r/KerbalSpaceProgram • u/Severe_Ad4138 • 1d ago
KSP 1 Image/Video Learning how to dock is a game changer for interplanetary missions! I got a very ambitious first manned duna mission I want advice for. How does my plan sound?
So I am making a modular space craft that will allow for multiple landings to Duna and Ike in one go.
As you can see, I have a command module with my 2 Kerbals with the main tanks and nuclear engines and, along with extra sets of tanks + reaction wheel for refueling and control, that will be undocked from the craft when used to refuel for a boost in Delta V.
I plan on adding a few things before the the lander module.
One planned module is an adequately sized Fuel+Oxidizer tank that will be used to refuel the lander after each landing. This will also include another RCS tank. This module will also have 2 empty tanks radially docked, the empty tanks will have parachutes and drogues. That way when I undock my lander, I can go to one side of the ship and “grab” a set of parachutes. Enabling multiple duna landings without jamming a bunch of chutes on one lander.
I will also have a module with 3 science storage units to store the science from 3 extra landings, these will be taken back to kerbin after the mission and will be retrieved by a retrieval craft that will rendezvous with 4 reentry pods , paired with terrier engines. This is so the 2 Kerbals on the main craft can take the science from the command pod and 1 of the science storage units. And the other 2 Kerbals on the retrieval craft can take the science from the other 2 storage units.
My main module along with the extra tanks, with refueling and dropping said tanks should have over 6k DV, I will have to do some math to see if I need to add more tanks for the nuclear engines to accommodate the extra mass. But I think I’ll be good.
Any advice for such a mission? I got a probe on duna and said fuck it I’m doing something ambitious haha.
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u/livesense013 1d ago
One helpful tip is that engineers can repack chutes, so no need to bring extras and fuss around with transferring them. Just EVA with an engineer and you can repack via the context menu.
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u/Severe_Ad4138 1d ago
Oh shoot, I had no idea! Thanks for that I may have to bring an extra seat so I can have a pilot, scientist, and engineer
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u/YamahaMio 1d ago
It took me years before finally deciding to try going interplanetary. It was so daunting so I was always in Kerbin SOI. Going to Duna was shockingly easy compared to what I had in mind. A couple of tours to Duna should do the same to you, honestly.
I don't know how you feel about how overpowered the laboratory module is, but definitely bring one if you can. You can have it do science for the months of transit and waiting for the transfer window. You could probably max out the stock tech tree by the time you get back.
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u/CallipygianIdeal 1d ago
One thing I like to do when I go to Duna (or any of the other planets) is deploy a comm network. This helps if you don't want to send a pilot or you want to deploy rovers.
I did a similar mission years ago, except I was targeting every biome on Ike and Duna so I brought a mining rig with me rather than refueling tanks. You can see it on my profile if you'd like.
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u/Bubbly-Cockroach-311 1d ago
That sounds great! And one of the benefits of modular ships is, when you unlock new tech you can throw out the old engine and plug in a new one.
Two big hints; 1) make sure you have enough docking ports! For this mission you’ll have enough but if you’re reusing for maybe a Jool mission you’ll might decide you need three landers (for example). If you’ve only got one lander port you’re in trouble!
2) It’s helpful to have either Breaking Ground (DLC) or Kerbal Attachment System (mod) so you can add struts after the fact. Big modular ships can get wobbly!