Out of the Sands

[Cavscout74]

*******BREAKING NEWS*********

Freak accident claims 3 kerbonauts

KSC - 07:029 - A freak accident during the landing of MiL3-7 claimed the lives of its crew.  For reasons unknown, the parachute of this well-tested lander design failed to slow the craft to a safe speed, resulting in an impact beyond the abilities of the pod to survive.  Phoebe, Johnny & Kathberry Kerman were lost in the accident.  Wernher von Kerman has promised a full investigation into cause.  All telemetry indicated the parachute had fully deployed, but the night landing prevented visual confirmation.  Rather than slowing to the normal 4-5 m/s descent speed, MiL3-7 was only slowed to around 14 m/s.  There will be no flights of the MiL3 or ML3 landers in any configuration until the investigation is complete.

 

Spoiler

The real reason is in 1.8.1, I had modified the Corvus CF Gemini nose/docking port/parachute to be able to land the Mk2 pod - which also made it work for the Pomegranate pod.  In 1.9.1, I forgot to modify the chute to handle the higher mass, so it could only slow the Pomegranate to just under 14 m/s.  And once I saw the chute was deployed, I wasn't watching too close till I glanced at the screen a few meters above the surface and had just about enough time to think, "Wait, oh cra......"  Boom

 

Edited June 14, 2020 by Cavscout74

[Cavscout74]

Update 07:150    Thinkin' of the day, when you went away,

What a life to take, what a bond to break,

I'll be missing you

 

 

Despite numerous accomplishments in this update, the biggest event was the loss of three experienced kerbonauts on a routine mission.

 

Manned Launches:

Spoiler

DSC DG UL3-TX 07:043 - First test flight of the improved UL-3 (Utility Lander, 3-seat), the replacement for the MiL3 & ML3 series, which replaces the Reaction Systems Ltd Corvus nose cone with the Wild Blue Industries Mk 1 Flight Control Package & docking port.  The new parachute system includes both a main & drogue chute and should be capable of slowing the UL3 to safe speeds.  The -TX flight is being performed by Magas Kerman, with strict instructions to bail out at the first sign of any parachute problems.  Rather than a simple orbital hop, Magas takes the UL3 for a short trip outside Kerbin's SoI before returning to test it on reentry and landing.  Came down safely in the desert about 100km west of DSC.

KSC DG UL3-01 07:073 - First operational flight of the new UL3, bringing a 3-kerbal crew (Mirwise, Danory & Nicole) to the Pegasus-Mun base.  All went well, and they landed within 100m of the base.  Update 07:114: Launched to Mun orbit to rendezvous with MMV-LTER-1.  Returned with 2nd crew to Pegasus-Mun on 07:131.

DSC GiH MMV-LTER-01 07:113 - Extended range version of the MMV-LT, launched with the Girrok Heavy.  Mission plan is to launch & enter Mun orbit, rendezvous with UL3-01 which will bring up the Pegasus base crew, then perform a short excursion outside Kerbin's SoI for training and return to Mun to trade off the new crew for Pegasus before finally returning the original Pegasus crew to a safe splashdown on Kerbin on 07:131.

 

 

Unmanned Launches:

Spoiler

KSC Sar Pegasus-Mun Core 07:040 - Core module for a new & much larger base.  Launched to Mun for testing, to be followed by research, ISRU & power modules.  With a greenhouse and long term living quarters for 4, plus workspace for 6 in the command center, it will be used for much larger manned missions.  Due to a mass imbalance, control of the 2nd & 3rd stages was very difficult, but once the 3rd stage was jettisoned, the base & skycrane handled much better - although still needing improvement - but were able to land less than 300m from the MoRo-TX rover and safely jettison the skycrane.  One additional design flaw that was discovered was the probe core was installed inverted, but luckily it included a reverse control mode, allowing the mission to proceed safely. A crew will be needed to bring the base into full operations as the solar panel/antenna tower is stored horizontally on the observation deck and must be assembled by a trained engineer on-site - but that will have to wait for our new UL3 lander to be cleared for manned operations.  Update 07:074: With the crew on hand, Nicole and Mirwise placed the solar/antenna tower in position.  While Mirwise & Danory entered the command center to bring the base online, Nicole helped dock the ISRU module, then activated the welding ports to permanently attach the ISRU module.  With everything in operation, she joined the rest of the crew in the command center. <END>

After crew arrival, setting up the solar panel/antenna tower

 

KSC GiH Pegasus-ISRU 07:063 - ISRU module for the new Pegasus-Mun base.  All went well and it landed on Mun about 600m from the Pegasus base and carefully drove to within 100 to await a crew to complete docking.

KSC GiH Pegasus-Science 07:083 - Science module for the new Pegasus-Mun base.  Reached Mun orbit on 07:084, but waited till Pegasus-Mun base was on the day side before landing on 07:085, just over 100m from the base.  The landing and attachment to the existing base actually coincided with an eclipse of the sun by Kerbin, leaving the area almost completely dark but there were no accidents and the science moduel is now a permanent part of the Pegasus-Mun base.

DSC GiH LACRO-5-1 07:085 - Launch of the Long-range Automated Communication Relay Orbitor (LACRO), mounting a newly developed Mk V relay antenna.  First of two planned to be inserted into solar orbit between Kerbin & Duna to improve communications throughout the system.  Launch was delayed about 5 minutes due to ongoing operations at Pegasus base, but the launch went smoothly & it departed Kerbin's SoI on 07:092.  Once out of Kerbin space, the massive relay antenna was unfurled.  Planned to circularize in a 28 Gm orbit around Kerbol on 08:082

DSC GiH Peregrin-TX 07:099 - Test launch of a new horizontal lander for low-g bodies.  All systems worked as intended, and it landed successfully near HMB-Mi-1, then hover-taxiied to within walking distance of the base.  There are a few changes to be made - moving the docking port to the roof of the passenger cabin near the center of mass and adding KAS connectors to the fuel tanks - to bring it up to operational status.  Some research was done on an all-monoprop design, but it had substantially less total dV than the mixed LFO/MP version, and the plan was dropped.

DSC GiH Peregrine-Mun 07:143 - Launch of the improved Peregrine lander, replacing the Terrier main engine with a Dart aerospike and the cockpit clamp-o-tron-jr with a cabin mounted clamp-o-tron for more effective docking.  Overall, it was a substantial improvement over the prototype.  One problem noted was the non-gimballing Dart (mountd above the CoM) caused control problems at full power, but limiting thrust to about 80% or less made this manageable.  Another issue was the three pairs of Buffalo landing engines were slightly weak for use on Mun, resulting in a hard but survivable landing.  Adding a fourth pair for Mun or similar gravity bodies is recommended in the future, but the existing design is still manageable with a better approach to landing and utilizing the main engine for longer.

Aircraft: Nothing significant

 

Debris:  

EFS-Eve Transfer Stage - 05:395 - Eve surface

Ongoing Missions:

Spoiler

Chadney Kermin Memorial Station - Uncrewed

Minmus Station - Uncrewed with MFS-1b docked

Buffalo-Minmus Heavy Rover - On standby at HMB-M-1

Lancer-Minmus SBX - Uncrewed

Lancer-Minmus Outpost - Uncrewed

HMB-M-1 - First crew on departed on 07:020.  Currently uncrewed

MiL3-7 - Launched the HMB crew back to Kerbin after roughly 380 days at the base.  The return trip was going smoothly until parachute deployment.  For unknown reasons, the well-tested parachute failed to slow the Pomegranate pod to a safe velocity despite fully deploying according to telemetry.  Phoebe, Johnny & Kathberry Kerman were killed when their pod impacted the highlands west of KSC at nearly 14 m/s on 07:029-0311.  Investigations following the accident quickly revealed unplanned changes to the Reaction Systems Ltd "Corvus" nose cone, which resulted in a smaller than needed parachute.  A redesign of the MiL3 & ML3 series landers has been ordered to correct this problem.

CS-04-05217 - Parked in a 135km equatorial orbit.

SAMI-01 - Attached to YRK-979

MoCS-01 - In polar 100km orbit around Moho

***Operation Morning Star***

Spoiler

SCS-Eve - On 07:055, the crew transfered to SCV-01, along with all snacks & fuel possible and undocked to set up the transfer home.  Once clear, SCS-Eve performed a deorbit burn and shortly therafter broke up in Eve's atmosphere.

EFS-Eve - On standby on Eve's surface.

SCV-01 - Docked with SCS-Eve.  Update 06:384 - With a few months remaining before the return window, it was decided to have the crew fly to Gilly and back to Eve orbit.  Due to limited timing, less than ideal transfers were used, resulting in significant fuel usage and limiting them to a fly-by rather than entering Gilly orbit. <END> Update 07:055 - Undocked and plotted course to Kerbin, transfer on 07:063 went smoothly, followed by Eve SoI departure on 07:066.  Course correction performed on 07:111 and Kerbin arrival expected on 07:201.

 

***Operation Red Dawn***

Spoiler

SST-D-01 - Arrival on 06:245 and entered a 160km holding orbit 06:248

Lancer-Duna Outpost - Landed at Duna

DDL-01 - Landed near Lancer-Duna outpost 06:267 & returned to orbit 06:400.  After transferring crew to Duna Station, the upper stage was undocked & deorbited for disposal.

BDR-01 - Parked at Lancer-Duna outpost

Duna Station - After wrapping up both Duna & Ike surface operations, the entire crew is on board waiting for the transfer home.  Ambera is diligently processing samples from the two landings while the rest of the crew keeps the station running smoothly.  Update 07:075:  Effective this date, Duna Station has been renamed Phoebe Kerman Memorial Station. <END>

DIL-01 - Entered Duna's SoI on 06:253, and reached Ike orbit 06:258. Update 06:411: Jeb, Kelrik & Ambera transferred from the MCV after waiting for the landing zone to come around to daylight, then descended to make the first manned on Ike on 06:412-0141. Jeb made the initial EVA 2 minutes later, becoming the first kerbal to set foot on the moon of another planet.<END> In 30km Ike orbit

BIMM-01 - Landed on Ike

MCV-D-01 - Docked with Duna Station. Update 06:410: Undocked and transferred to Ike, then docked with DIL-01.<END> Update 06:416: After the crew returned from Ike, the MCV returned to Duna orbit & re-docked with Duna Station to wait for the transfer window home. <END>

Duna surface operations:  Update 06:267: Since they arrived just minutes before nightfall, the crew waited out the night in the outpost before heading out after dawn to set up surface experiments.  They will wait another day to ensure the experiments are working, then head north in the rover to investigate an anomaly near the northern end of a large canyon.<END> Update 06:270: Travel to the Cydunia Anomaly was routine, but a late start resulted in sunset occurring before reaching the anomaly.  The crew spent the night in the rover just 14.5km from their destination before continuing after sunrise.  They got their first glimpse of the anomaly after cresting a hill at 04:06 hours, then a closer view 04:10.  Upon arrival, Kelrik launched up to investigate the top and planted a flag for posterity.  The crew will remain through a Duna day examining the anomaly and return to the outpost after sunrise.  While the anomaly is stunning, no obvious clues to its creation are found.  Meanwhile, KSC confirms receipt of the first data packets from the surface experiments on Duna.<END> Update 06:280: After wrapping up at the Cydunia Anomaly, the crew drove to the northern end of the great western canyon to look for evidence of whether Duna once had surface water.  Arrived 06:274, 0452. Gathered initial samples then proceeded to drive the length of the canyon, reaching the southern mouth on 06:276 at 0433.  After spending another night in the canyon, the crew headed west and back to the relative safety of the Lancer, arriving on 06:280, 0022.  They've been given a few days of light duty to stretch out before they will have to investigate another anomaly. <END> Update 06:300:   To reduce the strain on the crew, Kelrik & Ambera were assigned to travel to the next anomaly while Val stayed at the outpost.  Roughly 325km away, it is a much longer trip than the first even without detours.  Departed 06:292-0437 and reached the anomaly on 06:295-0447.  The findings were even more astonishing than Cydunia, but all information was immediately classified at the highest levels.  Night fell just 6.5km from the outpost and approval was given to continue the drive despite the added risk.  Closed out at the outpost 06:299-0327.<END> Update 06:400:  Mission control gave the order to return to orbit, ending Duna surface operations for the mission.  Val brought the crew up to a 70km orbit on 06:400-0101.  Docking with Duna Station occured at 0345, brining the Duna surface expedition to its end.  <END>

Ike surface operations: Update 06:412:  After a brief flag planting ceremony, Kelrik & Ambera set up the surface experiment package for Ike.  Then Jeb & Kelrik went to work on the BIMM.  Jeb suggested that since the DIL thrust to weight ratio was somewhat low for a lander, the two Cub engines from the jammed skycrane would double their TWR, so Kelrik salvaged them before removing the skycrane and setting a demolition charge.  Once that was cleared up, Kelrik EVA'd to another piece of debris from the BIMM landing which turned out to be the 3.75m Corgi engine, which was demolished with a second charge.  At that point, Kelrik headed back to the BIMM to oversee mining & fueling operations.  After several days to fill up the BIMM & lander, then a short wait for daylight, the crew launched to orbit on 06:415, ending Ike surface operations. <END>

 

Spoiler

MoLO-01 - Moho encounter on 07:005, entered a polar Moho orbit. Over the course of 2 days, it gradually lowered its orbit to more easily search for suitable landing zones. Finally landed on 07:009 in the Northern Sinkhole after no other suitable landing sites were found.  A 6.55% ore concentration isn't ideal, but it will work.

"Eva-1" - Eve transfer performed on 07:005, departed Kerbin 07:009 and course correction on 07:117.  Eve arrival expected 07:193

EFS-Mo-01 - Moho encounter on 07:006, and entered polar Moho orbit.  Similar to MoLO-1, gradually reduced its orbit searching for landing zones.  A good concentration (>11%) was found near the equator, and on the next orbit, EFS-Mo-1 landed safely & began mining & ore processing.

MoRo-01 - Moho intercept 07:007, and also entered polar Moho orbit.  Since the polar anomaly is the likely destination of a manned mission, it was decided to land MoRO nearby and search for suitable base locations on the surface. A safe landing was performed in the Northern Sinkhole and the rover deployed successfully.  After searching the nearby area and finding only a 6.6% ore concentration, the rover was sent on to another area.  When control was switched back to the landing cradle, and unexplained explosion tore through the vessel, completely destroying it.  The second crater was slightly lower, at 6.22%, so MoRo was sent back north to a valley close to the north pole anomaly, which proved to be even lower (1.92%).  Finally, MoRo was sent back to the original site in the Northern Sinkhole to wait for a manned mission (and MoLO-1 to land)

MMB-ISRU-E-1 - Eve transfer on 07:012, departed Kerbin 07:016 and course correction on 07:120.  Eve arrival planned on 07:193.

Laythe Ocean Explorer - Entered Jool's SoI on 07:020 and after a small course correction will fly-by Tylo on 07:081.  After a course correction around Tylo, intercepted Laythe on 07:085, followed by an aerobraking pass - during which signal was lost, but it remained stable & reacquired signal after leaving the atmosphere.  It set up a circular orbit at just 56km a few hours later.  Mission control has decided to leave it in orbit until better communications can be assured.  Update 07:121: A 1/2 orbit span was found with excellent communications even with the antennas stowed, so the decision was made to go ahead with entry & landing.  All went well, and the Ocean Explorer splashed down softly in Laythe's Sagan Sea, sending back data on surface and near-surface conditions before going to standby to recharge the batteries.

Eeloo Voyager - Entered Eeloo's SoI on 07:023 and transmitted scientific readings home from orbit around our furthest neighbor - the last "first" for fly-by's and orbits.

Eeloo Landercan - Eeloo intercept on 07:042, entered orbit on 07:046.  Landing in Eeloo's ice canyons shortly thereafter, sending back science from the surface of Kerbin's furthest neighbor.  There were some major concerns during the landing, as signal strength dropped to just 1%, but it never dropped completely, enabling a safe landing.

Vall Lander & Relay Mk 1v - Entered Jool's SoI on 06:418, and a small course correction set it to fly-by Tylo on 07:048.  After minor corrections during the fly-by, a Vall intercept maneuver was set up on  07:062, with arrival on 07:065.  After arriving & establishing a near-polar orbit, the lander was released and made a safe landing in Vall's south polar region.

Bop Lander & Relay Mk 1v - Jool encounter on 07:058, followed by a small course correction for a Tylo fly-by on 07:121.  After the fly-by, it performed a plane change on 07:125 to match planes with Bop & then an intercept maneuver on 07:139, followed by Bop intercept on 07:148.  Established a 20x800 km near-polar orbit then released the lander.  A successful soft landing was performed on the Bop Slopes in the southern hemisphere, sending back reams of scientific data including discovery of an >11% ore concentration.

LSD-01 - Course correction completed on 07:134, Jool arrival expected 10:031

Laythe Large Remote Rover - Jool intercept expected 07:160

TL-15 - Course correction planned for 07:198

Laythe Glide Rover 2 - Course correction planned for 07:230

Pol Lander & Relay Mk 1v - Jool arrival planned for 07:270

JLR-3-3 - Jool intercept expected on 08:210

Barca-Eeloo - Eeloo arrival is expected 11:368

 

Other:   On 07:038, Magas & Catdon Kerman took a Buffalo rover out and placed a memorial at the approximate location of the MiL3-7 disaster.  Unfortunately, complications in the deployment resulted in a damaged memorial.  When time permits, an improved memorial will be placed.

 

Edited June 24, 2020 by Cavscout74

[Cavscout74]

Update 07:250   Don't look back, A new day is breakin'

Manned Launches:  Just 2 manned launches this update, both spaceplanes.

Spoiler

KSC CS-04-05400 07:177 - Wanted to put a crew back on Minmus, a spaceplane launch was authorized to fly to Minmus Station where the crew will meet up with the Peregrin-TX lander for the ride to the surface.  Arrived at Minmus Station on 07:186 and had a formal renaming ceremony to honor fallen kerbonaut Johnny Kerman before transfterring to the Peregrine-TX lander for the trip to HMB-M-1

KSC CS-04-07228 07:228 - Immediately after rollout, the newest Lightning spaceplane was launched to orbit with Mirwise & Nicole for a pair of rescue missions in LKO.  First up was scientist Dorick Kerman's pod.  After recovering him, they boosted back to a higher orbit to set up rendezvous with Thompsted Kerman.  After the second recovery, Mirwise brought them safely back to KSC

 

Unmanned Launches:  7 unmanned launches this update

Spoiler

DSC Grx Mun Transfer Station 07:169 - New design for a minimal space station to facilitate crew transfers, with ample docking ports and a small quarters module.  Launched to a 40km equatorial Mun orbit to handle crew transfers with the Peregrine lander.

KSC Grx Pegasus-Reactor 07:184 - At nearly 1.7 million funds, this is the most expensive launch to date and took over 3 months to build and is primarily a tech demonstration for larger scale bases rather than a needed component for the Pegasus-Mun base.  Launched smoothly into a 125km orbit then transferred to Mun orbit.  Landing & attachment to Pegaus-Mun base were accomplished on 07:186.

DSC Grx Peregrine-Moho 07:203 - An interplanetary-range version of the Peregrine lander.  Launched to LKO to wait for the upcoming Moho transfer window.  Departure planned for 07:283

DSC DG ERV-1 07:210 - Basically a probe with parachutes and a heatshield to allow the crew segment of SCV-Eve-01 to land safely.  Poor launch timing resulted in over a day wait for rendezvous & docking with the SCV.

 

DSC Sar MSV-01 07:242 - Larger & longer ranged version of the Small Supply Transport used for previous manned mission support.  The Moho Supply Vehicle launched from DSC to provide additional fuel & supplies for a manned mission to Moho.  Moho transfer planned for 07:285

KSC Sar EV-101 Avalon 07:242 - A new and more capable design for manned missions to other worlds.  With over 9 km/s dV, mixed solar & nuclear power and an onboard greenhouse with food for years, the EV-100 (Exploration Vehicle) design is the future of manned exploration for the next few years.  The Avalon has been tasked to bring the first crew to Moho.  Tentative departure will be 07:280

KSC DG EVMA-1 07:248 - Moho Adapter for EV-101, docks to the nose docking port and adds four medium thermal control system panels to improve thermal protection on missions to Moho.  After successful launch, docked with the Avalon on 07:249.

 

 

Aircraft: On 07:151-152 conducted a series of test flights of an experimental disc-winged aircraft that went surprisingly well.  The first attempt resulted in a crash due to a low-altitude maneuver without sufficient room for recovery.  Pilot Magas Kerman was shaken but uninjured, while Haigan Kerman performed the subsequent test flights without incident.

Spoiler

Due to predicted increasing demand, additional Lightning II spaceplanes were built & rolled out, CS-04-07210 & CS-04-07228

Debris:  

EFS-Eve Transfer Stage - 05:395 - Eve surface

Ongoing Missions:

Spoiler

Chadney Kermin Memorial Station - Uncrewed

Minmus Station - MFS-1b docked.  With crew arrival on 07:186, renamed Johnny Kermin Memorial Station.  Crew transferred to Peregrine-TX lander immediately after and headed to the surface.

Buffalo-Minmus Heavy Rover - On standby at HMB-M-1

Lancer-Minmus SBX - Uncrewed

Lancer-Minmus Outpost - Uncrewed

HMB-M-1 - First crew on departed on 07:020.  Second crew arrived 07:186

Peregrine-TX - Update 07:183 - launched to orbit & docked with Minmus Station.  Update 07:186: Returned to HMB-M-1 with new crew.

Pegasus-Mun - 2nd crew on duty

UL3-01 - Parked at Pegasus-Mun base.

Peregrine-Mun - Parked at Pegasus-Mun base.

CS-04-05217 - Parked in a 135km equatorial orbit.

SAMI-01 - Attached to YRK-979

EFS-Eve - On standby on Eve's surface.

MoCS-01 - In polar 100km orbit around Moho

MoLO-01 - Landed at Moho Northern Sinkhole

EFS-Mo-01 - Landed near Moho equator.

MoRo-01 - On standby at MoLO-01

Laythe Ocean Explorer - On standby in Laythe's Sagan Sea

***Operation Morning Star***

With the safe return of the crew from Eve orbit, Operation Morning Star is officially concluded

Spoiler

SCV-01 - Docked with SCS-Eve.  Update 06:384 - With a few months remaining before the return window, it was decided to have the crew fly to Gilly and back to Eve orbit.  Due to limited timing, less than ideal transfers were used, resulting in significant fuel usage and limiting them to a fly-by rather than entering Gilly orbit. <END> Update 07:055 - Undocked and plotted course to Kerbin, transfer on 07:063 went smoothly, followed by Eve SoI departure on 07:066.  Course correction performed on 07:111 and Kerbin arrival expected on 07:201.  Update 07:201-0337 - Reentered Kerbin's SoI and plotted the first maneuver to capture into Kerbin orbit, on 07:205.  Subsequent manuevers established an equatorial 125km orbit on 07:207 to await a recovery vehicle. <END>  Update 07:210 - After rendezvous with the recovery module, Barnie detached the crew compartment from the SCV, attached a heat shield & parachutes, then reboarded to allow the crew module to dock with the recovery stage for deorbit.  Meanwhile, the probe core & drive section of the SCV plotted an Mun intercept for disposal. After docking the crew module, a deorbit burn was completed and after a barely controlled reentry, the crew module splashed down safely - the return of the first manned mission to orbit another planet and the official end of Operation Morning Star.  After inspection, the recovered crew module was placed on static display at DSC.

Returning to Kerbin:

Disposal of drive section on Mun

Crew section about to splashdown

Placing static display at DSC:

 

***Operation Red Dawn***

Spoiler

SST-D-01 - In 160km holding orbit around Duna

Lancer-Duna Outpost - On standby on Duna

BDR-01 - On standby at Lancer-Duna outpost

Duna Station - After wrapping up both Duna & Ike surface operations, the entire crew is on board waiting for the transfer home.  Ambera is diligently processing samples from the two landings while the rest of the crew keeps the station running smoothly.  Update 07:075:  Effective this date, Duna Station has been renamed Phoebe Kerman Memorial Station. <END>

DIL-01 - In 30km holding orbit around Ike.

BIMM-01 - On standby on Ike

MCV-D-01 - Docked with Duna Station. Update 06:410: Undocked and transferred to Ike, then docked with DIL-01.<END> Update 06:416: After the crew returned from Ike, the MCV returned to Duna orbit & re-docked with Duna Station to wait for the transfer window home. <END>

"Eva-1" - Entered Eve's SoI on 07:193 and established orbit on 07:198.  Eve entry is on hold, pending alignment of its orbit with EFS-Eve, which only took a few hours.  After a brief deorbit burn, the transfer stage was jettisoned and Eva-1 prepared for entry.  Initial entry was stable and despite a loss of signal, Eva-1 remained in a steady, nose-up attitude.  Despite getting fairly warm, nothing overheated and speed dropped rapidly until signal was reestablished and the craft trimmed for gliding flight.  Despite using most of the onboard fuel, the entry burn was too soon and the final touchdown was over 640km away from EFS-Eve.  Still, the mission was a success in so far as it demonstrated a safe and effective way to deliver a 2-kerbal crew to Eve that allows for limited maneuvering to select a final landing zone.  

Spoiler

MMB-ISRU-E-1 - Eve arrival on 07:193 and entered orbit 07:197.  During Eve entry, it was discovered the team responsible for adding parachutes for a soft landing were off stuffing themselves with snacks and forgot to add the parachutes.  The inflatable heatshield made a reasonably effective parachute, but induced a violent spinning motion around the longitudinal axis.  Landing speed was actually <20 m/s, but the MMB module ended up partially inverted after "landing," without enough reaction wheel strength to right itself.  The decision was made to activate the self-destruct charge (intended for the inflatable heatshield, but still attached to the rover) and attempt a new mission in the future.

Spoiler

Laythe Large Remote Rover - Jool SoI encountered on 07:160 and after a minor course correction had a fly-by of Tylo on 07:200 followed by Laythe encounter on 07:201. After orbital insertion, two aerobraking passes brought the rover down on a large island.  Loss of comms resulted in a multi-hour delay before control was regained and scientific data gathered on both Laythe's dunes & shores, plus scans of a stone and a geyser.

Spoiler

 

TL-1 - Course correction completed on 07:198, Jool intercept expected 09:056

Laythe Glide Rover 2 - Course correction performed on 07:230, Jool arrival expected 09:191

Pol Lander & Relay Mk 1v - Jool arrival planned for 07:270

LACRO-5-1 - Circularization maneuver planned for 08:082

JLR-3-3 - Jool intercept expected on 08:210

LSD-01 - Jool arrival expected 10:031

Barca-Eeloo - Eeloo arrival is expected 11:368

 

Other:  

 

******  Due to losing the memory stick I was storing all this career's info on, I will not be continuing this series.  I've been away from KSP for several months now, but I've been missing it.  If I come back, I will start a new career, possibly in JNSQ if that is still being updated ******

 

Edited January 15, 2021 by Cavscout74