Mars-Bound Hokie

DEADLINE IN T-MINUS 2 DAYS

Looks like a TIE Interceptor when viewed from the front. Were you going for that look?

I'm going to make this simple for everyone: "Advanced Transfer to Another Planet" --> (EXAMPLES) (PRIMARILY) from one planet to the next MJ autopilot sometimes has different launch times from the transfer windows in Kerbal Alarm Clock. From Mun to Minmus (orbiting Kerbin) From one of Jool's moons to the other "Bi-impulsive (Hohmann) transfer to target" --> for celestial bodies while in orbit of a host body. For example: To the Mun/Minmus while orbiting Kerbin To Gilly while orbiting Eve Ike while orbiting Duna Any of Jool's five moons while orbiting that large gas giant Any of the seven planets while in orbit of Kerbol "Rendezvous Autopilot" --> for vessels/stations/asteroids (or debris, if you want to be weird) You have to be in the same SOI as the target Am I missing anything?

FROM THE OFFICE OF WERNHER VON KERMAN Back on Laythe, both Neptune V planes are busy refueling and checking the outposts. They still have several more islands to check out before heading back home, and we're very excited to see the completed map. Meanwhile, the SPH engineers have been busy working on a brand-new private docking-capable spaceplane for Laythe. Our original idea consisted of four rapiers to overcome the atmospheric drag during, but some of our engineers protested that it wouldn't provide enough thrust for some places. What I didn't know at the time was that a few other engineers were trying to modify the Dirtblood plane to be docking-capable. As soon as Bill got word, he notified me and I focused all our attention to that project. After all, if we can send a docking-capable dirtblood to Duna, we can send it to Laythe. Once the final design was completed, Lodock, Matster, and Shelus were sent for the test. And boy, did we get some great photos with our new cameras. Our prototype about to take off while the sun's setting over the KSC. 310 km above the surface with 1,675 m/s of delta-V left. Still need to refuel on Minmus before going anywhere else (including the Mun), but we're not doing that just yet. We rendezvoused with a standby tourist pod. We still haven't figured out what to do with it. DOCKING SUCCESSFUL. Now on a suborbital trajectory, about to land at the KSC. Coming in hot, but Lodock was able to regain control later. He and his teammates said that it made an excellent glider. Controls may be a bit sensitive, but otherwise great. We had already performed runway and off-road landing tests, so Lodock decided to try something new and land at the abandoned airfield. Finally, we have made a private docking-capable Laythe spaceplane. After we announced our success, we got a whole bunch of comments regarding it - and here are a few of them. Bill Kerman - Finally, we got a good one. Dinklestein Kerman - Shut up and take my funds! Floyd Kerman - Impressive design. Jebediah Kerman - SWEEEEEEET! Jebediah Kerman Senior - I'll take it as long as my son's not flying it C.E.O. of Jeb's Junkyard, as well as the father of kerbalnaut Jebediah Kerman Ludlong Kerman - I nominate this for the Neptune VII. Notmisty Kerman - Perfect spacecraft for a violent fugitive someone with a taste for adventure. Valentina Kerman - Too bad I'm stuck in a regular Dirtblood. I'll try this out when I get home. I anticipate sales for this craft getting high pretty soon, but I'm more excited that we finally managed to balance aerodynamic thrust and NERV thrust in a docking-capable plane. In about a year and a half, the Remembrance-Trainwreck Saga will finally be over when the Eeloo tourists return in their Poseidon. When that happens, we'll not only put this whole thing behind us for good, but we will get more tourists to flock to us - and, eventually, buy our services more and get us back to when we had ~$10M in our account. I know some people call it the Raven-Remembrance Saga, but that's all wrong. The S.S. Remembrance launched first. The S.S. Trainwreck then launched to Gilly a few years later. However, two of its engines snapped off and the tourists got stranded in Gilly orbit. Mission Control then sent the S.S. Raven to pick up the tourists and continue the mission. The S.S. Trainwreck is now a space station in orbit of Gilly. Wernher Von Kerman Year 58, Day 384 3H45M

@sarbian (and @StoneWolfPC) please disregard my notice. I figured out how to get the "Engage Autopilot" button to show up - as annoying as it is to get it. Ascent Guidance controls with both "TARG" and "OPTS" buttons on You can tell since they're green. If I select a target, then I get more crap I don't want to deal with. "OPTS" was switched off. It looks like it wants me to keep it simple Switched both off, then selected a random target. Seems like it comes with a built-in rendezvous feature (of some sorts) I then reverted to launch and selected a satellite in polar orbit, and then I hit "Launch into plane of target." It then changed my orbital inclination from 0 to 89.989 degrees before showing a countdown timer. When I hit "Engage," it waited for about 47 minutes until it launched. I then had to hit "Options" and deactivate the "Skip Circularization" button. Why do you even have that? "TARG" off, but "OPTS" on. Looks like options for the controls and how to proceed rather than what orbital parameters to aim for. I ask again, why would you skip circularization? I'll have to try out the new features for myself later, but all I wanted was to find the stupid "Engage" button.

Thanks for those details. I was also wondering what the "TARG" and "OPTS" buttons are for. Most importantly, how do I reach the "Engage" button?

@sarbian, I downloaded the latest release of MJ (on the main page) and found a problem with the ascent profile control. I can't reach the "engage" button. Even worse, whenever I drag it down to hit it, it keeps popping back up. How do I fix it? EDIT: Personally, I suggest removing some features from the ascent autopilot such as: Limit throttle - You're ascending into orbit, so OF COURSE you give it 100% Same case for the "Keep limited throttle over" button Electric limit - Why? (What are the TARG and OPTS buttons on the top for) (What exactly does "Hotstaging" do)

@boolybooly, I'd like to make a correction please. Actually, single NERV and twin RAPIERS are for Mun Hoppers. DIRTBLOODS have double-rapiers and double-NERVs. I was trying to make a docking-capable variant of that plane. This is a Dirtblood in action over Duna. It's designed to have a TWR of over 1 on NERVs alone once the rapiers flame out. You also mentioned that the plane called "Dirtblood" got me the APPA First-class award. While it is capable of getting me APPA (landing at the KSC), it cannot dock. The Martian, on the other hand, CAN - and you just saw proof in my latest entry. I hope this clears up any confusion we all may have.

I'M BAAAAAACK! While trying to make a docking-capable variant of the Dirtblood (craft file: https://kerbalx.com/Mars-Bound_Hokie/Dirtblood), I realized that it could also serve as a docking-capable Laythe plane as well. When the ascent and orbital tests were done, I decided to submit my entry - and, later, send a link for this entry to a certain forum user (I'm leaving out the name unless s/he wants to take credit) who's been helping me in the past. Thanks to the new debug menu on 1.9, I teleported to Duna's surface and ran an ascent test there. It doesn't count for my entry, but it at least assures me that I can get a TWR of 1 after using all three rapiers and both NERVs at full capacity (without using any drain valves). On with the show. I can now tell that forum user that I found my Laythe SSTO, and I got a decent TWR on NERVs alone to go with it.

(In Doofenshmirtz voice) BEHOLD, THE JOOL RING (There are supposed to be docking ports on the ends of the inline cockpits, but they got snapped off after I Kerry the Krakenpus hit the "Separate" button on the ascent boosters too early) If I can send a ring (well, two rings) to both Tylo and Laythe, then the other three are as good as mine. Craft file here: https://kerbalx.com/Mars-Bound_Hokie/Jool-Ring-Station

I built a (crappy) replica of the American F-35 Lightning II fighter. Vertical takeoff with a strong thruster. Craft file on KerbalX: https://kerbalx.com/Mars-Bound_Hokie/F-35-Lightning-II

VS. (Me) vs. (@Yeet_TheDinosaur) The plane's air-to-ground missiles would send your dinosaur back to the Cretaceous Period.

I flagged some more spots on Laythe, and I also logged their coordinates. 8* 13' 21" S 52* 20' 31" W Reflex Hammer Island 46* 28' 50" S 23* 1' 25" W Boring Island 41* 24' 39" S 37* 29' 13" W Penguin Soon-to-be Island 46* 20' 14" S 61* 28' 23" W Penguin Island 15* 20' 30" N 65* 22' 24" W Crater Island 45* 21' 36" N 121* 19' 53" W Northern Volcano 31* 02' 44" S 103* 59' 27" W Puffin Island 26* 30' 30" S 153* 39' 36" W Mergard's Courage 23* 30' 08" S 171* 08' 38" E Area D92F 24* 39' 55" S 156* 28' 18" E Site 0-3S 26* 54' 12" S 95* 25' 50" E Sector RT-F 32* 20' 12" S 91* 29' 46" E Zone 81HR0

GIVAN KERMAN'S MISSION LOG: Y58D345 - 2H15M Boy, my calves are killing me. While Lisa is living it up at the Nathan Kerman Memorial Outpost (and doing some materials science), I had to walk all the way to a 13-and-a-half-years-old rover that hadn't moved since its landing. Me (left) and Lisa (right) in front of the outpost entrance. We then went inside for a base inspection and made contact with Mission Control, who promoted us both to Level Five. Lisa immediately started doing some research while I started walking. Lisa suggested I use the plane, but I wanted the exercise since I was cooped up in that cockpit for years. I couldn't just summon the rover because its front wheels were damaged and in need of repairs. To make matters worse, once I got to the car and started heading over the base, I lost battery power. Now I have to sit here and wait for the batteries to recharge before I can start moving again. Me repairing Wheel One of a Laythe car. My current position, ~14 km away from the base As for our regular mission, Namin and I (and Lisa) are covering a lot of ground on Laythe. While Namin would flag down good landing spots in the southern hemisphere, I would cover the north. Below is a map of Laythe showing the places we flagged down (green stars are bases already in position). We still have a lot of ground to cover before Namin and I rejoin. Hopefully, this takes place before the Neptune VI gets here. I think we can splash a surface relay where the planet's equator and prime meridian meet. Here is a list of landing spot coordinates in the order that we logged them. 8* 13' 21" S 52* 20' 31" W Reflex Hammer Island 46* 28' 50" S 23* 1' 25" W Boring Island 41* 24' 39" S 37* 29' 13" W Penguin Soon-to-be Island 46* 20' 14" S 61* 28' 23" W Penguin Island 15* 20' 30" N 65* 22' 24" W Crater Island 45* 21' 36" N 121* 19' 53" W Northern Volcano 31* 02' 44" S 103* 59' 27" W Puffin Island 26* 30' 30" S 153* 39' 36" W Mergard's Courage 23* 30' 08" S 171* 08' 38" E Area D92F 24* 39' 55" S 156* 28' 18" E Site 0-3S 26* 54' 12" S 95* 25' 50" E Sector RT-F 32* 20' 12" S 91* 29' 46" E Zone 81HR0 We probably won't put stuff on all these spots, but it's great to have them in case we need them. Bet Namin was really busy, given the amount of spots she flagged in the southern hemisphere. In the meantime, we remotely docked the Laythe Ascent Vehicle with Thumb Station. As of now, Odin Station construction has been shut down for good. Thumb Station, one in five ring stations that will soon orbit all five of Jool's moons.

I took the Neptune V planes along Laythe's western hemisphere to mark down possible base locations. Map incomplete, since the eastern hemisphere hasn't been covered yet. Need to refuel first. Locations that already have bases not marked.

While driving along the surface of Duna, Kat Kerman noticed an old robot covered in dust and decided to check it out. She then stopped her rover five meters from the robot and reported its position to Mission Control, who told her that it was the old Curiosity rover. Kat took a brush from her belt and started getting the dust off the panels. Unbeknownst to her, BDArmory had bribed Mission Control to equip Curiosity with a loaded gun in case it was captured by extraterrestrial forces. To prevent friendly fire incidents, the rover had the exterior structure of KSP-issued suits logged in its memory banks. That way, it could tell who was a kerbalnaut and who wasn't. However, Kat was wearing a new suit variant and Curiosity's defense protocol had not been updated. As soon as power was restored, the robot mistook her for a hostile and shot her point-blank. By the time her crewmembers reached her distress beacon, which had been triggered by a suit breach as well as a medical trauma, it was too late. Kat Kerman had suffocated to death after all her oxygen leaked out of her suit's bullet hole. Lind Kerman - shark attack while sitting on the toilet

I don't know if @έķ νίĻĻάίή can change his/her profile name, @XLjedi. Besides, s/he may not have that option in their country (or at least with the keyboard they own). You may also be wondering how I managed to mention @έķ νίĻĻάίή. As much as I prefer the name being typed in regular characters, it was not hard to mention his/her name. All I had to do was: Type "@" Copy his/her full name (Yes, that means you have to copy "έķ νίĻĻάίή") Right-click immediately after "@" and click "Paste as plain text." Backspace (at least for the "ή,") and it will trigger the forum name selector. At least that worked for me.

Start my own air force with 10,000 supersonic fighters.

THEOROD KERMAN'S MISSION LOG: Y58D311 - 3H15M This mission may look like a simple tourist run, but the reasons below will explain why this is anything but. Jerdrin Kerman, a board member for Probodobodyne Inc., paid for us to take him to Laythe orbit. Even without getting on and off the surface, flying there and back home is no easy feat. We need to pick up three other kerbalnauts (two scientists and a pilot) who are going to Pol in a ring station. One of five of the same model, which will orbit all of Jool's moons. One in Laythe orbit Two on their way (one to Pol, one to Tylo) Two not yet launched (launch date depending on budget at transfer windows) This is only the beginning of a new series of missions. So far, kerbalkind has set foot on all but one of Jool's moons. If you haven't guessed already, it's Tylo. Mission Control had warned us that it's the size of Kerbin without the atmosphere, so sending a plane to the surface is out of the question. Getting on and off the surface is also a challenge, but that's for later. Right now, Mission Control is focused on an orbital reconnaissance mission around Tylo - as well as rendezvousing with another vessel in that orbit. That is what this mission is for. Below is the current crew roster for the Anubis I, a docking-capable Poseidon SSTO. CURRENT ANUBIS I CREW ROSTER NAME LEVEL (AS OF Y58D311) SPECIALTY THEOROD KERMAN 4 PILOT TED KERMAN 4 SCIENTIST MAURIE KERMAN 4 ENGINEER JERDRIN KERMAN 0 TOURIST Taking off early in the morning from the KSC. Us in Minmus orbit 11 days later. We had to stop to refuel. Our monopropellant tanks are filled to a little less than half capacity, but Maurie's still complaining that we need to lose the weight. Though I myself was skeptical about the levels as well, Wernher Von Kerman told us that we needed to dock with two stations at Jool, and we won't need to make more with the ISRU. We're now in high orbit of Kerbin, awaiting our interplanetary maneuver node. We expect to arrive at Duna's SOI for an Ike refueling in 1 year and 83 days from now. When that's over, we'll fly to Jool and refuel on Pol. By then, Pinky Finger Station - the ring station going to Pol - would already be in Pol orbit with the crew waiting for us. Our plane's head count will then increase to seven before we descend on the surface to refuel. After that, we're kind of stuck on what to do afterwards. Should we: Pol refuel --> Tylo orbit --> Laythe orbit --> Pol refuel --> HOME Pol refuel --> Laythe orbit --> Tylo orbit --> Pol refuel --> HOME Basically, should we orbit Laythe first or Tylo? This is a 26-year-old rover named Apocalypse on the surface of Tylo. Named so because Tylo is like a lifeless Kerbin; an apocalypse, if you may. We're also sending a manned (but empty) rover to Tylo's surface, but that's another story. Ultimately, our end game is a spaceplane that can refuel itself and dispatch a reusable lander down to Tylo's surface. However, that's for much, much later. For now, let's see what we're dealing with from a safe orbit. Just like with the decades-long Neptune missions to Laythe, and the Pluto saga to Eeloo before that, it will take years of research, trial and error, and persistence. Long ago, nobody had any confidence we could get an airplane to Laythe and back safely. Nowadays, spaceplanes have become the standard go-to craft for planets with larger solar orbital radii than Kerbin's. Heck, Lasel, Bill, and Val - the first crew to return from Eeloo (after Bill and Val got stuck) - are going to Duna in a Dirtblood right now. I know we can do this; it's just a matter of time. Any and all help is welcome, and wish us luck.

My Tylo-related mission progress (or at least specific details of) will be on a different thread that's coming soon. TYLO TREK

I was thinking about downsizing the quad-adapters to fit more ion engines, but I'll definitely try that too.

DEADLINE IN T-MINUS 10 DAYS, 12 HOURS

NAMIN KERMAN'S MISSION LOG: Y58D135 - 1H30M I got the new probe on Laythe, as planned. Before I landed, I did a crazy stunt mid-flight. I went outside the plane WHILE IT WAS STILL FLYING. I slowed it down to ~200 m/s before I went out, then I took an EVA report from Laythe's upper atmosphere. And then transmitted it as soon as I landed. Refueling on Reflex Hammer Island Named so for its island formation looking like a hammer that the doctors test your reflexes with. 8* 13' 21" S ; 52* 20' 31" W The plane doesn't have any parachutes, so braking will be pretty hard. This is because you don't expect anyone to be inside it when it's working (but the cockpit is there for when it's necessary). When I'm done refueling, I'll be heading over to the Nathan Kerman Memorial Outpost and do the in-base inspections before fixing the car whose tire got destroyed. After that, I'll have to wait until the others return from Vall to pick me up. We'll either explore Laythe some more, or go straight home. Knowing Wernher and Linus, he'll have us fly around some more. A few weeks ago, Mission Control accepted a contract to take a VIP in orbit of Laythe for his vacation. So far, the plan is to take him in a (new) Mun Hopper. However, Mission Control decided to hold back on the launch until either the Duna window opens or when someone else buys a contract to a Jool moon - whichever comes first. Though it seems like an effective with a tried-and-true model (or at least the son (or grandson, if you count the original Neptune III's model) of), I object on the grounds that my alternative idea would save some money and get more done at the same time. Since Wernher von Kerman has announced plans to do an orbital reconnaissance mission to Tylo with a docking-capable Poseidon, I think we should put the tourist in THAT plane instead. We would kill three birds with one stone Do our Tylo mission Orbit Tylo and rendezvous with a new ring station (launch date pending) Pick up the kerbalnauts stuck in the Pol ring station Send our tourist (Jerdrin Kerman - M) to Laythe's orbit. At least he didn't pay for a landing. Plus, I don't think Jerdrin will object to the extra legroom Outside of the Laythe missions, I heard that the Raven-Remembrance Saga is getting close to being over. All that needs to be done is to refuel the plane and send it to Kerbin, and we're all set. On the other hand, there is a possibility that it may only have enough fuel for Duna (even when refueled). If that's the case, then the plane can summon a mass ore transport to refuel it and be on its way back home. Either way, we have 15 years to end this for good. When they land, we can put this decades-long mission behind us with BIG MONEH MONEY!!!!!

Are you talking to me? If so, I didn't; it was randomly generated