Scarecrow71

The latest entry of my foray into this. Much like @18Watt's second run, I'm not using any Administration strategies. I, however, haven't even come close to mining all the science on Mun and/or Minmus; I've got multiple biomes on each body that I can strip if I need. After doing the latest stuff here, I'm curious as to what the record is for return trip dV. I got a return window from Eve to Kerbin with 179 m/s, and I had to quicksave before I executed that node because I was afraid the computer was wrong. Nope, it worked. Anybody know what the record is? Is there a challenge out there that tries to figure this out for peeps?

A check of Mission Control shows a contract to gather scientific data from Gilly. Not space around, but from Gilly. So it looks like I’m about to go land on Eve’s moon. I still need to collect all the data from space high and low around Gilly, so I get to engineer a probe with multiple science juniors and goo cannisters on it. For this particular run, I decided to craft 2 robes, one to get us there and back, and a second one to land. The one that gets us there and back has 2 of juniors and goo containers, as well as the experiment storage unit, while the lander only has 1 junior/goo cannister, and no storage unit. And I don’t have to bring the lander home, so after it’s done doing its thing and transfers data back to the return ship, I’m going to leave it in orbit of Gilly as another satellite. And so we end up with this: That’s 2 probes, one on top of the other, with docking ports and all the science gadgets I’ll need. And any fuel that’s left from landing on Gilly will get transferred back to the return rocket. I hope. Now, about that return rocket… Take a close look at that shot. A return trip to Kerbin with a Pe of 80km…for 179 m/s. Are you kidding me? Probably because I was traveling 4.5 km/s when I started the burn. And I forgot to take a shot on the ground, but here’s the recovery report: 1063 science gained from this run. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to actually get science in space near Gilly. Even at 12km it was still high. Maybe I have to be under 10km? Still got enough to unlock: Advanced Aerodynamics Advanced Exploration Command Modules Electronics I took Electronics at this point because it leaves me 16.5 science short of picking up the next node, but also gives me the Seismic Accelerometer which I can then use to pick up science at the Launch Pad and Runway. That got me close…but not quite there. Luckily, I have the following contracts I can pick up to close the gap: Science data from space around Kerbin Science data from space around Minmus Science data from space around Gilly This allowed me to unlock Field Science. Rovers! And I’ve got enough cash to upgrade the Spaceplane Hangar to level 3. This leaves only R&D to upgrade.

Another baby entry today. But is it all that much of a baby?

I keep saying I want the science, and then I get a contract for the Mun 3 run. How can I pass up the chance to once again do something I’ve never done before? Flyby the Mun, Minmus, and Eve with a single vessel? Challenge accepted! After doing the fly-bys of Mun and Minmus, I decided to circularize way out in the middle of nowhere. I needed to get both an Ap and Pe where, when I end up fast-forwarding to my transfer to Eve, I don’t get altered too badly by Minmus or Mun encounters. And I get a Pe of 103km after the initial burn? Damn! So, I originally engineered this satellite to bring it home after the fly-by of Eve. And once I got here I thought “Wait – why? I need satellites all over the place anyhow, so why not just leave it here?” Yeah, I’m still thinking in terms of not stranding Kerbals. But, safety first!

Cash is already a non-issue. It will be even more do once I upgrade R&D. I am not using any strategies at this point. I'm not a fan of them to begin with, so I never use them. Besides, I've got all those bodies out there to fly by and land on.

Tiny entry for today in this challenge. Well, tiny in that I didn't do a million different things before posting. But, well...just read it for yourself and be the judge.

Couple of contracts to pick up before we get really started. Science data from space around Kerbin Science data from space around Minmus After completing those, I’ve got contracts for: Position satellite in a specific orbit of Gilly Position satellite in a polar orbit of Eve This is interesting because I need to put satellites in orbit of pretty much anything anyhow, but to get a contract for a planet and another for its moon at the same time? Awesome. And if I’m leaving them out there, I don’t need to worry about all that fuel to get home. Sure, I still need dV to get there, orbit, transfer, orbit. But I don’t have to bring anything back to Kerbin. So I create this as the probe, which is actually 2 probes designed to separate: The best part about these contracts is that they have the same requirements for on-board gadgets. Or, rather, they both require a Mystery Goo container, while only one requires a Thermometer. I put a Thermometer on both just to even them out. But really simple satellites. Nice. Now to finish the rocket and get on our way. Departure in 400 days. Save and fast forward! 2 satellites in 1 launch. That is a first for me! Also gave me enough cash to upgrade the VAB to level 3. I keep saying I need to focus on science, but then I always end up going for the cash. But, que sera, and all. This leaves me with R&D and the Spaceplane Hangar as the only buildings remaining to be upgraded.

Rings of Power is nothing more than Galadriel waiting to say "I told you so".

Royals

The next entry in Mission Reports...and my first interplanetary probe in this challenge.

Pretty slim pickings in the contracts department. The only decent contract was to place yet another satellite in a specific orbit around Minmus, so I did that. Once that was over, I see these 2 contracts: Conduct Temperature Surveys of Minmus Science data from the surface of Minmus I need to land on Minmus again anyhow, so that’s awesome. But the temperature surveys might not be worth it. Nearly polar orbit for 2 of them, and then I’d have to shift orbits to get the third. But, what the heck; I gotta go anyhow to land, right? I need the science, and this run netted me enough science to unlock the following: Advanced Fuel Systems Heavier Rocketry I also was able to upgrade the Runway to Level 3. Again, this is no longer about cash, but about science. At this point, contracts are easy to come by and complete for cash. Interplanetary I’ve reached the point where I need to stretch my legs and head away from Kerbin. That’s right, I’m about to head towards one of our planetary neighbors. Specifically, Eve. I’m not going to land or anything, but I am going to head there and back and try to get as much science as possible. The problem with this is that I need to bring multiple science jr.’s and mystery goo containers with me because the probes can’t reset them. So I end up with a probe that looks like so in the VAB: That’s just to collect science and insure I have enough dV for the trip home. And now for the rest of the rocket! Man is that ever sleek and slender! Let’s put her into orbit and see what happens. 1 year, 45 days away from transfer window. Looks like I better save and fast forward! An Eve encounter with a decent Pe. I’ll have to do a correction burn once I’m orbiting the sun. A nice, stable orbit around Eve. I did take science readings when I was at the Pe of 110km, before I circularized at a 5mm Ap. And now to get this thing home. That run to Eve netted me enough science to unlock the following: Actuators Advanced Landing Precision Propulsion Specialized Construction Supersonic Flight I also had enough cash to upgrade the Astronaut Complex to Level 3, which now leaves me only R&D, Spaceplane Hangar, and the VAB left to upgrade.

5th post in Mission Reports

Time to start collecting some science. Got a contract to collect science data from the surface of the Mun, so I picked that up and went to the East Crater with this little beauty: I earned enough science to unlock: Miniaturization Propulsion Systems Space Exploration Only 1 more component on tier V to go! A check of Mission Control shows not 1 but 2 contracts to position a satellite in a synchronous orbit of Minmus. It’s not the cash I’m after with these, but the 15 science each upon completion. Not to mention that this will give me 3 satellites in orbit of Minmus, which will make landing there much easier. So I picked up the contracts and put these 2 satellites in orbit: With that out of the way, I realized that I upgraded R&D recently, so I can collect soil samples at the KSC. Which I did at the launchpad and VAB. I also pulled the trick to jump at the launchpad and collect the EVA report for flying over Kerbin’s Shores. There aren’t any contracts right now that are worth it, so I’m going to get some science from Minmus. I did High in Space, which netted me enough science to unlock the following: Precision Engineering Better probe, better antenna. And after this launch, I checked Mission Control and got this lovely contract: I was going to land there next anyhow, but to have to rendezvous as well? I’ve got 3 satellites in orbit of the body, so I can absolutely do that. Which I did, then landed, then came home: That netted me enough science to unlock the following: Advanced Electrics Aerodynamics Specialized Control I also had enough cash to upgrade the following: Administration Building (Level 3) Tracking Station (Level 3) And I learned something during this last flight. When you use Kerbals, you can collect the science from gadgets and store it in the command module, allowing you to collect the same science type (temp, pressure, etc.) multiple times on a flight. You can't do that with probes, right? Wrong. I finally found a use for the Experiment Storage Unit! It didn't help with wanting to get multiple rounds of data from Mystery Goo (you still need a scientist to reset that), but it gets me thinking about how to do some interplanetary stuff (take readings, store the data, jettison the expended gadget to save on weight and fuel). Shots of the Tech Tree and the KSC at this point: I am finished with Tier V, starting on Tier VI. And it gets expensive from here on out, so I'll have to really start stretching my space legs. As I mentioned before, cash is not an issue, and you can see that I've almost got the entire KSC upgraded at this point.

Well, that doesn't seem very fair. What is the point of finding a spot on a Kerbin we think is awesome when we have no idea what that spot looks like on YOUR install?

4th post in Mission Reports.

Mun Landing It’s time to start really focusing on science, primarily because I’ll need a ton of it to get through this challenge. Without being able to get crew reports, eva reports, soil samples, mun rocks, etc., I have to get as much science as possible in the other ways I have available to me. Checking Mission Control shows that I have a contract to Explore the Mun (Land and Return), which is perfect right now. So I built this little thing and sent it on its way: I earned enough science on that trip to unlock the following: Advanced Construction Fuel Systems Landing Yay for fairings! No more having to hide the probe core inside other stuff! And I had enough cash to upgrade the following: Space Plane Hangar (Level 2) Administration Building (Level 2) Satellite Positioning After the Mun landing, I check Mission Control and I’ve got contracts for the following: Position Satellite in a specific orbit of Kerbin Position Satellite in a polar orbit of The Mun Position Satellite in a specific orbit of Minmus Position Satellite in a specific orbit of The Mun Now, I don’t really have the greatest satellite technology yet; my antenna are a bit lacking. But I will absolutely need a satellite network in order to go interstellar, and any amount of relays will help. So I sent the following 4 satellites into their specific orbits: After those 4 satellites went up, I had enough cash to upgrade the following: Mission Control (Level 3) R&D (Level 2) I've been focusing on cash, but I'm going to switch up and start really focusing on science. I can pretty much land on and clear out the biomes on The Mun at this point, and then I can focus on Minmus. But, of course, the best laid plans of mice and Kerbals!

3rd post in Mission Report.

A Few Contracts Well, look at that. Explore the Mun. Gotta pick that one up and go for it. I’m still at 30 parts, but the launchpad is upgraded so I’m not worried about tonnage. Normally I’d be looking at upgrading the Astronaut Complex right now, but as I’m not using any Kerbals on these flights, I have no need. Like, if I can’t go EVA anyhow, what’s the point, right? So, I built this puppy and went to do a fly-by of the Mun: That little run netted me enough science to unlock Advanced Flight Control, and enough cash to upgrade the VAB. A basic contract popped up that I decided to take full advantage of (Test 48-7S “Spark” Liquid Fuel Engine at the Launch Site), and then I got a two-fer: Position Satellite in a Keosynchronous Orbit of Kerbin Science Data From Space Around Kerbin I’ll pick up both of those and send a satellite into orbit, even though I have no fairings. I’ve been sticking the probe core inside a service bay, and the satellite contract I have states it only needs a Thermometer (in addition to the standard “has an antenna and can generate power”). Which means I don’t need all the fancy gadgets on it. So, I put this thing into the requested orbit: Once that was done, I got a contract to get science data from space around the Mun. I’ve also got a contract to do temperature surveys over several sites at the Mun, all in spaceflight ABOVE 9000m. Now, during my initial Munar fly-by, I took and sent home temperature readings, which means I can’t get science for taking them again. But I can satisfy both contracts, get the science from the completion of both, and I’ll leave the satellite in orbit because, well, I’ll need one up there for relays and such anyhow. Here’s the rocket, with a few shots of flying. I normally don’t do the survey contracts, but as I had to put a satellite in orbit around the Mun at some point, this worked. That gave me enough science to unlock the following: Heavy Rocketry It also gave me enough funds to upgrade the following: Launchpad (Level 3) Runway (Level 2) Astronaut Complex (Level 2) A shot of the KSC: I accidentally warped a couple weeks too many; I hit the wrong button! Anyhow, things are coming along nicely here. I've got half of tier 5 completed in the tech tree, and I'm about halfway done with upgrading the KSC.

Yeah they do. I should be able to finish upgrading all the buildings in the KSC in short order. Filling the tech tree will be a bit more difficult without EVA, ground sample, mun rocks, etc. That's a ton of science you can't get with just probe cores.

2nd post in Mission Report. I've got all of Tier IV and part of Tier 5, as well as first upgrades on the Launchpad, Tracking Station, and Mission Control. Tomorrow I tackle a VAB upgrade. @18Watt, I noticed that you didn't mention anything about tourist contracts. Are we allowed to take those, or due to not launching any Kerbals are they off the table?

First Flights I’ve got contracts for: Launch our first vessel Escape the atmosphere Orbit Kerbin I’m going to do Launch Our First Vessel separately, primarily because I want to do 2 launches with launching the first vessel. I want to get science in the air, and then a second one to launch into the water to get science in the water. This allows me to unlock Flight Control. Which is sorely needed so I can actually fly straight and turn and such considering the Stayputnik does not have SAS. I’ve got enough cash, so I spent 50k to upgrade the launchpad. I’m not so concerned about part count as I am tonnage. So yeah, upgraded that. I’m now picking up the contracts to Escape the Atmosphere and Orbit Kerbin. Unfortunately, it’s really hard to launch and get into space with the Stayputnik, what with it sucking aerodynamically AND not having a SAS module on board. So I’m going to launch in a few different directions and farm some science from a few different biomes (Shores, Grasslands). I’m still short of what I really want (90 science to unlock the OKTO), but that doesn’t look like it’s going to happen at any time in the near future. So I unlocked the following: Aviation This gives me wheels so I can create a different type of science roller to get the Barometer and Science Junior readings at the KSC: That thing corners like a dead whale on roller skates. And man did that take some time. But, I gained enough science to unlock the following: Electrics My tech tree looks like the following: I’ve got 2 nodes to go on tier 4, and I’ve unlocked the first node on tier 5. That node on tier 5 is absolutely necessary as it contains the OKTO (yay for SAS!), solar panels, and larger batteries. Now I can attempt to get into orbit with the following monstrosity: Man, that took far longer than I thought it would. I thought Caveman was hard, but this was downright difficult. I keep forgetting that no SAS means no flight control. Damn. Anyhow, I have now earned enough science to unlock the following: Advanced Rocketry General Construction I also have enough cash to upgrade both Mission Control and the Tracking Station. Yes, the VAB is still at 30 parts, but I need the control nodes. Plus, I can always pick up some easy contracts to earn the cash. Yeah, I could have cheated my way to the 65 science...but why? I feel that cheating, even if explicitly allowed in the rules, just doesn't feel right. Not in the spirit of the challenge and all. I mean, it's supposed to be hard!

First entry to the Mission Report, proving you can get to the Stayputnik simply by farming the KSC. No Kerbals were harmed during this leg of the challenge, I swear!

The mission report will be to (somewhat) detail my participation in @18Watt's Safety First Challenge. I hope. Settings No need to respawn crews when we aren’t using them. Also, I’m only using the KSC; I don’t need to use the other 2 launch sites for this as I’m pretty sure I can get to the requisite science needed (65) to get the first probe core. KSC Farming Well, look at that, a contract to gather science from Kerbin. I’ll pick that up and start some simple, beginning-of-a-new-game farming on the runway and launchpad; this, with the contract, earns me enough science to unlock several nodes. Basic Rocketry Engineering 101 More simple farming now that I’ve got the Thermometer. Not enough to actually unlock anything, so now I have to craft a simple science roller…thing…to roll around the KSC and pick up some science. I can put a pilot in one side and the scientist in the other, which allowed me to hit multiple areas of the KSC (I did NOT roll off the launchpad down to the shores) and pick up enough science to unlock the following: General Rocketry Survivability Basic Science So, yeah, I now have access to the Stayputnik. Just a bit more farming now that I have access to the Barometer and the Science Junior, which allows me to unlock the following: Stability I only farmed the launchpad and the runway with the Barometer and Science Junior; I may want to go back and farm the rest of the KSC with these at some point when I get actual wheels. But yeah, without even launching a rocket, I’ve unlocked tiers 2 and 3, and started on tier 4. Time to go do some flights.

This has a pseudo-Caveman feel, especially at the start where you can't do much other than farm the KSC. I might have to get in on this goodness, even if only to flesh out the latest challenge I've got rolling around in my brain.