K-1 Vehicle
| SCSS K-1 | |
| Spacecraft Characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Base Hull | Custom (Kistler K-1) |
| Width | 6.7m diameter |
| Height | 36.9m |
| Mass | 382,300 kg |
| Drive Type | 2x Aerojet/Russian NK-33 engines plus 1x Aerojet/Russian NK-43 engine (LAP) Kistler AJ26-60 engine (OV) |
| Drive Rating | Max velocity 0.04c |
| Primary Manufacturer | Rocketplane Kistler |
| Owner | Artemis Foundation |
| Flag of Record | Woomera, Australia, Earth |
| Registry Number | AF-99-1 |
| Launched | 6 July 2014 |
| Purpose | Station resupply, International Space Station |
| Primary Crew | K-1 (ship's AI) |
| Operational Status | Active |
The K-1 Vehicle is the Artemis Foundation's primary non-crewed resppply spacecraft in Cislunar Space.
History
The K-1 was originally designed by Kistler as a two-stage-to-orbit launch vehicle for NASA's Commercial Orbital Transportation Services (COTS) program of the 1990s. Despite a sound design and substantial progress in turning that design into reality, Kistler's bankruptcy and merger with Rocketplane caused delays in the project that caused the K-1 to be mothballed.
The plans and what existed of the prototype sat in storage for over a decade, until being purchased by the Artemis Foundation. The contract to turn the prototype into a space-capable, handwaved vehicle was awarded to the Soviet Air Force,[1] who took less than a month to complete the job. Perhaps because of the involvement of engineer Hasegawa, the K-1 developed a personality based on that of Keiichi ("K-1") Morisato from Ah My Goddess.
K-1 is content to serve as the resupply vehicle for the International Space Station and Beta, with only a few trips off each year to take part in asteroid racing.
Quirks
- Going to pieces: The AI for K-1 is located in the Orbital Vehicle (OV), which can separate from the larger Launch Assist Platform (LAP). When detached, the LAP is dead weight, while the OV has a top speed of 0.055c but cannot lift cargo into orbit.
- I call all lands home: With a body by a US company, thrusters of a Russian design, and a home base in Australia, K-1 sees himself as a citizen of the world.
- Should I or shouldn't I? K-1 wouldn't mind a girlfriend, but is hesitant to try to find one, lest he summon a goddess to Fenspace.
- I can't drive .055: Avid asteroid racer (OV only) in his spare time.
Notes
- ↑ The contract was accepted by Sora Hasegawa, over the objections of Mal Fnord.
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