NASA's Red trophy (shortened edition)

Horizon

In the wake of the Nexus catastrophe, the space exploration community was left reeling, grappling with the aftermath of the devastating failure. But amidst the ashes of the fallen rocket, a glimmer of hope emerged—a new mission, fueled by determination and resilience, to reclaim humanity's place among the stars.

As plans for the next phase of lunar exploration took shape, a bold decision was made to launch a medium-sized space station into orbit around the Earth. Designed for scientific research and reconnaissance, the station would serve as a vital asset in monitoring global events and gathering intelligence on the activities of rival nations, including the Russians.

As the Sentinel space station soared into orbit aboard the Sea Dragon, another ambitious mission was already underway—a mission that would push the boundaries of human spaceflight and pave the way for future exploration of the cosmos.

Dubbed Apollo X-I, this dual-purpose mission aimed to demonstrate the capabilities of the Saturn V and Saturn IB rockets in launching and assembling a lunar spacecraft in orbit, as well as conducting a lunar landing mission using innovative new techniques.

The first stage of Apollo X-I involved the launch of a Saturn V rocket, modified to carry a space station module and a lunar lander instead of a traditional service module. As the rocket thundered into the sky, it carried with it the hopes and aspirations of a generation, poised to make history once again.

Meanwhile, a second Saturn IB rocket stood ready on the launch pad, carrying a traditional service module destined to rendezvous with the space station module in orbit. This innovative approach to lunar exploration would allow for greater flexibility and efficiency in mission planning, paving the way for future missions to the Moon and beyond.

As the Saturn V rocket reached orbit, the crew aboard the Sentinel space station watched with anticipation as the lunar lander module separated from the rocket's payload fairing and began its journey towards rendezvous with the space station. With precision and skill, the astronauts aboard the station guided the module into position, ready to receive the incoming service module.

Meanwhile, on the ground, the second Saturn IB rocket thundered into the sky, carrying the traditional service module destined to rendezvous with the space station in orbit. With its powerful engines blazing, it raced towards the heavens, closing the gap between itself and its destination with each passing moment.

In orbit, the two modules slowly approached each other, guided by the steady hands of the astronauts aboard the Sentinel space station. With a gentle touch, they docked together, forming a single, unified spacecraft poised to embark on its journey to the Moon.

As the crew prepared for their lunar mission, excitement and anticipation filled the air. For many, it was a dream come true—a chance to follow in the footsteps of the brave astronauts who had come before them and leave their mark on the history of space exploration.

And as the spacecraft set course for the Moon, its engines blazing against the backdrop of the cosmos, it carried with it the hopes and dreams of a generation, blazing a trail of discovery and adventure across the endless expanse of space.

Dubbed "Sentinel," the space station represented a new chapter in humanity's quest to explore and understand the cosmos. Equipped with state-of-the-art sensors and imaging systems, it promised to provide unprecedented insights into the workings of our planet and the machinations of its inhabitants.

The launch of Sentinel was entrusted to the Sea Dragon, the mighty rocket that had once again risen to prominence in the wake of the Nexus disaster. With its unparalleled payload capacity and proven reliability, the Sea Dragon was the ideal choice for delivering the space station into orbit.

As preparations for the launch got underway, excitement and anticipation mounted among the teams involved in the Sentinel mission. Months of meticulous planning and testing had gone into the development of the space station, ensuring that it was ready to fulfill its mission objectives with precision and accuracy.

Finally, the day of the launch arrived, marking a momentous occasion in the annals of space exploration. The Sea Dragon, standing tall on its oceanic launch pad, roared to life as its engines ignited, sending plumes of fire and smoke billowing into the sky.

With a thunderous roar, the Sea Dragon lifted off from the launch pad, its payload fairing containing the Sentinel space station securely nestled within. Spectators watched in awe as the rocket soared into the heavens, carrying with it the hopes and dreams of a generation.

As the Sea Dragon ascended towards space, the Sentinel space station separated from the rocket's payload fairing and deployed its solar panels, basking in the light of the sun as it orbited high above the Earth. For those involved in the mission, it was a moment of triumph—a testament to the indomitable spirit of exploration that drove humanity ever onward into the cosmos.

In the days and weeks that followed, Sentinel began its mission in earnest, collecting data and imagery from orbit and transmitting it back to Earth for analysis. With each passing day, it provided valuable insights into the workings of our planet and the activities of those who called it home.

And as it circled the globe, its sensors trained on the vast expanse of space beyond, Sentinel served as a constant reminder of humanity's boundless curiosity and relentless pursuit of knowledge—a beacon of hope shining brightly against the darkness of the cosmos.