Baby Steps to the Moon! An Apollo(ish) video series in the Real Solar System

[jamis]

One thing many KSP'ers attempt, at one point or another, is an Apollo-inspired visit to the Mun. Most often, such attempts follow the blueprint of Apollo 11, and no wonder--it was a wonderfully dramatic moment that captured the imagination of the whole world.

But I got to wondering--what happened in the other Apollo missions? What was the lead-up to that footprint on the surface of the moon?

And so I introduce to you, my video series following the Apollo program from (near) its beginnings. (I'm starting with Apollo 4, but may go back and retroactively try some of the earlier missions, too.) My goal is NOT to reenact the Apollo missions. Rather, I'm using the Apollo missions as inspiration for how to execute my own manned moon landings.

The currently available videos are:

• , which was the first full-stack test of the launch vehicle, and the command and service modules.
  
• , which tested the lunar module in space (low Earth orbit) for the first time
  
• Apollo 6, testing the translunar capabilities of the S-IVB, as well as retesting reentry capability of the command module.
  
• , first manned mission of the Apollo program (low Earth orbit)
  

The most recent video is the Apollo 7 mission:

Enjoy!

Edited March 23, 2014 by jamis
Added video for Apollo 7

[NathanKell]

I'm greatly enjoying this series! Interesting you went with a cluster rather than a single larger LMDE.

[jamis]

Thanks, @NathanKell!

I originally looked for a single descent engine, but I couldn't find one that fit what I was looking for. (Probably a limitation of the mods I'm using, but I don't know that I could afford to add even one more part-heavy mod at this point...) For descent, it needed to be throttlable and pressure-fed, and I didn't want it too powerful, either. In the end, a cluster of those smaller engines got me just about what I needed. (I considered copying a part and tweaking it's config to be what I wanted, but I'll admit I was a bit intimidated by trying to figure out the RealFuel settings it would need...)

A nice side-effect of putting the engines in a circle around the perimeter of the base of the ship is that I now have a great surface to attach the decoupler to. Instead of trying to attach a small decoupler to a central engine, and then strutting to stabilize the load, I can attach the decoupler directly to the base of the ship, allowing me to use a larger (and more sturdy) connection. I, um, totally planned it that way.

[jamis]

I just added the video for Apollo 6 to the OP. Apollo 6 tested (or rather, was supposed to test) the translunar capabilities of the S-IVB stage, as well as to repeat the reentry test of the command module. The real Apollo 6 didn't go so well...I think my version faired a bit better.

[jamis]

Apollo 7 has been added to the line-up, the first manned mission of the Apollo program. The original crew spent 11 days in orbit and tested orbital maneuvers--I spent considerably less time, but I still try to accomplish some of the same mission objectives as Apollo 7. Have a watch, and let me know what you think!