Part 9: Mission: Orbiter-4 and Cans-A-1 and 2

Because the problem with Orbiter-3's autopilot was technically easy to fix, we felt secure putting Mithat Kerman in for another attempt. The mission planning and training was also fixed, with a lower orbit set and instructions to take control immediately if the autopilot failed.



Thankfully, the flight was smooth, successful, and uneventful. Mithat professionally monitored his equipment and did what was asked of him. Even the one small mishap was handled smoothly, as Mithat noticed the solar panels were not recharging the battery, informed HQ, and titled the capsule so that they got a better angle.



The orbit too, low and circular, was a success.



So was the final goal, to see if targeted landings were achievable. The goal was to land on the ground in this area.



It pulled that off, slightly less accurate than hoped for but still well within the parameters. Mithat's performance was successful, but we aimed for a platform that had more potential than just the tiny capsule with a tinier window.



This was our Can Capsule, a large step up in sophistication. Much more could be done inside it.



For a start, the pilot enjoyed a much better view, the old porthole replaced with a very large window.



And there was a second crew member, a mission specialist who could help steer, man whatever other instruments had been brought up, and go on extravehicular activity. The increased size of the capsule also vastly increased crew comfort and allowed for much longer duration flights then were possible in the previous capsule.

The Can Capsule had its drawbacks, though. As the crews embarked on extremely dangerous missions that pushed the can to its limits, those were found out.



For mission Can-A-1 (A symbolized that it was intended to stay in Kerbin's atmosphere the entire time), James and Dunger Kerman were to try and keep the can steady while a large solid rocket burned all the way through. The flight was to determined whether it could be kept on course in such a situation-it could, and whether a basic parachute could land it safely.



It couldn't. The can broke open and sank, taking down both crew. Mercifully, they were knocked unconscious in the initial landing, sparing them the horror of drowning.



Can-A-2 was much more successful. Five parachutes were fitted to take no chances, and a crew which included veteran Orlong Kerman actually succeeded in turning the capsule around before the burn stopped.



The crew posed for a triumphant picture after their return.