To the planets! A 0.23.5 Career

[Zylark]

Hello 0.23.5, goodbye old career save.

Yes, new version, new Kareer, eh, Career. This time, being older and wiser, with a bit more method to it rather than the "I'm sure it'll work!" improvisational approach I've done earlier.

Now mind you - in my one previous career I've gotten only as far as Duna. This time around though, all planets will get a visit. Basic aim being to gather and bring back a packed with instruments Science Jr pod from all planets with a solid surface. And in the process do other projects that tickle my fancy and/or help doing the primary goal.

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- All first time multi-manned missions must be led by either Jeb, Bill or Bob. Orange suit means leadership responsibilities. Grey suits are minions. Wernher von Kerman will be assumed is in charge of mission control at KSC.

- Junk in space is a big no-no. Lifters, stages, obsolete craft, derelicts and so on must at some point be de-orbited. Doesn't matter where, but can't be floating around in space.

- Pure refueling missions from Kerbin should be kept at an absolute minimum. Actually, entirely avoided if at all possible.

- All craft must have a multi-mission capability. No one-off specialist craft. With two exceptions. Kethane probes and Kerbin to Station crew ascend and descend vehicles. Bases will be permanent though. Once set up, that's where they'll stay. Much like stations.

- Lifters will be standardized for a maximum of three models for getting low, medium and high mass objects into orbit. Lifters may evolve during the career, but a new iteration of a given model will make its predecessor obsolete and taken out of service for the remainder of the career.

- Medium and Heavy mass lifters will have launch restrictions. If a medium class lifter launches, the next medium/heavy launch must wait at least 10 days. If a heavy class lifter launches, next medium or heavy launch will have to wait at least 20 days. No restriction on light class lifters.

- If it's worth landing on or exploring, it is worth doing it manned. At least for the first time. Routine utility missions may very well be unmanned.

- Less is more. If a part is not strictly speaking necessary, it doesn't get sent up to space. More a practical concern really, as a few hundred parts on any given object slows my PC to a crawl.

- Any engineering whoopsies that make it to orbit will either have to be used as is or repaired/remedied in situ.

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Mech-Jeb: Show me a current space-craft without computerized control, and I'll show you a cat that doesn't go crazy over canned Tuna!

- Kethane: Getting fuel locally is so much better than sending it all from Kerbin. Also, is the other major thing to do apart from science gathering.

- Kerbal Attachment System: There will be plenty of in-situ construction and servicing.

- Kerbal Alarm Clock: Will after a while be a lot going on, don't want to miss any major event.

- Infernal Robotics: Parts that move, yes. Gimme! Now 0.23.5 safe.

- Greenhouse: Grow your own fuel.

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Format: Updates will be written up in a new post in this thread, and copied into the relevant spoiler tag(s) in this original post. A short version covering the bullet points will be added below.

The story so far (Y1D225): Kerbin backyard basically done. Most Kerbin locations have been visited. All but one biome (the Poles) on Mun visited at least once. Minmus still have four virgin biomes to pop, but is not on the "Must be done ASAP!" list.

Basic infrastructure in Kerbin SOI is in place. Both for supporting future missions and of course practicing the details of setting up said infrastructure around other planets.

Some issues have been resolved, like getting too elaborate with my Space Stations. Basically dumped a whole module of them both and replaced with something much simpler. Also my Station-builder and Base lander ship proved less than ideal and got dumped after finishing the Mun Kethane drilling operation. A new iteration of that is still not tested - but is built and good to go with the Kethane train heading for Duna. Another Duna mission is also ready to go gather some science.

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Update Year 1 Day 250: Both Duna missions are underway and looking good - although the Kethane Drilling train part of it did hit a snag or two. Nothing too serious.

Update Year 1 Day 287: Mitfry had an expedition to Minmus. Lots of Science returned, and vast new Kethane fields discovered.

Update Year 1 Day 326: New Kethane driller tested on Minmus and Mun to make good use of Mitfrys' findings on Minmus.

Update Year 2 Day 052: All three ships of the Duna Discovery and Driller missions have arrived safely in Duna orbit. Assembly of the Refinery Station to serve there have started.

Update Year 2 Day 108: Kethane found on Duna and Ike. Landed on both. Kethane rig set up on Ike.

Update Year 2 Day 114: Duna Discovery mission done science gathering, refueling for return trip. Duna Driller mission is finalized.

Update Year 2 Day 126: Duna Discovery is refueled and heading back to Kerbin. ETA in 190 days. Two modules for Duna Colonization have been put into Kerbin orbit.

Update Year 2 Day 141: Eve Lander ascent tested from Kerbin.

Update Year 2 Day 225: Biofuel Station put into orbit high over Kerbin.

Update Year 2 Day 241: New Interplanetary ship launched. Duna Colony parts attached.

Update Year 2 Day 343: Duna Discovery mission done as the IPS Loki return to Kerbin.

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Stations and Bases:

- Odin Station

The main hub of transfer to and from Kerbin. Features room for eight kerbals and plenty of fuel storage, including docking for three Standard Fuel Cells. Sits up at a 200km orbit.

- Mungstad Refinery Station

Processes Kethane extracted from the Mun and should Minmus get drilled, from there as well. Have room for four kerbals and plenty of fuel. Though, it is still lacking two more Standard Fuel Cells to be fully operational. Spins around Mun at 125km.

- Munfisk Kethane Rig

The first Kethane drilling test field. A rich ore that initially showed promise of roughly 430k units of Kethane. Current estimates show deposits remaining at some 350k units.

Have room for four kerbals, and a small processing unit for refueling the Kethane Trucks and Shuttles servicing this base.

Sits on the Farside Crater at 7-34-40N and 47-29-60W

- Minmus Depot

A relic from the first explorations of Minmus. Still contains plenty of fuel, but is slated for being sucked dry and deorbited. At the appropriate junction, in the fullness of time, when it seems appropriate. Orbits at a modest altitude of 25km.

- Ikeberg Kethane Rig

Set up on Ike to service all future missions to the outer planets - and whoever else might come visiting. Any resemblance to the Munfisk Kethane Rig is entirely coincidental. Ikeberg is much more compact and according to the engineers of KSC - marvelous. Located on a nice flat patch of land at 0-46-50N and 141-43-20W.

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Interplanetary Ships:

- IPS Loki

The first dedicated Interplanetary Ship of the fleet. Designed to be able to carry plenty of crew to all planets at any time without doing anything more special than having full tanks. Can also carry plenty of cargo by means of its' rear large docking port. Shown here with used science pods from a Duna mission. Have some 9200 dV available with full tanks.

- IPS Tyr

Very much an evolution of the IPS Loki. Doubled the engine-power, added a few fins to act as contact points for securing cargo and reduced number of radial docking ports from six to two. Seen here with two 90 degrees normal to large docking port adapters attached for hauling more cargo. Also reduced solar panels from six to four. In addition, several KAS strut-points where bolted on at various places, and a couple of storage boxes with parts for securing cargo.

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Utility Vehicles:

- Shuttle (mk I) Hugin and Munin

Twin ships designed to carry crew to and from wherever needed. Except gravity rich places, especially if they also contain an atmosphere. Carry one crew and four passengers. Naked it got some 3500dV (1000dV in atmosphere), but can tug along a Standard Fuel Cell for extra range. Also have parachutes attached for possible landings on Duna at least.

- Kethane Truck (mk I) Skinfax and Hrimfax

Another pair of twins. Designed initially to carry Kethane from Mun to orbit, and does so barely. Future operations on Ike and Minmus will however put a bit more oomph into its fully loaded ascent speed. These are fully robotic.

- Tug (mk I) Lettfeti

Initially designed to carry modules to the Mungstad Refinery Station, but doubles with bravado for setting down base modules as well. Provided they got a large docking port, are not too tall and have their own landing legs.

- Refueler (mk I) Sleipnir

Services missions assembled in Kerbin orbit - and if need be anywhere else. A massive 11000dV fully loaded. Unmanned.

- Xplorer

Science gathering lander for all low-gravity locations. Have been very busy jumping all over Mun and Minmus surfaces. Features three landing legs and low center of gravity for excellent stability no matter the terrain. Can carry four Science Jr pods, but usually only brings along three. Crewed by one kerbal and got roughly 4400dV when fully loaded up.

- SRV (Science Return Vehicle)

The Xplorers compatible companion. Carries three fresh Science Jr pods and crew to the Xplorer, and then later returns Xplorers used three Science Jr pods and crew back to Kerbin. Features more chutes than you can shake a reasonably long stick at.

- Caddie

Crew ascent and descent vehicle. Sends kerbals to Odin Station for transfer to other ships, and leaves the pod docked for later return of crew to Kerbin.

- LMKR Trym

Large Mobile Kethane Rig Trym is as the name would suggest a ship designed to suck Kethane out of the ground and then bring it to where needed. Currently operating on Mun and Minmus. Got a whopping 32000 units of Kethane capacity. Range isn't great however, especially when fully loaded.

Project Duna Colony

Design Specifications: Provide housing for at least 8 kerbals for prolonged times. One habitat per kerbal. Must also provide a means to refuel shuttles coming and going. This should be efficient to minimize time spent on surface for shuttles, so large fuel storage tanks, kethane drilling and conversion assets will be needed plus power utilities to run the operation at full tilt day and night.

- Module: Duna Base Builder

A wheeled crane for assembling all the other modules into a neat and nice looking base. Will also double up as a fuel rover if need be (read: landings missing the target by quite a bit). Despite efforts to make it as compact as possible in order to get it to the surface using the AS Hrym, it nevertheless got quite big and ungainly. So it will be a self-lander with detachable engines and landing gear.

Tests at KSC show it will happily lift and position just about anything that fits in between its wheelbase. All packed up and ready to be hurled into orbit.

- Module: Habitation and Fuel Storage

Back at KSC the men with hard-hats are busy getting all the pieces together for the future Duna Base. Some ten days ago, the Base Builder was launched, and just today the first Habitation and Fuel Storage modules got sent up into orbit.

Considering the scope of the base, Wernher von Kerman have stipulated having two cargo-trains going for Duna at the next window. Carrying in total four Habitation Modules, two Fuel Storage Modules, the Base Builder, Solar Array Module, Kethane Drill Module and last but by no means least, Kethane Refinery Module.

Exactly what will serve as locomotives have not been decided upon, but rumor have it a new Interplanetary Ship is under planning which should be able to tug along at least 2/3 of the cargo listed above.

Once all that is underway, it's time to start planning phase two of the base, as in the end it is supposed to have eight Habitation modules. We're also looking into some new greenhouse technology for producing all we'll need over there - including fuel.

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Project Mission Inner System Sojourner (M.I.S.S.)

Mission Profile (rev. 1): Manned landings on Eve, Gillo and Moho. Gather all relevant science and return with it to Kerbin.

- Module: Eve Lander

Design specifications: Must be as lightweight as possible and be able to land on Eve with full fuel tanks. Must carry one Science Jr and all extra science instruments. Must have excellent Atmospheric Delta-V and Thrust to Weight performance.

Prototype: An elaborate Asparagus design was chosen. An inner core with all the important stuff - Mk 1 Lander Can (most lightweight crew-pod), Ladders, Science gear, Solar Panels, Stabilizer, Battery, RCS thrusters, two small Monoprop tanks, a bit of fuel and a nuclear rocket. Surrounded by six stages, with four Aerospikes and two LV-T45 engines. The former for lift primarily, and the latter for some gimbal control. Dropped off in pairs. Next up is an outer layer of 12 tanks and Aerospikes, dropped off four at a time as they go empty. And finally Landing Legs and Landing Lights on a separate stage that is detached at lift-off from Eve. And of course, plenty of parachutes.

Mitfry posing in front of the Eve Lander, mk I Alpha.

Test Results: With Mitfry as the chosen test pilot, everything looked ok on the launch pad. Ladders extended and retracted fine. No problem climbing up or down. Well inside, lights worked ok, solar panels also. Some 5000 dV in atmosphere initially with an Eve Thrust to Weight of 1.27. But KSC is sure these readouts are wildly inaccurate, as it do not take into account the shedding of parts throughout the ascent.

The test-flight should be a simple one just to test all the staging, and see what we are left with when in orbit. Then meet up with Odin Station, transfer over excess fuel, and perform an unmanned return of the lander for testing the parachute configuration of the remaining parts. Too dangerous letting Mitfry sit in the lander on the way back, so he'll take one of the pods already on Odin Station for the return trip.

Made it to the Station without hiccups in the staging and having about 2500 dV in atmosphere to go - 5000 dV in vacuum. Wernher von Kerman is almost positively certain that will do. Assuming a landing really high up on Eve. Fuel transferred, with just a teeny bit left over for the de-orbit burn, Mitfry moved over to the one-man return capsule, which unlike the lander is tested and very safe.

Going down, the landers chutes performed quite well, allthough three of the four attached to the Lander-Can had to be deployed manually. This slight flaw will be fixed. Final descent was at about 7 m/s. Not bad, but it was dry-weight. So an immediate decision to slap on more chutes in the next build was made.

Having no landing-legs for this test, the touch-down was not entirely graceful. It did topple over and one fuel tank, luckily empty, blew up. As a bonus, on the way down some science got done as well, 48 science points was gained.

Not long after Mitfry came down in a nice controlled splashdown. Test flight by all accords a resounding success.

- Mission Duna Colony

Since the launch of IPS Tyr, the cargo-modules for the Duna Colony already sent up into orbit now had their ticket to ride. Though of course, that actual ride is still about a year out and there are still at least two cargo-modules more to be launched for this phase of building the Duna Colony.

Getting all the pieces packed nicely on the IPS Tyr required some very delicate docking. Especially since the engineers back at KSC was more concerned with getting stuff safely up into orbit and how it'll work once on Duna, and less about how they handle and maneuver. As with the Base Builder module that also got the extra fuel needed for the trip attached. Now, that fuel tank is full and weighs a ton. The Base Builder package on the other hand weighs practically nothing. Now guess which part of that cargo-module got the RCS thrusters?

Eventually everything got properly docked on the rear of the Tyr. Now all that need be done, is for Wehfred Kerman who is on the IPS Tyr to secure the cargo by means of plenty of KAS struts. As for the other modules needed to be sent to Duna in order to build the first phase of the colony there, it is not quite yet decided if they will be on their separate train or if it makes sense to have it all attached to the IPS Tyr. It would depend a bit on weight actually, and if it can be distributed more or less symmetrically if attached on the back of the existing cargo-modules already in place.

No missions currently ready to go

No missions currently in progress

- Duna Discovery

Mission profile: The Inter-Planetary Ship Loki will haul all the necessary modules for setting up science gathering and kethane finding in the Duna system, including the beginning of a station in Duna orbit. Loki will then return to Kerbin with most science samples and crew.

Fully fueled up. Mission is led by Jebediah. Landing operations will be overseen by Bob. Minions are Gillo and Melrod.

Update Year 1 Day 250

Jeb reported initial burn and first adjustment burn went very well. A minor second adjustment burn is scheduled when about halfway to Duna in 70 days. ETA for arrival at Duna SOI is in about 160 days. A fair bit less than the initial 270 days our original course suggested. Decided the fuel situation was very good indeed, so used a bit more to get there earlier. Estimates show some 80% fuel remaining. Since all that is planned are minor adjustment burns from here on in, that should not change much as the main braking to get into Duna orbit will be done using aero-braking over several orbits to save fuel. So with a bit of luck, IPS Loki will have about 60% fuel left for the return trip even after refueling the Lander a couple of times.

Update Year 1 Day 287

First inter-planetary science received. Jeb and crew sent off a couple of reports. They've also taken samples of the inter-planetary environment and several other instrumental readings. These findings however will not be transmitted back to Kerbin until the Science Lab is up and running when the mission reach a stable Duna orbit.

Update Year 2 Day 052

Arrived safely at Duna. Reports from Duna space have been sent off and samples taken for later processing and transmission. Settled in on a stable orbit of 300km above Duna after doing an aerobraking maneuver with an altitude of 16km being the lowest point.

The drop tank came off nicely during the aerobrake, and will in due time slow down enough to crash on Duna.

Update Year 2 Day 108

Finally time to get all the landing operations in the Duna system going. But first order of business whilst flying high over Duna, launch the first Kethane probe. Got a clean separation, but discovered a teeny tiny snag...

The fairing protecting the engine was still attached to the probe - no matter how much the probe tried to thrust to get into its planned higly inclined orbit, it didn't move at all. Just because some nitwit engineer back at KSC put the stack decoupler on the wrong friggin way!!!!

To make things worse, a slight inspection later revealed the same situation with the second probe that was intended for finding Kethane on Ike.

Jeb kept his cool however. "Ey, we still got one probe, right? And eventhough it'll cost a ton of fuel and certainly time - delaying the landings quite a bit - we could just put good ol' IPS Loki on a highly inclined orbit and go around in circles for a few days finding Kethane!?"

KSC agreed to this scheme. Science might be the priority of this mission, but getting Kethane drilling and refining up and running ASAP doesn't excactly lag far behind.

A few days fast turned into 20 before most of Duna was mapped for the green gold. Pretty disappointing results too. Only two fields over 400k, and those where both pretty close to the ice-caps. Best candidate for setting up shop near Dunas' equator was a field of about 380k units of Kethane. Considering this will only support shuttles to and from a future Duna base, that'll have to do.

Off to Ike then, and pretty much repeat the process. Since the plan was to set up drilling pretty much right away, the first landing might as well be on a rich Kethane field to find a nice flat place to land the Kethane rig modules on. After doing a rough survey, the probe was released into a highly inclined orbit of Ike, and the IPS Loki proceeded to drag the Duna Discovery mission to an equatorial orbit and then shift crew over to the lander.

Landing went very well - albeit in the dark at least this lander got proper landing lights. Bob and Melrod set foot on Ike, and even found time to get a photo taken. Melrod on the left, Bob to the right.

By luck, their landing spot was nice and flat. So Bill over at the AS Hrym was radioed, and told to commence with getting the rig modules down. Before Bob could decide between a sandwich or a chocolate bar for lunch, Bill arrived with the first module.

Their business done, science gathered, Melrod remained on Ike to man the rig being assembled there, whilst Bob lifted off and met with IPS Loki again. Deposited the used Science pod and parked on the rear end of the ships temporary connector hub for the short trip back to Duna orbit.

Due to the inherent dangers of landing on Duna, the lander not having been tested and certified for the job quite yet for natural - some would say obvious - reasons, it was decided Bob would do this solo. Just in case he got stranded down there with not enough fuel to get back up again for a very long time.

Bob started by picking up a fresh Science pod. Then taking stock of the situation. About 2100dV available for the round-trip. Calculations done back at KSC estimated some 1100 to 1400dV to get back to orbit from the surface of Duna. It suddenly dawned on Bob - he'd forgotten to ask how much would be needed to get down there. He asked Jeb if he knew. "Dunno!" he said. "Now get down there. We've not traveled this far just to get the jitters now. Duna or bust!".

Very well. De-orbit burn complete, it was just a matter of being very sparse with the fuel, and use the parachutes to best effect. Still plummeting at a very scary speed, the lander-cans chutes was released first at about 5km up. At 4km the rest where released. At 1km Bob initiated the braking burn. Getting speed down to some 300 m/s. The cans chutes where then fully deployed, and when 500 meters from the surface, the rest of the chutes where fully deployed as well. So far so good. Descent stabilized at just above 8 m/s. Just a touch of thrust right before landing and contact was made at a rather violent 5 m/s. Well within the limits for the landing legs. Delta-V remaining was reported in as a comfortable 1500 and change.

Bob on Duna, perfectly happy. Not only did the landing go great, no prolonged stay needed as there was plenty of fuel to get back. The extra bonus was landing on a nice flat piece of real-estate. Just ideal for a future base. Bob put the flag down and having no bouts of shame named it "Bobs' Base".

All that remained was getting back to the Inter-Planetary Ship Loki once the science was done. Which is pretty much routine by now. Well back into orbit 350dV remained on the lander.

Update Year 2 Day 114

Almost there, almost there. Bob had to take the lander out for one last science gathering mission before the Duna Discovery could conclude all tasks for this phase of the operation. A sample was needed of the Duna upper atmosphere. Not a biggie, but dipping down into it and get back did take a day or so.

All done and finished, it was time for the IPS Loki to head towards the as of yet unnamed Duna Station in order to refuel and get ready for the return journey.

When docked and safe, Bob took the lander out for a final spin. Moving the connector hub from the back end of the Loki to the Science-Lab end of the Station. Then pick up the surface samples from the lander, deposit these in the cockpit of Loki before finally taking a well deserved rest in the Hab module.

Meanwhile Bill and Mitmal got busy analyzing some science from one of the pods on the Loki. It had doubled up on experiments from space near Ike, and needed that pod nice and fresh for taking another interplanetary sample on the return trip.

At about this time, Jeb as commander of the Duna Discovery mission held a little briefing. "OK lads, you want the good or the bad news first? Fine, we'll do the good news first. In about three to four days, we'll be all fueled up and ready to go back home...". "Yay!" cheered Bob and Gillo. "However, the optimal window back to Kerbin do not open for another year and well over 100 days...". "No way!" Bob and Gillo protested. "Now, hang on, it's not all doom and gloom. I got stuff to do, press conferences to hold, paperwork to fill out, new missions to plan, new vehicles to test...". "Mhm, sure." Bob and Gillo muttered, both knowing it was all just a bad excuse to as fast as possible slouch on the beach surrounded by his entourage of kerbalinas. "So as soon as the tanks are full, we're off!". Bob and Gillo couldn't be more pleased. Melrod from from Ikeberg Kethane Rig however asked when they'd come pick him up? "Uhm, yeeees. Kind of a change of plan there... you're staying until the next stage of fleshing out Duna infrastructure is scheduled..." Jeb informed him. "...in roughly one and a half years time!". Melrod was not in the slightest pleased.

Update Year 2 day 126

Finally fully fueled up. took not one, nor two but three kethane runs from Ike to Duna Station (still to be named) to top off the tanks of the IPS Loki. Which leads mission control to worry a little about the kethane situation on Ike and its potential for servicing future missions. Roughly 20% of Ikeberg Kethane Field is already depleted on this mission alone.

Anyway, IPS Loki is on her way back home. So long and thanks for all the Science! With full fuel load-out and nearly no cargo, she has 9100dV and change. Now due to Jebs eagerness to get back home to Kerbin, giving a green flying fart in fuel expenditure, the burn back to Kerbin uses roughly four times more fuel than if one had the patience to wait for the optimal transfer window. As it stands, there is about 4200dV to go on the Loki now that the burn is complete. Estimated arrival at Kerbin is in 190 days.

Update Year 2 Day 343

Wohoo! Mission got back to Kerbin after a long trek through what was mostly described as boring black stuff. Actually, nothing stuff. Getting close to Kerbin, it did get a slight bit intense though. The IPS Loki came screaming in at well over 7000 m/s. Due to the panic, no-one really remembers the exact speed, only that it was faster than any Kerbal ever traveled before. It took a couple of thousand Delta-V just to adjust the approach to a very hard aerobrake encounter with Kerbin. And that was not enough. Another thousand dV had to be blown to establish orbit. Then a lot to get into an equatorial orbit, and then get it all nice and circular. What was left was a bit under 400 dV, or about 5% of the capacity of the IPS Loki. Pretty close call, or as Jeb would say - all planned to perfection!

In celebration the boys at KSC popped their champagnes, got a bit of a giggle going and then slept for a day and a half before getting back to business. A shuttle to pick up Gillo Kerman was sent out - the brave pilot - as the Loki will not see much action for a year or so. Then the Science Return Vehicle met up with the IPS Loki to pick up those all important science pods. Bob went down with the first load of three pods, and Jeb with the second load plus the surface samples from Duna and Ike. Combined it made for about 3000 science. Not counting what was transmitted during the mission.

Duna Discovery is now over. Apart from Melrod still stuck on Ike serving the Kethane rig there. But he will be relieved soonish. Duna Colony Mission is coming together fine...

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- Duna Driller

Mission profile: The Assembler Ship Hrym will follow up the Duna Discovery mission by supplying all the modules needed to get an Ike Kethane drilling operation set up as well as getting the Duna Station (to be named later) operational. Includes the Kethane Truck Hrimfax.

Fully fueled up. Mission is led by Bill, with Mitmal as his minion.

Update Year 1 Day 250

Bill is not a happy kerbal. During a test-burn to heighten the orbit around Kerbin before going to Duna, a major weakness was shown in the mission design. The short of it being, the Duna Driller train is too long and the joints in it not all that stiff. During the test burn, it wobbled all over the place forcing a quick abort before something broke.

Rather than send up a service mission to truss and strut for more rigidity - potentially missing the launch window to Duna - it was decided to split the Duna Driller mission into two components. From the tail end, the KT Hrimfax will haul the Standard Fuel Cell (SFC) to Duna by itself and not be part of the train.

This helped remedy the situation quite a bit. The Duna Driller train still wobbles like a drunk fish, but at least nothing looks like it is in danger of breaking off. After initial burn and first adjustment, the main train got some 70% fuel left with an ETA of about 185 days.

The split off Kethane Truck and Standard Fuel Cell will arrive a bit earlier in 140 days and have maybe 80% fuel to go. Plenty in other words.

But this do not end Bills worries. If his train is still wobbling when providing thrust from the locomotive (AS Hrym) at the front, he is pretty sure an aerobraking maneuver when at Duna, putting compression on the train rather than tension, is likely to break the entire thing apart. There should be enough fuel left over for a powered braking maneuver, though it does put a bit of a dent into the fuel budget. Good thing that budget is quite roomy - and at least the Duna Driller mission is not a return mission like Duna Discovery.

At the end of his report, Bill noted a bit miffed "Who forgot to put fuel lines between the main tank and the radial small tanks feeding the engines on the Assembler Ship Hrym?"

Update Year 2 Day 052

About two weeks after Duna Discovery settled in around Duna, the Driller train came hurtling in as well. On a near polar orbit. So in addition to spending some 1200dV getting into orbit around Duna, another 300 and change had to be used to get an equatorial orbit. After that settled in for an orbit of about 180km to drop off the Base modules for later pick-up and then to a 130km orbit to park the Station module.

Soon after, KT Hrimfax dropped by to attach the Standard Fuel Cell, whilst the Assembler Ship Hrym met up with Duna Discovery to pick up the Science Lab and then later attach it to the Station. Now that all the pieces are in place, landing operations will commence soon, both for science and kethane.

Update Year 2 Day 108

Once the message came from Bob on Ike to start landing the rig modules, Bill got to work.

Having already docked with the modules, which was a bit fidgety, it was a simple matter of disconnecting the hab module and set down the drill module. Who also feature a small converter for topping off the tanks on whoever visits later. But first of-course, get back to orbit and pick up the hab module. A few hours later, that was landed as well. After they got into position, the AS Hrym got refueled, and Bob met up with IPS Loki and the Duna Discovery mission. Bob transferred over and the Hrym was put into a parking orbit around Ike for now. It won't be needed again until a Duna Base will be built.

On Ike, Melrod radioed in the first Kethane Truck to come down and fill up.

KT Hrimfax arrived. Melrod laid out the piping needed to get the juices going. "Everything is going swimmingly" he commented. "Indeed!" Jeb, Bob and Bill replied from the Loki.

Update Year 2 Day 114

KT Hrimfax is filled to the brim with delicious green gold, and set forth towards Duna Station, whatever that will be called when the naming commission back home get to agree on something.

After docking, all 16000 units of Kethane got refined into fuel. Not quite enough to fill up the Loki or the Station reserves, but it did raise total fuel stocks from about 2-3% to roughly 25%. All parts of the Duna Driller mission now done and tested to perfection, the mission is declared a success. Bill and Mitmal will remain on the Station for the time being, doing some follow-up science. Melrod from the Duna Discovery crew will also remain to help out where needed. Right now that means manning Ikeberg Kethane Rig. Duna Driller mission signing off. Hello dreary routine...

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- Minmus Final Science Gathering - Year 1 Day 287

Prolog: Following a near fistfight at the KSC canteen between Mitfry and Wehrfred of who would impress the kerbalinas the most with their space adventures, Mitfry came hotheaded and turning a ghastly shade of pink into the office of Wernher von Kerman, demanding to go up again and get some more things to put on his bragging list. "Make it difficult!" he said.

Mission profile: Get to the Xplorer using the SRV, Refuel at Minmus Depot and then proceed to do science on Minmus Slopes, Great Flats and Highlands. After this return to Kerbin orbit, and get back with the science - and yourself preferably - in the SRV.

After Action Report: Pretty uneventful right up to the landing on Slopes. Apparently they were not kidding when they named the terrain. Mitfry said he nailed the landing. "No problem. Now time for some snacks!" And indeed he did send back a picture of his great deed:

Telemetry from the ship however do tell of several retractions and deployments of the landing-gear at very low altitude, plus using up most of the mono-propellant during the period of this reported easy landing. Also a few short but intense bursts from the main engines. No visible damage of the ship however, so can't have been that bad.

Either way, Mitfrys' denial of anything even remotely going wrong, made Wernher von Kerman put a little addendum to this mission. Mitfry would have to scan the moon for kethane when done with the primary objective. He'd let Mitfry know shortly before launch into orbit - as he'd think mission by and large done, going home.

Next up was the Great Flats. These were not unsurprisingly very flat. Not much to say or do here after the science got collected, but Mitfry did send back this selfie with the EVA report:

Then a quick jump and a skip to the Highlands in the north. Got there just as dark was setting in. Much like Wehrfred before him, complaints a'plenty of the lacking range of the landing lights. "10 meters, 10 friggin' meters!". Anyhow all the science business got done. Mitfry got informed of his secondary objective for this mission, and launched into orbit without saying another peep for a couple of days.

His kethane scan did unveil three very rich deposits and several smaller ones. One deposit is at nearly half a million units and two more at well over 400k. The extra 20 days this scan took was well worth it - though Mitfry isn't entirely sure. He was just too happy to get out of the Minmus orbit rut, and back to Kerbin. Hooked up with the SRV, transferred over all the Pods and Surface samples and made a safe splashdown.

1695 science was returned, and a couple of hundred more in reports sent during the mission.

---

- Mun Final Science Gathering - Year 1 Day 202

(from another thread - the great science missions. From where this thread spawned as I didn't want to entirely derail that one.)

Mission Profile: Have the Xplorer fill out some of the gaps in our knowledge of the Mun. Covering three locations, South-West Crater, East Crater and Twin Craters. No refueling between locations should be necessary.

After Action Report: When there was 23 days to go until the window for Duna opened, a revisit of the Mun was warranted. Still some biomes to check out there. After picking up the fresh Science pods it was off to Munar orbit, and hook up with the Refinery there to fill up the tanks. Going to need plenty of dV to cover three different locations in one go.

Yes, a darkside docking - but that is why those tiny batteries are there with their little green lights. Make for perfect docking guidance in the dark. Of course, Mech-Jeb and its' Smart A.S.S. doesn't hurt either.

After stocking up on fuel, it was time to do a serious plane-change. Heading for South-West Crater which is located quite down low on that old ball'o'cheese. Of my initial 4400dV, a healthy chunk will go right there.

Made it down with about 3600dV to go. Sent off a crew report to make KSC know all is fine and dandy. Then did a quick EVA whilst still hanging onto the Lander. Re-entered and sent off that report as well. Then a proper EVA to the surface, and pick up a sample of it whilst there. Turns out, Mun is not made of cheese - who knew? After returning to the Lander all the various science gathering instruments got to do their thing. Materials, Goo, Temperature, Seismic action and Gravity measurements. All done, and time for a skip and a jump to the next location - East Crater.

Got there just in the nick of time as the sun was setting fast. Now, the Lander do have downward pointing lights on it, but I think the engineer responsible for building it got his 1kW lamps and 100W lamps mixed up, because they're not very bright. Not seeing the surface before being some 10 meters above it is a bit more exciting than I prefer. They must have been low on coffee that day at KSC when assembling the Lander. All the rest of the design is pretty much spot on. Big wide spread on the landing-legs so that rough ground isn't really a problem. Set up in a triangular configuration for best stability with a really low center of mass - at least when the main tank is full. Four legs is all fine and well on flat ground back at the launch-pad or by some bases set up on locations selected for their very level terrain, but not optimal for a exploration vessel like this.

Either way, seems like Wehrfred Kerman will be spending the night here at East Crater before heading off to the Twin Craters at first break of dawn. In the crew report back to KSC, Wehrfred did mention something about only having about 2.2k dV left, roughly 40% fuel to go and having some doubts as to making another jump on the surface and make it back to Mungstad Refinery Station.

By dawn, the course was set for the Twin Craters. KSC is not too worried about the dV situation and do not share Wehrfreds concerns in the least.

At arrival, all the usual was done, various reports sent, science gathered. View is still by and large a variation of grey and black. Wehrfred muttered something about 1000 dV, no snacks and being on his last diaper. The toilet facilities of the mk I Lander Can leaves a bit to be desired. If anyone visits the Twin Craters again, they won't like the smell. Or they wouldn't if one could smell in a vacuum at least.

Sayonara Twin Craters and Mun. Just a quick pit-stop to the Refinery Station, and then back home to meet with the Science Return Vehicle and transfer over all the science that by now Wernher von Kerman is getting a bit anxious to get his hands on.

Made it back to Mungstad Refinery Station with a measly 90dV to spare - about 2% of max fuel. KSC replied that it was all in the mission profile, no need to whine about "close call", "luck" or anything like that. Everything is under control - trust us!

Docked perfectly with the SRV, lock on all three contact-points. Picking up the surface samples, and heading over for a nice little ocean landing. The Science Return Vehicle do have landing-legs, but a splashdown is always preferable to say hitting the side of a mountain or something silly like that.

Roughly 1400 science returned plus a couple of hundred in reports radioed in to KSC during the mission.

Missions:

Duna Colony: Wehrfred (Pilot IPS Trym, readying cargo for transport), Seandan (Pilot Tug Lettfeti, readying cargo for transport)

Routine:

Munfisk Kethane Rig: Munvey - since y1d165

Tug Lettfeti: Seandan - since y1d150

Shuttle Hugin: Elfred - since y1d205

Shuttle Munin: Bursel - since y1d196

Ikeberg Kethane Rig: Melrod - since y2d102

Duna Station: Bill, Mitmal -since y2d114

Resting:

At KSC: Mitfry, Jebediah, Bob

Merits:

Jebediah: First in orbit, First on Minmus, First on Mun, Leader Duna Discovery Science mission

Bill: Science on Mun, Leader Mun Kethane Construction mission, Leader Duna Driller Kethane Construction mission

Bob: Science on Minmus, Leader Duna Discovery Science mission landing operations, First on Ike, First on Duna

---

Mitfry: First crew on Munfisk Kethane Rig, Science on Minmus, Test-Pilot Eve Lander

Seandan: Pilot of Tug Lettfeti

Wehrfred: Science on Mun

Elfred: Pilot of Shuttle Hugin

Bursel: Pilot of Shuttle Munin

Munvey: Crew of Munfisk Kethane Rig

Gillo: Pilot of IPS Loki

Melrod: First on Ike, First crew on Ikeberg Kethane Rig

Mitmal: N/A

---

- Stack decouplers mounted wrong way on Kethane probes on Duna Discovery mission, end result, no functional engines on probes.

- Forgot to put fuel-feed lines from main tank to small radial tanks that also feed the engines on the Assembly Ship Hrym.

- Wrong landing lights on the Xplorer vessel. Used the rectangular ones, not the much brighter round ones.

---

Updated 07/05 - Ingame date: Year 2 Day 343

Edited May 8, 2014 by Zylark
additions

[Zylark]

Update Year 1 Day 250

Duna Discovery

Jeb reported initial burn and first adjustment burn went very well. A minor second adjustment burn is scheduled when about halfway to Duna in 70 days. ETA for arrival at Duna SOI is in about 160 days. A fair bit less than the initial 270 days our original course suggested. Decided the fuel situation was very good indeed, so used a bit more to get there earlier. Estimates show some 80% fuel remaining. Since all that is planned are minor adjustment burns from here on in, that should not change much as the main braking to get into Duna orbit will be done using aero-braking over several orbits to save fuel. So with a bit of luck, IPS Loki will have about 60% fuel left for the return trip even after refueling the Lander a couple of times.

Duna Driller

Bill is not a happy kerbal. During a test-burn to heighten the orbit around Kerbin before going to Duna, a major weakness was shown in the mission design. The short of it being, the Duna Driller train is too long and the joints in it not all that stiff. During the test burn, it wobbled all over the place forcing a quick abort before something broke.

Rather than send up a service mission to truss and strut for more rigidity - potentially missing the launch window to Duna - it was decided to split the Duna Driller mission into two components. From the tail end, the KT Hrimfax will haul the Standard Fuel Cell (SFC) to Duna by itself and not be part of the train.

This helped remedy the situation quite a bit. The Duna Driller train still wobbles like a drunk fish, but at least nothing looks like it is in danger of breaking off. After initial burn and first adjustment, the main train got some 70% fuel left with an ETA of about 185 days.

The split off Kethane Truck and Standard Fuel Cell will arrive a bit earlier in 140 days and have maybe 80% fuel to go. Plenty in other words.

But this do not end Bills worries. If his train is still wobbling when providing thrust from the locomotive (AS Hrym) at the front, he is pretty sure an aerobraking maneuver when at Duna, putting compression on the train rather than tension, is likely to break the entire thing apart. There should be enough fuel left over for a powered braking maneuver, though it does put a bit of a dent into the fuel budget. Good thing that budget is quite roomy - and at least the Duna Driller mission is not a return mission like Duna Discovery.

At the end of his report, Bill noted a bit miffed "Who forgot to put fuel lines between the main tank and the radial small tanks feeding the engines of the Assembler Ship Hrym?"

Edited April 17, 2014 by Zylark

[Zylark]

Update Year 1 Day 287

- Duna Discovery

First inter-planetary science received. Jeb and crew sent off a couple of reports. they've also taken samples of the inter-planetary environment and several other instrumental readings. These findings however will not be transmitted back to Kerbin until the Science Lab is up and running when the mission reach a stable Duna orbit.

---

- Minmus Final Science Gathering

Prolog: Following a near fistfight at the KSC canteen between Mitfry and Wehrfred of who would impress the kerbalinas the most with their space adventures, Mitfry came hotheaded and turning a ghastly shade of pink into the office of Wernher von Kerman, demanding to go up again and get some more things to put on his bragging list. "Make it difficult!" he said.

Mission profile: Get to the Xplorer using the SRV, Refuel at Minmus Depot and then proceed to do science on Minmus Slopes, Great Flats and Highlands. After this return to Kerbin orbit, and get back with the science - and yourself preferably - in the SRV.

After Action Report:

Pretty uneventful right up to the landing on Slopes. Apparently they were not kidding when they named the terrain. Mitfry said he nailed the landing. "No problem. Now time for some snacks!" And indeed he did send back a picture of his great deed:

Telemetry from the ship however do tell of several retractions and deployments of the landing-gear at very low altitude, plus using up most of the mono-propellant during the period of this reported easy landing. Also a few short but intense bursts from the main engines. No visible damage of the ship however, so can't have been that bad.

Either way, Mitfrys' denial of anything even remotely going wrong, made Wernher von Kerman put a little addendum to this mission. Mitfry would have to scan the moon for kethane when done with the primary objective. He'd let Mitfry know shortly before launch into orbit - as he'd think mission by and large done, going home.

Next up was the Great Flats. These were not unsurprisingly very flat. Not much to say or do here after the science got collected, but Mitfry did send back this selfie with the EVA report:

Then a quick jump and a skip to the Highlands in the north. Got there just as dark was setting in. Much like Wehrfred before him, complaints a'plenty of the lacking range of the landing lights. "10 meters, 10 friggin' meters!". Anyhow all the science business got done. Mitfry got informed of his secondary objective for this mission, and launched into orbit without saying another peep for a couple of days.

His kethane scan did unveil three very rich deposits and several smaller ones. One deposit is at nearly half a million units and two more at well over 400k. The extra 20 days this scan took was well worth it - though Mitfry isn't entirely sure. He was just too happy to get out of the Minmus orbit rut, and back to Kerbin. Hooked up with the SRV, transferred over all the Pods and Surface samples and made a safe splashdown.

1695 science was returned, and a couple of hundred more in reports sent during the mission.

Edited April 19, 2014 by Zylark

[Zylark]

Update Year 1 Day 326

(not part of any mission, so no copy to any spoiler in the original post)

Put the new Large Mobile Kethane Rig to the test. After all the Kethane discovered on Minmus, an efficient way to put it to good use was needed. Rather than set up a base and refinery and all that on Minmus, having something to land, drill and return to Mungstad Refinery seemed a much better idea.

Got it all off the Launch-Pad easy enough. Sent it up dry and when coasting to AP, transferred what was left in the lifter to the LMKR and then proceeded to circularize its orbit under its own power. Met up with Mungstad Refinery in Mun Orbit, fueled up and got going to Minmus. Operations there went well and the trip back to Mungstad Refinery was pretty uneventful. The fuel budget was pretty spot on. By the time the LMKR was docked, it had about 350dV left.

So the LMKR is more than certified for Minmus. Next up Mun. Mun have several smaller fields that do not warrant a permanent base, so the LMKR should be able to service those as well. And it does - barely. After doing the roundtrip, it returned loaded to the brim with Kethane to the Refinery with less than 100dV to go. Though that trip did include a couple of serious inclination changes - one going down and one going up.

All in all pleased with how it performs in all but one respect - docking when having full Kethane tanks. It's about as graceful as a pregnant hippo. Nonetheless, the LMKR trials went well and she's now in service and been given the name Trym.

Edited April 18, 2014 by Zylark

[Zylark]

Update Year 2 Day 052

- Duna Discovery

Arrived safely at Duna. Reports from Duna space have been sent off and samples taken for later processing and transmission. Settled in on a stable orbit of 300km above Duna after doing an aerobraking maneuver with an altitude of 16km being the lowest point.

The drop tank came off nicely during the aerobrake, and will in due time slow down enough to crash on Duna.

---

- Duna Driller

About two weeks after Duna Discovery settled in around Duna, the Driller train came hurtling in as well. On a near polar orbit. So in addition to spending some 1200dV getting into orbit around Duna, another 300 and change had to be used to get an equatorial orbit. After that settled in for an orbit of about 180km to drop off the Base modules for later pick-up and then to a 130km orbit to park the Station module.

Soon after, KT Hrimfax dropped by to attach the Standard Fuel Cell, whilst the Assembler Ship Hrym met up with Duna Discovery to pick up the Science Lab and then later attach it to the Station. Now that all the pieces are in place, landing operations will commence soon, both for science and kethane.

Edited April 19, 2014 by Zylark

[Zylark]

Update Year 2 Day 108

- Duna Discovery

Finally time to get all the landing operations in the Duna system going. But first order of business whilst flying high over Duna, launch the first Kethane probe. Got a clean separation, but discovered a teeny tiny snag...

The fairing protecting the engine was still attached to the probe - no matter how much the probe tried to thrust to get into its planned higly inclined orbit, it didn't move at all. Just because some nitwit engineer back at KSC put the stack decoupler on the wrong friggin way!!!!

To make things worse, a slight inspection later revealed the same situation with the second probe that was intended for finding Kethane on Ike.

Jeb kept his cool however. "Ey, we still got one probe, right? And eventhough it'll cost a ton of fuel and certainly time - delaying the landings quite a bit - we could just put good ol' IPS Loki on a highly inclined orbit and go around in circles for a few days finding Kethane!?"

KSC agreed to this scheme. Science might be the priority of this mission, but getting Kethane drilling and refining up and running ASAP doesn't excactly lag far behind.

A few days fast turned into 20 before most of Duna was mapped for the green gold. Pretty disappointing results too. Only two fields over 400k, and those where both pretty close to the ice-caps. Best candidate for setting up shop near Dunas' equator was a field of about 380k units of Kethane. Considering this will only support shuttles to and from a future Duna base, that'll have to do.

Off to Ike then, and pretty much repeat the process. Since the plan was to set up drilling pretty much right away, the first landing might as well be on a rich Kethane field to find a nice flat place to land the Kethane rig modules on. After doing a rough survey, the probe was released into a highly inclined orbit of Ike, and the IPS Loki proceeded to drag the Duna Discovery mission to an equatorial orbit and then shift crew over to the lander.

Landing went very well - albeit in the dark at least this lander got proper landing lights. Bob and Melrod set foot on Ike, and even found time to get a photo taken. Melrod on the left, Bob to the right.

By luck, their landing spot was nice and flat. So Bill over at the AS Hrym was radioed, and told to commence with getting the rig modules down. Before Bob could decide between a sandwich or a chocolate bar for lunch, Bill arrived with the first module.

Their business done, science gathered, Melrod remained on Ike to man the rig being assembled there, whilst Bob lifted off and met with IPS Loki again. Deposited the used Science pod and parked on the rear end of the ships temporary connector hub for the short trip back to Duna orbit.

Due to the inherent dangers of landing on Duna, the lander not having been tested and certified for the job quite yet for natural - some would say obvious - reasons, it was decided Bob would do this solo. Just in case he got stranded down there with not enough fuel to get back up again for a very long time.

Bob started by picking up a fresh Science pod. Then taking stock of the situation. About 2100dV available for the round-trip. Calculations done back at KSC estimated some 1100 to 1400dV to get back to orbit from the surface of Duna. It suddenly dawned on Bob - he'd forgotten to ask how much would be needed to get down there. He asked Jeb if he knew. "Dunno!" he said. "Now get down there. We've not traveled this far just to get the jitters now. Duna or bust!".

Very well. De-orbit burn complete, it was just a matter of being very sparse with the fuel, and use the parachutes to best effect. Still plummeting at a very scary speed, the lander-cans chutes was released first at about 5km up. At 4km the rest where released. At 1km Bob initiated the braking burn. Getting speed down to some 300 m/s. The cans chutes where then fully deployed, and when 500 meters from the surface, the rest of the chutes where fully deployed as well. So far so good. Descent stabilized at just above 8 m/s. Just a touch of thrust right before landing and contact was made at a rather violent 5 m/s. Well within the limits for the landing legs. Delta-V remaining was reported in as a comfortable 1500 and change.

Bob on Duna, perfectly happy. Not only did the landing go great, no prolonged stay needed as there was plenty of fuel to get back. The extra bonus was landing on a nice flat piece of real-estate. Just ideal for a future base. Bob put the flag down and having no bouts of shame named it "Bobs' Base".

All that remained was getting back to the Inter-Planetary Ship Loki once the science was done. Which is pretty much routine by now. Well back into orbit 350dV remained on the lander.

---

- Duna Driller

Once the message came from Bob on Ike to start landing the rig modules, Bill got to work.

Having already docked with the modules, which was a bit fidgety, it was a simple matter of disconnecting the hab module and set down the drill module. Who also feature a small converter for topping off the tanks on whoever visits later. But first of-course, get back to orbit and pick up the hab module. A few hours later, that was landed as well. After they got into position, the AS Hrym got refueled, and Bob met up with IPS Loki and the Duna Discovery mission. Bob transferred over and the Hrym was put into a parking orbit around Ike for now. It won't be needed again until a Duna Base will be built.

On Ike, Melrod radioed in the first Kethane Truck to come down and fill up.

KT Hrimfax arrived. Melrod laid out the piping needed to get the juices going. "Everything is going swimmingly" he commented. "Indeed!" Jeb, Bob and Bill replied from the Loki.

Edited April 22, 2014 by Zylark
spelling

[Zylark]

Update Year 2 Day 114

- Duna Discovery

Almost there, almost there. Bob had to take the lander out for one last science gathering mission before the Duna Discovery could conclude all tasks for this phase of the operation. A sample was needed of the Duna upper atmosphere. Not a biggie, but dipping down into it and get back did take a day or so.

All done and finished, it was time for the IPS Loki to head towards the as of yet unnamed Duna Station in order to refuel and get ready for the return journey.

When docked and safe, Bob took the lander out for a final spin. Moving the connector hub from the back end of the Loki to the Science-Lab end of the Station. Then pick up the surface samples from the lander, deposit these in the cockpit of Loki before finally taking a well deserved rest in the Hab module.

Meanwhile Bill and Mitmal got busy analyzing some science from one of the pods on the Loki. It had doubled up on experiments from space near Ike, and needed that pod nice and fresh for taking another interplanetary sample on the return trip.

At about this time, Jeb as commander of the Duna Discovery mission held a little briefing. "OK lads, you want the good or the bad news first? Fine, we'll do the good news first. In about three to four days, we'll be all fueled up and ready to go back home...". "Yay!" cheered Bob and Gillo. "However, the optimal window back to Kerbin do not open for another year and well over 100 days...". "No way!" Bob and Gillo protested. "Now, hang on, it's not all doom and gloom. I got stuff to do, press conferences to hold, paperwork to fill out, new missions to plan, new vehicles to test...". "Mhm, sure." Bob and Gillo muttered, both knowing it was all just a bad excuse to as fast as possible slouch on the beach surrounded by his entourage of kerbalinas. "So as soon as the tanks are full, we're off!". Bob and Gillo couldn't be more pleased. Melrod from Ikeberg Kethane Rig however asked when they'd come pick him up? "Uhm, yeeees. Kind of a change of plan there... you're staying until the next stage of fleshing out Duna infrastructure is scheduled..." Jeb informed him. "...in roughly one and a half years time!". Melrod was not in the slightest pleased.

---

- Duna Driller

KT Hrimfax is filled to the brim with delicious green gold, and set forth towards Duna Station, whatever that will be called when the naming commission back home get to agree on something.

After docking, all 16000 units of Kethane got refined into fuel. Not quite enough to fill up the Loki or the Station reserves, but it did raise total fuel stocks from about 2-3% to roughly 25%. All parts of the Duna Driller mission now done and tested to perfection, the mission is declared a success. Bill and Mitmal will remain on the Station for the time being, doing some follow-up science. Melrod from the Duna Discovery crew will also remain to help out where needed. Right now that means manning Ikeberg Kethane Rig. Duna Driller mission signing off. Hello dreary routine...

Edited April 28, 2014 by Zylark

[Zylark]

Update Year 2 Day 115

Just a small progress report on the planned future Duna Base. One module are now ready for launch, the actual crane that will build it. The other modules (Habitation, Kethane Drill, Kethane Converter, Solar-Array, Fuel Storage, Power Storage) are still in various stages of development.

- Project Duna Colony: Module: Duna Base Builder

A wheeled crane for assembling all the other modules into a neat and nice looking base. Will also double up as a fuel rover if need be (read: landings missing the target by quite a bit). Despite efforts to make it as compact as possible in order to get it to the surface using the AS Hrym, it nevertheless got quite big and ungainly. So it will be a self-lander with detachable engines and landing gear.

Tests at KSC show it will happily lift and position just about anything that fits in between its wheelbase. All packed up and ready to be hurled into orbit.

Edited April 27, 2014 by Zylark

[Zylark]

Update Year 2 day 126

- Duna Discovery

Finally fully fueled up. took not one, nor two but three kethane runs from Ike to Duna Station (still to be named) to top off the tanks of the IPS Loki. Which leads mission control to worry a little about the kethane situation on Ike and its potential for servicing future missions. Roughly 20% of Ikeberg Kethane Field is already depleted on this mission alone.

Anyway, IPS Loki is on her way back home. So long and thanks for all the Science! With full fuel load-out and nearly no cargo, she has 9100dV and change. Now due to Jebs eagerness to get back home to Kerbin, giving a green flying fart in fuel expenditure, the burn back to Kerbin uses roughly four times more fuel than if one had the patience to wait for the optimal transfer window. As it stands, there is about 4200dV to go on the Loki now that the burn is complete. Estimated arrival at Kerbin is in 190 days.

- Project Duna Colony: Module Habitation and Fuel Storage

Back at KSC the men with hard-hats are busy getting all the pieces together for the future Duna Base. Some ten days ago, the Base Builder was launched, and just today the first Habitation and Fuel Storage modules got sent up into orbit.

Considering the scope of the base, Wernher von Kerman have stipulated having two cargo-trains going for Duna at the next window. Carrying in total four Habitation Modules, two Fuel Storage Modules, the Base Builder, Solar Array Module, Kethane Drill Module and last but by no means least, Kethane Refinery Module.

Exactly what will serve as locomotives have not been decided upon, but rumor have it a new Interplanetary Ship is under planning which should be able to tug along at least 2/3 of the cargo listed above.

Once all that is underway, it's time to start planning phase two of the base, as in the end it is supposed to have eight Habitation modules. We're also looking into some new greenhouse technology for producing all we'll need over there - including fuel.

Edited April 27, 2014 by Zylark

[Zylark]

Update Year 2 Day 141

In the lull before the return of Jeb and Bob, Wernher von Kerman is busy planning the next step of exploring the Kerbol system. "Not that the complexity of the planned Duna Colony is anything to sniff at!" he said "But we've kind of been there already. No new science to be gained!"

Rumors at KSC have it Eve might be in Wernhers mind. And one sunny day it all got confirmed as this contraption was seen on the launchpad:

Mitfry posing in front of the Eve Lander, mk I Alpha. So apparently a new project is born...

Project Mission Inner System Sojourner (M.I.S.S.)

Mission Profile (rev. 1): Manned landings on Eve, Gillo and Moho. Gather all relevant science and return with it to Kerbin.

- Module: Eve Lander

Design specifications: Must be as lightweight as possible and be able to land on Eve with full fuel tanks. Must carry one Science Jr and all extra science instruments. Must have excellent Atmospheric Delta-V and Thrust to Weight performance.

Prototype: An elaborate Asparagus design was chosen. An inner core with all the important stuff - Mk 1 Lander Can (most lightweight crew-pod), Ladders, Science gear, Solar Panels, Stabilizer, Battery, RCS thrusters, two small Monoprop tanks, a bit of fuel and a nuclear rocket. Surrounded by six stages, with four Aerospikes and two LV-T45 engines. The former for lift primarily, and the latter for some gimbal control. Dropped off in pairs. Next up is an outer layer of 12 tanks and Aerospikes, dropped off four at a time as they go empty. And finally Landing Legs and Landing Lights on a separate stage that is detached at lift-off from Eve. And of course, plenty of parachutes.

Test Results: With Mitfry as the chosen test pilot, everything looked ok on the launch pad. Ladders extended and retracted fine. No problem climbing up or down. Well inside, lights worked ok, solar panels also. Some 5000 dV in atmosphere initially with an Eve Thrust to Weight of 1.27. But KSC is sure these readouts are wildly inaccurate, as it do not take into account the shedding of parts throughout the ascent.

The test-flight should be a simple one just to test all the staging, and see what we are left with when in orbit. Then meet up with Odin Station, transfer over excess fuel, and perform an unmanned return of the lander for testing the parachute configuration of the remaining parts. Too dangerous letting Mitfry sit in the lander on the way back, so he'll take one of the pods already on Odin Station for the return trip.

Made it to the Station without hiccups in the staging and having about 2500 dV in atmosphere to go - 5000 dV in vacuum. Wernher von Kerman is almost positively certain that will do. Assuming a landing really high up on Eve. Fuel transferred, with just a teeny bit left over for the de-orbit burn, Mitfry moved over to the one-man return capsule, which unlike the lander is tested and very safe.

Going down, the landers chutes performed quite well, allthough three of the four attached to the Lander-Can had to be deployed manually. This slight flaw will be fixed. Final descent was at about 7 m/s. Not bad, but it was dry-weight. So an immediate decision to slap on more chutes in the next build was made.

Having no landing-legs for this test, the touch-down was not entirely graceful. It did topple over and one fuel tank, luckily empty, blew up. As a bonus, on the way down some science got done as well, 48 science points was gained.

Not long after Mitfry came down in a nice controlled splashdown. Test flight by all accords a resounding success.

Edited April 27, 2014 by Zylark

[Zylark]

Update Year 2 Day 225

Still a bit to go before Jeb and Bob get back and the next science mission can be launched. Besides the Window for Eve not opening for a year and some 180 days. Meanwhile planning and building for both the M.I.S.S. (Mission Inner System Sojourner) and the Duna Colony is moving ahead at a comfortable pace. And in the efforts to secure fuel production in the Duna System, especially planetside as Kethane is pretty limited at the selected base site, some new technology had to be tested.

So a new Station around Kerbin was born to test out producing fuel from vegetables. Those useless green things that some insist on decorating dinner with. It took three launches to get the thing up and running. Well, four actually, but the last was a combined launch that also got the second Habitation and Fuel package for the Duna Colony up into orbit.

The new Biofuel Research Station is put on a very high orbit of 60 million kilometers around Kerbin, which is outside the orbit of Minmus even. Two reasons for this. First, it requires a lot of power to run it. Three XL solar panels per greenhouse unit to be exact. High orbit means less downtime due to the home planet getting in the way. And second, it makes for a very nice place to top off the tanks of outbound interplanetary travels. It takes a ship about 800dV to get to the station. An expenditure of Delta-V it recoups when refueling there. So makes it possible to send off ships to other planets with a larger Delta-V reserve. Which is always a good thing.

Fuel production is slow though. So the Station might be expanded by another greenhouse or two. Getting something similar up and running on the surface of Duna and the limitations daylight-hours pose, will be a challenge. For one thing, a new lander is needed that can handle both the weight and also position the things. But there is plenty of time to plan for that.

Edited April 28, 2014 by Zylark

[Zylark]

Update Year 2 Day 241

A new Interplanetary Ship, the IPS Tyr was put into service.

Very much an evolution of the IPS Loki. Doubled the engine-power, added a few fins to act as contact points for securing cargo and reduced number of radial docking ports from six to two. Seen here with two 90 degrees normal to large docking port adapters attached for hauling more cargo. Also reduced solar panels from six to four. In addition, several KAS strut-points where bolted on at various places, and a couple of storage boxes with parts for securing cargo.

Mission Duna Colony

Since the launch of IPS Tyr, the cargo-modules for the Duna Colony already sent up into orbit now had their ticket to ride. Though of course, that actual ride is still about a year out and there are still at least two cargo-modules more to be launched for this phase of building the Duna Colony.

Getting all the pieces packed nicely on the IPS Tyr required some very delicate docking. Especially since the engineers back at KSC was more concerned with getting stuff safely up into orbit and how it'll work once on Duna, and less about how they handle and maneuver. As with the Base Builder module that also got the extra fuel needed for the trip attached. Now, that fuel tank is full and weighs a ton. The Base Builder package on the other hand weighs practically nothing. Now guess which part of that cargo-module got the RCS thrusters?

Eventually everything got properly docked on the rear of the Tyr. Now all that need be done, is for Wehfred Kerman who is on the IPS Tyr to secure the cargo by means of plenty of KAS struts. As for the other modules needed to be sent to Duna in order to build the first phase of the colony there, it is not quite yet decided if they will be on their separate train or if it makes sense to have it all attached to the IPS Tyr. It would depend a bit on weight actually, and if it can be distributed more or less symmetrically if attached on the back of the existing cargo-modules already in place.

Edited May 2, 2014 by Zylark

[Zylark]

Update Year 2 Day 343

- Duna Discovery

Wohoo! Mission got back to Kerbin after a long trek through what was mostly described as boring black stuff. Actually, nothing stuff. Getting close to Kerbin, it did get a slight bit intense though. The IPS Loki came screaming in at well over 7000 m/s. Due to the panic, no-one really remembers the exact speed, only that it was faster than any Kerbal ever traveled before. It took a couple of thousand Delta-V just to adjust the approach to a very hard aerobrake encounter with Kerbin. And that was not enough. Another thousand dV had to be blown to establish orbit. Then a lot to get into an equatorial orbit, and then get it all nice and circular. What was left was a bit under 400 dV, or about 5% of the capacity of the IPS Loki. Pretty close call, or as Jeb would say - all planned to perfection!

In celebration the boys at KSC popped their champagnes, got a bit of a giggle going and then slept for a day and a half before getting back to business. A shuttle to pick up Gillo Kerman was sent out - the brave pilot - as the Loki will not see much action for a year or so. Then the Science Return Vehicle met up with the IPS Loki to pick up those all important science pods. Bob went down with the first load of three pods, and Jeb with the second load plus the surface samples from Duna and Ike. Combined it made for about 3000 science. Not counting what was transmitted during the mission.

Duna Discovery is now over. Apart from Melrod still stuck on Ike serving the Kethane rig there. But he will be relieved soonish. Duna Colony Mission is coming together fine...

Edited May 6, 2014 by Zylark

[Zylark]

Ah, a final update. I've started a new career seeing as 0.24 came out. But before that happened, I managed to get myself to Dres:

It's the good old Xplorer - with a big booster strapped behind it.

I also did a successful Eve landing, which I'm quite proud of...

Don't remember how many stages that lander consisted of, but it was plenty. Asparagus design FTW! Landed at about 4km altitude, which proved quite sufficient.

Here is what remained of the Eve lander once in a stable orbit again. Man did those first stages go fast. It's as if I barely got off the ground before the mass of my vessel was down to about half of original.

Never got to visit Jool or Moho in that career. But perhaps in my new career, which can be found here: To the Mun and beyond - especially beyond!