How much delta-v is required to go to Duna?

[Mmmmyum]

So deciding that trying to get to Laythe with only 150 hours into this game was a bit too hard for now, I decided to go to Duna instead. I've got a nuclear rocket at a 1500km orbit, and it has 3.2km/s in the tank according to Mechjeb. Should this be enough to get there and circularize (won't aerobrake, had very, very bad experiences with the thin atmostphere), or should I send up another 5km/s of delta-v to dock with the rear of the rocket?

I sent the wrong rocket up by mistake, it has the older and heavier lander, with a bit less delta-v than my more current rocket.

[sjwt]

I think you will find your answer here, and many other answers.. have fun!

http://imgur.com/a/J1z0o

[Francesco]

It's more than enough.

But do you plan to go back to Kerbin after that?

[BlazeFallow]

I just completed the Duna Apollo Style challenge and can confirm that 3.2km/s is MORE than enough Delta V to get you there. As the challenge shows, a nominal transfer will get you to Duna in roughly 75 days. With 3.2kms Delta V you should be able to shorten that time if you're ok with Aerobraking. I found if you're entering at 3300m/s you can safely aerobrake as low as 8500m periapsis. If you are going slower you need to up that to as high as 11000m for about a 1000m/s speed.

[Mmmmyum]

Yes, the pilots of the main craft are going to transfer to the lander, leaving the craft as an orbiter. They will then return to orbit, and return to kerbin, leaving the lander in orbit (after refueling the main craft with what's left of the lander's tanks)

[Mmmmyum]

Ah, that's a bit clearer than one's I've seen. Thanks for that, although I'd rather have way more than enough fuel left over as a safety margin. I'm going to take your "rank" as a Calvin and Hobbes reference?

[sjwt]

Ah, that's a bit clearer than one's I've seen. Thanks for that, although I'd rather have way more than enough fuel left over as a safety margin. I'm going to take your "rank" as a Calvin and Hobbes reference?

American McGees Alice is my favorite use of it =>

But been one of my fav words since like grade 2.

[KvickFlygarn87]

That's more than enough. But aerobraking at about 12km is great to achieve orbit.

[Commander Zoom]

Yeah. Aerobraking at Duna is not that bad, IMO - you just want to be sure to hit somewhere in the middle of the 10-15 km band (might want to quick-save on the way in, and adjust your periapsis to various altitudes until you get one that works for you).