Death Engineering

I've had that happen. Its a drag.

Leaderboard updated. Some really fantastic designs that capture the Gemini spirit! The open cockpit landers are awesome. TBH I never tried that kind of landing, but I knew it could be done. The point of this challenge isn't about the appearance of parts. That being said, frizzank's Gemini/Titan mod parts look amazing. This is all about exploring crazy 60's ideas about exploring space, which you did. Cool! Ensuring daylight landing is SO Gemini! The landings looked perfect. Great designs! And a 'hard' landing on Kerbin. Nice. The preview pics of the lander didn't do it justice! Very versatile and I bet you could land it almost anywhere.

That would be fine. Pic from orbit with a flag near the Co ords.

Absolutely!

Landing legs totally count as skids.

If your primary lunar mission is a single launch, your rescue mission is the second launch, with a maximum of two launches for the primary and rescue mission. If you are using an EOR/LOR approach, your rescue mission is the third and final mission. The intent of this rule is to use a Direct Ascent rescue mission in the style of the Gemini Lunar Surface Rescue Spacecraft Great idea! I don't think that there is an advantage/disadvantage to using stock parts in this challenge. Having never used mod parts, however, if there should be a handicap/bonus points as part of the stock vs. mod parts to this challenge, I'm open to suggestions. "Mod" leaderboard added.

That would work. I'm sure that correctly placed landing legs could be presented as skids, as well.

Gemini Style Direct Ascent Landing The inspiration for this challenge came from my attempt to complete the Doing it Apollo Style challenge using a Gemini style mission. Since the Gemini mission didn't really fit into that challenge, and I've always had a soft-spot for the Gemini spacecraft, I felt this challenge would be a good way to explore some real-world technology and how it could have been used in an alternate history. My attempt at Doing it Gemini Style: Primary mission objective (+20) Mission Direct Ascent (+4): Using a single launch, establish a crewed Munar orbit. Landing prestige: One Kerbal on the Mun (+7). Second Kerbal on the Mun (+4). Capsule Happy together (+3): Both crew members are never separated by more than 10km We're done with that (+3): Detachable support module (Jettison from command module before Kerbin landing at least three of:RCS cells, electrical systems, lighting, legs, retro package) Just in case (+3): Launch Escape System present Lifter Won't Apollo miss that Saturn 5? (+6): At least one rocket uses a 5 engine first stage and a 5 engine second stage. Lander Dropping some weight (+3): At least one of the primary or backup Munar surface return vessels leaves behind its Munar descent stage. Recovery Welcome home (+10): Both crew return to Kerbin We can take it (+3): Be able to safely return to Kerbin on water or land without damage. Crazy 60's details We are outta here (+3): The Launch Escape System ejects both crew in their own separate crafts. The Gemini had fighter jet style ejection seats. Total: 69

The Gemini spacecraft was a versatile and innovative fighter jet styled step towards a manned moon landing. The original Direct Ascent designs and Earth Orbit Rendezvous missions used variants of the Gemini spacecraft, and was later considered to perform space-taxi missions to space stations. Stock or Mod entries welcome. This is a challenge to explore the NASA Gemini Lunar program. There is a base of +20 points for performing the primary mission objective with bonus points awarded for executing the mission in various configurations. Points are balanced with consideration to: Mission complexity Accurate Gemini details Accurate lifter details Spacecraft complexity Rescue readiness Crazy 60's details Primary mission objective (+20): Stock or Mod parts*. Separate leaderboard for each. Using a mission profile of 1-2 launches and a two-Kerbal crew, orbit both Kerbals around the Mun and return the crew to Kerbin. Up to three missions may be launched if a Munar rescue mission is launched.^ Possible Launch Profiles: EOR: 2 Launches. Two spacecraft rendezvous and dock in LKO then proceed to Munar orbit. LOR: 2 Launches. Two spacecraft rendezvous and dock in Munar orbit and perform a Mun landing. Direct ascent: Launch one spacecraft and establish a Munar orbit. ^ Clarified this 122119: An additional launch using Direct Ascent mission profile may be launched if attempting the Munar rescue readiness points ("Got your back" or "We have a reservation"). Bonus points: Mission Direct Ascent (+4): Using a single launch, establish a crewed Munar orbit. Earth Orbit Rendezvous (+5): Using two launches to low Kerbin orbit, dock two spacecraft. Once docked, send the docked spacecraft to Munar orbit. Munar Orbit Rendezvous (+6): Using two launches to low Kerbin orbit, separately send two spacecraft to Munar orbit. Once there, dock them together and complete a landing mission. Landing prestige: One Kerbal on the Mun (+7). Second Kerbal on the Mun (+4). Faster, better, cheaper - Rover bonus (+0): You can't afford a rover on the Gemini budget. Capsule Happy together (+3): Both crew members are never separated by more than 10km We're done with that (+3): Detachable support module (Jettison from command module before Kerbin landing at least three of:RCS cells, electrical systems, lighting, legs, retro package) Just in case (+3): Launch Escape System present Lifter (max. three) Is that a Titan II? (+2): At least one of the rockets uses a two-engine cluster first stage and a single engine cluster second stage. Wow, A Titan III!(+3): At least one of the rockets earns 'Is that a Titan II?' and has two strap on SRB's on the first stage. That looks like Saturn 1B! (+4): At least one of the rockets uses a first stage cluster with 8 engines Saturn S-3? That's your full-size (+5): At least one rocket uses a 3 engine first stage and a 4 engine second stage. Won't Apollo miss that Saturn 5? (+6): At least one rocket uses a 5 engine first stage and a 5 engine second stage. Max. x3:That's no bull (+2 ea.): Trans Munar injection booster is a two-engine cluster, like the Centaur kicker stage. Lander On your space bike (+4): At least one open cockpit lander Dropping some weight (+3): At least one of the primary or backup Munar surface return vessels leaves behind its Munar descent stage. Making it count (+2): Earn 'Dropping some weight' and have a powered probe core on the discarded descent stage. Must remain powered at least until the crew lands on Kerbin. Since we're there (+2): If used, the backup Munar surface return vehicle earns 'Dropping some weight' and 'Making it count'. Recovery Welcome home (+10): Both crew return to Kerbin We can take it (+3): Be able to safely return to Kerbin on water or land without damage. Landing gear down (+5): Perform a parachute assisted landing on deployable wheels or skids Crazy 60's details We are outta here (+3): The Launch Escape System ejects both crew in their own separate crafts. The Gemini had fighter jet style ejection seats. Easy Rider (+3): Using open cockpit landers ('On your space bike'), land both Kerbal crew members on the Mun independently. Got your back (+6): Another two-crew capable empty Gemini return vehicle can be launched and landed within 10km of the primary mission as an emergency return vehicle. Must completely perform Munar ascent to Kerbin landing, or dock with a return-capable vessel in Mun orbit. Or.. We have a reservation (+7): Land a crew on the Mun within 10km of a previously landed empty spacecraft. Must completely perform Munar ascent to Kerbin landing, or dock with a return-capable vessel in Mun orbit. *I don't know that the use of Mod parts makes the challenge any easier or harder, so no bonus or handicap. Input is welcome. Stock Parts Leaderboard: jinnantonix - 104 capi3101 - 101pts FacticiusVir - 86 pts Xeldrak - 84 pts HueHue - 76 pts Death Engineering - 69 pts WooDzor - 63 Franzie360 - 63 pts Xeldrak - 62 pts Martian Emigrant - 56 pts Mod Parts Leaderboard: Death Engineering - 93 pts CalculusWarrior - 83 pts * Four-launch mission profiles CatastrophicFailure - 106 pts * borisperrons - 105 pts Alternate Scale Leaderboard: RSS/RO Michal.don - 74 pts Kerbin 4x septemberWaves - 65 pts septemberWaves - 52 pts References: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Gemini#Lunar_landing http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titan_(rocket_family) Gemini Gemini LOR Gemini: Lunar Gemini Gemini Lunar Lander Gemini LORV Gemini Lunar Surface Rescue Spacecraft Gemini Lunar Surface Survival Shelter edit: Further info on the Gemini Joint "LOR" style missions: A long time ago, on a PC platform far far away, "Buzz Aldrin's Race Into Space" provided hours of enjoyable, if not frustrating, space program management. Ruthlessly hard, this game still spawned user-supported updates and now a full release into freeware by the original developers. In this game, players had choices on what hardware could be used for a manned lunar landing mission. In order to balance the game-play, the developers took some license with reality. In one of those cases, they hypothesized a dual launch profile with a lander on one package and the crew on another. The player could also choose between a cheaper, but less powerful, lunar "kicker" and a more capable one. The less-powerful kicker could only boost the crew module or the lander to lunar orbit. Once around the Moon, the crew would rendezvous with the pre-launched lander and proceed as normal. Seen below are some BARIS mission planning screens for the lunar landing profiles, as seen by engineers of the late 50's and 60's. Mission steps can be followed alphabetically. In other words, "A" is launch, "B' orbital insertion, "C" could be docking or trans-lunar injection, etc. On the "Joint" missions, take note of the two launches from Earth and when they occur in the mission. It is much easier to view the actual interactive game screen, so I encourage anyone curious to check out "Race into Space". Historical Manned Lunar Landing Direct Ascent Lunar Landing Joint Lunar Landing: Earth-orbit rendezvous Joint Lunar Landing: Lunar Orbit Rendezvous

Yeah, I did kinda call "shenanigans" on my entry after I re-read the rules and saw the LOR requirement. But in the end, I couldn't resist posting it since it was in the same spirit as the challenge. Closer, I guess, to "Doing it 60's Space Program Style" and more of a proof of concept thing than a legitimate entry. Similar to my Big Gemini/AAP mission, I was really just playing around with some of the far-out 60's spacecraft ideas.

Gemini Lunar Landing The Gemini lunar lander would have potentially landed two crew on the moon by 1966-67. Using Gemini's proven technology and a multi-stage direct ascent lander, the Gemini L could be launched on a single Saturn 5 rocket. A direct ascent moon landing using Gemini style spacecraft would have saved time and expense because it didn't require developing two distinct spacecraft, didn't require developing a docking system and used proven rockets and duration-tested life support systems. This entry isn't intended to be exactly Apollo style, but attempts to instead capture Apollo's backup-plan: the Gemini Lunar Landing. Goals: Standard mission goal Single rocket, specialized CM and MM (although bolted together until lunar ascent), no mods, BYOR. +30 2-man Lander +10 Got that one! 2-stage Lander (leave the decent-engine on the mün) +20 Wow got this too!! Main rocket aspargus'd? -10 (Wernher von Kerman does not like aspargus!) Saturn 5.. good here Escape tower? +10 Gemini LES system present, so claiming this one too Lander stored behind the CM during ascent +20 Well, yes the landing stage is below the Command Module.. Free return trajectory to the mün +10 Check Flawless landing (no parts broke off, Neil Armstrong is watching you!) +10 Lots of parts and alls well! MM disposed by crashing it into the Mün (remove Kerbal first!) +5 The Lunar Retrograde Engine crashed into lunar surface Plant flag on the Mün (no cumulative, i.e. two flags don't get you 6 points) +3 Check! Spashing down on Kerbin (land on water) +5 Splish splash! No satellites, no rovers and no science. Gemini was all about doing it cheap. Score: 123 points. Gemini Lunar Configuration Gemini Landing Site Design

Hahaha good point! There would need to be some other parameters beyond a free-return trajectory to make it a challenge.

This is a good idea. I was actually planning on writing up a challenge just like this which includes a save game/persistent file that has a "rigged" CM/LM. Rigged: an action group key that shuts down the CM power and its engine, triggers an explosion and sends the craft into a spin, to be activated after the TMI. Some other rules would be to use the LM "control from here" option and the LM descent engine only. Also, no maneuver nodes allowed after setting off the "problem" action group.

Apollo Applications Program - Exploring the "Big Gemini" and LORL This post explores the aspects of the Apollo Applications Program (AAP) that incorporate the "Big Gemini" and the Large Orbiting Research Laboratory (LORL). Based on the Jim Chamberlin design of the original two-crew Gemini spacecraft, the Big G would use an evolution of the Gemini avionics and combined designs of both Gemini and Apollo spacecraft. The idea was to bring large crews and supplies to an orbiting space station. Design plans included crews from 6 to 12 in a single launch and was the first craft designed to have a reusable crew cabin. Big Gemini with S IV-B The Big G was not intended for Lunar missions which meant it did not require any more delta-v than would be required to deorbit from the space station. Since it did not require a Saturn 5 to launch, the Big G could rely on other proven low-cost lifters like the S1-B or a boosted Titan III. In this exploration, the Saturn S1-B lifter is the primary launcher for Big G missions. The idea of the LORL was to place a large crew aboard a space station that was designed to support multiple docking ports and would be re-crewed with "taxi" style launches using the Big G. The initial LORL missions would have been launched with two Saturn 5 launches and assembled in orbit. All other resupply missions would have been performed with the S1-B, leaving the remaining supply of Saturn 5 rockets for Lunar missions. However, since the LORL required two Saturn 5 rockets to be assembled, how could NASA launch the LORL without taking away any Saturn 5's for the Lunar program? Large Orbiting Research Laboratory Docked with Two Big G's What if Apollo 8 and Apollo 9 were done with S1-B rockets? Although a very powerful and reliable rocket, the Saturn 5 was also the most expensive, by far. In comparison, the cheap and plentiful Saturn S1-B used existing hardware dating back as far as the Mercury program and shared its second stage with the Saturn 5's third stage, enhancing economy. Apollo 9 Docked with "Spider"'s Ascent Stage Apollo 8 was a Lunar orbit test of the Apollo command module (CM). It also proved the S IV-B stage was capable of a Trans-Lunar Injection with a crewed Apollo CM. Apollo 9 was a test of the Lunar Module (LM) and was performed in low Earth orbit. In order for Apollo 8 and Apollo 9 to have been accomplished with the S1-B rocket, several parameters would require adjustment: Apollo 8 would use the "Apollo A" configuration of the CM. This lighter version of the CM could be used as there was no requirement to support docking and the CM engine didn't need to carry the extra delta-v to carry around the LM and perform rendezvous maneuvers. Apollo 9 would be conducted in two launches. The first would launch the LM and the second would carry the CM and the crew. Since rendezvous and docking with the LM was a key part of this mission, a two-launch profile fit the mission requirements perfectly. Apollo 9 LM Launch If Apollo 8 and Apollo 9 were launched with Saturn S1-B's, the LORL could have been a reality in the mid 70's, with continuous crews of 10-20 people arriving and departing on Big Gemini spacecraft. This could have been accomplished in parallel to the Apollo Lunar program, without using any hardware from the Lunar program, and would have created the first permanent outpost in space. Apollo 8 "Earthrise" The Big G and the LORL The version of the Big Gemini explored here crews a maximum of 7 and is capable of multiple recovery options including abort procedures and supporting land or water landings. Although not available in KSP, the Big G would have used a parasail and would have navigated pinpoint landings. The Big G used a unique method of docking by having its docking port on what is traditionally the bottom of the spacecraft instead of the top. Once the mission involving docking is complete, the docking port is jettisoned revealing the deorbit engine. After the deorbit burn is complete and reentry is imminent, the retro package and avionics package can be jettisoned for landing. Big Gemini Jettisons the Retro Package The type of LORL explored here is the zero-g type, although rotating designs to simulate gravity were also explored. This LORL is equipped with an Apollo Telescope Mount and has two open docking ports when the telescope is installed. It was launched in two parts: the first was the crew cabin and was sent up with a Big G as the CM aboard a Saturn 5. The second launch carried the avionics, communications array, solar panel and a station-keeping engine and was launched under an Apollo CM. Once the LORL was assembled in low orbit, the Apollo CM engine was used to boost the LORL to a stationary orbit, where it would remain. The Apollo Telescope Mount was moved to its active position once in its final orbit and two Big G CM's were docked to the LORL. Continuous crew missions could be sustained indefinitely for the lifespan of the LORL. Completed LORL in Synchronous Orbit Conclusion The Big G and the LORL would have been a relatively low cost approach to a permanent space station. The crew capacity of some Big G's were huge. Some mock-ups of the the Big G show seating for 20 crew, often with everyone having their own ejection seat mechanism. The LORL was equally spacious and could potentially accommodate 20 crew of its own. Smaller, cheaper space station designs were being pitched that had shorter life spans, but could be launched on a single modified Saturn 5. And, since the smaller space stations couldn't support the massive crews that the Big G could support, there was no reason to pursue the Big G. At a time when funding was already being cut, the Big G and the LORL were history by 1970. More info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_Applications_Program http://www.astronautix.com/craft/bigemini.htm http://www.astronautix.com/craft/apolloa.htm Big Gemini LORL Apollo 8 and Apollo 9 Alternate Missions

In full disclosure, in my Duna Space Program, Macly turned into smoke while exiting a rover during their long drive to the huge mountain in the north. On the next launch to Duna, another "Macly" stowed away in the Rubbish bin and joined Hudsey later. All supplies were managed as if Macly never left Hudsey's side. I considered "letting" Macly stay dead, but to die getting out of a rover? Not very Kerbal.

Mission Entry 10, Epilogue and Scoring Final Mission Report for the Duna Space Program is here. Epilogue and Scoring report is here. Just the scores: Mods used: Subassembly Manager, Kerbal Alarm Clock Until Day 500: 7 launches 378t NIMLKO Early Mission Value: 1208 Efficiency: 3.2 Until Day 1000: 13 launches 702t NIMLKO Sustained Mission Value: 4837 Efficiency: 8.6 Achievements: Mission Execution: 2 Crew Mobility: 2 Base Mobility: 0 Crew Safety: 0 Mission Robustness: 2 Score: 6 Kruzin' on Duna

[Epilogue and Scoring] Final Scoring to Day 1000 Mods used: Subassembly Manager, Kerbal Alarm Clock Until Day 500: 7 launches 378t NIMLKO Early Mission Value: 1208 Efficiency: 3.2 Until Day 1000: 13 launches 702t NIMLKO Sustained Mission Value: 4837 Efficiency: 8.6 Achievements: Mission Execution: 2 Crew Mobility: 2 Base Mobility: 0 Crew Safety: 0 Mission Robustness: 2 Score: 6 Bob and Ludlong began immediately training new crews for the test pilot program. Getting to Vall was going to be even more challenging than Duna, but everyone on Kerbin knew that it was important to get there. Even though no one knew what was going to be found on Vall, most kerbals believed that they would learn something about their own history. Some thought that the face on Duna was created by ancient kerbals who moved to Vall and left the carving as a clue. Others believed that the face on Duna was made by kerbals from the future who came back in time to leave interesting things for kerbals to discover. However, those kerbals were generally regarded as kooks. But no matter what they were going to find, the Vall Space Program was going to need rockets, landers and rovers. It was time to build a new space program! More Details Primary Mission Launches Day 10 - Dual Habmod Launch to Duna carrying 4 kerbals in two landers 91 - Dual Duna shuttle and resupply mission 172 - Crew Module for Duna Transfer Vehicle 253 - Propulsion stage for Duna Transfer Vehicle 334 - Three Kerbal Habmod 496 - Crew Module for Duna Orbiting Station 499 - Propulsion stage for Duna Orbiting Station 577 - Kerbin Orbiting Supply Depot 658 - Dual Supply Drop to Duna 739 - Advanced Rover and Resupply Duna Station 820 - Dual Supply Drop 901 - Duna Shuttle Evolution 2 982 - Kerbin Orbiting Supply Depot Kerbals on Duna: Hudsey and Macly: Day 126 to 820 = 1388 Bob and Ludlong: Day 196 to 352 = 312 Ludlong: Day 352 to 597 = 245 Bartdorf and Ludlong: Day 352 to 820 = 936 Gregry, Patgard and Ribrie: Day 588 to 1000 = 1236 Corvis, Lenbur, Derbur and Enbro: Day 820 to 1000 = 720 Total: 4837 Epilogue Photo Album

[Mission Entry 10 - Final Chapter] Mission Entry to Day 1063 More spacecraft lost Ludlong returns to Kerbin Report from Duna changes the Duna Space Program Bad Bad on Duna While carrying three kerbals to the surface, a structural failure caused the unexpected separation between the command pod and the propulsion section of the last Duna Shuttle. The crew survived using a backup recovery mode, but it made any return to the surface impossible. As a result of this loss, it would no longer even be possible to get back to orbit in order to send the remaining replacement crew back down. There wasn't enough room on Duna Station for three kerbals, so Derbur would have to use the Duna Crew transfer vehicle's emergency life boat to get down to Duna. The life boat was not intended for use on Duna, however. This did not seem to alarm Derbur who was apparently grinning wildly throughout his wild high-speed descent. The life boat did not have any retro rockets on board and only 4 chutes. When Derbur hit Duna he was going 19m/s. Derbur loses his lander His cupola module exploded around him and vanished into a large puff of smoke and small bits of debris. As he stood there, grinning, he noticed the last piece of the life boat sitting in front of him. "Sepratron!", he thought, and kicked it to see if it was broken. His kick triggered the igniter and the small rocket exploded. His grin broadened until eventually there was nothing left of his lander. His grinning waned, somewhat, as he realized that he also just blew up his snacks. At least Corvis, Enbur and Lenbro had snacks, as their pod was designed for a Duna landing. "This looked bigger when we got in" The Kurse of Threes Over koffee on the morning of day 1063, Jeb and Bill were discussing the recent losses of spacecraft on Duna. Today was the 333rd day of year three and Bob had assigned the three original test pilots on a launch to spend three days on the Crew Transfer Vehicle. They would be up there cleaning and refitting it for its third trip to Duna on day 1195. "Hey Jeb, you don't believe in that 'Curse of Three's' thing about today, do you? I mean, three kerbals on year three, day 333 and going in to space for three days to service a spacecraft about to make its third trip to Duna sure sounds like a recipe for disaster, don't you think?", Bill asked Jeb nervously. "Nah, don't worry about it, Bill. Bob said that he's flown this Kerbin Shuttle twice already and its totally checked out. Besides, we already lost the Duna Shuttle plus our two little crashes of the Kerbin Shuttle prototypes makes three crashes. And considering no one got hurt, permanently, I think we did pretty good!" Jeb says enthusiastically. "Ya", Bill replied, seeming to have been satisfactorily reassured. "You're probably right." Unfortunately, he wasn't. After cleaning up the Crew Transfer Vehicle, Bill was piloting the Kerbin Shuttle back to KSC when the chutes on his pod were suddenly deployed. The chutes were intended only for use in an emergency landing while separated from the crew cabin. The added stress caused a katastrophic failure on the linkage between the engine pods and the crew cabin. The abort system deployed to avoid a high speed spin, which would have caused a total loss of the pod and the crew cabin. After he landed and made it back to KSC, he asked Jeb "So, is there a bad luck law of fours?". Behind him, Macly, Hudsey and Ludlong looked rather shaken. Jeb, appearing more excited than normal, replied "No, but there might be a Law of Fives! Come on, there's a big meeting we have to get to!" "Oh, now what? Are they cancelling the space program because of my crash today?" "No way! In fact, I think we're being put back into test pilot work. I heard that mission control got the latest mission report from Duna and there's a lot of talk about sending even more ships to investigate." "You're kidding, right? We're going to be building new ships to test? Alright! Let's go!", Bill replied feeling a lot better about almost killing himself and four other kerbals this morning while landing a proven-safe Kerbin shuttle. "By the way, Bill," Jeb adds as they rush down the hallway to the meeting room, "I heard someone say we might launch something to Vall for some reason. I wonder if we're going to land a Kerbal there.." Ludlong was trying to keep up with Bob but having a hard time. Bob slowed down from their run to the meeting room to meet with Ludlong. Bob reached out and shook Ludlong's hand then spoke quietly as they jogged down the hallway. "Good to see you, Ludlong! When this meeting is over, we have to talk about your promotion." "Hey Bob! Wow, what promotion, Bob?" Ludlong exclaimed gleefully. "Your promotion to Test Pilot! We have work to do, but we'll have to talk later. I have a feeling this meeting is going to change our entire space program." "Hey Bob! That sounds great, buddy! Say, where are we going?" "We're going to a meeting that is going to change our entire space..!" Bob stopped talking and smiled. "I missed you, Ludlong." "I missed you too, Buddy!" Bill Destroys Another Kerbin Shuttle Duna Space Program Cancelled - "We must walk on Vall!" As Jeb and Bill take their seats at the meeting, mission control commander Bob walked toward the podium. As he did he looked toward Bill and shook his head in disgust. "Okay, we can begin now that Bill and Jeb are back from the Duna Crew Transfer Vehicle. By the way, Bill, make sure you hang up the keys to the Kerbin Shuttle before you go home. If you can find them in the rubble, that is." The room filled with quiet laughter. Before Bill could reply, Bob continued. "We received the long-awaited report from Site Three on Duna. It seems that they have found evidence of ancient mikrobial life on Duna. Not only that, the crew followed the density pattern in the dirt and it led them to..." Bob pressed a button on the podium and stepped aside quickly. Behind him, a screen quickly lowered and a hidden projector dropped from the ceiling. When the projector lit up, every kerbal mouth in the room dropped open and every eye popped out of their head, even more than normal. On the screen in front of them was the picture of a structure on Duna. A structure that had a strikingly familiar look to it. There was a face on Duna! Familiar face There were gasps, there were laughs, there was even a few screams when the image was revealed. Everyone began talking, asking themselves who could have done this and why. Finally Bob approached the podium again, the image of the face on Duna was still projecting and turned his face eerily like the color of Duna's soil making him look like the face on Duna. "Okay, everyone, keep listening because that's not all we found. On the side of this structure, we found a small carving. It shows five circles around a dot in the middle. On the second circle, embedded into the structure, is a green dot - the only green on Duna besides kerbals." Jeb pressed the button on the podium again changing the slide. It showed Gregry standing beside the carving. "Our scientists think this carving.. it means something. We think that this carving is a planet with the circles representing its orbiting moons. Since Jool is the only planet with five moons, we think this represents Jool and its moons. The green dot, on Vall's orbit, might mean that whoever made this structure is from Vall. Based on this assumption and on the fact that we've already had 5000 kerbal days on Duna, and not at all based on the fact that we've lost four major spacecraft recently on the Duna Space Program, we are cancelling the Duna Space Program and introducing the .." Bob paused and pressed the button again. On the slide behind him, only three words appeared which he read aloud with great excitement, "Vall Space Progam!" The crowd leapt to their feet and applauded vigorously as Bob yelled triumphantly into the microphone, "We must walk on Vall!" On day 901, the Duna Shuttle Evolution Two was launched. And then on day 967, the Crew Transfer Vehicle, the Duna Shuttle and the supply drop mission all left for Duna. By 1069 all three ships had arrived. The supply drops were completed and the new Duna Shuttle made its first Duna descent and ascent. With the cancellation of the Duna Space Program, it was decided that the Duna Shuttle would be used as a crew cabin and would remained docked to the crew transfer vehicle to bring back two more crew members. Only Gregry would be left on Duna to continue his studies of the face structure, and writing his screenplay. After the shuttle docked and the crew from the surface met up with Bartdorf and Danlong, all they spoke of was the Vall Space Program and who might be going to Vall. But most importantly, what were they going to find when they got there? Gregry looking at the carving on the Face on Duna Mission Entry 10 Photo Album

Learned the beauty of inside-clipping fuel lines from outer tanks to inner tanks.

Perhaps the OP can confirm, but my understanding is that anything that is any launch other than crew must conform to the launch restrictions of "Rule 2".

I'm hoping to see something like the Rollercoaster Tycoon's method of R&D: you can "weight" certain concepts but what comes out of the R&D is random. For example, you could put all your research resources into "Propulsion" and you might get a Skipper or you might get a BACC SRB. It would make for better replayability if the things that came up to develop weren't static.

Looks like a good mission plan. Now the *real* time consuming part of flying them all!

[Mission Entry 9: "There's something down there"] In this mission report to day 820: Three missions arrive at Duna: Crew exchange mission, crane-deployed rover and dual supply drop missions Last mission of the primary launches sent to LKO Kerbals have logged 3577 days on Duna Regular supply drops established Mission Report 9 is posted here. As day 1000 approaches, KSC engineers report that flying to Duna has become "as routine as taking a kab downtown". With all primary unique missions launched and only supply drops and upgrade/expansion launches in the works, the only main objective in the challenge left to complete is to bring the last of the Duna pioneers home before they hit 1000 days in space. Coming in Mission Entry 10 Bob and Ludlong reunited "Why are we down here?" Beyond the infinite

[Mission Entry 9 - "There's something down there"] Mission Report Summary (Day 820) Three missions arrive at Duna: Crew exchange mission, crane-deployed rover and dual supply drop missions arrive at Duna Last mission of the primary (unique) launches sent to LKO Kerbals have logged 3577 days on Duna Regular supply drops established Bob's Promotion After Bob's triumphant announcement of his promotion to mission control commander at the KSC Open House, everyone in the project knew about "Duna Specialist Bob". Although he had made his announcement without actually being appointed mission control commander, everyone was just so impressed by his speech that they naturally assumed that if he said that he was promoted, it must be true. So, now that Bob was mission control commander, he could have a little bit of that old 'test pilot' fun now, if he really wanted to. His first order of business was to put all the test-pilots on probation. Of course, that meant only Jebediah and Bill as they were the only other official test pilots. Bob assigned a special duty of recruits to Jeb and Bill; real go-getters. These guys wanted to log some duration hours, but there weren't any duration missions coming up until day 1195, and they didn't want to wait that long! Luckily for them, and less for Jeb and Bill, there were two missions coming up which required test-pilots. On the first mission, Jeb and Bill would be the primary crew. However, if their mission was perfect then they would only be backup crew for the second, duration test, mission. Bob knew that Jeb and Bill had tried to rig his CDM 4 rocket to drop snacks on Macly and Hudsey, but instead accidentally rigged it to explode. Bob would never intentionally tamper with Jeb and Bill's rocket, but he was in the unique position to assign their missions and training duties. And adjust, he did. Bob assigned Jeb to the longest duration on the centrifuge that kerbal doktors would allow: 30 days. And Bill was suddenly bumped from flying test pilot missions to conducting kerbalnaut recruit-day rejection exit interviews. Every kerbal who failed their recruitment pre-screening test for the next 30 days would be granted 8 continuous hours with Bill where they could discuss why they failed their test. In the end, Bill, who had begun writing "I said the same thing 1,000 times today." on his reports, and Jeb, who continually asked for "moar boosters!" during his 30 day trip on the centrifuge, both demanded to be on a long, quiet duration mission. Bob was a reasonable kerbal, and put Jeb and Bill on the next two launches. Unfortunately, because of the pressure this caused on Jeb and Bill, they both failed quite miserably on their first launches with the latest Crew Delivery Mission vessel. Both vessels were destroyed but both pilots were successfully recovered. Eventually. Bill's launch required a compensation in staging that was not compensated for in the countdown. As a result, when Bill got to "zero" on the countdown and staged, his rocket dropped to the launchpad without igniting any engines. He immediately aborted and landed nearby, but due to budget kutbacks, he had to clean up the launchpad himself. On Jeb's test, the staging was perfect. However, due to a problem with fuel line installation, the new aerospike rocket engines did not have a supply of fuel! He was required to do an emergency re-entry with only his small pod, separated from the (comfortable and well-stocked) crew quarters. He spent several days perched on the outside of his mostly-submerged pod before mission control 'recovered' him. The next two launches were required to be a duration mission of a joint orbiting laboratory. The first mission carried a small amount of extra fuel and the second carried a supply of 300 units of supplies and two kerbalnaut trainees. They were docked and sent on a highly elliptical orbit for 75 days. During that time, Bill and Jeb were required to log daily mission reports and post pictures of their perfectly clean rooms to mission control. Failure to do so, mission control advised them, would initiate launches of supply updates to extend their mission. When they returned to Kerbin, there was no celebration. However, the CDM Evolution Two was ready for Kerbin and Duna full-time use. Bill asks, "I have to clean this up?" Ludlong looking down on Duna It was day 720 of the Duna Space Program. Ludlong had been away from Kerbin for almost 600 days and as much as he liked being Duna Station commander, he was missing Kerbin's blue ocean and green fields. He would be leaving Duna orbit with Macly, Hudsey and Danlong on day 951. He would be arriving back to Kerbin 960 days after leaving, making him the most experienced long-term pilot in the Duna Space Program. This was a fact he was reminded of when, on day 720 he got a call from Bob back at mission control. Bob had radioed Ludlong every day to go over any new discoveries Ludlong had made and also to keep Ludlong up to date on future missions. Bob had explained to Ludlong about the latest Crew Delivery Mission vessel, which would replace the one at Duna now. It would also replace the ones used in Kerbin LKO missions, making it the only vehicle that is designed for use with both Kerbin and Duna missions. This new version of the CDM vessel used aerospike propulsion and separate command and transport pods, which could land independently if needed. It could carry 5 kerbals to LKO or LDO and was 100% reusable. Ludlong asked Bob if he had flown it yet. He said that he hadn't yet, but that Jeb and Bill were on a 75 day joint orbiting lab mission with two of them right now. But the main reason for Bob's call on day 720 was to have Ludlong carry out a mission to one of the Duna transfer stages that was orbiting Duna. It was the stage that had delivered the 3-Kerbal Habmod which landed on the surface on day 588. The secondary role of this transfer stage was to delivery an additional 300 units of supplies to the Duna station. However, there was a design oversight: it didn't have a working command pod to fly by robotic control! Bob explained Ludlong's mission would entail adjusting the inclination of Duna Station's orbit to match the transfer stage orbit. He would then have to pilot the station so that it was close enough for docking. He would then undock the transfer stage on Duna station and dock it to the Habmod transfer station and transfer all its fuel over. The really tricky part would then be to EVA back to Duna Station and dock it, in reverse, to the Habmod transfer stage. It sounded like a challenge, but Ludlong knew it had to be done. The snacks on Duna Station were running low and the propulsion stage on Duna Station was flawed anyways because it was missing a fuel line. Bob had told Ludlong about the problems with Jeb's and Bill's launches with the staging problem and missing fuel lines. He would have to have a word with Quality Control back on Kerbin, he thought. The next day, while Ludlong was carrying out this mission, he saw something below him near Site Three. "This is Ludlong at Duna Station calling Site Three.. come in, Site Three", broadcast the radio in the Site Three cupola module. Gregry was in the cupola doing sky observations. At least that's what he always told Danhat and Edney he would be doing when he went up there. What he was really doing, however, was writing a script for a movie about the Duna Space Program and he couldn't wait to get back to Kerbin to film it. "Hi Ludlong, this is Gregry. What's up?" "Well, I am! I'm up over you right now. I flew Duna Station to match your transfer stage's orbit to dock with it and just finished transferring the fuel over. And, well, I was looking down where your habmod is and I see something very odd in the crater near you." After a brief pause, possibly for dramatic purposes, Ludlong continues. "There's something down there." Those words hung in the cupola as if spoken from a prophet. "Those words have to be in my movie!" he immediately thought to himself as he wrote them down. He read the words over again in his mind, is of spoken from one of those blockbuster actors like Tom Kruise, "There's something... down there!". "Affirmative, Ludlong, that's what we were sent here to investigate. There was a satellite telescope photo from Kerbin that showed a very strange land formation in the crater. We're waiting for the rover to arrive on day 803 before we head over there, but I can tell you that the dirt we found near our site is very unusual. I can't say too much more, but our report will be ready soon and you're not going to believe what we found!" "Sounds great, Gregry. I can't wait! Your rover will be here soon! Duna Station out." The rover, which landed successfully, was parked beside Site Three's habmod on day 820. Later that day, the first of the "open launches" was launched to LKO. Mission control reported that it was a very difficult decision to make between sending to Duna either the latest Duna shuttle or a new module for Duna station. Eventually, the decision was made to send a new Duna Shuttle. However, a small docking module upgrade was also included in the launch. It will head to Duna on day 967. This launch also completes the objective of launching all primary mission in the Duna Space Program. All future launches are based on the following cyclic profiles for the duration of the Duna Space Program. Sustainable Launch Schedule (repeat cycle for duration of Duna Space Program) Profile A) Dual Supply Drop to Duna - supplies to carry at least 7 kerbals to the next supply drop Profile Equipment and Duna Station supplies (two launches) - Equipment can vary between launches to enhance Duna surface activity Profile C) Kerbin Orbiting Supplies - fuel and supplies for the Crew Transfer Vehicle Profile D) Advanced Equipment to Duna - Open launch for projects in development Profile E) Duna Orbiting Station Expansion - After every four Profile D launches, a dual-launch using the Profile D launch as a propulsion stage will expand upon an existing Duna Station or begin constructing a new Duna Station in Duna's orbit. To day 820, kerbals have logged 3577 days on Duna. The landing of the rover using the skycrane was hairy. Ludlong doing multiple orbital rendezvous and docking Coming in Mission Entry 10 Bob and Ludlong reunited "Why are we down here?" Beyond the infinite Mission Entry 9 Photo Album

In today's mission entry... Bob learns why he was sent to Duna Ludlong gets a new assignment Party at KSC with kookies and kake! ...and much, MUCH more! Mission Entry 8 is posted in two parts: here and here. Fine print Death Engineering uses no part mods of any kind. The only mod being used for this challenge is Kerbal Alarm Clock. All flights are piloted otherwise "manually". In order to account for "supplies", jet-fuel is used for nearly all situations. The only exceptions are two instances when RCS fuel is used, and in these cases there are no RCS propulsion parts of any kind, in order to preserve supply continuity. Any supply is considered viable if:a) it can be reached within a reasonable time AND it is stored in something that is powered. At no time in this mission has a supply been further away than a reasonable commute or a manageable walk. All calculations for supply management are being managed on a spreadsheet.