I'm stuck on duna with 8 kerbals, my rocket is tipped over, I have 566 m/s in delta-v, what do I do?

[skrpt kddz]

I'm just using a parts mod, but nothing that actually changes anything gameplay-wise. I aerobraked in to conserve fuel because I thought I wouldnt have much left, but I used too much on landing, I'm also tipped over, so I might use alot of delta-v trying to orient myself. Should I just send a rescue mission? https://imgur.com/a/4KEnYYO

[peteletroll]

Welcome to the forum, @skrpt kddzkddz!

You don't have enough delta v to go back to orbit. You'll need a rescue mission... Don't worry, rescue missions are fun and very rewarding!

[Spaceman.Spiff]

Not sure what the impact tolerance is, or how much dv you have, so it depends. It looks like you are on a slight incline, so depending on the durability of that starship, you may be able to "plane" it, and use the upwards angle of the slope to get you off the ground. You will probably need about 1600 m/s with efficiency losses.

[skrpt kddz]

Alright, thanks for advising me on my situation, I'll be sending a rescue mission at the next launch window, thanks!

[paul_c]

1600m/s is about right. Duna is a bit funny - its kinda intermediate between an atmospheric entry (float down at slow speed on a parachute) and vacuum (rocket retrofiring to control/fly). I've found "terminal speed" is about 40 m/s on chutes, which is way too much for most parts to cope with, so I've always aimed at a retro burn once near the surface. And its always sloped...or there's not much control for choosing. So I've tended to go for wider landers.

If you stick a bunch of engines around the edge, then its possible to deactivate/activate some and that can sometimes get it back to vertical - but its dicey!

[jimmymcgoochie]

If you just want to get the Kerbals back home then send another mission- you’ll need an interplanetary propulsion system that stays in orbit the whole time and two landers to get down onto Duna and then back up again with the 8 Kerbals (I say take two in case you land in the wrong place or crash). Fly out to Duna at the next transfer window, park the propulsion bit in a low Duna orbit then send a lander down to land near the stranded Kerbals, insert Kerbals into lander, return to orbit, dock with transfer stage, fly back to Kerbin at the next available transfer window, then send up a craft to bring the Kerbals down from Kerbin orbit. It’s more practical to build a high efficiency interplanetary stage/ship and short range landers than it is to make the landers able to go down to Duna’s surface then all the at back to Kerbin.

If you need to get the ship back to Kerbin, you’ll need to do some considerable surgery to get it pointing the right way (roll it around until it’s pointing up the hill then use some Vernor thrusters and/or big reaction wheels to get it vertical again) then fuel it up before flying back into Duna orbit and from there back to Kerbin.