PHO3NIX_F1RE

I think I'd fit well into 'upper' Intermediate, a level 2.5, if you like. I've visited Mun and Minmus extensively, and extremely comfortable with orbital rendezvous, which is a level 3 criteria. I'd almost definitely have done Duna/Eve/Jool by now if I didn't restart my career every time the game gets an update. However, I'm working on a Jool 5 for my upcoming transfer window, as well as a pretty large scale (for me, anyway) mission to Duna when that transfer window approaches.

Was just about to suggest this. Also, if your rep isn't terrible, you could decline contracts, generating new ones until you have some which meet the requirements above (where the advance would cover the cost of the rocket), or until you get contracts you can complete in your current state, i.e science from space around Kerbin, obviously the latter option depends on if you have the means to do this, such as satellites etc. already in orbit.

@GRS That thing is huge!

Excellent. It'll have to wait until after my Jool transfer window, I can experiment with designs and it'll give me something to do while my Jool 5 attempt is in transit.

I'm interested in this challenge, and like many others my sights are set on Minmus. Easy to get to, easy to land on and quite small so the challenge shouldn't take months. I do have a question regarding my planned vehicle; I'll be attempting an equatorial route, which would mean crossing the flats of Minmus, the rover design I have in mind would use small rockets/monoprop engines to reach high speeds for this section, with downward facing rockets/monoprop engines to keep it grounded. Would this be allowed, or would it be seen as breaching the rules. I don't see a rule that dictates/forbids the method of propulsion, but I figured it'd be best to check first.

Mine typically have an abbreviation followed by the name, usually drawn from other media or references the purpose of the craft, then an iteration number if necessary. A few examples: KORE Munseer - Kerbin Orbital Research Engine (a ship class designed for missions within Kerbin's SOI), Munseer is a flyby of Mun. KORE Munstrider - Same as above, but Munstrider is a Mun lander KSS Pyjak - Kerbin Space Station (any station in Kerbin's SOI will use this), Pyjak is a small alien from Mass Effect, the KSS Pyjak is the smallest station around Kerbin. KSS Tuchanka - Same designation as above, the Tuchanka is a sizeable station around Mun, serving as a research lab and refuelling station for repeatable Mun landings.

I rescued a few stranded kerbals from Kerbin orbit in between other projects, and managed to dock with my LKO station-in-progress with barely any fuel left.

I'm considering this challenge when my Kerbin-Jool transfer window comes around in my career save, I have a question until then: is sending multiple ships simultaneously against the rules in this case? My plan is to send one loaded with probes/satellites to set up a comms network, have one for long term science gathering/processing, and one for the challenge. They wouldn't interact (I.E fuel transfers, crew transfers, etc) except for using the comms network passively. In my head this doesn't directly break any rules, but I'll put it forward anyway. In theory I could just alter the trajectories so that the J5 challenge gets there first, and is done before the others arrive.

I finished building my Mun space station, I just need to add a transfer stage and get it out to a Mun orbit.

**Before I start, a little about me; I've played KSP for a long time, I can't remember exactly which version, and I got into it thanks to Robbaz' YouTube series. I've restarted several playthroughs and been a part time lurker on these forums, but now that's changing. With this career I've decided to become more active, particularly with the Mission Reports and general conversations, I might even take on a few challenges within my career. In my entire time with this game I haven't left Kerbin's SOI, but again, I'd like to change that. My mission reports may be inconsistent in their formatting and style, but one thing I'll try to keep throughout is a track of the money earned from each mission (space exploration is a business, after all), and the science earned from each mission. Without further ado, here is the first instalment, landing on the Mun.** Mission Report: Year One, Day 16. ** OPERATION MUNSTRIDER ** After the successes of the Space Program thus far, the Kerbin World-Firsts Record-Keeping Society has allocated funding for the next milestone; to land on the Mun.The recent flybys and sightseeing launches have piqued interest in the planet's closest natural satellite, and it's time we landed on it and returned safely. Mission Objectives: PRIMARY - Land 3 Kerbals on Mun's surface and return them to Kerbin safely. - Gather scientific data by performing every available experiment we have currently developed; Materials Bay, Mystery Goo, Barometer, Thermometer, Surface Samples, Crew Report and EVA Report. SECONDARY -Proof of concept and test run of a reusable lander, able to land on the surface and return to orbit capable of docking with another craft for refuelling. -Plant flag for FLOOYD Dynamic Research Labs. We've been allocated a 70,560 advance in funding to develop and construct the lander and launch vehicle. The launch vehicle and lander came in a a total of 54,353. *Mission Updates* - Launch went off without a hitch, and Bob, Bill and Val settled into an 85km orbit, before burning out towards Mun. - An uneventful transfer between Kerbin and Mun, tensions began growing as Mun grew bigger. - Orbital insertion burn to Mun was nominal, and the ship settled into a 20km orbit. - Landing Sequence began, targeting the western edge of the East Farside Crater. - Bill reported concerns regarding fuel levels, we ran the numbers and there was cause for concern. - Touchdown on Mun! - Bob took samples from the crater, performed an EVA report and planted the flag as per the mission objectives. Bill inspected the craft for damages and areas of concern. Val's mental state deteriorated, Bill's concerns over the fuel pushed her into a state of panic, she refused to leave the cockpit for fear of being stranded. However, she did manage to fill out a crew report of the situation. - Bob decided to go sightseeing, being a surfer in his spare time he decided to visit a wave-like formation at the edge of the crater. Flight Control was not impressed. He retrieved a surface sample and returned to the ship, spectacularly wiping out on the way, proving the resilience of Kerbalkind and the spacesuits. **CRITICAL MISSION UPDATE** Low fuel levels, insufficient for return. Develop refuelling drone to perform orbital rendezvous in Munar orbit. Kerbin World-Firsts Record-Keeping Society provided additional contract and funding to bring the mission home. PRIMARY OBJECTIVE - Rendezvous and dock in Munar orbit, then return to Kerbin. - Val managed to get the ship into a stable 8km orbit, Flight assured them that they had a solution for their fuel shortage, and that this was part of the secondary objective, and they could use this time to gather more data from orbit. - Refuelling drone launched into orbit with no issues, sitting at 90km before launching towards Mun. - Bob performed several EVA's in orbit, setting a new record. - Refuelling drone docked with Munstrider with no issues, a testament to the capabilities of our probe technology. - Refuelling drone undocked and launched itself into the surface of Mun. **END OF CRITICAL UPDATES** - Val brought the crew home, touching down on the deserts of Kerbin. *Mission Summary* Primary Objectives. Moderate Success. Further development of lander needed, fuel issues need solving before further Mun Landings. Science returns outstanding, can use returned info to develop technologies further. Secondary Objectives. Docking capabilities adequate. Current model is unfit for re-use, development required. Flag planted for FLOOYD Dynamic Research Labs. Space Program reputation increased, public opinion tracking at a record high, funding will be more readily available, providing we can continue to push, to innovate, and inspire. **Funding Breakdown** - Initial Contract - Kerbin World-Firsts Record-Keeping Society 70,560 - Advance 332,640 - Reward -54,353 - Cost --------------------------------------------- 348,847 - Total Earned -Additional Contracts -FLOOYD Dynamic Research Labs 69,000 - Advance 191,400 - Reward ------------------------------------------------- 260,400 - Total Earned 609,247 - Running Total -Kerbin World-Firsts Record-Keeping Society 124,992 - Advance 589,248 - Reward -24,985 - Cost ========================= 1,298,502 - Total Earned Official Images:

I generally name my missions with some relation to their goal (Munseer for the flyby/tourism, Munstrider for landing), spaceplanes are usually after birds or flying animals from mythology or books/films/games, and space stations are usually named after locations from books/films/games. In general, most of my missions end up as references to other media.

Hi, long time lurker, first time poster. A brief search yielded no results, so I thought I'd ask; during the early game (i.e, pre interplanetary travel), what are your approaches to science gathering? My second Mun mission had a few contracts that I could carry out at the same time, netting me around 700 science for one visit. Is it worth waiting for those missions before going to Mun/Minmus for the extra science/funds payout, or would I be better off going as often as possible and getting it all quickly?

After a 'can I actually complete this' flight, I have found that my craft is capable of flying around Kerbin. However, I burnt off two Barometers (need science yo), and didn't get my halfway screenshot. Looks like another run is in order...

After silently following this challenge for some time, I've decided that as soon as my career tech tree allows it, I'll be participating. I have a few rough rover ideas in mind, and I'll almost definitely be going for a Minmus equatorial journey. More to come as and when. Also, this is is my first post on these forums.