To Duna - The story of Project OASIS

[Sir Haxington]

After finding evidence of prior intelligent life on Duna using surface scans and unmanned landers, the KSA decided to fund a full-fledged, manned mission to Duna. The mission required an indefinite visit to an apparent monument on the surface of Duna, with the option to return at any time. Thus, Project OASIS was born.

In order for Kerbals to sustain life around Duna and on the surface indefinitely, an interplanetary supply chain had to be set up and maintained. Also it was determined that a separate lander and rover had too high of an overhead both logistically and on resource load, so it was determined to combine the lander and the rover into a single unit. In addition, a space station would be sent to Duna to sustain the astronauts for the trip over and act as a base of operations around Duna once orbit had been achieved.

With the window to Duna closing and each individual component of OASIS tested, it became time to put it all together in LKO. Like most projects, they all start with unassuming launches and payloads.

Pictured here is about half of project OASIS connected to HAX 1, the space station around Kerbin. At this point, one of the tugs (bottom of HAX 1) and the station dubbed “OASIS Actual†(the commander of the operation lives on-board) with the remainder of its launch vehicle still attached (far right) has made it up.

OASIS Ground, the Camel Mk II, in the VAB. Note the LV-T30s pictured here are for Kerbin testing. Before going to Duna, they get swapped with dual LV-Ns. Also of note is the large heat shield attached to the rear of the vehicle.

Unmanned tests of OASIS Ground around Kerbin. Launch vehicle remnants can be seen burning up during re-entry in the background.

The heat shield holding up to severe re-entry friction.

...and a safe landing. The Camel Mk II uses a unique landing and take-off system which was developed specially for Project OASIS. Parachutes are used to slow the descent, while dual side-mounted thrust vectors point towards the surface and are used to null out any downward velocity. Landing legs are deployed and the vehicle lands upright. The front-most leg is then raised to allow the vehicle to set down "gently," wheels side down.

With final tests all cleared, the Lander and its launch vehicle attach to HAX 1. Extra fuel is transferred to HAX 1 for future missions.

OASIS Actual and Ground are assembled and begin travel into deep space. Two tugs are needed, one side thrusting two LV-Ns, the other side thrusting three, in order to balance out asymmetrical mass distribution during flight.

After a long flight, all five astronauts are ready to explore Duna. Two commanders will stay on board OASIS Actual and rotate shifts. They monitor action on the ground and act as a central hub of communication back to Kerbin. The other three crew members make up OASIS Ground and head into the lander to begin their descent.

OASIS circularizing around Duna. Ike is seen in the distance. Fuel miscalculations means the tugs that will push down OASIS Ground into Duna's atmosphere needs to dip in the emergency fuel reserves on OASIS Actual before decoupling and attempting a landing. Luckily, the fuel reserves were planned for in case such an emergency arose. This is simply a cautionary procedure; fuel is plentiful enough to attempt a landing, but not plentiful enough should an abort situation occur.

The supply chain is set up and in motion. This cheap, modular vessel carries with it enough fuel to resupply OASIS Actual and OASIS Ground if necessary along with four drop pods used to resupply OASIS Ground for months on end with proper rationing of supplies.

One of the tugs is filled to half capacity, docks with OASIS Ground and prepares for descent.

OASIS Ground and tug push up the inclination in order to pass over the landing site.

The tug puts OASIS Ground on a trajectory through Duna's atmosphere before detaching then re-circularizing at a safe altitude. OASIS Ground heads down over the landing site.

Miscalculation of atmospheric density means OASIS Ground is going to miss the landing site by over 100km. Luckily, they can still drive there and explore along en route.

The thin atmosphere and relatively slow orbital velocity means the heat shield was mostly unnecessary but at the very least protected the lander from dust and debris. The shield now detaches as chutes are deployed to slow the descent.

All parachutes deploy normally and the lander begins to burn its way down to soften the descent.

The lander legs were deployed but some last minute horizontal velocity to avoid uneven terrain topples the craft. Luckily, the vehicle lands wheels down. The landing is a nail biter, but OASIS Ground finally earns its name.

Systems diagnostics and testing. In an emergency situation, the mission would be aborted here and they would immediately renascent back to OASIS Actual. However, outside of a damaged wheel (which is quickly repaired), all systems are nominal. The commander gives the "all clear" to continue.

"To Duna" commemorative plaque and flag are planted as Kerbalkind takes its first step on another planet.

A bit hard to read, the lander on the large central crater / volcano in the distance the intended target. In the center is the landing site. There's a lot of ground to cover.

OASIS Ground begins its grand journey across Duna's landscape.

Duna is a large and lonely place yet strangely beautiful and familiar.

Dusk on Duna (side note, I got my new PC after this, screens will look better as of now).

The crew thanks the Kerbal engineers back home for the creation of the Camel Mk II. Travelling at a constant 7-9 m/s over steep and uneven terrain is a comfortable and painless.

Foothills in the distance.

OASIS Ground steadily makes it way to one of the first landers on Duna (Jefferson, the second third and final probe landed from the Lewis and Clark Project). Nearly, there, the ground covered began at the flag on the left.

First visual ground confirmation of the "The Face" is made. The light from Jefferson is seen in the distance, still powered by its solar panels.

Closer approach shows more of the face and the Jefferson's silhouette now stands out.

OASIS Ground set up basecamp here and remains here for the duration of the expedition.

The astronauts leave the lander for the first time since the initial flag plant. Nothing noteworthy is detected, but compasses and some instrumentation stops working when near the monument.

Bob Kerman is given the all clear to use his EVA thrusters to ascent the monument. He notices something... odd.

Bob investigates Jefferson up close. He's noticed something he's keeping a secret for now.

He wants the other three to experience this phenomenon first hand...

... that there appears to be some sort of anti-gravity or levitation field on the surface of the monument. Something that seemed like a glitch on the Jefferson probe (an altitude discrepancy of a few meters) is experienced first-hand by living Kerbals. Whoever used to live here knew a lot more about the Universe and had technology beyond what Kerbalkind has thought possible. KSA will be stunned by the news.

Our three brave adventurers peer our over the landscape, discussing the possibilities of this newly discovered phenomenon.

The science begins. OASIS Ground is going to be here for a long time, especially now that the news has arrived at the KSA of this discovery.

After a few months, the first supply vessel arrives. Here OASIS Resupply is seen areobraking to conserve fuel. A fully automated system, OASIS Resupply was pre-programmed months ago to arrive on a schedule and dock with OASIS Actual.

Automated OASIS Resupply docking. Note both docking system attachments in case of a port malfunction.

OASIS Ground has the capability to call in supplies at their discretion. Here was the first successful drop, only 1 meter off from the predicted landing. Here we see the crew collecting their much needed oxygen, water and food stores, plus a few surprises from home.

Second care package coming in for landing using automated landing systems months later.

Gathering of more supplies. Each lander is hitting right on target.

Number three. As time goes on, the one thing the KSA learns is now how little they really know about the universe. The mystery of The Face eludes them. The longer they stay the less they understand, yet discoveries are being made daily. Returning samples of the monument to Kerbin would lead to potential hyper-advancement of the species.

The final supply canister being opened. In the distance, one of the supply canisters has been taken apart and recycled for various parts.

Eventually, it's time to come home. The mission is a success, but relatively little is learned about the strange properties of monument. This is one of the final shots of the OASIS Ground crew on Duna before heading out to find a good ascent site.

OASIS Ground, leaving the monument and the place they called home for months. Supply canisters are Jefferson and a flag are all that are left for now. OASIS takes with them the knowledge gathered here from various experiments only Kerbals could execute in the flesh. They also take with them plenty of samples collected along their long journey for analysis on OASIS Actual and back on Kerbin.

Finding and appropriately flat ascent site, OASIS Ground initiates the first phase for take-off. A front lander leg is used to push the vehicle up, while the rear legs catch the vehicle from tipping over. A small liquid fuel thruster on the nose helps push the vehicle up slightly and prevent it from pitching forward again.

The third rear leg extends out and down to put the vehicle back into an upright take-off position during phase two.

Phase three includes jettisoning any dead weight and uneven mass distribution, in addition to separating the habitation unit from the capsule and fuel core.

Lift off is cleared! OASIS Actual is about to pass overhead for docking procedures.

Everything is looking okay, ascent is going to plan.

The Face is seen in the distance, scattered debris is barely seen.

Ascent looks good. Gravity turn is initiated. Ike is seen looming over the distant horizon.

OASIS Ground on approach to dock with OASIS Actual.

The OASIS family is re-united once again. Hugs and stories are exchanged. OASIS Ground is re-supplied one last time for the journey home.

OASIS Ground crew returns to Kerbin, a little more cramped then when they arrived. The two remaining crew on OASIS Actual volunteer to remain indefinitely, receiving more supplies on an schedule, with the option to have a return vessel sent at their option.

Kerbin is seen in the distance for the first time in well over a year. Some said they'd never get there. Still others said they'd never return. Either way, the OASIS Crew is eager to return to Kerbin with proof of their journey.

On approach to re-entry to Kerbin. She's big and beautiful. It's nice to see blue and green again.

Hitting the atmosphere at nearly 3000m/s. Communication with KSA is lost during this period.

Landing at night, in the middle of the largest ocean.

Day breaks on Kerbin. OASIS Ground crew awaits pickup and to tell the world of their journey. No doubt they will be heralded as heroes, not only for being the first Kerbals to set foot on another planet and return to tell about it, but for their discovery and research that will catapult Kerbalkind into a bright and wonderful future.

[Mefi282]

This is really nice well planned mission. Witch mods did you use?

[Sir Haxington]

This is really nice well planned mission. Witch mods did you use?

Thanks! A handful of mods for information gathering like ISA MapSat, Protractor and Telemachus. Mechjeb for landing the probes and supplies and so on. Engineer for helping with deltaV predictions. Procedural fairings and the Romfarer camera cause it looks cooler. I try to keep it as stock as possible and play the exciting parts like important landings and docking (oh yeah, I use the docking port alignment mod as well) and let Mechjeb handle tedious things like ascents.