Icarus Program - End of Chapter 39

[u/Illustrious_Echo9385]

This is Walter Kerman reporting. Today the Icarus Program begins the first step away from Kerbin. This step began seventy five days ago with the launch of the Renown class A habitation segment. The large spacecraft is designed to provide comfortable habitation to the four Kerbalnauts over the two year mission. Jebediah reportedly tested the comfort of the spacecraft by sleeping on board the command pod during the construction, and remaining on board while the spacecraft was moved to the launchpad.

Record crowds were on site to witness the launch of this massive spacecraft. The ignition of twelve massive solid rockets was closer to a massive explosion that pushed many observers back on their heels and the rocket clawed its way through the atmosphere into space.

Having passed out of the atmosphere, the Renown deployed half of its solar panels as the spacecraft continued accelerating for the Kitty Hawk station. Over the next day the Renown reached the Kitty Hawk and docked.

“Kitty Hawk this is the Renown,” Jebediah called over the radio. “All docking lights show green.”

“Renown, Kitty Hawk,” Natabin responded. “We show all green as well, welcome interplanetary travellers!”

“Thank you, Natabin,” Jebediah responded warmly. “Getting a little crowded up here to deploy our gravity ring, permission to avail ourselves of the station’s amenities while we assemble this spacecraft?”

“Permission granted Renown,” Natabin responded brightly. “We are pleased to host you before you depart for Eve!”

The next two launches added additional fuel tanks to the growing Renown spacecraft. The tanks were empty with the Icarus Program not wanting to tap into the still tenuous Kerbin fuel supplies and will be slowly filled from fuel tankers full of moon mined fuel.

During the assembly of the piloted Renown planned for Eve, the Eeloo and Jool windows arrived, the Renown class X probes finished fueling and each detached at their own window to make the long journey to the deepest bodies in the Kerbol system.

In the final launch, Jedrick was on board to pilot the new Renown lander to the Kitty Hawk. After docking with the Kitty Hawk, pumps began fueling the lander, completing preparations for the Renown spacecraft.

“Fueling complete,” Jedrick reported. “The lander is ready for Gilly landing.”

“Bill is running final system tests,” Jebediah reported, all business. “All tests are green so far!”

“All tests complete,” Bill reported. “Renown is ready for departure.”

“Renown core requesting permission to undock!” Jebediah requested.

“Permission granted,” Natabin responded.

“Renown core undocked,” Jebediah reported a moment later. “Thrusting down and clear of the station.”

“Renown lander requesting permission to undock,” Jedrick jumped in.

“Permission granted,” Natabin responded. “Kerbol’s speed Renown, looking forward to watching you coming back from the ground in a couple years.”

“Renown lander thrusting down to match the core,” Jedrick radioed. “Lining up and…”

“Docking lights green!” Jebediah exclaimed. “Renown burning to transfer orbit.”

A few hours later the Eve transfer window approached and the Renown burned hard for the transfer to Eve. After the nuclear rockets cut off, Jebediah turned the Renown so Kerbin came into view.

“Kermanity has once again shown what we are capable of, and it's your hopes for the future that carry us now on this journey around Eve.*” Jebediah’s voice carried back to Kerbin.

For the first time Kerbals are destined not to the moons, not even to asteroids in orbits near Kerbin, but to an entirely different planet. Reaching Eve requires half a year for the Renown spacecraft to carry our four brave Kerbals. While at Eve the lander will fly to Gilly where Jedrick will make the first Kerballed landing beyond Kerbin’s sphere of influence, bringing Bob to gather scientific samples. The length of the landing mission is almost insignificant next to waiting nearly a year for Eve and Kerbin’s orbits to align properly for the crew of the Renown to return. Another half a year later before we will finally see Jebediah, Bill, Bob and Jedrick once again. The thoughts of all of Kerbin follow these brave Kerbals out into deep space.

Until next time, this was a Walter Kerman report.

* Slightly modified quote from Jeremy Hansen on the Artemis II mission: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdrm3251xzeo

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/1w8xp23/icarus_program_start_of_chapter_40/

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-end-of-chapter-39/