My 2nd science/personnel return two part lander -OR- A cupola good ideas in a lander

[nadreck]

My first of these featured a Mk1-2 Command module with RCS, science parts, and chutes as the return module and a NERVA based reusable service module. The service module was abandoned in free Kerbal orbit in the return from EVE as the return module needed every bit of RCS to make for Kerbin.

The second uses an inverted cupola module in the same spot. There are 4 atmosphere probes attached as well, each capable of landing on worlds with atmosphere and providing science readings. I have redesigned the probes and will be sending 2 to replace the ones I used on DUNA with ones with more delta-V and parachutes with the idea in mind of bringing some of them from hypersonic atmosphere analysis back to the service module.

NOTE using inverted command pods means that before launch and after each IVA or return from any other ships/EVA POV you need to change control back to a docking port facing the correct direction for NAV ball markers to behave correctly.

View of the good ship "A cupola good ideas in a lander" from Ike

It is now waiting in orbit along for a trip to the Joolian SOI with a chemical rocket lander carrying Jeb(for Laythe since NERVA is not effective on high gravity and especially high gravity + atmosphere bodies), a fuel module with a lander can that docks at the top on the clamp-o-tron Sr carrying Bill, and a new science return core carrying Bob. A few fueling runs to top up all the tanks and they will be off.