Overview
This guide will help you through landing a rover on Duna.
Mission Plan
In order to land a rover on Duna, we must first learn what we need to do. First, we’ll get into a 1000km orbit around Kerbin. Then, we’ll intercept Duna, and establish a high orbit around it. In order to control the rover, we’ll need to establish a comms network so there is a signal to the rover. After that, we’ll land our rover on Duna.
Building
MECHJEB AND/OR KERBAL ENGINEER IS RECOMENDED FOR THIS STAGE
Rocket: [link]
Rover: [link]
In KSP, we should always build the rocket from top to bottom to avoid annoying stages. First, we need to build the rover (do this in the SPH.) I won’t give a complete guide, but I’ll give some pointers:
It needs to be small
It needs to have solar panels/RTGs
It is not recommended to have it manned, but you can do it anyways
It needs batteries
If it is drone-operated, it needs antennae
It needs a parachute
It needs a decoupler/docking port
It needs RCS/a reaction wheel
Now, load your rover in the VAB. If the decoupler/docking port is not facing down, flip it. Next, we add a 3.75M fairing (or 2.5M if you’re on a budget. 3.75M is easier to use for interplanetary missions.) Now, right-click on the fairing. Make sure “Advanced Tweakables” is on. It should say, “Enable Interstage Nodes.” Click it. Get a decoupler, and attach it onto one of the extra nodes on the fairing. Now, you build your satellite. Here are some neccesities for it:
An RA-15 or RA-100 Relay antenna
Solar panels
It should be 1.5M diameter
You need three of them
Now, your launch system. Do whatever you want, but it should have:
A drone core
Reaction wheels
Solar panels
Antennae aren’t neccesary, as you are carrying relay probes
I recommend 3.75M parts.
Interception of Duna
MECHJEB AND KAC ARE RECOMMENDED FOR THIS STAGE
First, get into a 1000km orbit (so you have maximum warp.) If you have MechJeb, click “Ascent Guidance” to do this automatically. Now, look on KAC, and warp to the next transfer window. Do a maneuver node, and fiddle with it until it intercepts Duna. Execute it. If you have MechJeb, click “Maneuver Planner” then the topmost button. You should have a dropdown menu. Click “Advanced Transfer to Planet.” Set Duna as your target. Click “Create node and Execute.”
Communication Network
Circularise your tradjectory. Make sure your apoapis is similiar to the periapsis and that the orbit is much higher than Ike. At the apoapis of your orbit, release the first satellite. At the periapsis, change your inclination by 90 degrees. At the top of that orbit (90 degress on either side), release the second satellite. Change your inclination back to 0. 90 degrees away from the starting point of your first satellite, change your inclination by 90 degrees. Release your last satellite.
Rover Landing
Now, lower your periapsis to ~40km. Once you enter the middle part of the atmosphere, release your rover. It should have a parachute if you followed the building step correctly. Simply switch to your rover, and gently float down to the ground. As for the rocket engine? Let’s just say that there’s going to be a new crater very soon.
Well done! You landed a rover on Duna! Pat yourself on the back. Now, go read a book.