Arro Aerospace: Probe Array Module ("the Probekabob")

[Anton P. Nym]

Another breakthrough by the leading-edge engineers of Arro, the Arro Probe Array Module (nicknamed the "Probekabob") is a cheap & rapid means of delivering a whopping 8 Arro "Popcorn" lander probes to any interplanetary mission craft with available Clampotron docking ports. Just launch with the included heavy lift vehicle, dock the upper stage with your mission craft (up to 150km orbit), undock the upper stage from the array, and take those probes where you need to go!

Array masses 6.85T (147 parts), each probe 0.69T (16 parts)

TO LAND A PROBE:

- right-click a Probobodyne OCTO2 on the array, select "Control from here"

- right-click the stack decoupler mounted on the structural plate under that OCTO2 and select "decouple"

- switch on SAS if it isn't on already

- aim orange dot on parachute toward direction of travel

- stage to fire solid-fuel retrorockets

- probe can tumble on atmospheric entry but is controllable with SAS engaged

- stage when over target to deploy parachute; can switch off SAS to save power

at this point

- after parachute fully opens (2500m AGL on Kerbin) stage at any time to drop chute and fire landing engine; may want to swtich on SAS at this point

- can crash at up to 15m/s and still return data; the engine bell makes for a great one-use-only shock absorber

- will float quite nicely if you jettison the parachute soon enough

Craft file on SkyDrive for download.

-- Steve