Arctodus

I hear its like Hotel California there - easy to get to, but you'll never leave I'm just spit-balling a general idea here. I would very much like to use Eve to finish off my science, and I want to send a probe. My general mission statement is: it cannot be manned, and must use Ion engines (cause I've just unlocked them and they're still in the shrinkwrap), and must be able to do high and low orbit science. It should also be able to return from orbit to Kerbin (shouldn't be too difficult), and land if at all possible (I want full science marks, rather than transmitted, but I'm carrying a transmitter if necessary anyway). So, I'm wondering if anyone has any advice on probes and that Here's what I have so far: There's only one engine, but three gigantor arrays because I've yet to figure out how to group three ions into a triangle configuration on the bottom, without using the massive tricoupler. It'll be put into orbit on a rocket, cause I don't think it'll fit in the new cargo bays. From what I've got here so far, what do you guys think? I'm also toying with the idea of attaching an Eve lander to the top, that will not be expected to return for transmitting surface science, but I'm not sure if that's better served in another mission. Thanks in advance!

If you don't mind my asking, how did you get the three ion engine is a triangle like that?

It kind of reminds me of a civilian version of the Abaddon from EVE: Online

Thanks for the help everyone I switched out the Poodle for a Skipper for a little extra 'oomph', made a power-assisted landing this afternoon Had 18 chutes slowing me down, though I think I may have damaged one or two landing legs, but I should be fine I have enough fuel to get to orbit, but not home - SO! I sent the rescue ship anyway to dock and bring my brave lads home!

Thanks for the help guys - a much smaller lander is currently winging its way to Duna as we speak It should be there soon, and hopefully all will be well. ......I have rescue standing by

It has seven chutes, but I'm sure I can fit a bunch more on there I'm not sure about the delta-V, without a calculator I'm scuppered when it comes to maths, lol. Seat of pants is where its at? *manic, hopeful grin* EDIT: Now comes with 13 chutes

Hey all! So, I'm planning my first trip to Duna I technically have a prototype ship in orbit around Kerbin ready to go, but I find myself doubting its capabilities, particularly the lander. This is the lander - its well stocked for science (the primary goal of the trip), but I'm not sure it'll make it back to orbit from duna on 3x LV909s and a Poodle*. Do I need more firepower? Getting to orbit from Duna's surface is the primary goal - getting home is secondary, I have an orbital rescue mission standing by. I was just wondering what everyone thought, and if there were any problems I may not have forseen? Thanks in advance! *Hell, I'm not even sure it'll survive the landing

That made me laugh far too much for sitting at my desk at work

In my time when I'm not gaming, I love reading, I play and watch rugby (more watch these days, but I get out when I can), I play a few instruments, and spending time with my fiance

Sadly still quite easily brickable if you're unsure how to treat them - my missus managed to accidentally trash a 4 month old SSD by using to cache photos during upload. It essentially filled it to the brim, deleted the cache and repeated about a dozen times. It still soldiers on, but crashes whenever you try to download anything bigger than a few Mb, or in a few other circumstances. Keep meaning to replace it...

Currently, I have Jeb in a polar orbit 6km above Minmus ready for more SCIENCE!, two failed probes, one rocketing into deep space, the other on a looped Kerbol orbit that cover the SOI of about four planets. There is also an early orbiter, vacant on a low Kerbin polar orbit. It is out of fuel, and left vacant as a memorial to Bill, my first and so far only casualty of my space program. He died trying to get out and push to deorbit when fuel ran out. He missed, and couldn't reach the capsule. Rather than orbit endlessly awaiting a rescue I had no hope of sending, he used his remaining EVA fuel to push his Pe below 70km, and re-enter Atmo on his own terms. He grinned.

So far, my highest point has been my manned landing on Minmus, first try. It was initially slated to be a flyby FOR SCIENCE but once orbiting the small moon I guessed I might have juuuust enough fuel to make a landing. Turns out I did, and enough to return home too! Landed on Kerbin with 4 fuel in the tank Short of that, continually, and consistently managing to orbit has been a great joy. Next - The Mun!

You and me both, dude. Anyone know? EDIT: Ah, there's been a few posted, excellent I'll give them a crack! When the time comes, of course

Still currently trying not to blow up. Otherwise, SCIENCE! I'm new and going through career at a fairly low pace due to my own time constraints, but I just recently managed a flyby of the Mun - TWICE (and only one of them blew up [200m before touchdown, of course])

Cheers for the heads up Never used Imgur before, I'll give it a go.

Sorted, Thanks all *sets up a photobucket for screenshots*

You guys ROCK! Thank you very much for the help, it has most definitely been solved There may have been some cheering at Mission Control when my rocket breached 60km and continued rising! Woop woop! Thank you everybody who replied, for your help

Saw this after I posted my epic saga, lol - I will have a look in the VAB, thanks for the heads up!

Here'sa quick, ten shot log of my average outing with this On the pad Liftoff! KM or so up 10km up Boosters quit around 20km T30 quits soon after, so I stage and light the 909 50km and slowing drastically 909 craps out and decouples only for me to peak at 54km and start my descent Chute deploys at 7/8km, just after I pass by my spent 909, but it quickly passes again as i slow I land, uneventfully. Sorry for the night-flight!

Right, here's my setup - I have checked and triple checked my first stage, the T30 is at 60, all three boosters at 38, all tanks full, thrust for the 909 at 100.

I will see what I can do

Its at 100% :-/ I had the Science to go for the mission 5 setup, and that works perfectly too - it just seems to be the setup for 4 that's not working out for me, lol. Thanks everybody for the help, I'll keep at it!

I'm half tempted to just whack one of the bigger thrusting engines on instead, see how that goes, lol

Ok, I fixed the staging, and managed to get to 55,369. A new record for this vessel...

I noticed my staging was off just before I read this - I reckon thats probably my problem then Thanks man, I'll get back to you!