Kicarus -- Ion Powered Minmus Lander

[SlowThought]

Kicarus is the name of KASA's manned program -- not because we intend to fly too close to Kerbol, but because we're probably going to do something stupid.

With the change of administrations (the upgrade to 0.24), the continuation of the Voyager missions is in jeopardy, due to a lack of funding. Also, our most experienced Kerbonauts (Jeb, Bill, and Bob, who else?) are stranded out at Farpoint Station. Chadful bravely volunteers to raise the funds to enable the Kercury 3's ongoing mission, by undertaking a manned landing on Minmus. The catch? It's ion powered!

The last conventional fuel exhausted, solar panels deployed.

Chadful ventures into the Kercury 3's territory, but Jeb doesn't know nothing 'bout no ions!

A Munar flyby boosts momentum. Xenon's expensive!

Chadful spots Minmus!

A course is set that will intercept Minmus' surface -- somewhere.

Oops. I hadn't considered that solar panel orientation must be added to the mix of landing variables. Look, Ma, I'm flying!

Scooting above Minmus' surface, Chadful looks for a landing spot. Suddenly he realizes there IS a time limit on his decision.

Luckily, there's a wide swathe of flat terrain before the mountain. All Chadful has to do is slow down in time. What kind of acceleration does an ion engine have, anyway?

Ok, even something as gentile and sophisticated as ion power can benefit from MOAR. Raywig bravely volunteers to raise funds to enable, etc etc.

Edited September 6, 2014 by SlowThought
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[SlowThought]

Okay, Raywig's ready with the new and improved ion lander. He follows more or less the same course as Chadful.

Now, hopefully, two thrusters will prove better than one!

Sunny side of Minmus? Check. Flat spot? Check. Enough thrust? Check? Down Raywig goes.

Look Ma, no legs! Who needs them with low gee and gyros?

Note the solar panel blocking the window... and the exit! Easily fixed.

With contract completed and surface samples taken, it's time to go.

Xenon's a bit low. Should be enough for one more adjustment.

Excellent! On course for a comfortable reentry, with xenon to spare. I can't afford any more rescue missions.

A few bucks, a good bit of science, done in a halfway elegant way, with only Chadful regretting the mission. Still, Voyager's in trouble. It wasn't designed to be cost effective, really just the opposite, lots of support flights were desired just for the fun of it. I don't think it'll survive 0.24.