Now that we have tested and used the System Simple Probe for a basic Mun flyby and Sonnah plunge, it is time to do a little system exploration and get some photos. Explorer 2 System Simple Probe (5956 dV) Launch date: 1y 37d This is a probe launch to Serran.  Good time for transfer. Since we are testing dV's we may or may not make orbit (it looks good though).  We also don't know the altitudes for Serran so those will be tested as well. First part is a 200km circ orbit of Kerbin. 2151 in 200km orbit. MechJeb said I needed 992 for transfer but then created a node for 907?  It also went pink in the interface, so maybe it is messed up.  I guess we will see. Porkchop transfer is not working in Mechjeb.  The other transfer type requires 740 and does not appear to get real close, so I am not sure, will need to adjust for sure. The fine tune adjustment will require 494 dV.  Should not be a problem as I have 1411 left.  Not sure about orbit, but at least this gets us closer. 918dV left after adjustment burn.  Planned periapsis is 284km.  Should be good. A 100x285 orbit will require 839dV which I have.  I will also have enough left to lower the periapsis further to get more science if it is still above "low space." High Space is 100km and up. Low space is below that, unknown about atmo at this time. Good science.  Will leave in orbit for the moment. (76 dV left). Something odd happened to the camera as it moved to the bottom of the ship?!?  Still works but less view.  Don't know how it moved! <Explorer 2> It looks like there is an atmosphere at 61km.  I may try dipping into that and see what happens! So, I am trying an orbital dip, used 36 dV and set peri to 50.  Will reset above atmo once I finish the dip (hopefully). Camera is back where it should be ?!? Need 17.5 to get peri above atmo.  Have 44, so it's cool. Good science! 26dV left and an orbit of 75x249. <Explorer 2 Dip> Explorer 3 System Simple Probe (5932 dV) Launch date: 1y 58d Going for Eli.  Moved the solar panels so a slightly lower dV. Reached 200km circ orbit, 2130 dV remaining. Mechjeb says 3 hr departure.  Needs 945 dV.  Let's try that! Changed it to 1071 after putting into the node. It also turns out to be sending us through Kerbin again.  Not sure why, trying the different approach. That one is 695 but will need a major adjustment.  Going to try that. Need 447 for adjust.  This is using more fuel than predicted but we are fine.  Orbit should be fine.  It is predicting a 55km periapsis. The burn went well.  988dV remaining. Need 440dV for a tight (55x20) orbit.  Yes! Turns out that Space Low is already in place at 55km.  So, I will raise my apoasis to 100km to see where it changes since my periapsis is now 21km! <Explorer 3> 518dV left after putting apoasis at 150km. Space Low/High break is at 75km. For the next (and final) Explorer mission, I want to get to Aptur.  iT seems to be in  abetter place for transfer from Kerbin (it is very close and small) but the transfer planner is only partially working.  It seems that because there are many impossible points that it cannot make a decent display.  However, it does appear that the current time does allow for a transfer with less than 1200 dV required so I am going to try it.  This is a little less planned than most missions... Explorer 4 System Simple Probe (5932 dV) Launch date: 1y 65d Transfer attempt to Aptur. Solid 200 km orbit.  2140dV in the bank.  Now the experiments. 711dV manual transfer and then will use fine tuning. Fine tune require 141dV.  This is looking good! 1287 left and I just need to fix the periapsis! That will require 306dV.  Plenty. In orbit of Aptur!  981 dV left. Need to find low space (no atmo).  I may even land it to get some more science since I don't think visits here are very worthwhile overall.  Mainly happy to pull it off. Space low <30km. I have 961 dV left. I think I will try a landing on the light side. Explorer 4 did land.  It was a little weird.  It is sitting straight up?  Anyway, I got some science and I got a surface photo (even thought the camera fell inside the craft again).  So, that was a good mission! <Explorer 4> I need to upgrade science and then look at some more system exploring and scanning, so a break on this one for now.