Duna Apollo Style

[capi3101]

That's a relief...my booster was a TSTO onion-stage design. And I'm done at this point; it'd be a drag to have gotten this far along and NOT have earned the fifty points for fulfilling the basic mission requirements.

Posted my screenshots to imgur today - I still need to get the picture descriptions up and the images in the right order; I hope to have a mission debrief ready by tomorrow.

[capi3101]

Alright! Here's my entry!!!

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I claim 267 points. I did not include a fairing and did not return with a polar ice sample, and I did not park a science package in close proximity to an anomaly, so that's -25 points off the 283 maximum. However, I brought three additional rovers for +9 points. I did arrive in Duna orbit in seventy days, but since I did not arrive prior to Day 129, I count no extra points there.

I also realized this morning as I was posting the final shots of my mission that I failed to provide a screenshot establishing that I have two science packages at greater than 1000 meters elevation difference from one another. Now, I did accomplish this goal and I am claiming the points in my score; if y'all will bear with me, I can have a screenshot by 04Z tonight that establishes the final elevation and position of that last science rover.

[Death Engineering]

Thoroughly enjoyed that mission report! Leaderboard updated.

[KevinTMC]

Glad the forums are back up, as I've just about completed my mission for this challenge. And what an great, all-consuming adventure it's been...thanks so much for doing this, Death Engineering.

As I wrap things up, I've got a scoring question related to a small mistake I made. (I'm a scrupulous and rule-oriented sort of person, so I tend to have such questions; sorry if it's a bother.) Here's the situation.

I designed my mission so that the water sample from the pole returns to Kerbin separately from the command module. I had this sample on its way back to Kerbin on a nice trajectory that would result in aerocapture...but then time-accelerated a bit too far, missing the encounter. (I guess I've gotten too used to using Kerbal Alarm Clock, which wasn't there to help me since I'm flying the challenge on a mod-free installation.)

Right before time-warping, I had quicksaved (as I do from time to time in case of game crashes). I reloaded from this quicksave, time-accelerated more carefully, and returned the sample safely to Kerbin. The only part of the mission that was repeated was the time warp (there were no actual flight maneuvers that needed to be redone) and none of this messing about affected any part of the mission beyond the return of the water sample.

So: Am I still entitled to the water sample return bonus? Or must the water sample be considered lost in space due to my fast-forwarding flub?

Oh, and while I'm at it, just to clarify: It's not a problem if one has used mission-planning tools (like alexmoon's Launch Window Planner), or built the craft using VAB aids (like Editor Extensions), so long as the final craft is built from stock parts only, and the mission is flown without the assistance of any mods...correct?

[Death Engineering]

Water sample return bonus: I'm glad someone did this with a robotic probe! Your implementation totally applies - that's what quicksaving is for, IMHO.

As far as mods, the only things that I count as mods are ones which do the flying for you or ones which change the stock parts in the game. So, as far as I can see mission control says "GO!"

[capi3101]

Alright - as promised:

2120 m, I guess - not 2119. Not that a meter makes a difference in this case; the "upwards" rover is at 3135 meters, so that's 1015 meters difference in elevation and enough to claim the fifteen points.

That rounds out my entry.

Edited September 25, 2013 by capi3101

[Guest links123]

It is 2121m and not 2119 or other. It makes a difference however not major difference at situations.

[beelzebub]

My first challenge, after over a year of playing this game... Good challenge, Death Engineering

Mods used - Deadly Re-entry, RemoteTech, Alarm Clock, IonCross, Procedural Farings

I reckon 257 points. That's about 10 points per hour

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Basic mission profile to earn the base of 50 points:

• Non-asparagus, Saturn 5 style launch vehicle: 3 main stages to LKO, no asparagus-style fuel-tank/engine jettisons on ascent to LKO. Solid rocket boosters ARE permitted, as they were being developed for the Space Shuttle, but there is a penalty for making KSC accelerate their development for this mission.
  
• Start with the provided save game persistent file.
  
• Single launch mission. No refueling or constructing the vessel in orbit from multiple lauches.
  
• The Apollo CSM was not capable of doing a 'direct ascent' mission. You must use a separate command module and lander.
  
• Powered descent, parachutes, or a combination will qualify.
  
• All stock flight-parts. No mods which provide improved flight performance or flight assistance (auto-pilot) are allowed.
  
• Return at least one of the Kerbals that started the mission back safely to Kerbin's surface.
  

Addition points for standard mission goals:

• 3-kerbal mission +10
  
• 2-kerbal lander +10
  
• 2-stage lander with separate ascent stage (descent stage stays on Duna) +20
  
• Launch escape system (LES) escape tower +10
  
• Duna lander stored behind the CM during ascent +20
  
• Lander tucked away behind some fairing +5
  
• Perfect landing - no damage to LM +10
  
• Dock with LM's ascent stage prior to leaving Duna's SOI +10
  
• Ascent module de-orbited to burn up in Duna's atmosphere +5
  
• Plant at least one flag +3
  
• Splash-down on Kerbin (water landing) +5
  
• Kerbal fatality -20 each (if any kerbal is left on the Duna surface after the ascent module leaves the surface or the CM leaves Duna orbit, they will die).
  

Flight goals:

• Launch vehicle should avoid using solid-rocket boosters during its ascent. This *does not* include use of Separatrons that are not used for ascent purposes. If you use a SRB for ascent -10
  
• Complete the mission with only chemical rockets (no nukes). The KSC already has a crate of chemical rockets on hand and you get a bonus for not having to accelerate development on the nuclear engine +15
  
• Aerobrake around Duna to achieve orbit +10
  
• Less than 75 days from game start to Duna orbit? Launching when the game saves starts and performing a standard orbital transfer gets you into a Duna orbit 75 days from when the provided save game starts, day 129 in the game. Find a faster way to get into a Duna orbit using another transfer faster and earn +1 point for every day less than 75 days it takes to get to Duna orbit, from the starting point of day 54, where the provided save game starts (calculated by 129 - day when Duna orbit is reached).
  
• Water sample return bonus! Land on either polar icecap AND return a sample to Kerbin (either as part of the kerballed lander or a robotic lander) +10
  

Rover:

• At least one rover on board +5
  
• Rovers can seat at least one Kerbal +5
  
• Additional rovers +3 each
  
• Distance (score for one only and counts only for a kerballed rover)
  
• Drive beyond 100 meters of the lander +2
  
• Drive beyond 2.5 km of the lander +5
  
• Drive beyond 5km of the lander +10
  
• Drive beyond 10km of the lander +15
  

Orbital Science goals:

• Deploy orbiting satellite around Duna +5
  
• Deploy orbiting satellite around Ike +10
  

Duna surface science goals. Each science package must be a powered probecore with at least one scientific instrument:

• Deploy one science package at landing site (on the LM itself counts, if that part of the LM stays on Duna's surface and remains powered) +5
  
• Deploy a science package at least 2.5km from the landing site +10 (score first one only)
  
• Deploy a science package at least 1000m +/- different alititude from LM or any other science package +15 (score first one only)
  
• Deploy a science package adjacent (within 100m) to any anomoly +10 (score first one only)
  
• Deploy a science package at least 10km from the landing site +10 (score first one only)
  

Edited September 26, 2013 by beelzebub
imgur tags

[KevinTMC]

Presenting Apollo K-Extended, a continuation of the Apollo K project which I had undertaken for the "Doing it Apollo style" challenge.

In the spirit of this new challenge, I adapted my previous Apollo K design to create the Apollo K-X, reusing large chunks of the original spacecraft, and avoiding unnecessary changes. The bottom two stages, in fact, are completely unchanged from the last Apollo K Mun mission. Here's what has changed:

* A new third stage has been added. (More delta-v was needed of course, but the craft now also adheres more closely to the requested mission profile for this challenge, and to the real-world Apollo design: unlike the earlier Apollo K missions, Apollo K-X is three stages to orbit.)

* In the payload, the single, engineless Apollo K subsatellite has become a pair of subsatellites powered by LV-1s, and they are mounted on the Command Module instead of below the Munar (now Dunar) Module.

* To better accommodate the subsatellites, the Command Module's monopropellant tanks have been tucked inside the Advanced SAS module; also, a pair of FL-T100 fuel tanks have been slipped inside the decoupler, to provide additional delta-v for interplanetary return. (It does not require part clipping or any other sort of sorcery to place things inside SAS and decoupler rings in the VAB...just a careful and patient hand.)

* The Apollo K rover has been radically redesigned for greater stability...and also for better durability on those occasions when stability fails. A pair of them are packed for the journey instead of just one; and they do not remain mounted below the Dunar Module for landing, as the single rover did before, but are instead remounted radially in-flight.

* The change in rover mounting led to the bottom of the Dunar Module being rebuilt, and to the shifting of some side-attached parts to accommodate new docking ports; but the biggest change to the lander is the addition of parachutes. Lots of parachutes. (And with them, more weight...so the central ascent engine has been changed from a 48-7S to an LV-909.)

* A new module, the polar probe, has been built from scratch. It is designed to separate from the main mission upon entering Duna SOI, collect a sample from the icecap, and then return to Kerbin independently.

* Finally, most of the structural panels in the fairing have been replaced with wing connectors, to help compensate for the heavier payload. (I think this also brought the part count down slightly...and every little bit helps, as the twin rovers add up to a lot of parts.)

Construction and testing took place in my main installation of KSP 0.21.1, where I've installed various mods--but no modded parts were used on the final craft, nor were mods used to build anything that couldn't also be built in an unmodded game (if a bit more laboriously), nor was part clipping turned on.

Space programs interested in examining the Apollo K-X more closely, and perhaps taking it for a spin themselves, can find the craft file here.

For flying the mission I used a new, unmodded installation of KSP 0.21.1, into which the required save file and my completed craft were copied. (Was the save file supposed to be cued up at the beginning of Day 54? When I started it up, after the game had converted it to 0.21 format, the Tracking Center clock was just minutes from the end of Day 54.) There was one reload from a quicksave, as described a few posts earlier in this thread; no actual flight maneuvers were ever repeated, however, nor were the debug console or debug/cheat menu opened at any point.

I've assembled the mission report into two annotated Imgur albums. (Hadn't tried using Imgur before, but it seemed worth a go, since it's how all the cool kids share their challenge screenshots around here. Unless they're über-cool kids, like Tigrou with the really spiffy video reports over on the original "Doing it Apollo style" thread...do check those out if you haven't seen them yet.)

PART I:

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PART II:

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This mission achieved all goals set for the challenge (unless I've overlooked something, but I don't think I have), earning the theoretical maximum of 283 points, plus 3 points for a second rover, plus 34 points for arrival on Day 95...for a grand total of 320 points.

Many thanks to Death Engineering for this wonderful challenge--I've had ever so much fun, and there's a real sense of achievement in completing a challenge like this too. (Thanks once again to Xeldrak as well, for creating the original challenge that led to this one.)

And now I think I'm going to take a break from playing until 0.22 comes out. Whew.

Edited September 27, 2013 by KevinTMC
I am a compulsive post-editor.

[Death Engineering]

I reckon 257 points. That's about 10 points per hour

Very ambitious entry! Rover on Ike is a great added detail, too.

This mission achieved all goals set for the challenge (unless I've overlooked something, but I don't think I have), earning the theoretical maximum of 283 points, plus 3 points for a second rover, plus 34 points for arrival on Day 95...for a grand total of 320 points.

New high score!

Two new entries to the leaderboard and more examples of creative hardware design and entertaining mission reports.

[BlazeFallow]

I've been playing this game for a few months now, and only recently discovered the forums and these Challenges.

This will be the first challenge I will attempt, and I have been working at it for several days now. Right now my craft is in preliminary testing stages to ensure the feasibility of my concept craft with a Mun landing. I hope to have a full mission report for a Duna mission in the coming days once I get my ship completed

Hopefully my "Erisian Dream" will launch without flaw:)

[Chacabuco]

I'm kind of new so if I messed something up, please don't hesitate to correct me. I won't get offended.

Here's my entry:

Cakulha I: Calculated total points of 321

Basic mission profile to earn the base of 50 points: 50

Non-asparagus, Saturn 5 style launch vehicle: 3 main stages to LKO, no asparagus-style fuel-tank/engine jettisons on ascent to LKO. Solid rocket boosters ARE permitted, as they were being developed for the Space Shuttle, but there is a penalty for making KSC accelerate their development for this mission.

Start with the provided save game persistent file.

Single launch mission. No refueling or constructing the vessel in orbit from multiple lauches.

The Apollo CSM was not capable of doing a 'direct ascent' mission. You must use a separate command module and lander.

Powered descent, parachutes, or a combination will qualify.

All stock flight-parts. No mods which provide improved flight performance or flight assistance (auto-pilot) are allowed.

Return at least one of the Kerbals that started the mission back safely to Kerbin's surface.

Addition points for standard mission goals: 108

3-kerbal mission +10

2-kerbal lander +10

2-stage lander with separate ascent stage (descent stage stays on Duna) +20

Launch escape system (LES) escape tower +10

Duna lander stored behind the CM during ascent +20

Lander tucked away behind some fairing +5

Perfect landing - no damage to LM +10

Dock with LM's ascent stage prior to leaving Duna's SOI +10

Ascent module de-orbited to burn up in Duna's atmosphere +5

Plant at least one flag +3

Splash-down on Kerbin (water landing) +5

Kerbal fatality -20 each (if any kerbal is left on the Duna surface after the ascent module leaves the surface or the CM leaves Duna orbit, they will die). -0

Flight goals: 70

Launch vehicle should avoid using solid-rocket boosters during its ascent. This *does not* include use of Separatrons that are not used for ascent purposes. If you use a SRB for ascent -10

Complete the mission with only chemical rockets (no nukes). The KSC already has a crate of chemical rockets on hand and you get a bonus for not having to accelerate development on the nuclear engine +15

Aerobrake around Duna to achieve orbit +10

Less than 75 days from game start to Duna orbit? Launching when the game saves starts and performing a standard orbital transfer gets you into a Duna orbit 75 days from when the provided save game starts, day 129 in the game. Find a faster way to get into a Duna orbit using another transfer faster and earn +1 point for every day less than 75 days it takes to get to Duna orbit, from the starting point of day 54, where the provided save game starts (calculated by 129 - day when Duna orbit is reached).

I was in a stable, low-eccentric orbit around Duna on day 94 +35

Water sample return bonus! Land on either polar icecap AND return a sample to Kerbin (either as part of the kerballed lander or a robotic lander) +10

Rover: 28

At least one rover on board +5

Rovers can seat at least one Kerbal +5

Additional rovers +3 each

Two rovers total +3

Distance (score for one only and counts only for a kerballed rover)

Drive beyond 100 meters of the lander +2

Drive beyond 2.5 km of the lander +5

Drive beyond 5km of the lander +10

Drive beyond 10km of the lander +15

Orbital Science goals: 65

Deploy orbiting satellite around Duna +5

Deploy orbiting satellite around Ike +10

Duna surface science goals. Each science package must be a powered probecore with at least one scientific instrument.

Deploy one science package at landing site (on the LM itself counts, if that part of the LM stays on Duna's surface and remains powered) +5

Deploy a science package at least 2.5km from the landing site +10 (score first one only)

Deploy a science package at least 1000m +/- different alititude from LM or any other science package +15 (score first one only)

Deploy a science package adjacent (within 100m) to any anomoly +10 (score first one only)

Deploy a science package at least 10km from the landing site +10 (score first one only)

Mission Portfolio:

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In case IMGUR embed is not working

Designs

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Edited October 6, 2013 by Chacabuco

[Death Engineering]

Cakulha I: Calculated total points of 321

That was quite a first post! Rugged looking hardware and definitlely earned every possible point for mission execution. Well done!

[WafflesToo]

Alright, the boys are on their way.

Haven't finished the mission yet, but I'll get some screencaps compiled once it's all done.

[Patupi]

And I did it... wait, did I not say I was doing this challenge? Oops!

Anyway, here's a link to my AAR for this challenge Duna Apollo Style AAR and for those that don't want to go over that enormous string of pix here is the results: (I messed up on two points. Forgot to add science instruments on two of the rovers and forgot to leave the descent stage on Duna. Used it's minimal fuel to aid ascent... and it wasn't really needed! *sigh*)

Final result:

Basic mission profile to earn the base of 50 points:

Non-asparagus, Saturn 5 style launch vehicle: 3 main stages to LKO, no asparagus-style fuel-tank/engine jettisons on ascent to LKO.

Solid rocket boosters ARE permitted, as they were being developed for the Space Shuttle, but there is a penalty for making KSC accelerate their development for this mission.

Start with the provided save game persistent file.

Single launch mission. No refueling or constructing the vessel in orbit from multiple launches.

The Apollo CSM was not capable of doing a 'direct ascent' mission. You must use a separate command module and lander.

Powered descent, parachutes, or a combination will qualify.

All stock flight-parts. No mods which provide improved flight performance or flight assistance (auto-pilot) are allowed.

Return at least one of the Kerbals that started the mission back safely to Kerbin's surface.

Addition points for standard mission goals:

3-kerbal mission +10

2-kerbal lander +10

2-stage lander with separate ascent stage (descent stage stays on Duna) +0 (DOH! Everything except the descent stage stays behind!)

Launch escape system (LES) escape tower +10

Duna lander stored behind the CM during ascent +20

Lander tucked away behind some fairing +5

Perfect landing - no damage to LM +10

Dock with LM's ascent stage prior to leaving Duna's SOI +10

Ascent module de-orbited to burn up in Duna's atmosphere +5

Plant at least one flag +3

Splash-down on Kerbin (water landing) +5

Kerbal fatality -20 each (if any kerbal is left on the Duna surface after the ascent module leaves the surface or the CM leaves Duna orbit, they will die). -0

Flight goals:

Launch vehicle should avoid using solid-rocket boosters during its ascent. This *does not* include use of Separatrons that are not used for ascent purposes. If you use a SRB for ascent -10 -0 (separatrons used only in launch escape system)

Complete the mission with only chemical rockets (no nukes). The KSC already has a crate of chemical rockets on hand and you get a bonus for not having to accelerate development on the nuclear engine +15

Aerobrake around Duna to achieve orbit +10

Less than 75 days from game start to Duna orbit? Launching when the game saves starts and performing a standard orbital transfer gets you into a Duna orbit 75 days from when the provided save game starts, day 129 in the game. Find a faster way to get into a Duna orbit using another transfer faster and earn +1 point for every day less than 75 days it takes to get to Duna orbit, from the starting point of day 54, where the provided save game starts (calculated by 129 - day when Duna orbit is reached). +21

Water sample return bonus! Land on either polar icecap AND return a sample to Kerbin (either as part of the kerballed lander or a robotic lander) +10

Rover:

At least one rover on board +5

Rovers can seat at least one Kerbal +5

Additional rovers +3 each +15

Distance (score for one only and counts only for a kerballed rover)

Drive beyond 100 meters of the lander

Drive beyond 2.5 km of the lander

Drive beyond 5km of the lander

Drive beyond 10km of the lander +15

Orbital Science goals:

Deploy orbiting satellite around Duna +5

Deploy orbiting satellite around Ike +10

Duna surface science goals.

Each science package must be a powered probecore with at least one scientific instrument.

Deploy one science package at landing site (on the LM itself counts, if that part of the LM stays on Duna's surface and remains powered) +0 (Doh again!)

Deploy a science package at least 2.5km from the landing site +10 (score first one only)

Deploy a science package at least 1000m +/- different alititude from LM or any other science package +15 (score first one only)

Deploy a science package adjacent (within 100m) to any anomoly +10 (score first one only)

Deploy a science package at least 10km from the landing site +10 (score first one only)

Total score: 294 (would have been 319 if it weren't for those darned kids... I mean if I hadn't messed up Twice! )

[Death Engineering]

Total score: 294 (would have been 319 if it weren't for those darned kids... I mean if I hadn't messed up Twice! )

Massive effort! Creative use of the Cupola, too. I need to find more uses for that part. Thanks for playing!

[Patupi]

You're welcome. I just wanted a unique look and it was either that or stick that little stubby 1 man lander on top of the 2 man lander. That just looked ugly. This way Bill at least got a view of the splashdown from underwater

Also, I failed to mention that the E K Bod launcher was pretty much the largest thing I've ever launched. Nearly 900 parts but at least had about 3 frames a second. I think because a lot of those parts were struts!

(actually, looking back, I think I got Bill and Bob mixed up in the mission report. I'm pretty sure it's Bob who stayed in orbit and Bill who landed on Duna)

PS are there any other anomalies that are currently visible on Duna? I've heard the Face is buried and there was some kind of camera that isn't there any more. Is that it?

Edited October 10, 2013 by Patupi

[The Destroyer]

-snip-

This is what inspires me to play KSP, thank you

[KevinTMC]

So many inventive ways to accomplish this mission! I love Chacabuco's rover with the enclosed cabin (it never remotely entered my mind to build one that way...will have to give it a try now), and big imaginary bonus points for making a heatshield. And the picture showing all of Patupi's rovers was really something ("yo dawg, I heard you like rovers, so I put a rover in your rover..."); it looks like Duna is about to be taken over by an infestation of mini-rovers.

A good challenge, inspiring creative and diverse solutions...this is KSP at its best.

[Death Engineering]

So many inventive ways to accomplish this mission! I love Chacabuco's rover with the enclosed cabin (it never remotely entered my mind to build one that way...will have to give it a try now), and big imaginary bonus points for making a heatshield. And the picture showing all of Patupi's rovers was really something ("yo dawg, I heard you like rovers, so I put a rover in your rover..."); it looks like Duna is about to be taken over by an infestation of mini-rovers.

A good challenge, inspiring creative and diverse solutions...this is KSP at its best.

Indeed, I am frequently humbled but also inspired by the creative ways people find to do things. Seeing what other people can build is what keeps me making challenges.

[BlazeFallow]

Erisian Dream has flown! And beautifully I might add. I just have to fly the return mission tonight and I'll have the full report up soon thereafter.

Death man... this was one hell of a challenging mission, but it has also successfully got me HOOKED on this game. Before attempting this mission I hadn't even landed on the Mun, and then I find myself building a 900+ ton ship for interplanetary travel. Can't wait to share my experience with you all.

[Death Engineering]

Before attempting this mission I hadn't even landed on the Mun, and then I find myself building a 900+ ton ship for interplanetary travel. Can't wait to share my experience with you all.

It is a big effort just to do the basics of the mission. And you hadn't done a Mun landing when you started? Krazy! Looking forward to your report.

[BlazeFallow]

As promised here is my full mission report. This mission was so much fun!

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Basic mission profile: 50 points

Standard Mission Goals: 108 points

3-kerbal mission +10

2-kerbal lander +10

2-stage lander with separate ascent stage (descent stage stays on Duna) +20

Launch escape system (LES) escape tower +10

Duna lander stored behind the CM during ascent +20

Lander tucked away behind some fairing +5

Perfect landing - no damage to LM +10

Dock with LM's ascent stage prior to leaving Duna's SOI +10

Ascent module de-orbited to burn up in Duna's atmosphere +5

Plant at least one flag +3

Splash-down on Kerbin (water landing) +5

Kerbal fatality -20 each (if any kerbal is left on the Duna surface after the ascent module leaves the surface or the CM leaves Duna orbit, they will die). No fatalities!

Flight goals: 72 points

Launch vehicle should avoid using solid-rocket boosters during its ascent. This *does not* include use of Separatrons that are not used for ascent purposes. If you use a SRB for ascent -10 No SRB's

Complete the mission with only chemical rockets (no nukes). The KSC already has a crate of chemical rockets on hand and you get a bonus for not having to accelerate development on the nuclear engine +15 No NERVAs

Aerobrake around Duna to achieve orbit +10

Less than 75 days from game start to Duna orbit? Launching when the game saves starts and performing a standard orbital transfer gets you into a Duna orbit 75 days from when the provided save game starts, day 129 in the game. Find a faster way to get into a Duna orbit using another transfer faster and earn +1 point for every day less than 75 days it takes to get to Duna orbit, from the starting point of day 54, where the provided save game starts (calculated by 129 - day when Duna orbit is reached). Arrived at Duna on Day 92 = 37 points.

Water sample return bonus! Land on either polar icecap AND return a sample to Kerbin (either as part of the kerballed lander or a robotic lander) +10

Rover: 34 Points

At least one rover on board +5

Rovers can seat at least one Kerbal +5

Additional rovers +3 each : 3 extra rovers = +9

Distance: Drive beyond 10km of the lander +15

Orbital Science goals: 65 Points

Deploy orbiting satellite around Duna +5

Deploy orbiting satellite around Ike +10

Duna surface science goals. Each science package must be a powered probecore with at least one scientific instrument.

Deploy one science package at landing site (on the LM itself counts, if that part of the LM stays on Duna's surface and remains powered) +5

Deploy a science package at least 2.5km from the landing site +10 (score first one only)

Deploy a science package at least 1000m +/- different alititude from LM or any other science package +15 (score first one only)

Deploy a science package adjacent (within 100m) to any anomoly +10 (score first one only)

Deploy a science package at least 10km from the landing site +10 (score first one only)

Total Score: 329 Points!

Edited October 16, 2013 by BlazeFallow

[BlazeFallow]

As I mentioned a few times in my report, I went through SEVERAL stages when designing this thing. 4 or 5 different rovers, 2 or 3 different satelites, 2 VERY different lander/return modules, and about a dozen different Atlas V approaches.

I had never built anything as large or ambitous as this rocket, and had never built an Atlas V like rocket before (I like Asparagus too much)

If you'd like, I could also get an album of a few of those preliminary designs so you can see further into my R&D process.

[Death Engineering]

As I mentioned a few times in my report, I went through SEVERAL stages when designing this thing. 4 or 5 different rovers, 2 or 3 different satelites, 2 VERY different lander/return modules, and about a dozen different Atlas V approaches.

I had never built anything as large or ambitous as this rocket, and had never built an Atlas V like rocket before (I like Asparagus too much)

If you'd like, I could also get an album of a few of those preliminary designs so you can see further into my R&D process.

Massive score! Massive rocket! Definitely a lot of "mission" packed into that one launch. Great photography, too. And you even got aero-effects cutting through Duna's wispy-thin atmosphere - very cool.

I just recently noticed the huge mass savings to be had with dual single-crew lander pods over the two/three crew pods. I am working on one as well, sandwiching them together between structural adapters.

Blazing to the top of the leaderboard, BlazeFallow with 329 Points! Going to be a tough score to beat, I think.