Part 12: Missions: Galleon Project

The "Galleon Project" was the name of our unification of all design teams for the purposes of producing missions with clear results before the next group of leaders took over. The dynamics of it were to present a set of goals-in this case, a crewed mission to the Mun and a viable long-term dwelling, and use proven technology to achieve the goals.

The first mission officially considered part of the Galleon Project was this, an orbital flight of the Can Capsule. Can-1 had Shepby and Dungan Kerman orbiting in it. Much was systems checking, but Shepby was to go on an EVA.



Leaving the interior, Shepby soon found his flight pack hard to control.



Radio contact became difficult and he drifted away from the capsule. The pilot heard a message from him saying that he would switch off his life support, and that was it for him.



Dungan Kerman and the capsule were safe. The Galleon Project issued orders to only use ladders for weightless EVAs, moved quickly to the Mun landing, and ditched their fancy station for a much simpler one that would not require crewed assembly.



For the Mun, the Can Capsule was substituted for the original, in a system labelled "Galleon", after the project. The landing was computer-controlled, and a desire to save mass took precedence. Gilbin Kerman first flew an orbital flight in the lander in which he practiced moving down the laddder...



And then with an extra booster, set out for the Mun proper.



Everyone watched as the Galleon extended its legs and moved in...



And landed safely, with Gilbin eagerly climbing down and skipping.



Gilbin conducted some simple tasks, planted a flag, and set out for home.



The return trip was more difficult, due to Gilbin using too much thrust in the engine, trained in taking off from Kerbin rather than somewhere lighter. The capsule used up almost all of its fuel and actually lost power due to putting the panels and batteries on too low a stage. Still, Gilbin made it home in the Galleon.

It was this team's second to last mission.



The final was a much less dramatic flight of a space station/dwelling, where the crew launched in a Can Capsule, then climbed into the station proper. This was nothing to write home about, with equipment examinations, climbing ladders, and enough faith in the parachutes that the crew opted to stay in the upper portion on the return so that the empty Can Capsule would absorb the initial force. Thankfully, all of the station made down in one piece, showing that the right attention was paid to parachutes.

This had the theoretical potential to be used as either an orbital station or the quarters on a longer voyage. After our departure, huge arguments ensued, as the Galleon Project broke down and the factions reemerged. It was messy, but eventually both got what they wanted.

But that was to come. When the new officials took charge and I left, we held a going-away party, honored the fallen Kerbals, and made a toast to everyone who worked hard to achieve the program's successes.



And despite the deaths of five kerbals and some embarrassing failures, we had still made it to the Mun and set the stage for greater things to come. I don't regret my time in the space program at all.

-FIN-