My first manned expedition to Duna now

[nithelyth]

Hello, i'm playing ksp for approx. 3 weeks now (career mode only), and yesterday i started the preparations for my first manned flight to Duna.

I've already sent a probe and rover there for reconnaissance (and to get science points to research some needed parts). Till now i've visited mun and minimun (manned with return of course) and sent probes to eve and duna.

Yesterday i've started to design a Duna-Lander which is hopefully capable to ascend from duna's surface and return safely to earth.. uhm.. kerbin. My goal is it so send 3 men.. uhm.. kerbals there and a safe return. Ojectives are to bring some surface samples and measurements results back home. And of course to experience adventure and expand the horizon for kerbalkind (and wasting some tax money...)

The Lander has just the most neccessary equipment and only two scientific devices, thermometer and barometer, and it has 7 parachutes or so which will hopefully slow the vehicle down enough during descend. It is planned to jettison the outer tanks during re-ascend from duna's surface if necessary:

I've made quiete extensive tests today with the new Lander of course:

Assembled in orbit, so far it has 3 stages, but the last tank is empty now, since i pumped it into the other tanks.. i guess 1 oder 2 more deliveries and it is ready to go for mars.. uhm.. duna..

wish me luck! i'm very excited!!

Edited March 19, 2014 by nithelyth

[Ravenchant]

Yum, pancakes

Seriously though, good luck! It looks more than good enough to finish the job. One question: where is the central lander's engine? I can't seem to spot it- clipped? Also, you may have to do some propulsive braking before the chutes open on Duna, because there aren't any on the tanks...the shock could break them off.

[Scotius]

Also Poodles are bit heavy for such task. Try with three or four LV-909 - i'm sure you will get better Isp with still acceptable TWR.

[nithelyth]

where is the central lander's engine?

there is no engine in the middle part, just 4 poodle engines beneath the outer tanks : )

...propulsive braking before the chutes open on Duna, because there aren't any on the tanks...the shock could break them off.

Yes, i've seen it in a video that chutes can break a vehicle apart(i also experienced it once at kerbin). I've made it so that i will release the parachutes in a distinct pattern, the big one (i think mk 40 oder so) on the top at first, to slow it down enough, the others cross-wise. And of course i will do additional propulsion breaking.

@scotius: i'm afraid its too late now; its already in orbit midst in assembling phase. : )

Edited March 19, 2014 by nithelyth

[Ravenchant]

there is no engine in the middle part, just 4 poodle engines beneath the outer tanks : )

So...how are you planning to use the fuel once/if you drop the outer tanks? Especially since there don't seem to be any docking ports bolted on

[Scotius]

Yeah...i was wondering that too. Maybe, for your Kerbals sake, don't drop all side tanks? Only two perhaps? So they actually can return home.

[nithelyth]

damn it... you are right. i knew i forgot something.......

So, never mind.. i will seperate maybe two of the tanks when i'm out of duna's atmosphere.. but i will think about it if the time has come.

So far i've docked the last tank & propulsion module for the voyage to duna:

Sonsy Kerman going EVA for a last checkup:

Duna Express Eins is ready for its maiden voyage through the vast void of time & space. Sleek.. fast... revolutionary...

Sonsy, Kurt and Seanvan kerman, godspeed you! Who knows what wonders await our crew?... All we do know is that it's a great day for kerbalkind!......

Edited March 20, 2014 by nithelyth

[nithelyth]

++BREAKING NEWS++

Yesterday at 19:00 central european time the first manned mission on Duna has landed. After an incredible and ludicrous journey of 724 days and a series of almost catastrophes Duna Express Eins landed in the southern pole region of kerbins red neighbour-planet.

Due to the vessel's misconstruction issues the crew had to struggle holding the course, but finally managed to reach the target. Here are the first exclusive pictures, taken during approach phase:

D.E.-1 after the landing in the icy desert of the southern polar cap. An almost catastrophe occurred, the descend was to fast and two of 4 engines exploded:

Sonsy Kerman about to take his first steps on Duna:

Jettison of 2 side tanks as ascend preparation:

leaving the duna system:

Right now Duna Express Eins is circling in a stable kerbol orbit, its unknown when and how they will arrive back home.

Exclusive interview with Dr Wernher Kerman by journalist Frank Bonetti:

Frank Bonetti: Dr Wernher Kerman, what were the main objectives of this mission?

Dr W. Kerman: Well, to collect and bring home surface samples and measurement data for further analysis here on earth.. uhm, kerbin. And of course to proof the possibilty to actually send there men and return them safely.

F.B.: Wouldn't unmanned probes or robots have been more efficient for this mission?

Dr W. Kerman: No, its more fun and risky to send kerbals, uhm.. men there.

F.B.: Dr Kerman, when do you expect to return the crew reaching home?

Dr W. Kerman: Well well, thats the problem now. First i have to say, that we totally underestimated the fuel consumption for this mission. With other words: They went totally out of fuel, absolutely dry..

F.B.: I see.. How will they get back then?

Dr W. Kerman: Well, we are planning to send a fuel delivery there.. or even a tank of fuel if i might say so..

F.B.: Thats sounds like a sound solution.

Dr W. Kerman: Yeah, but first we need to convince the average tax payers. Our budget is very scarce. Also these budget problems and time constraints lead to wrong decisions during construction phase. The ship was very wobbly, since it was literally just a series of tacked-together fuel tanks, very unstable und hard to control. Due to this, much fuel was wasted during course correction maneuvers.

F.B.: Thanks Dr Kerman.

Whole Kerbalkind is holding its breath and praying for the live of the 3 brave astronauts, Sonsy, Kurt and Seanvan.

Will they ever return to earth, uhm kerbin safely??

We will know it soon.....

[Scotius]

724 days to Duna! Dayummm I hope you will get this brave (and extremely bored) crew back home.