It Has Begun

In Kerbal Space Program (KSP) there is a wonderful modification (mod) called Better Than Starting Manned (BTSM). The author of this mod is named FlowerChild or FC for short. FC has created a challenging aspect to KSP. Not only do you do space missions, but with BTSM you have to think about what your next goal is and plan accordingly. When you add in KSP carreer mode, you need to do missions for Funds (the name of kerbal money in game) otherwise your space program will go broke, BTSM adds a level to the game that is just down right fun. For example do you research decouplers or another tank and rocket. Both can get you into an orbit but one will be cheaper for you or will allow you to do a few more missions for the Funds and science.

Now that I have learn most of how it all works. Orbital Object Propulsion Systems will be tracking how it gets things done.

(please note I will try to update at least once a week on Sunday, however some weeks I will not be able to post a mission or four because of my schedule)

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Mission 003: B Series Rocket Tanager Model 1

We received two missions, first to collect data again from the atmosphere between 30km to 70km and secondly break the out of the atmosphere by going higher than 70km. This would require a bit of research and our scientist were up to the task. They created the first liquid fuel rocket engine and fuel tank. This engine was far more powerful than the solid fuel rockets. So a new series of rockets had to be designed and from it came the B Series Tanager 1.




The Tanager 1 is a simple 3 rocket craft with 2 stages. the first stage burns the fuel in the outer 2 rockets while the second stage burns the fuel from the center rocket. We estimate the we should get to 75km before the craft falls back to Kerbin. since we need to capture data on the atmosphere on the way up the craft is also equipped with a thermometer, barometer, eight external batteries and a transmitter. Out goal is to transmit the atmospheric data from 30km to 70km and with the remaining power transmit what the area above 70km is like. This data will useful for future missions.


The launch went prefectly. The first stage lifted the craft to about 12km, that was 2000 meter more than anticipated. The craft had developed a slight right rotational spin, nothing to worry about at this time. Although we are not sure why this was happening, it did not seem to effect the flight. The second stage took the craft to 53km before it ran out of fuel. During this time we were able to transmit data in regard to atmosphere to complete one for our assigned missions. When the craft had expended all of its fuel it was traveling at 1032 meters per second toward the great unknown. It was about 24 seconds later we complete the seconds mission, to break into the great unknown and leave the atmosphere. 70km had been achieved. The temperature readings surprised us as they fluctuated depending on the orientation of the carft, while the preasure reading confirmed what we thought SPACE IS A VACUUM!. The crafts final altitude was 98.2km above Kerbin. All that was left was the inevitable crash back to Kerbin


Seems that there is something that happens to craft as the re-enter the atmosphere, the craft started to get hotter. This did not concern us since this ship went into the great vacuum of space. We were tracking Tanager 1 and around 26km it was traveling toward Kerbin at the rate of over 1300 meters per second when a large explosion was noted. Shortly after that at around 23km there was nothing left to track. Our best guess is the craft exploded in the atmosphere. It could have been the heat or the dreaded space slime that we have yet to confirm exists.

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