six-and-a-half minutes after launch.

X-2 A 'PARTIAL SUCCESS'

KSP - Day 26

The boffins at the KSC had learned from X-1 that our atmosphere can be a cruel mistress. The first attempt saw the rocket get torn to shreds by drag. Today, X-2 suffered quite the opposite: there simply was not enough air.

X-2 at the launchpad

The launch for X-2 went smoothly. This time, however, the speed of the rocket was limited to 200m/s, and then only increased to 300m/s once the vehicle cleared ten-thousand meters.

'Everything was going as it should this time,' Gene Kerman said in a press release later. 'That was until X-2 crossed nineteen kilometers. The only method of control we have for the rocket is the fins. Above nineteen at 300m/s you may as well not have them at all. They're just ineffective.'

Mission control tried to regain control of the rocket for over a minute, but nothing worked and the engine had to be shut down with plenty of fuel left in the tank. X-2 fell back into the ocean at T+4:32, with the mission being branded as a partial-success at best.

I think it's going to be a late night for the staff at KSC.

X-SERIES BEGINS WITH FAILURE

KSP - Day 23

The next generation of rockets to be tested at the Kerbal Space Centre has been branded the X-Series. At a press release earlier today, it was revealed that the new propulsion system has moved towards liquid fuel, instead of the solid-fuel boosters we have been use to so far.

Gene Kerman stated:

'With liquid fuel we have the ability to throttle the engine, instead of the all-or-nothing we've seen with the SRB's. It means the system is more complex and more expensive, sure. But we have more power and that all-important control. It's a necessary step in the development process, and we look forward to the results.'

After the conference the first of the new series, X-1, was cleared for launch. Once again the crowds gathered around to see the awe-inspiring events unravel.

In appearance, the X-Series looks impressive. X-1 stood a lot taller than any of the R-Series. Three control fins sat above a sizable new LV-T30 motor. It's mission was akin to R-1 - just a simple test of it's flight capability. Everyone looked on as the countdown started. X-1's engine fired on the launch pad for ten seconds before it was released into the clear sky.

X-1 leaving the launch pad and leading the next generation of rocketry

Another advantage of the liquid-fuel is the longer endurance. The former RT-10 boosters were good for about 30 seconds, but X-1 had enough fuel for a few minutes. Everything appeared to be going smoothly until T+1:31 when a series of small bangs was heard. A few seconds later, klaxons began wailing around the complex. A sudden hubbub of chatter rose from the crowds as we waited for an explanation. Expecting for a sudden evacuation of the facility, a voice came over the PA system stating that X-1 had suffered a critical failure, but there was no need for alarm. A few moments later, people watched in horror as the rocket fell back from the sky and exploded on land, north of the complex.

'That was close,' Gene said in a later interview. 'No one saw that coming. I mean, this is what testing is all about, but to have the thing crash onto land? We need to rethink some stuff. Thank God for the safety perimeter is all I can say.'

Enlarged view of the engine-less X-1 as it fell back to Kerbin

Luckily, no one was injured from any falling debris. It was later said that the speed of the rocket through the lower atmosphere was faster than first thought. The drag caused damage to control surfaces and ripped off aerials that provided control for the rocket as the vehicle approached 400m/s. At T+1:31 the rocket began to take damage and spin. Luckily, the engine was shut down before a total loss of control just 9 seconds later. The spin was so ferocious that it ripped the engine away from the fuel tank. X-1 impacted the ground with a great explosion at T+2:03.

R-5 MAKES WAVES

KSP - Day 19

After R-4's somewhat amusing adventure, the boffins down at KSC made a quick redesign of the next R-Series probe, R-5. The aim of the mission was to have the probe separate from the RT-10 booster and return safely to Kerbin. That did not do happen for R-4, so it will be interesting to see how they tackle the problem.

A spokesman from the KSC told us:

'This is early stages of the project, so we don't have a lot available to us at the moment. Solid-fuel rocket boosters have their problems, which has been made apparent through this testing phase. We have been concentrating on a different method of propulsion, which we hope to test soon. As a result, solid-fuel variants are limited. And a redesign of this two-stage rocket test meant discarding the second over-powered RT-10.
    The purpose of this particular mission is to determine whether a successful separation and recover can be achieved. With this in mind, the probe itself has been modified to carry four much smaller SRB's, which were originally designed for a different use. But they are sufficient to serve the purpose of the mission.'

R-5 stood on the launchpad with a much more familiar appearance than R-4. The four additional boosters that would act as the second stage were clamped onto the probe with somewhat of a slap-dash appearance. But looks aren't everything. If all goes to plan, then we can expect to see the R-5 probe float gently back down into the ocean on a newly-developed parachute system. 

R-5 on the pad, the four small boosters are difficult to see in the picture

The launch went smoothly and R-5 reached an altitude of 12km with a speed of 600m/s with 9G's of acceleration before it ran out of fuel. The stack-separator ejected the RT-10 booster to the depths of the ocean while the R-5 probe's four motors sent the vehicle further upward.

R-5's final altitude was 24.7km and the boosters increased it's speed to over 700m/s with an acceleration of 14G's. At T+3:15 the parachute deployed, with the probe successfully splashing down gently into the sea a couple of minutes later.

Gene Kerman said with a smile: 'Now, that's how it was supposed to work. I'd forgotten how to breath until I saw that parachute open up. That was a beautiful way to end the R-Series test runs.'

The view of R-5 and it's parachute from the retrieval ship

A map showing the splash-down zones of the R-Series rockets. R-4 is not shown as it broke up in the atmosphere. Note the northerly R-2 location following it's launch failure.

With Gene stating the end of the R-Series rockets, and information on a new propulsion system in development, we look forward to the next phase of testing.

R-4 GOES LONG

KSP - Day 10

When R-4 was rolled out, it gave onlookers a bit of a surprise. The rocket was double the size of R-1, R-2 and R-3. It was soon revealed that the vehicle was no longer a single-stage rocket. After the first RT-10 booster ran out of fuel, the second booster would separate and continue upward. Boffins at KSC stated that the lighter the object, the easier and more efficient it is to get that object into space. So the rocket would be divided up into modules that, once out of fuel, would separate to reduce the mass.

'This is our next phase of testing,' Gene said. 'How effective does the rocket become if it ascends in stages?'

R-4 at lift off

Well, it becomes very effective as it turns out. At launch, R-4's initial acceleration into the air was less impressive than previous rockets due to the increase in weight. The first-stage was only able to lift the assembly 4km into the sky and reached a dismal speed of 150m/s, which was a little unremarkable considering the other demonstrations. Onlookers watched as the first RT-10 flamed out, separated from the assembly and fell back towards the ocean.

Then the second RT-10 booster kicked in. I was dumbfounded at the experience. R-4 accelerated towards the heavens at a staggering rate. We all watched as the rocket just disappeared into the sky. I glanced over at some of the staff who were working on the project, and their jaws had also fallen onto the concrete. It would be some time before we heard news from the tracking station.

As it turned out, the first stage had pushed R-4 through the thicker layer of the atmosphere so the second stage could enjoy much less resistance. Even so, systems apparently fluctuated due to atmospheric friction as the vehicle easily passed 1000m/s. But R-4 didn't stop there. The true figure is not known, but the Tracking Station estimated that R-4 reached a speed somewhere between 2500m/s and 2800m/s with an acceleration that was off the chart. G-Force figures are estimated to be around 25G's, which would kill a Kerbal instantly. What's more impressive is that R-4 became the first object to reach outer-space... and by accident at that. The Tracking Station clocked the rocket's highest point at 276.8km!

The last signals came from R-4 at T+9:48 before it's batteries died, despite power-saving measures. R-4 is assumed to have re-entered and broken up in the atmosphere at around T+13:30.

Gene Kerman officially classed the mission as a failure due to the initial requirement being that both boosters were recoverable. But at least it proved the effectiveness of staging.

R-3 BRINGS KSP BACK INTO THE GAME

KSP - Day 8

Three days after the disastrous events of R-2, the folks at the KSC needed a good run on this next one. And they got it. This time, two TT18-A supports were fitted to the rocket, which offered perfect stability at lift-off. It was also successful in holding the vehicle on the launchpad until the engine was fully throttled up and all systems were checked.

R-3 ready on the launch pad with two TT18-A supports

The KSC Tracking Station also clocked R-3 at a speed of over 900m/s, faster than the previous versions. The vehicle peaked at an altitude of 20.2km after T+1:11 and finally splashed down at T+3:09.

R-3 making a perfect ascent

In a press conference later that day, Gene Kerman said:

'Despite the last mishap, the RT-10 booster is proving itself to be a reliable machine. I think we have enough data to move onto the next phase.'