Career Duna science mission led to a plethora of sketchy situations. Enjoy!

[horndgmium]

Pic mid-weight, Is that a thing?

I'll let the album do the talking. Descriptions of the mission are on the pictures.

If you guys want a mod list or craft files I'd be happy to oblige.

Also, my bad for not taking screenshots of the launch vehicle! It was Soyuz style but asparagus staged. You can see the core Interplanetary stage in the Mun gravity assist photo but without the drop tanks for Kerbin escape. Again, craft file if requested.

For the lander/transfer stages I did an Apollo style craft, as you will see.

I'd say drum roll, but this mission was more like letting a somersaulting raccoon fly the space shuttle.

Overview of steps:

1. Get to HKO.

2 Leave Kerbin with mun assist

3. Burn to Duna. Ditch transfer stage.

4. Join lander and secondary transfer stages. Transfer engine will burn the trajectory changes necessary.

5.Intercept Duna. Preferably with Ike's help.

6. Achieve non-eccentric, close to equatorial Duna orbit.

7. Detach lander, deorbit it.

8. Land at low point on Duna to minimize fuel usage.

9. Do science.

10. Go to Duna orbit.

11. Rendezvous with transfer stage.

12. Take science, fuel, and kerbals (in that order) to the transfer stage.

14. Detach from lander.

15. Burn to Duna escape, preferably using Ike.

16. Get Kerbin intercept and burn it.

17. Aerobrake in Kerbin's atmosphere.

18. Reentry without dying.

19. Land using parachutes.

20. Recover and profit!

I'm happy to say I successfully planned and carried out all of these steps. This is a personal best for me!

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Edited December 3, 2014 by horndgmium

[Superfluous J]

Nicely done on the Ike assist. I've been able to do that at Jool but not Duna, and wrote it off as impossible. Now I'm going to try more

Edited December 3, 2014 by 5thHorseman

[horndgmium]

Thanks! I think it may have had to do with coming in to Duna on the wrong side but I'm no expert haha