Constellation Challenge : (4) Mun Base (lots of pics !)

[Kerbolitto]

Constellation Challenge : Mission 4 Mun Base

 

Hey there, I participated to the Constellation Challenge and here's what I did to complete the 4th mission : Mun Base

The general idea is to recreate Constellation Program using similar spacecrafts : Ares 1, Ares 5, Orion capsule, Altair lander etc ..

 

Part 1 : Com Network 

 

Equatorial network using 5 relays + 1 on a polar orbit, also Ore concentration of the LZ near a Mun Arch

 

I simply sent a mothership with 4 tiny Relays, 1 relay + M700, and the injector stage which is also relay capable. Nothing special to see !

 

Part 2 : Ares 5 / Altair EXT / Payload : CentralCore

 

Ares 5 Ext version : 1st stage 5 Vectors + 2 SRBs

getting rid of SRBs

Stage 2 : Mainsail with lots of fuel

 

Spoiler

Mun injection maneuver and fuel levels : Ares 5 stage II is thrown at Mun face, then Altair EXT detach and retrograde a bit to get a Pe around 100k

 

Altair EXT alone :

 

Altair EXT is a larger version, it uses the same engine (Skiff) and the same fuel tanks arrangement, main difference is that it can hold a large cargo (larger than 2.5m) and has more dV at the expense of thrust.

Notable feature : the cargo delivery system is very simple and reliable !

 

Spoiler

Landing Site : Capture burn using Altair EXT

 

Altair EXT landing and deployment :

 

After undocking the cargo, 2 Twitch are used to put back Altair EXT in vertical position.

 

Part 3 : Altair EXT Payload : Rovers

 

 

Spoiler

This time Altair EXT is aimed right at the landing site, without circularizing :

Just above the future base :

 

Part 4 : Altair EXT Payload : Lab Module

 

1st picture of the UtilityRover : all modules are built upon the same chassis, the rover is able to dock at ground level, then it deploys the forward geat and lifts the module. This system use just a few parts, is reliable and easy to use (weight is almost in the middle of the rover).

 

Spoiler

Last seconds of the approach :

 

Part 5 : Altair EXT Payload : Hab & Science Module

 

Modules are unpacked and moved around one at a time.

Altair EXT empty, thrown on surorbital to crash somewhere.

 

Spoiler

Few meters before touchdown :

 

Part 6 : Altair EXT Payload : EnergyPack + MAV

 

(I forgot to take more pics of this craft alone!)

 

Part 7 : Ares 1 launch, Orion docking to MAV

 

 

Spoiler

Orion encounter to MAV :

Orion docked to MAV, Mun maneuver and fuel levels :

Altair EXT MAV deorbiting with its crew, Orion is left behind on a circular orbit :

 

Part 8 : First steps on the Mun, base deployement

 

The outpost is complete, crew is disembarking.

EnergyPack ignition !

Outpost is finally online !

 

Part 9 : What to do on the Mun ?

 

Tomby laughs in the face of Science.

Nalan checks the drill which is used to recover a surface sample.

Smile at the camera !

Sunset.

Café de l'Arche is open.

 

Part 10 : SurfaceSamplotron !

 

SurfaceSamplotron detach from the base once its ore tank is filled up.

Now docking to its lander.

Slow descent on Kerbin's surface.

SurfaceSamplotron is upside down and hot happy.

 

Spoiler

Cargo accelerating to get into orbit :

 

Part 11 : Time to get back home

 

The HG-5 is just here to aim carefully.

Staging is very colorfull.

 

Spoiler

MAV encounter with Orion : also not pictured here : 170+m/s inclination change

 

Part 12 : Leaving the Mun

 

MAV stay docked to Orion to provide the passengers more confort during the return trip.

MAV set to its demise while Orion is decelerating.

 

Spoiler

Return maneuver :

Pe was set at around 35k, entry speed around 3100m/s :

 

Edited January 28, 2019 by Kerbolitto