[KBC News 24] Mission Failure: Duna Explorer

[RedDwarfIV]

Several years ago, Veto Aerospace turned its focus to Kerbin's near neighbour - Duna. Whilst VA had been and still are attempting a mission to Moho, that project was fraught with difficulties, from ship design to ÃŽâ€V capacity to docking system failures. It had been hoped that the manned lander/return vehicle would successfully begin scientific experiments on the surface before heading back for Kerbin. However, VA's extroadinary lack of preparation for the mission, for instance the lack of any probes or orbiters preceeding the Duna Explorer only serves to highlight how disastrously wrong their predictions for the atmospheric density of the fourth planet were.

These images were taken via internal cameras, RCS camera drones and cameras fitted to the parachutes - the equipment most likely to survive in the event of integrity failure.

Duna capture.

Duna rise over Ike. Flyby unintentional, but not unappreciated.

Circular orbit. Transfer stage not depleted, will remain in orbit.

Kerbolrise over Duna, Ike also in window.

Lander/return stage detached, and initiating deorbit burn.

Descent.

Waiting for parachutes. Bad idea. Some conception of the problem dawns on crew.

Parachutes deploy. Full decelleration burn.

Parachute full opening results in structural failure. Coming in way too hot.

Transmission fails here.

Switch to paracam #1.

A beautiful sight.

operator]Damn shame they never got to see it.

Three parachutes and their SAS units mark the grave site of each of those brave Kerbals.

]May the transfer stage stand sentry over them for eternity, and may it be as mysterious to generations of the future as the [bLEEP] bleeping hill. Requiescat in pace, brave comrades.

The three Kerbonauts have been named as Joemon, Dezson and Gregsey.