Comprehensive Minimus Exploration: My First Long Duration Mission

[jedensuscg]

Greetings. I know this might seem like amateur play to most of you, but for me, this was my first comprehensive, multi-part mission to any planet. I also wanted to test out the Infernal Robotics addon which I just got. So this vessels in this mission make use of some of it's features. My tech-level was averaged around 6 in the top half of the tree, and 4/5 in the bottom half.

It is also worth noting I made extensive use of Mechjeb's Maneuver Planner, as I just unlocked it in the tech tree and prefer to hand off the tedious parts of KSP off. Say what you will, but I am not a hardcore rocket scientists, and I am not one to torture myself. Some of you might think it's better to sit there and drag maneuver nodes around for hours until you get one that works, good for you. In real life, EVERY part of a mission is already planned out in advance using sophisticated software and math. I manually flew the launch, and I manually flew every docking procedure, though I used Mechjeb to help with the intercepts from Minimus. I also manually performed every landing onto Minimus.

CRAFT FILE

This is the entire Minimus Explorer including the lander, command orbiter, lift vehicle and micro sats. For it to work you need the below addons, which the exception of FAR and Kerbal Alarm Clock. Also of importance, the 4 liquid booster engines have their throttles set to about 45%, which I had to adjust in flight a bit. However, the solid boosters will provide all the lift needed until they burn out.

Addons used

KW Rocketry

FAR

KAS

Infernal Robotics

Procedural Fairings

Mechjeb

Kerbal Alarm Clock

The Mission Goal

The goal of this mission was to launch from Kerbin, with just enough fuel to achieve LKO and dock with the Alaska Orbital Refuel Station. After on loading extra fuel, a transfer to Minimus will occur. Once in Minimus orbit, several trips to the surface would be completed, returning to the orbiting command ship each time. After completion of at least three landings, transition to polar orbit would be achieved, where a Kethane mapping satellite would then be deployed. After that, a return to a polar LKO to deploy a second Kethane mapping sattelite. A safe landing in the oceans of Kerbin would end the mission.

Mission Assets

Minimus Explorer Command Orbiter

The MECO consisted of a 3 man command pod, science lab, 2 docking ports, and all required fuel for the lander. Also attached were the two Micro Kethane Mapping Sats on telescoping attachment points, as seen on the lower half of the vehicle. The MICO's fuel tanks were mostly empty to lower the TWR on takeoff.

Littlemin Lander

A compact, top mounted lander that takes up very little space during flight, but can be configured for more stability on landing in low gravity environments. The Littlemin consists of a one man pod, two small engines/tank assemblies mounted on pivotal attachment points, a science bay, Goo container and thermometer. Plus enough RCS to allow it to maneuver and land with very little engine input. Seen below is the lander in flight and landing configuration.

Micro Kethane Mapsat

A micro satellite designed solely to map kethane deposits on celestial bodies.

Odyssey III Lift Vehicle

The Odyssey series of lift vehicle are all LLV's (Light Launch Vehicles). Below is the Minimus Explorer sans it's protective fairings attached to the OIII LLV during stability tests.

The Mission

1. Launch Phase

The launch went well. LKO orbit was achieved with great success.

2. Docking Phase

The Minimus Explorer successfully docked with the Alaska Orbital Refuel Station, where it on loaded fuel for both the main tanks and the RCS tanks. After topping off all the tanks, the vessel un-docked and stayed in orbit until it reached in transfer window.

3. Transfer Phase

Again, a perfect transfer from Kerbin to Minimus occurred.

4. Minimus Orbital Phase

The Minimus Explorer achieved a 20km orbit around Minimus, and then decreased that to around 12km.

5. Landing phases - Equatorial

Over the next several hours, three landings were performed with the Littlemin lander. As the Midlands had been previously explored, the team focused on the flats, lesser flats, and the Slopes. After each excursion, the sole Kerbal to touch the surface, Ludory Kermin, would dock with the command orbiter and transfer all science to it. The Science Lab that was brought along was used to reset the science gear after each landing.

6. Polar Phase

After three great landings near the equator, the MECO and attached lander entered a Polar orbit around Minimus. One final landing was made to facilitate science from the Northern Pole of Minimus.

7. Kethane Deployment Phase

After the lander returned, the MECO increased orbit to 25km, where it deployed on of it's two Micro Sats. The missions first problem arose here. It was determined that the design of the Micro Sats did not allow fuel to reach the engine. A major design flaw that was never noticed. However, since the Satellite was in a stable orbit, it was determined that the this phase of the mission was mostly successful, and a good check of the Satellite was performed, pinging a pocket of Kethane on it's first sounding.

8. Return to Kerbin Phase

With fuel dwindling, it was unknown if the MECO could enter a polar orbit around Kerbin in order to deliver the second Micro Sat. Suggestions were thrown out. It might be possible to perform another docking with the Alaska and take on more fuel. However, it quickly became apparent the MECO had just enough fuel to enter a very oblong orbit around Kerbin, and not a suitable orbit to dock with the Alaska. The second Mapsat deployment was scrapped and the satellite considered a loss. Instead, the MECO made a burn that allowed it to used atmo-drag to slowly bring it back to Kerbin. In all it took 4 orbits to burn off the needed speed.

9. Landing Phase

During the final entry into Kerbin Atmo, one final burn was made to slow the MECO's speed to under 2000 m/s, at an altitude of 15km. The Science lab and below was then jettisoned, as it was unknown if the parachute system could handle the load. Kerbal Space Command decided to lose the lab and the Littlemin lander and proceeded with just the 3-man command pod returning safely. All three Kerbals splashed down in the mid-afternoon safely.

10. Recovery

After recovery of the crew, it was determined a decent 2200+ data worth of science was brought home.

Mission Photographic Archive

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The Minimus Explorer takes off from Kerbal Space Command[/td]

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The MECO detaches the remaining parts of the Odyssey III LLV.[/td]

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The MECO docked with the Alaska OrbitRefuel Station[/td]

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The Littlemin detaches in preperation for it's first landing on Minimus[/td]

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The MECO and Lander continue to the next landing area.[/td]

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A Micro Satellite extended from the flight position and ready to be deployed.[/td]

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Entering Kerbin Atmo[/td]

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Returning safely to Kerbin.[/td]

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Edited January 24, 2014 by jedensuscg