A trend seems to have set in with the Celestia Project at the KSC. Recently, two nearly identical rovers were launched and are currently exploring the surface of the Mun. Now, two identical probes are observing the Mun from above. Things seem to be happening in pairs. What's more, these two vehicles have made more history for the Space Program: they are the final chapter in Project: Celestia.
Celestia XV and XVI were launched days apart, much like the two rovers. Except these two vehicles have very different missions. Celestia XV has become our eyes-from-afar, orbiting the Mun at a distance of 150km to take images and measurements at a distance. Celestia XVI, however, orbits at a mere 10km above the surface. What's more, Celestia XVI is in a polar orbit, so that it can image almost every part of the Mun as our satellite rotates. This also makes the probe the first craft to orbit a celestial body in a polar-fashion.
Celestia XV is painted here, but both probes are identical
Celestia XV has replaced the aging Celestia VIII, which had been in orbit around the Mun for three-quarters of a year. However, the probe was nearly out of fuel and carried a dated camera system. Celestia's XV and XVI have a much higher-tech imaging system that will bring back high-quality images for better study of potential sites in preparation for future landings. After a few days of proving Celestia XV's operation, Celestia VIII was de-orbited and crashed into the Mun's surface. However, during it's decent, the probe took some images.
Celestia VIII's final moments. From left to right, the altitudes are 20km, 5km and 2km
'It was sad to see Celestia eight go,' said one of the project leaders. 'But technology has progressed and we needed a much better platform to conduct our experiments from. The probe was almost out of fuel, anyway. But fifteen and sixteen have already sent back some incredible information and have been designed to operate for a very long time.'
Some of the images sent back from the two probes have been spectacular already. With Celestia XV looking from high above, and XVI skimming the surface, the two have taken some jaw-dropping images.
A high-resolution Mun shot from Celestia XV, which is orbiting 150km above the surface of the Mun. This is the clearest image of the Mun to date.
Amazing views as Celestia XVI captures this view of Kerbin from the Mun's north-pole
The polar regions tell a much more chaotic story than the smoother equatorial plains
Detailed surface imagery to help select future landing sites is Celestia XVI's primary goal
With the Celestia program now officially at a close, the staff at the KSC are now focusing their efforts on putting Kerbals on the Mun.
'We still have a very long way to go,' Gene Kerman said. 'The Celestia Program has just scratched the surface of what we are yet to achieve. The work starts now. The Celestia craft have proven that vehicles can reach, orbit, land, maneuver and take off again from the Mun and return safely to Kerbin. Putting Kerbals on there and getting them back again is a whole other board game. There are dangerous but exciting times ahead.'
We tried to catch Jebediah Kerman, but he was unavailable for interview due to heavy training commitments. That tells us that the next phase of the the Kerbal Space Program is well underway. We look forward to it.
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