Minmus Operation "Mint Valley" (and how YOU can help!)

[Ironwatsas]

It seems the Mun gets all the attention and glory. But this operation is one intended to land on, colonize, and investigate Minmus.

The current imperative was set by none other than the Heavenly Alarming maiden herself, Ame-chan, who has become convinced that Minmus is made of delicious mint ice cream. And since our mission control staff would rather she eat something other than our mission control staff, we have come up with a comprehensive, multi-phase colonization, mining, and investigation mission to hopefully return samples and establish a permanent base of operations.

("I AM AmeAme! I WILL EAT YOOOOU!!!")

Current mission objectives are as follows:

MINT VALLEY:

>Obj-1: Establish Basic Planetary Infrastructure (complete)

>Obj-2: Plant Flag (incomplete)

>Obj-3: Explore minmusian surface (READ: play with rover) (incomplete)

>Obj-4: Determine composition of Minmus/Ratio of Mint ice cream to regolith (in progress)

>Obj-5: Determine if Minmus is the Egg of an Eldritch Abomination: (in progress)

>Obj-6: If objective 5 is true; disregard better judgement and drill for Kethane immediately: (incomplete)

Additional objectives may be added (see below)

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The cornerstone of this operation has been the deployment of the Minhut-1 command base. This facility has been designed to be the primary habitation and analytical laboratory of the site codenamed "Mint Valley". The facility is located in a depression near Minmus' equator with easy access to space launch.

(Location of "Mint Valley" outpost on Minmusian surface.)

Minhut-1 was landed on autopilot, unmanned, without incident, and remained in place while additional structures were prepared for landing. However, communications equipment and additional, more specialized science gear was needed, so the "Mincom" Kermunnications Lander was later dispatched.

Unfortunately, the initial launch was scrubbed due to the unexpected gravitational interference of the Mun; likely attempting to sabotage the mission to preserve it's own fame and glory out of jealousy. A second launch was also met with gravitational interferance, but a successful course correction brought the lander into minmusian orbit, and the landing was undertaken without incident. After initial touchdown, the lander moved under it's own power to the Minhut-1.

The Next critical piece of infrastructure is the Minmus enhanced mobility device, A.k.a, the Minmusmobile. The main rover capable of carrying two Kerbals and a gamut of instruments, was launched along with it's fuel dock via an LV-N rocket and had little trouble reaching it's destination. It was eventually landed in place with the rest of the structures awaiting the main crew.

With most of the main surface structures in place, the next step was to get the largest piece of the minmus mission into place: The MINSTAR-1 command station, designed to be the main fuel stop and communications center, as well as command the satellite constellations in orbit. Placed in a Synchronous orbit over the moon, it was certianly a challenge to get into orbit with a mean weight of 43 tons. However, with the addition of an on-board thrust module, getting it to it's destination was no problem. It is currently commanded by KSS-3 veterans, Harrick and Doodnard Kerman (eager to escape Ame since she knows their names now).

However, several comm relays would need to be put into place to provide permanent line-of-sight between Mint Valley and KSC. Two primary unmanned components for this are the Minmus Spotlight probe, and the Relay-1 Lander.

The Minmus spotlight mission was actually the first spacecraft sent, as a pathfinder to search for a suitable landing zone, and to coordinate additional operations later. Stalwartly standing overhead, it's mission has changed and it's orbit adjusted to act as the orbital part of the relay via MINSTAR-1 to the Sugar Satellite and Idlemax networks over Kerbin.

The second part of the mission is a humble robotic lander, placed on a mountaintop overlooking the Mint Valley site, acting as a high-point to relay signals from the base to orbit, as well as conduct some tracking of orbiting objects. Getting it into the right position was a tricky proposition, as it did not want to properly land.

With all of the primary planetary infrastructure in place, it's time to send the most important ingrediant: The Kerbalnauts. While MINSTAR-1 is already manned, the ground base was launched empty, so three brave kerbalnauts were sent: Legendary commander Jebidiah Kerman, Rolli Kerman, and Reisen Udongien Kerman (with the most Munar experience). Their ship, the Minbus Lander, is designed as a transfer ship from the surface to MINSTAR-1, with additional vessels acting as a shuttle back to Kerbin when needed.

Unlike the other missions, which were strictly one-way affairs, the Minbus would need to be re-fueled in Kerbin orbit, and boosted by another spacecraft (it was not designed for standalone interplanetary travel). Fortunately, both a fueling station "Lighthouse" and the KSV-1 resupply ship were both in orbit, providing all the needed infrastructure and resources (necessitating a smaller launch vehicle to save money). The Minbus was launched and managed to rendezvous with the lighthouse, docking and refueling without incident.

After fueling, the Minbus was docked with the KSV-1 (left over from the KSS-3 disaster), which was capable of delivering it to Minmus orbit with significant fuel to spare for resupplying MINSTAR-1. The two ships docked, and their crews exchanged gifts and played video games on the Minbus' mainframe, while the KSV-1 concentrated on getting the two ships into Minmusian orbit.

After reaching orbit, the two ships went their separate ways: Minbus heading down to the Mint Valley base...

...and KSV-1 boosting and docking with the MINSTAR-1.

KSV will remain in minmusian orbit for now until a crew change is necessary and a new ship is sent. It, along with the detachable engine module of the MINSTAR-1 will function as orbital tugs incase any additional componants are sent that require maneuvering.

Back on the surface, our three brave Kerbal explorers are enjoying their first steps on Minmus, and checking out their new super l33t base and the kickass rover they've been given to abuse.

Nearly immediately, they forgot about the 'scientific' nature of their mission upon discovering that Minmus' Mini-gravity (pun) makes for excellent jumping around conditions...

All on 3...

Eventually becoming mostly bored with jumping (for now), the crew takes to their new accommodation to see if there are any snacks or games to play overnight, until the real sciencey stuff begins. Mission control is currently preparing a battery of experiments to get the Kerbalnauts to hopefully not screw up.

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And THAT is where You come in!

I'm open to ideas regarding additional modules to be built and deployed and additional experiments to run. Currently the total Minmus fleet is as follows:

1xMinhut Command Lander

1xRover

1xRover Dock

1xCommunications Lander

1xRelay Lander (unmanned)

1xReturn vessel

1xOrbital Supply Ship

1xComms Sattelite

1x Space Station

3xKerbalnauts

Possible objective is to establish a second base site, or a larger colony, or arrange some kind of automated sample return mission, or put up more satellites. Kethane mining will commence if/when I can get the kethane addon to work (it seems to be freezing my game when I attempt to launch a scanner satellite). If anyone else has thoughts, please let me know.

Edited May 27, 2013 by Ironwatsas