01 The HESTIA Eight
Eight kerbals, two launches, one destination.
First kerbal in space. First EVA. First Mun landing. Commanded the rescue. Now commands HESTIA.
Executed the departure burn. LSI 2 pilot turned interplanetary helmsman.
Station engineer, Mun walker, rescue survivor. Keeps every subsystem running.
Built a Mun base by remote control. Commands the VESTA cargo companion.
Space Doc. Rode the hot rescue reentry by choice. Tends the crew's health.
First station scientist. Mun walker. Runs HESTIA's observation programme.
Survived the scariest landing in programme history. Manages life support and greenhouse.
Walked the Mun on his first flight. Stranded, rescued, stayed. Now aboard HESTIA.
02 Daily Updates
Public dispatches from HESTIA, relayed through LSI 2.
HESTIA completed departure burn at 14:23 UTC. Valentina Kerman confirmed: 'She is away.' The programme became interplanetary.
- Departure burn executed by Guillermo Kerman
- All eight crew systems nominal
- VESTA cargo companion maintaining station-keeping
- LSI 2 relay acquired signal within 90 seconds of burn completion
She is away.
<3 18.7MThe crew looked good on the way out.
<3 11.6MFirst full day under way. Crew stowage, systems checks, and the beginning of the transit routine. Valentina briefed the crew on the 58-day schedule. Huddin began the first full systems walkdown.
- Full systems walkdown - all subsystems nominal
- Crew quarters assigned. Guillermo and Samsey set up the greenhouse
- Katdorf calibrated the observation suite
- First ship-wide meal in the galley
HESTIA's aft camera captured Kerbin receding. The image was relayed through LSI 2 and SOLARCOM to ground. It is the second most-shared image in programme history, after 'The Farewell Shot.'
- Aft camera image transmitted via LSI 2 relay
- Kerbin visible as a disc, Mun as a point
- Katdorf began first deep-space observation pass
- Greenhouse humidity at 67% (nominal)
There is something in the noise floor. I just need to find it.
<3 7.1MTransit routine established. Watch bill rotating. Science programme underway. Guillermo running the first navigation check since departure - trajectory nominal. Samsey calculated supplemental yield from the greenhouse.
- Navigation check - trajectory confirmed nominal
- Greenhouse first sprout: lettuce
- Dosos completed propulsion system check (unclassified sections)
- Gwenford: all crew medical readings nominal
Val briefed the crew transparently on transit timelines and contingency options. Samsey calculated supplemental yield from greenhouse. Guillermo assigned to hydroponics - discovered he liked the greenhouse. First fresh food of transit (lettuce).
- First fresh food of transit - greenhouse lettuce
- Guillermo took over hydroponics duties
- Katdorf ran second observation pass (unusual), looking for something in the noise floor
- Katdorf's sleep deficit noted by Gwenford
Every subsystem on this ship has three redundancies. I have found four cases of things that have four redundancies. I have found one case of five.
<3 6.4MDosos found coolant loop valve 2-B (starboard secondary) cycling at 4.2 Hz (nominal 3.5, ceiling 5.0). Huddin adjusted deadband, reduced to 3.8 Hz, holding. Katdorf ran another observation pass looking for something in the noise floor. Katdorf's sleep deficit continues. Guillermo settling into greenhouse role.
- Coolant loop valve 2-B cycled at 4.2 Hz - adjusted to 3.8 Hz
- Katdorf's sleep deficit flagged by Gwenford (medical concern)
- Guillermo settling into greenhouse role
- Katdorf continues deep-space observation passes
Coming from Confidence, HESTIA feels like she was built by kerbals who were being paid extra to be worried.
<3 3.9MMedical status of all eight crew: nominal.
<3 7.2MHESTIA completed Duna orbital insertion on the first pass. The 58-day transit from AWAY is complete. Valentina Kerman performed the first EVA in Duna orbit, flying toward Duna on tether, the kerbal closest to the planet. Orbital science phase under way. VESTA remains docked in Duna orbit.
- Duna orbital insertion - clean capture on first pass
- All eight crew nominal
- Valentina first EVA in Duna orbit
- Orbital science phase begins (~21 days, max 45-day stay)
She is here. The closest I have ever been to another world.
<3 24.1M03 Mission Milestones
04 Support Infrastructure
VESTA Cargo Companion
VESTA cargo companion docked. Carrying supplies, equipment, and return contingency hardware. Nominal.
LSI 2 Comms Relay
LSI 2 serving as primary HESTIA comms relay. Signal path: HESTIA to LSI 2 to SOLARCOM to Kerbin ground stations. Latency nominal for Duna orbit distance.
Propulsion System
Classified. KIA has submitted a HESTIA Propulsion Assessment. KeedMartin Skunkworks has neither confirmed nor denied the X-9 AURORA working file. OMQ refuses to publish excerpts pending verification.
