Project Tholia - Crewed Venus Surface Return Mission | KSP RSS/RO/RP1

For the first time ever, a Crewed Venus Return Mission has been completed in RP-1. This mission was very interesting to plan, and I used my skills to make the vehicles as fun as possible - I hope you enjoy!
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Notes:
- This is not the end of Terminal Velocity. More episodes will be released to cover the period during this mission and beyond, until 1970 or so.
- Direct link to the newspaper at the start: i.imgur.com/QP1X2Hd.png
Contents:
0:00 Intro
0:44 CHAOS Propulsion Dual Launch
3:30 Heatshield Launch
4:35 Habitat Module Launch
5:54 Main Balloon Launch
7:15 Launch of USS Defiant NCC-1013
10:32 Venus Amicus Launch
11:41 Dual Defiant Refueling Launch
13:52 Departure for Venus (x2)
15:32 Arrival at Venus (x2)
16:22 Deployment of CHAOS
17:09 Landing on the Surface of Venus
20:27 Landing on CHAOS
22:37 Ascent back to USS Defiant
24:50 Trouble.
26:30 Returning home...
27:15 An unexpected surprise...
Music:
[ES] tracks provided by share.epidemicsound.com/yx7sxz
ES - A pure Force
Christoffer Moe Ditlevsen
ES - For Queen and Country
Bonnie Grace
ES - A Hero's Vendetta
Grant Newman
ES - For Queen and Country
Bonnie Grace
ES - Rescue Mission
Lupus Nocte
ES - A train to catch
John Utah
The following music was used for this media project:
Music: The Great Battle by Alexander Nakarada
Free download: filmmusic.io/song/4957-the-gr...
License (CC BY 4.0): filmmusic.io/standard-license
Victor Lux by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au
Music: Kalevala by Alexander Nakarada
Free download: filmmusic.io/song/11057-kalevala
License (CC BY 4.0): filmmusic.io/standard-license
Music: Aka Manah by Alexander Nakarada
Free download: filmmusic.io/song/4797-aka-manah
License (CC BY 4.0): filmmusic.io/standard-license
Music: Detective Goofarian by Alexander Nakarada
Free download: filmmusic.io/song/10859-detec...
License (CC BY 4.0): filmmusic.io/standard-license
Music: Hypershanty by Alexander Nakarada
Free download: filmmusic.io/song/10757-hyper...
License (CC BY 4.0): filmmusic.io/standard-license
Land of Magic by Rafael Krux
music.orchestralis.net/track/...
Creative Commons 4.0 License.
ES - Gus Trickle
Hampus Naeselius
ES - Returning Home Again
Phoenix Tail
ES - Surge
Francis Wells
ES - Surrender to Madness
Golden Anchor

[@TDChannelKSP]

What was your favorite part of the video? 🤔

[@jesustomaschourio1000]

Me being late

[@-_4567XZ_-]

It leaving

[@jmatt440]

I'm impressed that you actually made a full front page of a fake newspaper at 1:02

[@seantaggart7382]

The starship

[@zh-vulkan5023]

Departure for Venus

[@vit_0822]

If nasa have the same budget as the army

[@I_LikeRobloxTbh]

True ngl

[@CallsignAegis]

Based

[@1eyedelmo]

100% true

[@paranaenselol]

Had*

[@zixiany]

this is a real problem. people aren’t caring about space travel after the cold war. we need competiton.

[@jupiterbjy]

I totally love how all that newspaper is properly written, especially 'we didn't forget about moon and will visit it few years later' part while they're going venus rn

[@TDChannelKSP]

Thanks! Me and a friend wrote it. That lunar section also serves as a bit of foreshadowing...

[@jupiterbjy]

@@TDChannelKSP for historic 1969 event? Totally looking forward for it! btw, seems like scatterer's ocean bounce bug (iirc happens when used with FARc) is still not fixed? to see that capsule at last bouncing on ocean,

[@TDChannelKSP]

@@jupiterbjy Since the paper is in 1965, "in a couple years" is 1967, so its foreshadowing the ending of this video ;) 1969 is a pretty big year though, and I'd love to do something special for it... Oh yeah, the ocean thing. I'm still on an old install, so I don't know if it's been fixed in a later scatterer/far version.

[@jupiterbjy]

​@@TDChannelKSP aye thanks for details! and just installed those again and - sadly bug's still not fixed, so no need to update I guess

[@oberonpanopticon]

1969: “De-orbiting the moon and flying it to Proxima Centauri”

[@clayel1]

absolutely incredible that youve managed to return kerbals from VENUS, like what is even the delta-v requirements??

[@polishkerbal6920]

9500m/s for orbit, 3300 (on average) to reach venus. 2800~ to brake into low circular orbit. 40~ deorbit. Ascend (no balloon, or propeller) takes an OUTSTANDING 27000, 2800~ to return to earth. So that means you need balloons or propellers

[@Harold-TheJass-Blingman]

@@polishkerbal6920 my theory is a balloon, but knowing TD I wouldnt be surprised if he engineered a Venus rocket.

[@polishkerbal6920]

@@Harold-TheJass-Blingman TD's pc is crying from the venus ascend craft🇺🇸☠

[@TDChannelKSP]

@@Harold-TheJass-Blingman Unsurprisingly, this was my first plan. However, unlike previous landings on older RO where rocket engines functioned under surface-level pressure, rocket engines in RO don't function at all under the immense pressure (0 ISP, 0 thrust), so alternate means of partial ascent are required.

[@alexchivilev]

@@polishkerbal6920 well, in 2018 I just build a huge 1000t rocket with something like 16000m/s Delta V to take off from very surface with a single kerbal on board.

[@Harold-TheJass-Blingman]

The defiant launch is genuinely one of the oddest and most insane launches Ive ever seen

[@beagle_uah]

The fact that you gave the crew what is essentially a vehicle straight out of Star Trek… amazing. Wonderful. Hilarious. Corny. Cheesy. But wonderful.

[@CRTMonitorOSC]

:)

[@timns_wt]

Это. Просто. Прекрасно.

[@snaeb-ps3bd]

Loved the Star Trek and Project Hail Mary references, nice work on this! I think this might be the most impressive ksp series on KZbin

[@TDChannelKSP]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed them, and the series!

[@MinerBat]

wait what project hail mary references

[@snaeb-ps3bd]

@@MinerBat At the audio there was an Eridian translation at the bottom

[@MinerBat]

@@snaeb-ps3bd oooh

[@TanookiMario640]

Just… absolutely amazing TD. The editing, crafts, just everything was executed so godly. Can’t wait for the next big TV mission and Ep. 27!

[@Matthew_ksp]

This video was beautiful! it's incredible how every time I am amazed by things I didn't even think were possible in ksp. Truly one of the best ksp videos of all time!

[@CRYGraves]

These videos are insanely awesome, it's criminal they aren't getting way more attention than they are.

[@hunnyjar8937]

I will never touch RSS or RO for as long as I live, so I can recognise and appreciate the effort put into this video and the storytelling. Fantastic work, you gained a sub!

[@zacharybyford8200]

I also absolutely love the transitions, they're so smooth!

[@jocax188723]

Docking bay 1 implies the existence of more starships, then. Can’t wait to see where your NCC-1701 goes!

[@Collier-TheGreyShepherd]

Where no kerbal has gone before!

[@anthonythompson6053]

The quality of your work is top notch! Well done, and I hope this channel keeps growing, more people need to see your work!

[@lewismassie]

This was really cool to watch. And the warp effects were really well done too. Also It's always great fun to see realistic mission failure scenarios play out.

[@DannyJ_2003]

My friend, this is insanely well produced! Great job dude

[@theendlessvoid7124]

Probably the best ksp cinematic I've ever seen. Until your next one, of course! Seriously, awesome mission and video.

[@throwawayanimations7176]

Top notch work, mate. Loved every second of it.

[@spacebeetle]

This was incredible! Well done!

[@Cyberboi]

Love the worldbuilding you've done with this, and the references :p

[@seantaggart7382]

Love the newspaper and all of its details

[@Cby0530]

The understated insanity in all of your videos has peaked with this one.

[@hezmien]

Jesus! Your editing is insane. The video too. Great work!

[@blackdog6969]

Didn't realise the Defiant had a spore drive nor the kerbals were in the mirror universe. Some bloody amazing builds here, I can only imagine creating something as a tribute to them. Beautiful

[@nathanphillips6989]

Yeah the kerbals are already super advanced somehow maybe... Idk... Time travel!? DUN DUN DUuUUUuUuUuUn

[@vexital5666]

Such extreme video quality and only 70 k views? This deserves atleast a million. Keep it up at this quality. The editing the graphics mods the vehicles perfect.

[@mtreding]

I watched this in VR and it is like watching a movie

[@DJNitreBlue]

Well produced and well scored. Want to see more although I know how many hours went into that one. Nice work.

[@chibill_mc]

I like the text on the news paper talking about the moon. Good stuff.

[@datfloof2732]

The cinematography was AMAZING. My fav part was the launch of the defiant, very awesome

[@bidet1515]

The defiant launch wow ! The crew home flying over venus ! The news paper ! so nice

[@thespacepeacock]

I truly have no words for this, other than congrats.

[@jantoman650]

Nice easter egg with that Eridian translation. Just imagine kerbals casually whistling in the background :D Great job with your videos I really like them. I really apretiate your work.

[@jantoman650]

*appreciate Sorry english is not my first language. And i cant edit comments on phone cause some youtube unga bunga.

[@CalvinMaclure]

Definitely looking forward to THIS one! What on earth are you gonna have done this time?!

[@logankreiger2597]

You mean what on Venus

[@CalvinMaclure]

@@logankreiger2597 ... I see what you did.

[@galcide1927]

I just had to sub because of all the effort in this video

[@TDChannelKSP]

Thank you :)

[@Naxx4]

Just . Epic! 1 more subscriber and i wish atleast one million to come so.

[@TheGameMingle]

Nice vid! Dropped a like and you have a new sub ❤

[@Anonymous-yr4tf]

What is this man probably a genius hardworker

[@KuntryKompton]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏very well done I really enjoyed this video

[@ScienceRules118]

Honestly, almost curious to see if it’d be possible to, later in the timeline, make a reusable VAV to allow the resurrection of CHAOS and Stella Amicus (given the fact that, as it stands, there appears to be no way to deliver a new crew to CHAOS, leaving it as an unmanned science outpost in Venus’ atmosphere).

[@ScienceRules118]

My guess is that it’d involve nuclear engines - possibly a bi- or tri-modal NTR (able to generate electricity and provide thrust) - and electric propellers for approach and docking with CHAOS in-flight.

[@TDChannelKSP]

That would be pretty neat. It would also have to bring the life support supplies too. A large spaceplane is probably the best option. Re-enter like SA, land on Venus, electric prop back up, dock back at the VAV port perhaps (the runway would be too small), ascent on nuclear engines like you mentioned. It might be tricky to keep the LH2 for the NTR cool though, and I'm not sure NTRs are good enough in performance. When I made pathfinder, it required super light skylon-level tanks, and even then barely carried any payload other than the crew. Something a little more advanced like a nuclear ramjet or something would be needed.

[@ScienceRules118]

@@TDChannelKSP yeah, I’d considered nuclear jets at first for atmospheric flight propulsion - so having those in addition to or in place of the electric props would potentially make sense. IIRC, there are mods that add nuclear jets which have RO configs - Kerbal Atomics springs to mind.

[@TheFirstWingedPikmin1]

Hopefully this VAV will actually work properly.

[@AHHHHHHHH21]

I think I found a new channel I'm gonna love

[@oldthrasbarg641]

Great video, subed because of it!

[@UpgradedBedroomPolice]

I swear to god, this is the best thing I’ve ever seen.

[@walorianfederation666]

Hail Waloria Thank you for giving me a plan of what to do

[@alextricoverload]

I have rewatched this so many times

[@minikawildflower]

Using the saucer section of the defiant to create artificial gravity is such a clever use of that design!

[@manicpanda8741]

Will watch it later buddy. Can't wait ❤

[@nappalnation7877]

oh ma gawd my favourite ksp youtuber here 😂

[@manicpanda8741]

@@nappalnation7877 I feel flattered :D

[@manicpanda8741]

Not disappointed. This was awesome, I can roughly imagine how much work you put into this.

[@parssanaartgallery7038]

What a concept amazing

[@mongooseman3744]

Woahhh the Kennedy speech through me off man well done

[@mbmurphy777]

Loved it! Thanks

[@clippedwings225]

This is really awesome.

[@GoldFishSmash]

man i love that his solution any problem is strapping saturn v`s to it

[@Anubisspace1]

that's awesome!!

[@Operator_Torbee]

out standing work TD just out standing

[@firestone0655]

As a huge Trekkie I am losing my shit because I just watched the mirror universe episodes in ENT and this is amazing Edit:omg you had space dock too

[@TDChannelKSP]

Heh, that's awesome. I'm glad you liked it!

[@user-pf9fq1nb8r]

this guy makes me want to play ksp again

[@KlsonBob]

too good, make more pls!

[@thetruecyrusplayz1256]

A thing I haven't seen been point out yet, at 24:51 in the audio selection tab, there's three options: Kerbalese, the original audio and what the Kerbals originally spoke, English, so that we the audience can understand what's going on, and.... Eridian. As far as I know, there's no real world language known as Eridian, and the only other language we heard the Kerbals speak in this universe is English (at the end of Project Andoria). This leads me to believe that perhaps, Eridian is actually the language spoken by the aliens who left the Archive on Pluto and told the Kerbals to visit them at the Trappist-1 system when they're ready at the end of Project Andoria. Just a theory tho.

[@TDChannelKSP]

Heh, pretty neat theory! However, it's actually a book reference to Project Hail Mary ;)

[@Hunter12396]

@@TDChannelKSP I know you meant Hail Mary, but I'd like to think you're referring to HAL Mary, HAL 9000's wife.

[@TDChannelKSP]

@@Hunter12396 Whoops! Fixed.

[@SkoshKSP]

This is so over the top good golly

[@judet2992]

The transport back from Copernicus Station being named Adama was nice.

[@kerbalengineeringsystems7415]

I am so excited to figure out the in-universe reason explaining why an _Enterprise_ form factor was the best choice here

[@TDChannelKSP]

Gene Roddenberry worked for NASA in this timeline :D

[@HalNordmann]

@@TDChannelKSP Or the Build The Enterprise nonprofit had a bit more sway

[@kevintang2605]

Would like to see where this series would go from the 70s onwards. Space tourism! An international space station! Reusable spacecraft! A SpaceX like rocket!

[@oberonpanopticon]

With this timeline, it’d probably be an interplanetary space station

[@oberonpanopticon]

I certainly hope we’ll get to see the construction of Copernicus station at some point! It looks really awesome!

[@TDChannelKSP]

Thank you! I've actually been working on that video right now... so eventually!

[@oberonpanopticon]

@@TDChannelKSP Awesome! I look forward to seeing it, and I’m sure I’m not alone in that sentiment

[@liamproductions1115]

Defiant is boldly going where no kerbal has landed before...

[@richardmetellus2336]

this makes me wanna rewatch for all mankind again

[@notjebbutstillakerbal]

I like the buttery-smooth transitions, the Saturn VII and the design of U.S.S Defiant. Edit: the defiant-VAV docking sequence gave me anxiety

[@Jebediah_Kerman256]

“The USS Victoria (NCC-1013) was a Horizon-class heavy cruiser in Starfleet service during the late-22nd century and into the mid-23rd.” -Memory Alpha

[@kepeca1]

Pov: Accidently adding 1 too many zeros to the nasa founding

[@dynamic.staccatto8241]

@ 13:00 I can definitely hear the Finale VST choir samples. 13/10 video

[@somedudethatripsplanetinha4221]

Very creative naming.

[@VirtuReality360]

We wave advanced warp capability and we installed it on the most powerful starship designed! We can finnaly land on venus with its away team shuttles and transporter beam arays! TD Chamnel: nah thats just the transport, and we made it super inefficient :p

[@anonymous_memer7397]

Bro really strapped 4 Saturn 5s together and it worked

[@joshstboi]

Space: the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. Its five-year mission: to explore strange new worlds; to seek out new life and new civilizations; to boldly go where no man has gone before!

[@rayanamy411]

damn dude it's amazing

[@bobatesomemayo]

AMAZING vid man I need help how do i record like you do cause i wanna try starting my own series

[@seantaggart7382]

I see there are some references to future projects here Like fedup!

[@odiseezall]

Greatness!

[@JosephDent-qd9ih]

Perfect and the centrifuge spinning you got it right. Dr Dent astrophysicist Rocketeledyne owner

[@ArcturusOW]

24:51 I love the Eridian option for the audio, 10/10

[@dimetime35c]

Its 5 year mission to seak out strange new worlds. To boldly go where no kerbal has gone before.

[@furycat28]

Dang, this U.S Defiant design is so bada*s Even though it lacks a warp drive, it looks so awesome

[@jacksigmon9426]

loved the "Project Hail Mary" reference with one of the languages being Eridian. thats gotta be one of my favorite Sci-fi books

[@TDChannelKSP]

Glad you liked it ;) Yeah, it was an awesome book to read. All about problem solving, and Rocky is such an interesting and fun alien.

[@aaronthe747fan]

We choose to go to venus in this Decade and do the other things not because there are easy bu because they are hard

[@DecidedlyNinja]

"But eating this bag of pinecones is also hard."

[@CASA-dy4vs]

@windrose5988thanks. It was delicious

[@joshstboi]

they really boldly went where no man has gone before

[@jmstudios457]

I think this is the first time I've seen a Venus return since alexchivilev's video from 2017, and those were barebones, all practicality vehicles. You made a fucking Enterprise style starship, thats insane dude. Kudos! May I ask why the chemical propulsion for the crew vehicle though...

[@DormantHeart453]

Thanks for reminding me how bad I am at KSP!

[@tedytarrify]

I saluted those brave Kerbals on their return home.

[@rubieaproject]

How did you make the balloon? Its so useful on worlds with thick atmos like Eve and Venus

[@TDChannelKSP]

HL Airships mod: forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/topic/49443-airships-in-1123-hooliganlabs-mods/

[@michaelplayz5476]

Stella has served us well

[@nhennessy6434]

Inasmuch as the Kerbals have that asparagus DNA because you all used CRISPER to cross bred that green gourmet treat with Smurfs, I'm sure they'll be done to a tasty turn upon returning from that 900 degree oven. Just don't forget the Hollandaise!

[@Sjpark01]

And they're just in time to see the moon landing to!

[@Lewy94999]

Oh my... 😮

[@Simongravitrax]

The fact that this mission not only works, but also accounts for various failures and emergencies just blows my mind. And on top of that it looks good! HOW!!!! Your work is amazing honestly. It's been and probbably will continue to be a huge inspiration for my channel. I mean, the fact that i stole your Moon³ is the only reason i blew up! In conclusion, both you and your work are just perfect!

[@TDChannelKSP]

Thank you! I hope you do well with your own videos :)

[@MrHichammohsen1]

Man that was BRILLIANT! Too bad they don't sponsor this though...

[@afghanistandaily9175]

unbelievable

[@jackmuchukot7201]

the sound design 🤩🤩

[@TDChannelKSP]

Glad you like it! It's a time intensive but important part of adding little details :)

[@seanthomas2906]

Epic ❤

[@husri_17]

sheesh td upload!!!!

[@Jump_Immortal]

Now I wanna see a kerbal fall from CHAOS. Imagine how terrifying that would be!

[@TDChannelKSP]

Certainly would! On the other hand, you'd soon encounter dense atmosphere and your Terminal Velocity would be pretty low... impact with the surface would be rough, but potentially survivable (if the suit survives with you). I wonder if a quick emergency launch of the Venus Amicus could actually catch up to the kerbal falling mid-way.

[@Jump_Immortal]

@@TDChannelKSP if it were that slow, and according to the lore, the suit would fail before any rescue could succeed right?

[@harbingerdawn]

IRL of course anyone falling would be crushed in the atmosphere. I am surprised at how fast some things are moving when they hit the ground on Venus in these videos, in reality I don't think any probe has failed via hard contact with the surface, even if they weren't designed to land at all.

[@jefftheislandboylover]

shoutout to the camerman filming this