My Duna Project

[Geschosskopf]

One of the good things about sending only a MapSat to a distant planet at the 1st available window is that you have a long time before the next window to figure out what to see and how to do it when you send Kerbals. I'm going to Duna next and have so far gone through 2 completely different concepts. I think I'll go with the 2nd, which involves my 1st-ever multi-part ship assembled in orbit, because I'm tired of thinking about it now .

Never having done this before, I have no idea if it will work. I mean, the ship's all put together ready to go, but will it fall apart when I punch the throttles? Does it really have enough delta-V? I guess Jeb, Bill, Bob, and Phililey will just have to find out the hard way.

The plan is to take a MapSat for Ike and a lander. While the MapSat's doing it's thing, the lander will go down to Duna, using its parachutes, and return. If fuel permits, I'll then reload it and send it to Ike. I plan on leaving it in orbit when the expedition leaves, so another expedition can use it.

Anyway, here's an album showing the original idea I had and then the assembly of the multi-part ship. I'll be adding to is as the mission progresses.

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[Scotius]

Very nice looking ship. If you have doubts about amount of dV, use the same window to send automatic tanker along. Even if you won't have to use it, it can serve as emergency fuel depot for future missions.

[Geschosskopf]

Thanks .

Yeah, I'll probably send the tanker from the original concept just in case.

I'm using the FusTek Common Berthing Module docking ports, which I hear are about the strongest available. Think they'll stand up to aerobraking or should I slow down entirely with the engines?

[Holo]

Thanks .

Yeah, I'll probably send the tanker from the original concept just in case.

I'm using the FusTek Common Berthing Module docking ports, which I hear are about the strongest available. Think they'll stand up to aerobraking or should I slow down entirely with the engines?

I think they'll survive unless you aerobrake directly into a landing.

[Geschosskopf]

I think they'll survive unless you aerobrake directly into a landing.

Thanks, I'll give it a try.

This will be my 1st aerobraking attempt ever so I'd like some advice, please.

1. What's a good altitude for GENTLE aerobraking at Duna? This is my 1st time so I'd prefer to take it cautiously. I'd rather take the time to make several orbits aerobraking a little each time (the return window's a long way off, after all) than try to do it all at once. And I only want to save a reasonable, not a huge, amount of fuel. I THINK the ship's got enough delta-V not to need aerobraking at all, but I do need to practice it. Anyway, after all this is done, I want to orbit at about 50km, which I hear is the best place.

2. What is the "hard deck, do-not-go-lower-than" altitude for aerobraking on Duna?

3. Should I launch the probe to Ike before or after I establish Duna orbit? It's got about 2500 delta-V and isn't coming home. I want to put it in about a 185km polar orbit at Ike.

Thanks.