[0.24.2] Apollo Style Mission (only 2 mods required)

[Justinjah91]

I know Apollo style rockets are common, but none of them suited what I wanted. To that end, I made my own. Some sacrifices had to be made of course (for example, mine has SRB's on the launch stage) but the sequence of events follows the Apollo missions. I even included rovers!

Craft file:http://db.orangedox.com/xCJmjSrUnWJAhOoBty/Kerpollo%2015.zip

Contained in the download is a launch proceedure that details all aspects of the mission, however I will also post it below.

------------------------------------------

MOD DEPENDANCIES

1. Procedural fairings http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/39512-0-24-2-Procedural-Fairings-3-09-procedural-costs-Win64-decoupler-fix-(August-3)

2. Deadly Reentry http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/54954-0-24-2-Deadly-Reentry-Continued-v5-2-7-25-14

Suggested mods:

1. Kerbal engineer redux http://www.curse.com/ksp-mods/kerbal/220285-kerbal-engineer-redux

2. Docking Port Alignment Indicator http://kerbal.curseforge.com/ksp-mods/220299-docking-port-alignment-indicator-version-3-1

---------------------------------------

ACTION GROUPS

Abort - Decouples Crew Capsule and Activates Escape System

1 - Toggle Solar Panels

2 - Decouple/Undock Docking Ports on Command Module and Lander

3 - Extend Ladder on Lander

4 - Toggle Lander Descent Engines on/off

0 - Decouples Escape System and Activates Chutes (Only used after abort sequence)

--------------------------------------

STAGING DESCRIPTION

Stage 11: SRB and main engine ignition

Stage 10: SRB separation

Stage 9: Orbital/Trans-lunar injection stage activation

Stage 8: Decouple escape system

Stage 7: Decouple command module engine fairing and activate CM engine

Stage 6: Decouple lander from TLI stage

Stage 5: Activate lander descent stage

Stage 4: Deploy rovers

Stage 3: Decouple and ignite ascent stage

Stage 2: Separation of crew capsule

Stage 1: Activate Chutes

Stage 0: Ditch heat shied (Stage also contains lander fairings, not important)

---------------------------------------

LAUNCH PROCEEDURE

1. Full throttle, stage to launch.

-Abort sequence is programmed, but shouldn't be needed as rocket is very stable

2. Stage again when SRB's are expended.

3. Slowly begin gravity turn at 10km.

-Aim gravity turn so that you hit 45 degrees pitch at 500 m/s

4. Stage when main engine burns out.

-This next stage will be your orbital/trans-lunar injection stage

5. Aim for horizon at 1500 m/s and hold it there until apoapsis hits 125 km, then cut throttle.

-Make sure to extend solar panels when you are out of atmosphere (action group 1)

6. Circularize at 125 km.

7. When the mun rises over the horizon, burn prograde untile you are on an impact trajectory with the mun.

-Assuming you followed the ascent profile, you should have just enough fuel for this.

-Impact trajectory is not required, but will allow you to prevent Kessler syndrome

8. Use action group 2 to separate command module from lander.

9. Turn command module around and stage to eject CM engine fairing.

10. Dock with lander.

11. Next, you will need to stage until the lander separates from the TLI stage.

-Do NOT just spam the stage button. You may have to press it more than once, but you shouldn't have to press it more than 3 times

-Camera will shift when it happens

12. Use RCS to pull lander out of fairing.

13. Using CM engine, adjust your trajectory from impact to a 10-15 km periapsis over the mun.

-Careful not to hit TLI stage while doing this

14. DO NOT warp through the mun encounter. You may warp up to it, but make sure you are at x1 when you go through it or it will mess up your trajectory.

15. Circularize your orbit around the mun at 10-15 km.

16. Transfer 2 crew members to the lander.

17. Use action group 2 to undock, and land using a very shallow approach.

-There should be PLENTY of fuel for this.

18. After landing, stage once to disconnect rovers.

-You may have to flip them over, but they have probes on them and the torque should be enough to do the trick.

19. Use action group 3 to extend ladder, and action group 4 to deactivate descent engines (very important).

20. Muck about to your heart's content.

21. Once you are done mucking about, enter the lander and apply full throttle.

-This is why deactivating those engines is important

22. Stage to decouple and activate ascent engine.

23. Rendezvous and dock with CM.

24. Transfer crew and fuel to CM, then undock.

-I personally hate leaving things in orbit, so I usually deorbit the ascent stage using centripetal force.

25. Burn prograde when you are about 25% around the Kerbin side of the mun.

-Burn like this until your Kerbin periapsis is inside the atmosphere, no lower than 20 km (deadly reentry will eat your lunch if you are lower than this).

26. Stage to decouple the crew capsule. You may stage at ANY time to activate the chutes.

-I used the tweakables to set the chutes to semi-deploy at 3300 m above sea level, and fully deploy at 300 m above ground level.

-Toss heat shield after chute semi-deployment

I would be willing to make a version without deadly reentry if you guys want me to. Procedural fairings is a must though.

Edited August 14, 2014 by Justinjah91
Formatting