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This is my attempt at @JacobJHC's Jool 5 challenge. A few months ago, I had realised that I had been playing since version 0.25 and yet had never attempted a Jool 5, nor even conducted a manned landing on any of Jool's moons and return, even though it was well within my skills to do so. Part of the reason why it took me so long to build and complete a Jool 5 is because aside from real life concerns, it is an active save and I was engaged in doing other things. And now, I have finally done it! My my, what a journey it was. One of the most complex missions I have ever designed. Another thing that made the mission challenging was having USI life support installed, so no stuffing kerbals in lander cans for decades! It forced me to build a true mothership that could keep them in relative comfort for years. This also comes on the heels of the completion of another challenge, a Minmus elcano. But first, some general information: MODDED 3rd level submission (notable mods include SSPrx, USI life Support, Scansat, Near Future Electrical and B9 Procedural wings). Game version 1.10.1 Non-ISRU (Didn't refuel.) 5 kerbals are onboard. (Jebediah, Hadley, Bobrim, Barke, and Melfrod) 11 Launches were required (13 counting the two service missions that I will go into greater detail later). Two probes were launched along with the mission (separately), a satellite (Deep Space 1), and a laythe drone, (Laythe Skipper). The vessel chosen for this endeavor was the Jewel 1. The first in a line of interplanetary vessels. Its sister vessel, as of the completion of this challenge, Jewel 2 has been completed and has now served two missions to Minmus to construct a station and base in orbit. Being 70 meters long and weighing 779 tons, it is by far the largest vessel I have ever constructed. It carries all the logistical necessities with USI life support to bring a crew of 5 to Jool and back in its upper portion, including scansat data, supplies and fertilizer storage, a converter and a greenhouse. It carries several modules, including the Tylo/Vall/Pol/Bop lander, the Laythe spaceplane, a small LF+OX fuel reserve, and the Hibiscus, the crew return vehicle. The mission took 8 years, from its first module to its return. Well, let's get started, shall we?

Hello all, it's been almost forever and several updates to KSP since I last posted a mission report thread... Here is my entry into the Jool 5 Challenge, Jeb's Level: Episode 1 is here: The craft file is here: The mothership was inspired by this photo: Mass on the pad: 3 014.78 tons Cost: 1 825 046.0 (on the pad, no refuelling missions... yet) Parts on the pad: 410 Crew Capacity: 33 Crew on Mission: 2 of 6 Snacks/not Snacks on board: Loads...

I'm sorry about the long wait but i'm finally doing it for real this time. I've already done some posts of my previous attempt which was interrupted by schoolwork... But here's the new Imgur album of the launches comprising the first of my probe vanguard to Jool (Because why not) Album Link Will update as work progresses. Launching the second support vehicle as I write this