Campaign: Age of Satellites

Introduction

Robert Kerbin and his Kerbal Space Program realized that getting to the Mun would require learning several things first. There were immediate requests from Kerbal media to follow up on an idea to put a communications satellite into orbit. Finally young Kerbans in Kerbiet territories could watch Kerbican Dance TV without censorship. Both countries realized the potential of satellites and sought to put up spy satellites so they could see what the other leader was having for breakfast. Finally, the scientists who were in charge of the whole operation decided to go on strike until their respective governments would allow them to put up "more useful" satellites for scientific purposes...such as mapping Kerbin in all its beauty, and to track the weather. Since the weather never changes on Kerbin yet, the scientists conceded the point and opted to just get a mapping satellite up.

This campaign is designed to present you with a mission manifest that will allow you to accomplish the final goal of putting a satellite into a stable polar orbit of Kerbin.

Specifications

• Length: 2 hours
• Difficulty: Easier than it looks
• Skills needed: Navball navigation, Orbital Mechanics 101
• For version: Every version (tested on 0.20.2)

Missions

OrbitSat

1. Launch a self-sustaining test satellite into a 300km Circularized Orbit

• Satellites, and all remaining satellites in the Space Program must now be self-sustaining. This probably means using solar panels or generators.
• You must first establish a parking orbit near 100km, orbit once, after which you must then transfer your orbit to 300km.
• You must use at least one maneuvering node, preferably when trying to establish your orbit from around 100km to near or on 300km
• Your satellite, once deployed must be detached from its lifting body, but it is welcome to use RCS thrusters.
• Final Apoapsis and Periapsis must be between 300,000m and 300,999

ComSat

1. Launch a self-sustaining communications satellite into Geosynchronous Orbit

• Satellite must contain a dish antenna.
• Satellite must be directly over the Kerbal Space Center.
• Satellite must remain stationary with respect to the ground.
• Satellite must have its dish pointing down to the ground at the KSC at high noon.

KerbSat I

1. Launch a self-sustaining weather satellite into Geosynchronous Orbit

• Satellite must remain stationary with respect to the ground.
• Satellite must contain at least one retractable solar panel.

GeoSat

1. Launch a self-sustaining ground mapping satellite into a Stable Polar Orbit

• Satelllite must orbit within 20 degrees of polar inclination.

SpySat

1. Launch a rather large camera looking and antenna satellite into a Polar Sun Synchronous orbit

• Satellite must appear over the same period of ground at noon, every day.
• This orbit is best for taking pictures since the timing ensures shadows are eliminated!

KerbSat II

1. Launch a rather large weather satellite into a Molniya Orbit with period of 1 sidereal day.

• Satellite must orbit at an inclination of 63.4 degrees at the altitude of a geosynchronous orbit, and at a speed/altitude where it will remain visible to the same geographic region at all times.

Space Debris

1. Move a currently orbiting satellite into a Graveyard Orbit

• Orbit must be circularized and 50km above Geosynchronous Orbit.

Finishing word

After mastering orbital mechanics for unmanned objects, Kerbal scientists everywhere were itching to find a few brave volunteers to serve as the first Kerbonauts who would be so dedicated to the cause of scientific exploration, that they would be willing to sacrifice their lives for it. This left a number of educated candidates refusing to sign up, but most space scientists agreed that they didn't need them anyways as they would invent ways to control missions completely from the ground. The promise of a flashy new space suit with jet packs intrigued Kerbans everywhere, as no one had them before and there wasn't a whole lot to do on Kerbin. Jebediah Kerban, a mountain skiier and daredevil from Kernacopia, was the first to sign up and participate in the Kerbinai Program.