Soviet 3b "Elcano" - A 24-hour Circumnavigation
About the Mission: Primary Objective: Complete the Elcano Challenge
circumnavigate Kerbin without leaving the planet's land surface or oceans - SUCCESS
Secondary/Operational Objectives:
complete the circumnavigation in as little time as possible (this means ISRU stops are out of the question) - PARTIAL SUCCESS (24 hours 44 minutes)
based on craft performance, this conditionally means one fuel stop only - FAILURE
keep land-based transportation to a minimum
Day Two, Part One: Landfall
The change in speed from pre- to post-fuelling was dramatic - no longer clipping the crest of the waves on the foils at 100m/s, but wallowing deep in the water at about half that. However, full fueltanks and the prospect of an easy run up to the land-bridge were brightened further by the sunrise, and after the frantic night-time rush for supplies the crew were relieved to be moving on, their mission apparently none the worse for wear.
The sun had barely clea
