To the Mun and back - first Mun landing

[DerekL1963]

Today, we went to the Mun and returned safely, but not without a little trouble on the way...

Mission Control forgot to enable the autopilot, and when the launch clamps released gravity took over. Jeb was philosophical about the whole thing, reasoning that since the craft had technically been in free fall between the clamps releasing and the booster hitting the ground he'd earned his flight pay for the day. He wasn't very happy to learn that there wasn't any flight pay to begin with.

The second flight got off to a similarly inauspicious start... Mission Control forgot to enable autostaging, resulting in "severe underperformance" of the booster.

Quick work by Mission Control did manage to bring Jeb down safely not too far from KSP. Once again, Jeb was philosophical, reckoning that today was a fine day for a swim while waiting for the Kerbin Navy to come fetch him. When he was informed that there was no such thing as a Kerbin Navy... his reply was ungentlemanly and unprintable.

Since Jeb was still swimming home, Bill volunteered for the next flight, reckoning that it would help him get dates. After a stern lecture to Mission Control about paying attention, he climbed into the capsule and blasted off... Mission Control did however take a moment to sneak this shot as the Mun rose over the horizon right at the end of the TMI burn.

Braking into Munar orbit...

Kerbinrise...

Bill was getting a bit seasick from watching the Kerbin landscape zoom by just 10k below while Mission Control was setting up cool screenshots... and insisted that we start the landing sequence. After a bit of trouble getting the engines to light, Bill began his descent. (Seriously, Mechjeb wouldn't fire off the engines until I right clicked and enabled them... dunno why.)

Contact light!

Bill enjoys a moment on the Mun. I'm not sure if that smile is one of joy for being first on the Mun, or terror that his life is still in the hands of Mission Control.

Kerbinrise again, right at the end of the TKI burn.

Bill, safely on home on Kerbin... He told Mission Control to "bring on the babes!".

We didn't have the heart to tell him.

[Dictator Dan]

Haha, I like it! Congrats on the landing, and safe return!

[Procyon]

Congrats, nice lander. Making one similar for a 3 man lander.