Mission 18: First Space Telescope
This is not a money-making but a science making craft. Galileo I will be my first space telescope. I will put it into a polar orbit with a periapsis very close to Kerbin but a Hugely high (as far as I can get) apoasis. It should be slower there and be easier to aim above the plane without blocking. I guess we will see.
You get lots of science from the space telescopes. Every photo is worth some big science points so it is a worthwhile mission.
My sim version of Galileo has 7319 dV, so hopefully plenty for this mission and further adjustments.
Sim worked well. Did not even go polar (will use a bit more fuel) but I had plenty.
Need to set up the solar panels to open on a button so it is easier!
Taking a moment to experiment with Kerbal Academy again. There is an airplane mission that I wanted to experiment with.
Absolutely terrible landing! However, I did hit the waypoints and the flight school was successful!
<Kerbal Training 2>
Now back to the telescope.
Galileo I Space Telescope
Galileo I craft (7319 dV)
Launch date: 1y 268d
Was interrupted for the Duna Lander correction (pretty minor, not sure why I did that)
I was able to get some decent science on a limited number of closer planets and moons. I want to attach a science lab in the future, but this worked out for a burst of science.
Here is the list (others were too far): Kerbol, Kerbon, Mun. Minmus, Moho, Eve, Duna, Ika, Jool, Vall, Laythe, and Tylo.
These can be revisited with the next telescope and will get more science as well as more targets.
<Galileo I Complete>
A contract came up for a Mun orbital EVA. Valentina could use more experience and that could be a Mun orbit. I extended the Mercury Orbital to handle the mission and I think this will get a few dollars as well as some science from crew and EVA report.
Skyhawk-2 (Valentina orbits the Mun)
Mercury Orbital Platform (extended 6017dV)
Launch date: 1y 283d
Should be routine in a sense. Orbit, TMI, and return. Nothing too fancy.
1631 dV after TMI.
1000+dV thrown before re-entry.
Lost camera on re-entry.
Only 3 ablator left!!! Holy Cow that was close (almost lost Val)
<Val Orbits Mun>
Another Kerbal Academy Training Flight for Marlina
I misspelled the save...
<Academy Martina>
Built and tested a Mun Scanner (Can use for Minmus as well) that incorporates the M700 as well as the MultiScan so it should get me a decent contract and science. I'll probably wait for a Minmus contract to do that mission.
Munar Scanner 2
Munar Scanner 2 craft (6156 dV)
Launch date: 1y 286d
Needs to do a 75% scan using the M700. Also has a mult-spectral on board.
Set it up in polar Mun orbit at a height of 210 km+-5km.
1581dV after TMI.
Change to polar 1400 dV left.
Circularize and begin scan (207x210 km)
Success.
<Munar Scanner 2>
I can fulfill a contract by returning Goo and Material from a high Minmus orbit. I can get more of that with my Mun Orbital return craft, so I am sending that mission.
Minmus Orbital Return (Mun Orbital Return craft 5695 dV)
Launch date: 1y 288d (night launch)
Needs to return with Material and Goo from high orbit (> 30km)
1487 dV left for transfer to Minmus and back. (no orbit)
230 dV for plane matching.
890 dV for Minmus Transfer. (366 remaining)
Setup fine tune (0.2 dV) for a 24 km encounter with Minmus and clean return it looks like!
Only 38 dV required (have 366) to get to 20km height! Looks good!
Yes!
<Minmus Survey Complete>
Kerbal Academy is having Marlina do her first space mission. Orbital and inclination change. She will use the Mercury Orbital Platform equipment. Should be fairly straightforward.
Falcon 1 (Marlina Pilot)
Mercury Orbital Platform craft (6017 dV)
Launch date: 1y 313d
Go for 125km equatorial orbit (<5deg). Than an incline change (>45deg). Safe Return.
2454dV at orbit. Needs 1793dV for incline change to 48 deg.
659 dV left for de-orbit burn. Good show! Come on home Marlina!
Marlina got a bit of EVA science while she was heading back.
<Marlina Training>