Launches: Whirlwinds II & III

Customers:

• None

​Mission Objectives:

1. Transmit thermal data from space high above Kerbin
2. Transmit thermal data from space around Mun
3. Achieve orbit around Mun

Crew:

• None

This rocket features an even more enlongated Forager rocket, possibly allowing the probe to reach stable orbit around Mun.

The launcher is configured to wait until Mun is 95º in front of the launch site before beginning the countdown.

The probe is configured to make orbital adjustments upon reaching Mun's SOI in order to reach a stable orbit.

Year 1, Day 212: Whirlwind II

A night launch was required to rendezvous with Mun.

Far away from Kerbin...

...the probe nears Mun.

Unfortunately, due to a navigation error, the probe put itself on an impact trajectory with Mun.

And became the first object to impact with another body.

The mission was only a partial failure.

Year 1, Day 231: Whirlwind III

Another night launch.

Another successful encounter with Mun. This time, the probe successfully brought itself out of an impact trajectory, raising its periapsis to 30km.

Upon reaching periapsis, the probe performs its capture burn to bring itself into a circular orbit.