niteling

Here's the "bail out before the capsule crashes" method: so that the capsule travels through the length of exploding fuel tanks, which ...and after two minutes of suit-RCS braking [spoiler=...he is standing safely on Mun ] This method kind of seems like cheating, though, because it'll probably work for *any* impact speed (assuming the Kerbal can suit-brake through enough delta-V). Think I shall restrict myself to relatively straight-down approaches now ~Felix.

The fuel tanks method is proving considerably more challenging on Mun -- I'm wondering if the physics engine is smart enough to factor atmospheric effects into explosions (colour me impressed if it is). I've only been able to get 79 m/s survivable on Mun so far. Going to try a few more runs with different descent angles, then I'll try adding some kind of plate to ride the blast better. Does it count as surviving if it's a glancing blow (i.e. almost horizontal impact), the capsule survives, gets thrown, but is definitely going to get destroyed the next time it contacts the surface; then the Kerbal EVAs and uses his suit thrusters to safely decelerate? Guessing not (Though technically it would be a "landing you can walk away from"...) ~Felix.

Hmm... guessing attachment privilege is something you get after a few more posts? Anyway, 103.8 m/s survivable impact using my "exploding fuel tank cushion" idea. I actually can't get it to go any faster in atmosphere, so next step is to lob this thing to Mun. Immediately before: After, showing live kerbal (and a previous run's cockpit in the distance...): A spectacular nighttime run, showing the crew capsule about to be thrown clear: (resident Kerbal has an appropriate facial expression for the event ) ~Felix.

Does it have to be "another world", i.e. not Kerbin? Just playing around at the launchpad, I've found that full fuel tanks actually work quite well to soften the impact (and the blast throws the capsule well clear, to land safely somewhere else ).