Death Engineering

So much fun.. I'm doing it again! My first attempt at this challenge used a lifter with a relatively large nomical payload of 54T. This time, I'm using a much smaller lifter with a nominal capacity of 24T. The lifter can recover the four SRB's and the Saturn 1-B first stage, earning the 50% reduction in lifter re-fit time, resulting in a 36 day turnaround between launches. Instead of launching several monolithic craft to Duna, the landing part of the mission is being launched and docked together in a space-train in LKO. Boosted Saturn 1B 24T Payload Test Once at Duna, the lander will be assembled and set down on the surface. Before the landing team arrives, a Duna space station will be sent to scout landing sites and perform orbital research. An unassembled Duna lander/base requires five launches and with a launch cycle of 6/7 launches between transfer windows, this gives enough launches to keep a sustained presence on Duna through either continued supplies to the existing base or additional bases. Phase B with Heat Shield Much of what will be used in this second run at this challege is derived from the Beyond Apollo: AAP challenge. The lifter is a direct upgrade of the Saturn S1B by adding four strap on solid rocket boosters and one additional liquid fuel engine to the S1-B first stage. The second stage remains the same SIV-B style used during the AAP challenge. Tri-Hub Duna Lander Ready for Launch The space station/return vehicle heading to Duna on the first transfer window is the "Phase B" space station proposed by McDonnell Douglas. A single pilot will head to Duna in the Phase B and enter into a nearly polar orbit. While awaiting the landing team, it will drop a robotic rover to Duna's surface, deploy a satellite in Duna orbit and use an Apollo Telescope Mount to perform detailed surveys of Duna's surface. Once the landing team has completed their mission, it will rendezvous with the station already in orbit. The crew will transfer from the lander to the Phase B station, which will then return to Kerbin where it will be met by an AAP style Big Gemini to bring the crew back to Kerbin's surface. Launch Schedule First 514 Days Day 10: Phase B Station 46: Propulsion Stage for Phase B ---> Duna: Phase B 82: Triple Hub Duna Lander Module 118: 1/3 crew modules for Duna Lander and surface supplies 154: 2/3 and 3/3 crew modules for Duna Lander 190: Emergency Return Craft 226: Propulsion Stage for Lander 262: Supplies for Kerbin-Duna transit ---> Duna: Tri-Hub Lander 1 298: Phase B/Surface Supplies 334: Triple Hub Duna Lander Module 370: 1/3 crew modules for Duna Lander and surface supplies 406: 2/3 and 3/3 crew modules for Duna Lander 442: Propulsion Stage for Lander 478: Supplies for Kerbin-Duna transit 514: Saturn S-IVB Tanker to LKO (for refueling and restocking the Phase B craft) ---> Duna: Tri-Hub Lander 2 Primary Mission Hardware Catalog The lander arrived safely on Duna, although aerocapture was quite alarming as I went down a valley on the south pole and the nearby mountains appeared to be higher altitude than I was during the aerocapture! Crew arrived on Day 347 and it is currently day 477 in the game. The six crew have accumulated 780 Kerbal-days on Duna so far. Since the lander has some docking port crossfeed problems which will make return to Kerbin orbit very difficult with the base/lander, plans to send a second, similarly flawed lander have been cancelled. Instead, the five launches which would have focussed on sending a new lander will be used to expand the mission parameters to include a dedicated Ike landing mission, a second emergency return vehicle, and up to four more surface team members. At the conclusion of their stay on Duna, either one of the emergency return vehicles or the capsule from the Ike mission will remain docked to the Phase B Kerbin-return ship already in Duna orbit and will double as the crew quarters for the additional team members for the trip home. Duna Base aerocapture, orbital assembly and landing Backup-Backup Plan C-3 After the Tri-Hub Lander and 6 kerbals successfully set up camp on Duna, a shift in the Kerbol's phase from 0.21 to 0.22 caused all deployed landing gear to spontaneously retract. The resulting impact of the sensitive aerospike engines onto Duna's surface caused the starboard engine on the backup surface-return lander to detach! Since this vehicle relies on two functioning engines, it was rendered inert. Luckily, a backup plan was already in place! After discovering that the Tri-Hub Lander did not burn fuel evenly from the outboard tanks, meaning it could not return to orbit, plans were already in place to send a backup to the backup surface-return lander. An Ike landing mission was also accommodated thanks to the cancelled plans to send a second, flawed, Tri-Hub Lander. Launches in this update: 298: 600 Unit Surface Supplies 334: Ike Landing Mission 370: Ike Crew module 406: Ike IP Stage 442: Surface-return lander 478: IP Stage/Phase B supplies The plan is to use the surface supplies to exhaustion then use the second surface-return lander to return the 6 kerbals to the Phase B orbiting station. Supplies will already have arrived at the station for the return mission. If all goes well, the last day on Duna will be day 713, seven days before the Duna -> Kerbin window. There is no backup-backup-backup plan, so if this revised mission profile fails, Bill will return home in the Phase B alone, leaving 6 frozen kerbals on Duna. Duna Space Program - Second attempt completed The final launches which brought supplies to the Duna surface team and to the Duna orbiting station, another surface-return craft, and an Ike landing mission were all successful. The surface team exhausted their surface supplies on day 711 and ascended to the Phase B Kerbin return craft in Duna orbit. During their short stay in Duna orbit while awaiting their Kerbin return window, the Ike landing mission earned no points in the challenge, but was successful all the same. Once the Ike landing crew member (Bob!) made it back to the return vehicle, the crew headed for home. After a rather long transfer from Duna to Kerbin, the crew landed on Kerbin on day 822. This second attempt at this challenge was intended to have a much higher score for Kerbals on Duna, but issues with how docking-port crossfeed (didn't) work meant that a second landing team was not feasible. Then, complications with the 0.21 -> 0.22 update caused the loss of the Duna return craft, requiring another one be sent out to Duna as a replacement. These problems caused the 'Mission Execution' score to be just '1', but did earn scores of '2' for both 'Crew Safety' and 'Mission Robustness', since everyone made it back despite losing two spacecraft and one rover. In the end, this was a good rehearsal for the mission profile of returning crews to Kerbin using different spacecraft which got them there and doing precise inter-planetary orbital insertions. It was also a realization how much flexibility comes from using more, smaller launches instead of fewer, larger launches. Final Scoring to Day 1000 Mods used: Kerbal Alarm Clock Until Day 500: 14 launches 336t NIMLKO Early Mission Value: 888 Efficiency: 2.64 Until Day 1000: 14 launches 336t NIMLKO Sustained Mission Value: 1266 Efficiency: 6.41 Achievements: Mission Execution: 1 Crew Mobility: 2 Base Mobility: 0 Crew Safety: 2 Mission Robustness: 2 Score: 7

Had a good look at this post and have to say I think the small payload/rapid launch method could be the best path to a Dream of Duna. Well done!

I don't see anything fundamentally wrong with using large monolithic launches to Duna. I'd considered a similar idea early on with a 100t lifter but I couldn't come up with a mission plan that fit better than smaller missions, allowing better utilization of launch windows. I'd say 'go for it', as long as the 'crew shuttle' doesn't leave Kerbin orbit.

Update Year 4 Day 328 With two Tier 9 nodes unlocked, over 2000 science in the bank, and lots of science awaiting return-windows from crewed Dres and Laythe landing missions this play-through is getting close to the penultimate Tier 9 node. This update includes an Eve landing mission with no intent to return the crew. However, to make the effort "worthwhile", the mission included a rover and landed near the beach. With all science instruments on the rover, the crew was able to get both land and water science! "Thank you for your sacrif.. effort!" Steps towards the first permanent orbiting base also occur in this update. Laythe Station will serve as a resupply point for exploring the moons of Jool. The first module, a series of hubs and life support pods for visiting crew entered Laythe orbit. The two following modules, made possible by the second Tier 9 node purchase, add fuel and monopropellant processing.

I've had some issues with my Ares V since 0.24.x as well. Thanks for the update! Konstellation Space Program Redux Mission Complete After resorting to Ion-drive for the ATLAST mission and recovering the Duna 6-Kerbal landing crew, this final challenge submission is wrapped up. Being a child of the Apollo age and watching that space program end before its time, unexplored space programs always fascinate me. A common theme of Kerbal Space Program playing styles reflect emulating real-world space program initiatives, and building on that kind of imaginative expression is what real world SCIENCE! is all about. Thanks to all who have and continue to participate in this challenge.

Konstellation Space Program Redux Update With a crew of 6 Kerbals on Duna, we've determined that Duna is both red and dusty! Duna landing mission completed by using a three launch mission profile: Ares V with Duna surface return vehicle. Includes two-seat pressurized rover, launched uncrewed ahead of the landing team. Ares V with Duna Outpost. Launched uncrewed. Ares I with Orion 6 Block II. Launched with 6 crew and docked to Duna Outpost prior to departing Kerbin orbit. No changes to the challenge 'points' tally, just a quick note to make a step closer to wrapping up this maximum points attempt.

I think I recall saying the same thing to my first girlfriend.. Looks like your Duna program is coming along nicely! The Duna Orbit Rendezvous mission profile is great.. I wish I'd written the challenge to reward that extra effort piece for the Mars Direct approach. GOLD * STAR

That rover design is slick! Is it hard to align things to Lego-up back into one piece?

I enjoyed looking at contracts, but.. Looking forward to your BTSM challenge updates! Minor update.. scored enough SCIENCE to unlock my first Tier 9 node.. any guesses to what I chose? <pause> Yep, you're right! edit: Prior to purchasing a T9 node, earned (for Dres, Duna.. Eve, Gilly): Tier 8 - "Map Master" (8) - Complete surface image scans from at least two planets/moons beyond Kerbin's orbit and any two inner planets/moons.

Good to hear! Looking forward to updates. Good idea. I guess I was lucky - my "Konstellation" save moved over to 0.24 without a hitch. I also really appreciate the roll-enabled gimbal with the 6-engine Ares V cluster!! Konstellation Space Program Redux Update This update completes the Munar and Space Station points and starts the Science points. The Duna program has not even left the minds-eye yet, so might be a bit before this re-do is re-wrapped and re-spun. Design Points 55 Mission Points 31 Science Points 3

Yep! The challenge is more a marathon than a sprint, but entry updates have been posted from several people recently. I'm reasonably satisfied the challenge is in its final form.

Thanks for the update! Made a wee change to the rules for "latest version" to support that philosophy which actually makes more sense than what I had for that rule. "BTSM version: You may complete the challenge using any version of BTSM. Entries are scored on the version you complete your entry, which is reflected on the leaderboard." Wrapping up "Normal Mode" entry - "Happy New Year!" This post concludes my "Normal Mode" entry for this challenge, wrapped up on New Years Eve (year 2 day 364). Its been a real roller-coaster of highs and lows, making more errors this play-round than my warm-up. Oh well! Still playing the "long game" with hopes to bring together a better entry for "Expert Mode". The keen-eyed observer may notice that I'd previously claimed "Rockhunter II" and "Team Effort II". Turns out, the asteroid I captured was a "B" class and not a "C" class! At least that gives me something else to shoot for in the "Expert Mode" entry.. Modifiers Earned: I don't need a slide rule (3): No use of any "engineering" mods (Mechjeb, RCS helper, etc). Tier 1 - "Ahh, balance.. I get it now" (1) Tier 2 - "Bird's eye view" (2) Tier 3 - "Taking it slow" (3) Tier 4 - "Spudnik" (3) Survivor I (1): Unlock all Tier 4 nodes with no kerbal fatalities.. so far. Biome Hunter II (2): Score Tier 3 science on all Kerbin biomes Tier 5 - "This land is your land, this land is Badland" (4) Survivor II (2): Unlock all Tier 5 nodes with no kerbal fatalities.. so far. Goo hunter I (2): Retrieve Goo canisters from Mun's high and near space. Tier 6 - "One small step.." (6) Team Effort I (2): Perform a joint orbital docking in Kerbin orbit (any altitude). This means that two separate launches will put at least two kerbals in space where they will rendezvous and dock for a photo op. Craft must then deorbit separately. All kerbals must survive. Survivor III (3): Unlock all Tier 6 nodes with no kerbal fatalities.. so far. Tier 7 - "Minmus master" (6) Take a Breather I (2): On a single flight, score Atmospheric science on at least 4 biomes. Biome Hunter IV (4): Score crew report science over all Minmus biomes. Duna Dominance I - Prime (4): Launch a robotically controlled mission which scores Goo science from Duna's surface. I'm a Scientist! I (3): Score Science Jr. from Mun and Minmus Rockhound I (3): Score science for any asteroid. Duna Dominance II (4) (requires completion of either Duna Dominance I Prime or Backup): Develop a Duna lander that can sustain a kerbal on Duna for at least 45 days. While there, transmit all surface transmittable science, including Biometric. After at least 45 days on the surface, the kerbal can return to orbit in the same lander or aboard a different lander, delivered to the surface robotically. The kerbal must make it back to Kerbin safely. Scoring: 2 years 364 days = 1094 days * ( 1 - (60 modifier points * .001)) = 1028 points

Testing the TT-38K while at 430m/s and 2200m.

21% Complete! (backing up my .23 directories)

So glad I have 5 more days of vacation left.

I'm going to fly a model rocket. Maybe that will help.

This album is part of the Apollo Redirect Mission (A Beyond Apollo Reboot) challenge and covers Apollo XI and XV missions. They're not like the beautiful replicraft seen here and elsewhere, but are functionally accurate (and a dream to fly). I do have a real replicraft set I call the Von Braun Collection: flying models of Saturn I Block 2, Saturn IB, Saturn V and, of course, V-2. Apollo XI, XV

Should be doable.. mine was 583t in the VAB (note the limit at T6 is 600t not 500t). Try doing a two-launch mission with Kerbin orbit rendezvous - one launch for the LM and Munar transfer stage and another launch with the crew/CM.

A la "Soylent Green"? The "Apollo Style" modifier can be done as a LOR or EOR mission profile with multiple launches. The only requirements are: "Three kerbal crew; separate CM and LM; two stage LM. Two kerbals must land on the Mun and all kerbals must survive." Very interesting solar panel layout! Nice bit of work there with the "Team Effort" mission.

Sadly, once you lose a Kerbal thats the end of the "Survivor" bonuses, as its a progressive reward for keeping Kerbals alive throughout the challenge. Thanks for the question - I'll put up a clarification note on that. After I lost Jeb on Tier 5 due to a silly mistake (re-entry from Minmus going too fast), I've been trying to keep them alive but was a little shocked when I saw the "Lost" tab had enough Kerbals to display a 'scroll bar'. (Edit) Added to challenge post: The "Survivor" modifier is progressive - once you lose a Kerbal, no further "Survivor" modifier can be scored. Keep them safe!

Death Engineering ARM-AAP Reboot - Final Entry I've been humbled by the amazing replicraft on this thread! Wrapping up this challenge with a 'roid capture, Eve flyby, Skylab deployment and Minmus landing with Gemini-style craft. Thanks to GregroxMun for designing this challenge. Program Summary Step I Saturn IB Saturn V CSM LM Step II Apollo 4: Unmanned flight of the Saturn V. Apollo 7: First manned flight of the CSM. Apollo 8: First manned Saturn V launch. Fly to the Mun's orbit, orbit 9-10 times, and come home. Must Use Free-Return Trajectory until in the Mun's SOI. Apollo 9: First Manned Flight of the LM. Take a Saturn V up with crew in the CM and have two crew transfer to the LM. Fly the LM, testing the Ascent and Descent Stage, and then dock back to the CSM, before flying home. Apollo 10: LM test in Munar orbit. Apollo 11: First Munar Landing. ALSEP and Munar Sub satellites deployed Apollo 12 - 14: Apollo 11 reference mission profile (G/H) Apollo 15 - 18: Apollo "J" mission profile Step III: Apollo Applications Program MOLAB: Pressurized science lab to Munar surface Apollo 18 - 19: Apollo 18 aborted during ascent (F1 engine failure, crew recovered by LES). Apollo 19 Backup crew launch to MOLAB. Eve Flyby: Apollo 24 with science lab payload Skylab with LM/ATM Step IV - Asteroid Redirect Capture Class "B" asteroid to Keosynchronous orbit Goals Saturn Five uses 5 engines on the first stage, 5 engines on the second stage, and one engine on the third stage. +20 Free-Return Trajectory until in Mun's SOI. +10 Lander stored behind a fairing. +10 Redirect Asteroid in Solar orbit. +10 Redirect Asteroid using crew. +10 Leave Descent Stage on Mun. +5 Include ALSEP Science Package on Apollo 11-18 +5 Include Lunar Rover on Apollo 11-18 +10 Include Lunar Subsatellite on Apollo 11-18.+5 Apollo 21 Mission to Minmus using Gemini hardware. +15 Redirect Asteroid while in Solar Orbit. +10 Redirect Asteroid with crew. +10 Stock. +20 (Use only stock parts) Launch Escape System. +5 Total: 145 Gemini/Cricket Mission delayed to Apollo 21 due to Apollo 18 mission failure and Apollo 20 MOLAB crew replacement

First steps to Duna colonization and a 'roid capture Both missions in this update were things I'd never attempted before (aerocapturing a 'roid by itself and DOR with spacewalk rendezvous), but amazingly came off without a hitch. The Kerbal who would be first on Duna and would stay on the surface for 45 days, arrived around the red planet first. There was a lucky encounter with Ike for a good science boost and then a clean aerocapture around Duna. The 45 day lander module arrived later and the tricky part was to not only match the orbit and inclination of the mission already orbiting Duna, but to also put it into a reasonably close orbital encounter with the awaiting crew, as life support supplies are critical on this leg of the mission. On the first orbit after aerocapture, the lander and the interplanetary craft were only 300m apart. The plan was for a Duna Orbit Rendezvous but without docking, just a close encounter. I was hoping for closer then 300m, but that's all the fuel we had left so it made for a sketchy spacewalk on the dark side of Duna. The asteroid capture, a class "C", was accomplished with two launches; both with crews of two. The first launch, sent out 10 days before the Kerbin encounter, met the 'roid and pushed it into a Kerbin aerocapture encounter. The crew stayed with the 'roid until nearing Kerbin then detached and landed safely. After the 'roid was captured into a Kerbin orbit, a second crew was launched to intercept the 'roid and park into a stable orbit. Really only had one shot at launching the second mission to meet the "doomed" 'roid, but managed to catch up with it at around 350km. After a short burn to push the Pe into a safe altitude and several orbits to park it at 200km equatorial orbit, the second crew took the sweet 'roid science home. Scored on this update: Rockhound II (4): Score science for a class C asteroid (or higher). Team Effort II (2): Earn "Rockhound II" or "Rockhound III" with a crew of at least two kerbals. First leg of Duna Dominance II - crew still on Duna. Year 2 Day 226 Highlights I can live without engineering aids, but I'm attached to KAC! Good luck and welcome to the challenge.

First interplanetary steps Hoping to play this challenge as "the long game", earning as many points as I can with an eye to sustainable missions and spacecraft. Finally got a Duna sample return mission home, but was a little bit anti-climactic since I'd been sitting on so many science points awaiting a second run at the "Duna Dominance I" sub-challenge. Just about cleared out Tier 8 with these missions, but now that the green glowing stuff all around KSC has a use in the NUK-NUK, its time to push towards Jool! Duna Goo Sample Return Mission ready to head home 45-day Duna Lander heads out uncrewed Challenge progress details - 51 points so far Tier 1 - "Ahh, balance.. I get it now" (1) Tier 2 - "Bird's eye view" (2) Tier 3 - "Taking it slow" (3) Biome Hunter I (1): Score Tier 3 SCIENCE! on at least 3 biomes on your first Tier 3 launch. Tier 4 - "Spudnik" (3) Survivor I (1): Unlock all Tier 4 nodes with no kerbal fatalities.. so far. Biome Hunter II (2): Score Tier 3 science on all Kerbin biomes Tier 5 - "This land is your land, this land is Badland" (4) Survivor II (2): Unlock all Tier 5 nodes with no kerbal fatalities.. so far. Goo hunter I (2): Retrieve Goo canisters from Mun's high and near space. Tier 6 - "One small step.." (6) Team Effort I (2): Perform a joint orbital docking in Kerbin orbit (any altitude). This means that two separate launches will put at least two kerbals in space where they will rendezvous and dock for a photo op. Craft must then deorbit separately. All kerbals must survive. Survivor III (3): Unlock all Tier 6 nodes with no kerbal fatalities.. so far. Tier 7 - "Minmus master" (6) Take a Breather I (2): On a single flight, score Atmospheric science on at least 4 biomes. Biome Hunter IV (4): Score crew report science over all Minmus biomes. Duna Dominance I - Prime (4): Launch a robotically controlled mission which scores Goo science from Duna's surface. I'm a Scientist! I (3): Score Science Jr. from Mun and Minmus Highlights to Year 2 Day 138 Thanks for the update.

Death Engineering ARM-AAP Reboot - Entry IV Step 3: Apollo Applications Program Apollo XVIII-IXX MOLAB Saturn MLV launching MOLAB MOLAB with Apollo IXX