Search the Community

IF YOU CAN MAKE IT THERE, YOU CAN MAKE IT ANYWHERE That's what I say about Moho; if I have enough Delta-V to get to Moho, then I can sure as hell get to anywhere else in the Kerbol system (especially Jool's moons). Anyway, I'm preparing a fleet for a trip to Moho and I want your input on what I may be missing for the first wave - or if you think it's good for now. U.S.S. Tarawa*: Can hold up to seven Kerbals at a time {1 viewing cupola, 1 lab (and I also carry all science but the telescope and ore scanner), 1 hitchhiker}, has 32 Mk. 2 docking ports and 16 Mk. 1 docking ports, 4 RA-100 Relay Antennae and plenty of liquid fuel and oxidizer in the reserve tanks. After the boosters run out of fuel, the station will be powered by four nuclear-powered engines to a designated orbit around Moho and send the crew to a prograde equatorial orbit around the planet. I have plenty of spare pure liquid fuel tanks in reserve for the return pod (when I get around to sending it), and reserve tanks of liquid fuel and oxidizer ready for landers. I should have plenty of Delta-V to make it to Moho from here (after I jettison the ascent boosters, of course). * I named it the Tarawa because, before I was born, my dad was in the U.S.M.C. He served in the U.S.S. Tarawa aircraft carrier while stationed in Hawaii; Mom was waiting patiently for him for about a year. Now that Dad's retired from government (he was in the State Department after the Marines), I thought it would be a fun way to honor his service to his country. Interplanetary Weather Satellite: Will put up in polar orbit around Moho and scan for rich ore deposits around the equator. Once I find a spot with a satisfactory minimum concentration (let's say 30% cutoff), I will set up a waypoint there and put my rover and lander there. I also carry some reusable scientific instruments on it. Moho Lander: capable of sending one Kerbal at a time from the U.S.S. Tarawa to the surface of Moho and back up. Doesn't have science on it to save mass since, well, "I'm a lander pod, not a science ship." Which reminds me, I tested its rendezvous and docking capabilities after sending this bad boy up to the Mun and refueling it before ascent - everything worked PERFECTLY. In this screenshot, I'm pointing at the Terrier fuel engine for the final stage (7.288-t mass). Do I have enough thrust to ascend/descend safely? Mini-Bus: Capable of carrying five Kerbals at a time (but will send unmanned), it will carefully land on a spot along Moho's Equator that's rich in ore deposits and start mining ore. When the lander gets there, I will use the claw and dock the rover with the lander before refueling it - it may take a while, but I can't risk running out of fuel during the lander's return rendezvous with the Tarawa. Check out my YouTube channel to see it in action. Concerning landing spots, as Robert Eddison once said, "I must choose, but choose wisely." That's why I'm sending the ore scanner in a polar orbit - to find a good spot beforehand. According to the Delta-V gauge on MechJeb and the community map, I should have enough juice to make it to Moho's surface. I don't want to send too many ships at once, otherwise I may miss my burn window while distracted with one ship (since, you know, nuclear engines are slow with their Delta-Vs). It should still be satisfactory to start a decent operation there. I originally planned to send a permanent single-stage base there too, but then I thought "Nah, send it with the second fleet - after we get a good first peek of the planet. I'll also send the return pod with the replacement crew for the Tarawa along with the base in the second fleet. Questions/concerns/comments?

I'm planning on flying to Eeloo, landing there, and coming back home when the next launch window opens. I realize that I cannot send just one ship if I am to leave my mark and return; after all, I plan to leave some things in orbit before I leave, like: A space station A weather satellite An "Ultimate Relay Antenna" Below is a list of items I will send at the next launch window. I consulted this website and this one after I got my ships into orbit, checked my "Delta-V Gauge" with MechJeb, and I can reasonably say that the ships in these photos are gassed up and ready (except for one - the rover). As for the nuclear-powered return pod, my space station has plenty of plain liquid fuel in reserve just to fill it up. U.S.S. Defiant: (Yes, I'm aware that's it's not loaded with crew yet - that will come later). It can hold up to 7 Kerbals at once {1 viewing cupola, 1 lab (and I also carry all science but the telescope and ore scanner), 1 hitchhiker}, has 12 Mk. 2 docking ports and 12 Mk. 1 docking ports, 8835 charge, and ~4,216 m/s worth of Delta-V in the tanks when I get to 92 km above Kerbin. Signal coverage won't be a problem, as it has 4 RA-100 relay antennae. I also have 7200 units worth of pure liquid fuel in reserve for when the return pod comes by to pick up the crew. (Note: Crew will consist of 2 pilots, 2 engineers, and 3 scientists) Interplanetary Weather Satellite: Will put up in polar orbit around Eeloo and scan for rich ore deposits around the equator. Once I find a spot with a satisfactory minimum concentration (let's say 30% cutoff), I will set up a waypoint there and put my rover and lander there. I also carry some reusable scientific instruments on it. Ultimate Relay Antenna: Originally intended to be left in Kerbol orbit (honestly, I don't care if it gets to Eeloo as long as the relays work), it has 1 RA-100 and 4 RA-15 relay antennae. The final stage has 3 ion engines and 11,400 worth of xenon (and over 8,000 m/s worth of Delta-V), so I think it's good for Eeloo. What do you think? Interplanetary Moon Lander: Capable of carrying up to 3 Kerbals at a time, has some science on board, and 5,180 m/s worth of Delta-V at the time of LKO. I plan to rendezvous with the Defiant when I arrive at Eeloo, then pick up three Kerbalnauts (pilot, scientist, engineer) before sending it down to a designated landing spot. Then, I shall refuel the ship using a small rover and send it back up to the Defiant. Note: Be sure your spot is rich in ore deposits BEFORE landing Return Pod: A nuclear-powered beauty, driven by pure liquid fuel (main stage has 6,400 units of it), designed to follow the fleet unoccupied to Eeloo and remain in a standby orbit. When it comes close to the return window, I shall rendezvous the pod with the Defiant and pick up the crew - and not forgetting to refuel it. After the window opens, I will launch the pod out of Eeloo's sphere of influence on a return trajectory to Kerbin - leaving the Defiant unmanned until the next crew arrives. Mini-Bus (PENDING REDESIGN): Capable of carrying five Kerbals at a time (but will send unmanned), it will carefully land on a spot along Eeloo's Equator that's rich in ore deposits and start mining ore. When the lander gets there, I will use the claw and dock the rover with the lander before refueling it - it may take a while, but I can't risk running out of fuel during the lander's return rendezvous with the Defiant. DISCLAIMER: This video (that I made all by myself) is just a demonstration of what the rover is capable of when landed. I currently don't have Delta-V to get to Eeloo's surface. What do you all think? Do all my ships have enough Delta-V to get to Eeloo safely? Am I good for the first Eeloo fleet, or am I missing something besides the rover? Speaking of which, any ideas on how to get it all the way to Eeloo? Your input is greatly appreciated. Thank you.