Interlude 1: KSRR launches Kaputnik 
Queue epic Koviet choir music.Journal of Korolev Kermov, Chief Designer of Koviet Rocketry ProgramPremier Kladimir has been rather insistent that we proceed at breakneck speed in order to catch up with the Kermerican space program. Unfortunately we are not ready to launch any of our
heroic Krussian people, unlike the Kermericans who have already managed a successful Kerbed suborbital flight and then 2 days later successfully completed a single orbit.
Our glorious Koviet hero's await their turn in the spotlight.However we are ahead of the Kermericans in one important area of scientific research, they lack any knowledge of automation or remote control and while we need valuable information on liquid fuel systems, we understand solid propulsion well enough to allow the construction of an effective orbital vehicle. We have constructed a rudimentary remote control unit, but manned space flight will require more research, perhaps we could find ways of getting data on the Kermerican program.
Construction 1 represents knowledge of automation, while the AR202 remote control unit will allow our rockets to fly itself, this is important since nobody here has actually flown a rocket.We have a large budget and political pressure is onto us to produce
something, so the construction of a simple rocket has been authorized, we shall orbit a battery and whatever sensors we have access to, hopefully we can also recover the equipment for study.
We have finished design work on the probe, Dubbed "Kaputnik" It comprises the best automation technology we have available and should be able to pilot itself away from the space center, it is equipped with small omnidirectional antennas and batteries to run the sensors during it's flight, when it gets out of the atmosphere a larger antenna will be deployed in order to continue communication with the space center. The probe weighs less than a ton so a single large solid rocket should suffice to get it out of the atmosphere, but smaller rockets have been attached to the probe in order to boost it higher in case the large one isn't powerful enough, also as we can control when these fire they should allow us to define a more circular orbit, or deorbit the probe if necessary.
Behold the most advanced science in the Koviet Union!The launch goes flawlessly.
100 Km apoapsisWe detach the booster and deploy the main antenna.
Antenna extendedRemote connection with Kaikonur Cosmodrome established.
It's good.We test the second stage rockets to see if we can get an effective periapsis.
Still 310 km short of circular All going to planConnection with Kaikonur lost, we need a relay to keep control of the craft.
The ground is in the way obviously.The craft thankfully reorients itself with heatshield facing the atmosphere.
A small miracle.
Reentry is hot as expectedUnable to send the command to deploy the chute, the probe plummets to Kemlya at over 100 meters per second.
It is doomedA relay is set up with the first stage booster for the next attempt.
Look, another aerial.Launch successful, the probe detaches as requested.
Isn't that the heat shield?However, we're unable to establish control over the first stage, it needs a probe core in order to relay commands.
Doh!Reentry is violent without the heatshield.
The adapter seems to deflect most of the heat, however the batteries explode.Needless to say the vessel is lost.
Launch of Kaputnik 1 C is plagued with problems.
A problem Another small problemThe antenna is deployed, we have only a 40km apoapsis, however the second stage boosters should help.
So closeAtmospheric drag affects the craft during booster fire, it is unable to remain pointed prograde.
Also a problem.Contact with BC continues even through the ocean, very interesting.
It's interesting ok?In desperation the parachute is deployed before contact is lost, however reentry reheating is still significant.
The furthest we have gotten.The chute is damaged and breaks off after full deployment.
Thankfully the last problem this craft will see.Launch D is more successful.
Apoapsis good, Deploy antennas.Connection established, but something isn't quite right.
Why isn't the relay working? Ok, panic time i guess.The chute is deployed early again.
Hopefully it won't be damaged this time.Full deployment successful, craft is safe!
For the first time here at Kaikonur; Jubilation Almost breakeven!It seems that despite our most advanced technology the secret of remotetech eludes us, rushing the program was a obviously a bad idea. The propaganda is making a big deal about our superiority but here the mood is more muted, Premier Kladimir is sending rather nasty K-mails to many of my staff and I need a holiday, perhaps I could disguise a trip to New Kork and Kouston as being for espionage purposes? I've always wanted to see the Statue of lady Kiberty and the Kastrodome.
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Topic: Bills Rocket Program - Interlude 1: KSSR launches Kaputnik & Mission 12: Sigma 6 (Read 5660 times)