Duna for interplanetary novices

[Scarecrow88]

After mastering achieving orbit around Kerbin, followed by trips to Mun and Minmus, most players thoughts turn to interplanetary travel for their next big adventure, and Duna is usually high on the list of the first planet to visit.

The craft I present here is designed to be relatively easy to fly, and can put a Kerbal on the surface of Duna, as well as being able to return all crew to Kerbin. As the lander and command module need to separate at Duna, a successful flight profile will require docking. If this is a skill you haven't quite mastered yet, then I am afraid this is not the craft for you.

Flight instructions :

On the pad, press T to turn on SAS, and throttle up to 100%

Stage to launch

When the boosters run out of fuel, stage to jettison them and, when they are clear, start your gravity turn

When the 1st stage runs out of fuel, stage to jettison it and coast up to apoapsis

While coasting to apo, press 9 to jettison the escape tower

When 20-30 secs away from apo press stage to fire the second stage engine. If the throttle isn't still set at 100%, throttle up to circularise your orbit

Once in a stable circular orbit, shut down the 2nd stage engine and press stage to jettison the 2nd stage

Press 3 to deploy solar panels to keep your batteries topped up

Set up your manoeuvre node for Duna and when ready, stage to activate the insertion engine

When appropriate, perform your insertion burn

When in the SOI of Duna, setting your periapsis to 12,500m should be right for aerobraking in to an orbit

Once in orbit, you will need to lift your periapsis above the atmosphere. I usually aim for a circular orbit around 50,000m

When your orbit at DUna is established, press stage to jettison the lander shrouds and to separate the command module

Turn through 180 degrees and dock the command module to the lander

Press stage to jettison the insertion stage and to extract the lander

Press stage again to activate the lander engine

Transfer your chosen crew member to the lander module, and undock from the command module when you are ready to start your landing sequence

Burn retrograde until your periapsis is below 10,000m

Once below 7000m. stage to deploy the drogue chute

When the drogue chute is fully deployed, stage again to deploy the main chute

When you are getting close to the ground, use the engine to slow your descent speed to below 10 m/s. Be careful not to reduce it below 0 m/s or your parachutes will disappear, making the landing a lot more difficult

Once on the surface, cut the engine and press 4 to extend the ladder

When ready to return to orbit, throttle up and burn straight up f to 7-8000m before starting your gravity turn

The descent stage has enough fuel to return you to orbit, but if you run out just press stage to separate the ascent module. In any event you will need to jettison the descent stage before rendezvous, as the RCS is balanced for the ascent module only

After rendezvous and docking with the command module, transfer the crew and undock what is left of the lander

Press stage to activate the CM engine

Set up your manoeuvre node for return to Kerbin when you have a window, and burn as required

Once on a sub-orbital trajectory back at Kerbin, stage to dump the fuel tank and engine, and then again to deploy the chute

Action group keys :

3 : toggle solar panels

4 : toggle lander ladder

9 : jettison escape tower

0 : jettison escape tower and deploy chute after launch abort

Launch from KSC

Gravity turn complete

1st stage separation

2nd stage separation

Insertion stage approaching Duna

Lander shroud jettison

Docking for lander extraction

Jettisoning insertion stage

Duna descent

On the surface

Returning to orbit

Rendezvous with Command Module

Kerbin insertion burn

Re-entry at Kerbin

Almost home

Duna and back craft file

Edited February 1, 2015 by Scarecrow88

[Majorjim!]

Hey man, if it's for novices it would be better to not have to dock.

This is the reason my first released craft had so many DLs just a straight shot from the Mun to Kerbin.

[Scarecrow88]

I figured that if they have been to the Mun, docking may be a skill that they have acquired before trying for Duna. The idea was that it is for Duna novices rather than KSP novices.

[Majorjim!]

I figured that if they have been to the Mun, docking may be a skill that they have acquired before trying for Duna. The idea was that it is for Duna novices rather than KSP novices.

Right ok. Well keep it in mind. I like the idea a lot. Rockets for new players. Perhaps we should start a thread dedicated to them?

[problemecium]

I thought the same thing, but at least the first docking maneuver involved is a fairly simple one where you just have to decouple, turn around, and reconnect. And for the second one there's little reason not to just ditch the lander and EVA to the return pod.

[Scarecrow88]

Right ok. Well keep it in mind. I like the idea a lot. Rockets for new players. Perhaps we should start a thread dedicated to them?

That sounds like a good idea.

[Yukon0009]

Might be more novice-friendly if there were huge margins....but still, this is quite a good craft.

[Majorjim!]

Might be more novice-friendly if there were huge margins....but still, this is quite a good craft.

This. Any new player craft should have dv to spare.

[Woopert]

Looks good. I've been a fan of your craft for quite some time now Scarecrow88. This one is up to par with your skill, I say.

[Scarecrow88]

Might be more novice-friendly if there were huge margins....but still, this is quite a good craft.

I agree, but I felt there was sufficient available to allow for some piloting error. The problem with building in really large margins is that you run the risk of making some parts redundant. i.e. if there was more margin for error in the first and second stages, it's possible that you wouldn't need the interplanetary stage to get to Duna. Maybe the title of the thread is a little misleading, in as far as this craft isn't aimed at complete novices, but for those who are struggling to put together a craft capable of going to Duna.

[Yukon0009]

I agree, but I felt there was sufficient available to allow for some piloting error. The problem with building in really large margins is that you run the risk of making some parts redundant. i.e. if there was more margin for error in the first and second stages, it's possible that you wouldn't need the interplanetary stage to get to Duna. Maybe the title of the thread is a little misleading, in as far as this craft isn't aimed at complete novices, but for those who are struggling to put together a craft capable of going to Duna.

Ah, I see.

[KerBlam]

Looks fine to me. I think people should learn to dock. One of the first things you should be encouraged to learn to do, after achieving LKO is undock, intercept and dock your vessel.

Another thing is not to get too used to excessive amounts of dV especially when going interplanetary. This looks like a great learner craft.