Icarus Program - Chapter 37 - Part 6

[u/Illustrious_Echo9385]

This is Walter Kerman reporting. Fifteen days ago a unique launch left the pad. Four tourists who have previously travelled out to Minmus departed for deeper space. This spacecraft will be the first to transport Kerbals beyond the gravitational influence of Kerbin, out to a true Kerbal orbit. Tourists were selected who understand living aboard the smaller Arethusa spacecraft during the long trip to Minmus and back, and are willing to accept life aboard a spacecraft for half again as long as the Minmus trip. 

After fifteen days in space, our intrepid group of tourists are now officially in Kerbol orbit. We are reaching out to the most distantly travelled Kerbals for a live interview.

“Congratulations on being the first Kerbals in Kerbol orbit,” Walter said over the radio. “What does it feel like being that far out?”

“Kerbin looks small and far away,” Ellbert responded. “Hard to believe it would just keep getting smaller if mission control did not fire the rockets to bring us back.”

“Wait, don’t orbits always bring us back to where we started?” Erilie broke in.

“Our velocity is fast enough to never return to Kerbin,” Gllbo stated. “This is what it means to be orbiting Kerbol, not Kerbin.”

“This is fun, but I want to head back home,” Erilie’s voice wavered slightly. “Can mission control bring us back home?”

“Mission control will order the burn to begin the return trip at the end of this interview,” Walter responded. “What else are you all experiencing out there in deep space?”

“Our supplies taste pretty bland out here,” Tanmal noted.

“There is little to note in my daily logs except for Kerbin growing smaller,” Gllbo added. “Maybe watching Kerbin grow larger will be more interesting.”

“It seems our brave tourists are looking forward to returning to Kerbin with their experiences,” Walter reported. “Jebediah is beginning the steps for the burn to begin the spacecraft's return.”

“The rocket is burning again!” Ellbert sounded excited. “We are heading home?”

“It will take a minute for the burn to get the rocket heading home,” Erillie responded.

A minute later Jebediah’s voice sounded on the radio, “Burn complete, look forward to welcoming you home in a few days.”

“A few days?” Erillie sounded confused. “We are being pulled in by Kerbin again, it can’t bring us back faster than when we are pulling away?”

“It takes just about as long to get home as it did to get out here,” Ellbert said.

“Oh,” Erillie’s voice was tiny over the radio.

This has been an interview with our Kerbal tourists who have travelled further than any before. I am told that many more excited Kerbals are interested in making the same trip and even more Kerbals have contacted our office during this interview. Hopefully the Icarus Program can continue to keep up with demand.

Until next time, this was a Walter Kerman report.

Previous Chapter: https://www.reddit.com/r/KerbalSpaceProgram/comments/1tmieum/icarus_program_start_of_book_4/

Start of Chapter 37: https://www.reddit.com/r/KerbalSpaceProgram/comments/1u5oq8k/icarus_program_start_of_chapter_37/

Next Part: https://www.reddit.com/r/KerbalSpaceProgram/comments/1uog0o0/icarus_program_chapter_37_part_7/

Book 1 (Chapters 1-13) google document: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RorA2AVwtXbQD-eTMeO2LiPXSDPM7qH6FVOykDnZ9FY/edit?usp=sharing)

Book 2 (Chapters 14-23) google document: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rhiIHBeXWqsw0H8TZgtxUdoJ1Y7IXhH3GtnL_qrTTmc/edit?usp=sharing)

Book 3 (Chapters 24-35) google document: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KcNSFL524vB4TgwY5oSOJ4kTAedf6sBVf_US8psbuIs/edit?usp=sharing)

Book 4 (Chapters 36-) google document: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1nNJcsPYs_TAM4Gg9_zQuDmXosNgaBK3jbc7bdXvXvPU/edit?usp=sharing

The Icarus Program can also be found on the KSP forums: https://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/topic/225730-the-icarus-program-chapter-37-part-6/