The Jool atmospheric science challenge

[TheFlyingKerman]

Jool seems to be one of the least visited body in stock KSP. So here you go.

The challenge is simple. Take off from Kerbin, fly to Jool (refuelling is allowed), then dive as deep as possible into the atmosphere of Jool, do some science, then return the data and the crew (if any) to a stable orbit around Jool.

As an example I managed to go down to 170570m. I am sure you guys can do better.

Then returned to a stable orbit (Pe > 200000m)

 

Rules:

1. Everything must be stock, except possibly visual enhancement or information display.

2. The part pressure limit may be disabled, but the part G-force limit and comm-net must be enabled and re-entry heating set to 1.0.

3. Except stock electric propellers no other cheats or exploits allowed (e.g. part clipping to reduce drag / heating).

 

The leaderboard is for how low one can go... Good luck.

Leaderboard - probe:

1.

2.

3.

Leaderboard - manned:

1. BobTheAverage 170163m

2.

3.

Edited August 3, 2018 by TheFlyingKerman

[TheFlyingKerman]

Nobody dares taking up this challenge??

[BobTheAverage]

My first good attempt slightly beat yours.
https://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561198025570071/screenshots/

Dive into the atmosphere on an elliptical orbit with rockets behind a heat sheild. Fire the rockets so that you maintain enough speed to clear the atmosphere later.

[TheFlyingKerman]

3 hours ago, BobTheAverage said:

My first good attempt slightly beat yours.
https://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561198025570071/screenshots/

Dive into the atmosphere on an elliptical orbit with rockets behind a heat sheild. Fire the rockets so that you maintain enough speed to clear the atmosphere later.

I cannot connect to steamcommunity... How deep did you go? I'll add you to the leaderboard.

[vyznev]

So we basically need to recreate this video?  I wonder if Joolian physics have changed in any relevant respect since KSP v1.2.2.

[BobTheAverage]

I got down to 170163.

[TheFlyingKerman]

23 hours ago, vyznev said:

So we basically need to recreate this video?  I wonder if Joolian physics have changed in any relevant respect since KSP v1.2.2.

That would work. Maybe I should have required stock rocket engines only.

[Mephisto81]

Ah crap. Could have attempted this a couple of days ago during my visit to Jool. Athough even the try of an aerocapture on Laythe went horribly wrong....