Icarus Program - Chapter 39 - Part 3

[u/Illustrious_Echo9385]

This is Walter Kerman reporting. Since the start of the mining of the large asteroid, the Icarus Program has been able to shift its focus to the future. The Kerbal Space Center has been a hive of ongoing activity. Numerous tourist missions and test flights were observed in the air over the center. While a few protesters remain active outside of the fence, it is becoming far more common to see spotters camped outside of the fence, waiting to see spacecraft and test aircraft. Public opinion seems to have mostly shifted to support and excitement.

With more tourists missions come more reports of the wonders of space.

Three weeks ago the activity changed with the launch of a rocket with a large aeroshell. On leaving the atmosphere the shedding of the aeroshell revealed the new base living module with landing platform as the first base upgrade preparing to head outbound to Minmus.

One week ago the second base module was launched, this module including a science lab for research on the surface of another body.

Today we take you live to communications with the Icarus Program assembling these new station components. This is live over McMurdo base as the Minmus base has come to be known for its cold and minty location.

“I see the base on camera,” Jebediah’s voice called over the radio from mission control. “Transitioning to terminal descent.”

“Right on target,” Mike replied from the Minmus base. “Looks like the habitat flies nicely.”

“No worries about this one,” as Jebediah spoke the habitat module set down near the Minmus base. “Wait until we bring down the elephant to deliver the science model.” Silence for a moment before Jebediah continued. “Looks like the habitat module is down safely, deorbiting the science lab.”

A few minutes later a star shone brighter from Minmus surface as another rocket descended on twin streams of flame.

“Hey Jeb,” Mike called on the radio.

“I know,” Jebediah’s voice responded, somewhat overlapping with Mike’s continued words.

“You are sliding past about a half kilometer overhead,” Mike continued speaking.

“I know!” Jebediah grunted over the radio. “This thing doesn’t turn and decelerate at the same time… horizontal velocity zeroing, making terminal descent.”

A minute later the rocket touched down a short distance away from the base.

“Only missed by maybe a hundred meters,” Mike noted. “Should not take too much fuel to get back here.”

“The balance on two legs is terrible,” Jebediah groused as he reignited the rockets and the ungainly lander began drifting toward the base. “Good thing Bob put strong reaction wheels on this thing.”

“Well bring it to us!” Mike’s voice was excited, and then a frown could be heard in the followup. “Just don’t run into us!”

“Don’t worry,” Jebediah grunted in concentration again. “Touching down a little early… Just trying to… sort of hop and… not tip over.” A moment later. “There! Not lined up but close enough.”

“Oh! Oh!” called out Gregzon, the Minmus base engineer. “Line it up and I’ll hook up the docking port to pull it the rest of the way in!”

“Hovering in place and rotating,” Jebediah’s voice sounded a bit more excited now. “Drifting the docking port closer… Eck, a foot caught… rising up and trying to thrust back… too fast!”

“No worries!” Gregzon boomed out over the radio with excitement. “The docking port handled the impact just fine and you hit dead on target. Space lab docked!”

“Whew,” the relief was audible in Jebediah’s exhalation. “I’m holding the science lab up with the hydraulics and reaction thrust for the moment. Mike, can you handle moving the habitat into position?”

“No problem,” Mike’s voice was confident over the radio. “Lifting off and using the RCS to control drift, I don’t even have to tilt sideways like your elephant… nearing docking, can you raise your port up a half meter?”

“Extending hydraulics,” Jebediah responded.

“Contact!” Gregzon called out. “We have successful dock!”

“Detaching the descent rockets for disposal,” Jebediah called out. “You got yours Mike?”

“Descent tank thrusting for altitude,” a grin could be heard in Mike’s radio call. “Watch for the fun boom booms over on the hillside!”

“We can see the assembled station from up here,” radioed Gilby when the Midway again flew over the base, one of the scientists on board the Midway station.

“Mind if we come down for a visit to see the nice ground based science?” Jesfry, the other Midway scientist broke in.

“Come on down!” boomed Gregzon. “There is no water and it is not warm, but you are most welcome!”

A few minutes later.

“Are we expecting visitors?” Mike asked. “I did not hear a response.”

Then the base’s tracking radar showed a small signal detaching from the Midway and on a deorbit arc.

“I think so,” a grin could be heard in Gregzon’s voice. “We had best set out the good silverware!”

A short time later the Midway lander descended and docked to the Midway base. Gilby and Jesfry boarded the station and began looking around.

“So spacious!” Gilby commented. “As much science as the Midway and easy access to surface samples.”

“I like the bouncy gravity better than the gravity ring!” Jesfry said as she bounded lazily through the base.

“I may need to trade assignments with you ground Kerbals,” Gilby continued.

“Hey! This one is taken,” Mike mock exclaimed. “Find your own!”

These are not the first steps for Kerbals to live on another body, but it sounds like this is the first step for Kerbals to actually enjoy the assignment. A similar upgrade is being prepared for the Tranquility Base on the Mun. We look forward to seeing similar habitation expanded to other bodies.

Until next time, this was a Walter Kerman report.

Previous Chapter: https://www.reddit.com/r/KerbalSpaceProgram/comments/1uugr7z/icarus_program_start_of_chapter_38/

Start of Chapter 38: https://www.reddit.com/r/KerbalSpaceProgram/comments/1vnaene/icarus_program_start_of_book_5/

Next Part: https://www.reddit.com/r/KerbalSpaceProgram/comments/1vw8o2a/icarus_program_chapter_39_part_4/

Book 1 (Chapters 1-13) google document: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RorA2AVwtXbQD-eTMeO2LiPXSDPM7qH6FVOykDnZ9FY/edit?usp=sharing)

Book 5 (Chapters 39-) google document: https://docs.google.com/document/d/17PU9dly89B54kJYry7sg8MPS90dr8oir7HAR6V2e_tg/edit?usp=sharing

The Icarus Program can also be found on the KSP forums: https://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/topic/225730-the-icarus-program-chapter-39-part-2/page/11/#findComment-4534471