Launch 5-10: Minmus Double Rescue Retry

Year 5, Day 109.
Mission Objectives:

1. Rescue Lemfred (Pilot) and Tangie (Scientist) from orbits around Minmus.
2. Return them safely back to Kerbin.

Previously.

Booster jettison.

First stage separation.

Fairing jettison and second stage ignition.

The craft ended up in a nice 80x60km suborbital trajectory.

As Tangie's orbit was quite low, we decided to make a quick stop for science and test out the DEUCES landing capabilities.

The landing was a little rough but everything performed nominally.

Next up was to refuel at our Minmus station.

Unfortunately, it ran out of fuel and the station had to dock with the CFV!

And of course the first module had the fuel so we had to go back and dock to it. OK.

Picking up Lemfred.

"Don't look so happy to see me!"

One disadvantage of the CFV is that we must match inclination with the station instead of just aerobraking.

We had a great rendezvous lined up, but the station was so close we attempted a direct rendezvous. That wasn't going to work so the craft captured and went around again.

So then, of course, it didn't have enough fuel to dock with the station. Fortunately, we had an extra DEUCES on hand to rescue it.

Finally, the crafts are docked with the station.

The rescued crew begins the final leg home in the older orbital vehicle.

Re-entering high above a cloudy KSC.

Splashdown, at long last!

Mission Summary:

1. Rescue Lemfred (Pilot) and Tangie (Scientist) from orbits around Minmus: success!
2. Return them safely back to Kerbin: success!

​Promotions: Tangie (Scientist⭐️⭐️), Lemfred (Pilot⭐️)