Launch 5-19: Minmus Science Expedition

Year 5, Day 229.
​Mission Objectives:

1. Dock with Biko 1 [Kerbin].
2. Transfer crew to Minmus aboard CFV.
3. Land on Minmus and obtain surface samples.
4. Dock with Minmus station and begin analyzing samples.​

​Crew: Bill (Engineer), Docal (Scientist⭐️), Karise (Scientist⭐️)

​If the CFV doesn't have enough fuel for a landing and launch, it will dock with the station first.

Payload: ORV-3

Lifter: DLSv3 Proton DUECES mk I

Ignore the roll here, joystick problem.

Focused the wrong camera for staging.

Another successful launch. We just need to orbit once to catch up to the station and perform the rendezvous burn.

I didn't get any shots of docking because I had to go start the rice cooker.

The craft refuelled, the crew transferred over and undocked from the station.

2:15 after leaving the station, the craft performs a burn to match the inclination of Minmus.

Earlier, we sent a science lab from Kerbin to Minmus, but lost communication with it before it could perform its inclination change. Fortunately, it intercepted Mun and we were able to regain contact. It captured into a stable orbit (otherwise it would have impacted Kerbin after the encounter), and will transfer to Minmus at the next window.

While we wait for that window, the CFV has encountered Minmus. It should have plenty of fuel for a quick landing before docking to the station.

Since this is a science mission, EVAs were performed for later analysis at the lab.

The crew of Minmus Expedition 1 at their first landing site.

Bill investigates the wreckage of a previous landing attempt.

After Bill returned from EVA, the craft launched into orbit in order to rendezvous with the station.

Performing a quick inclination change to match and rendezvous with the station.

Moments before docking.

Once docked, the station is reconfigured in preparation for the addition of the science lab.

Speaking of which, the lab performs its transfer burn and is heading to Minmus.

Mission Summary:

1. Dock with Biko 1 [Kerbin]: success!
2. Transfer crew to Minmus aboard CFV: success!
3. Land on Minmus and obtain surface samples: success!
4. Dock with Minmus station and begin analyzing samples: partial success?