Universal Landing System Mk II Operational Test Flight to Minmus

Overview

Testing and operational launches of the Universal Landing System Mk II. The ULS MkII is an interplanetary transfer vehicle that doubles as a refueling and science station capable of deploying a manned lander/rover combination craft with mining and fuel production capabilities. This flight system is not stock. It was engineered and operated using multiple mods. These mods include Mechjeb, Kerbal Engineer Redux, DMagic Orbital Science, KAS, KIS, Lithobrake Exploration Technologies, SpaceY Lifters, SpaceY Expanded, Modular Rocket Systems, and Tarsier Space Technology. Supported by SCANsat imaging, Kerbal Alarmclock scheduling, Mechjeb navigation and control systems, Kerbal Engineer statistical analysis, Experiment Tracker science administration, and Final Frontier personnel records. Thank you to all mod developers that were unwittingly included in this project. You all rock and make Kerbal Space Program a very interesting game.The ships for the Universal Landing System can be downloaded from KerbalX. Universal Landing System Mk II KerbalX Hanger[kerbalx.com]Universal Landing System Mk II KerbalX Mod Pack[kerbalx.com]ULS Mk II Lander Only[kerbalx.com]ULS Mk II Science Station Module[kerbalx.com]ULS Mk II Main Vehicle with Lander[kerbalx.com]

Operational Launch and Testing of the Universal Landing System Mk II. (Part I Flight.)

The Universal Landing System Mk II is an interplanetary transfer vehicle, that doubles as a refueling and science station, capable of deploying a reusable, manned lander/rover combination craft with mining and fuel production capabilities. This flight system also includes two interplanetary shuttle craft for personnel rotation and science return.

Much testing was done in Kerbin and Mun orbit, as well as with Mun landings to develop this operational test mission to Minmus. This endeavor has been undertaken to develop a flight system, with the above capabilities, that would be able to land on many interplanetary bodies throughout the Kerbol star system and to devise a template mission profile for future operations. Bodies that will not be attainable with this flight system include Eve, Laythe, and Tylo.

Phase 1: Launch of Universal Landing System Mk II Laboratory/Transfer section.

The Laboratory/Transfer section of the Universal Landing System Mk II includes an orbital research labratory, orbital science experiments, fuel storage, interplanetary transfer engines, and two manned interplanetary shuttlecraft.

Laboratory/Transfer section of Universal Landing System Mk II. Pre-Launch.

Laboratory/Transfer section of Universal Landing System Mk II. Post Asparagus Engine jettison burn to orbit.

Laboratory/Transfer section of Universal Landing System Mk II. Post Main Engine jettison, final burn to orbit.

Laboratory/Transfer section of Universal Landing System Mk II. Orbit achieved. Awaiting launch of main Universal Landing System Mk II module.

Phase 2: Launch of Universal Landing System Mk II Main Vehicle section.

The Main Vehicle section of the Universal Landing System Mk II includes the Main Transfer Vehicle interplanetary engines, large fuel storage capacity, docking ports in multiple sizes, monopropellent fuel storage, communication relay antenna, lander with mining and fuel manufacture capability, science experiments, science storage,and a manned rover with full science package.

Main vehicle for Universal Landing System Mk II. Pre-launch.

Main vehicle for Universal Landing System Mk II. Post-launch. All 28 Main Engines burning at full throttle.

Main vehicle for Universal Landing System Mk II. Asparagus stage 1 jettison.

Main vehicle for Universal Landing System Mk II. Asparagus Stage 2 jettison, Main Transfer Vehicle engine activation for final ascent.

Main vehicle for Universal Landing System Mk II. Final burn to orbit.

Main vehicle for Universal Landing System Mk II. Inflight close-up during final burn to orbit.

Main vehicle for Universal Landing System Mk II in orbit awaiting docking operations with Universal Landing System Mk II Laboratory module.

Phase 3: Docking of Universal Landing System Mk II sections.

All sections of this flight system are coupled by 7.5 meter docking ports. Using the new fuel flow rules in KSP 1.2, the large inner tanks are the first to empty when all sections are together. Minor rotation adjustments had to be made during docking in order for the interplanetary shuttles , attached to the Laboratory section, to be out of the way of the main engines on the Main Transfer Vehicle section. Once docking operations are complete, use of RCS on the flight system is not advised. SAS is sufficient to rotate the flight system to node burn positions and it is much more stable.

Universal Laning System Mk II Laboratory Module on approach to Main Vehicle for Universal Landing System Mk II.

Universal Landing System Mk II Laboratory Module moving into position for docking with the for Universal Landing System Mk II Main Vehicle.

Universal Landing System Mk II Laboratory Module docking with Main vehicle for Universal Landing System Mk II.

Docking is complete and the craft is redesignated Minmus Refuel/Science Station. It is now ready for transfer to final station near Minmus

Phase 4: Transfer of flight system to Minmus orbit.

If only SAS is used to move the ULS MkII into position for node burns, then it is very stable. There is little to no wobble during engine activation, even for very long burns. The transfer to Minmus orbit was very smooth, even for the size of the flight system.

Minmus Refuel/Science Station during plane matching with Minmus in preperation for transfer. All 22 engines burning.

Minmus Refuel/Science Station burning to Minmus.

Minmus Refuel/Science Station in orbit around Minmus.

Operational Launch and Testing of the Universal Landing System Mk II. (Part II Landing)

Phase 5: Minmus landing.

Lander performance has proven to be very stable. The rover creates a very low center of gravity and engine placement creates a wide base during landing operations. The lander is equipped with mining and refining equipment and can carry a large amount of fuel. Surplus fuel has been seen with Mun landings and is expected with most all small body landings. Further testing on planetary landings will be needed to determine exact surplus numbers.

The Lander section is also equipped with a science section. There are several experiments and a science transport container on the Lander itself. On the Rover, there are several more science experiments, a crew compartment for three crew members, storage boxes for construction items, two winches, and RCS capability for those times when a rover needs to hover or even fly.

Minmus Lander 1 leaving Minmus Refuel/Science Station.

Minmus Lander 1 decent burn to Minmus.

Minmus Lander 1 touching down on Minmus.

Starting up Minimus Lander 1 mining and refuel operation.

Deploying Minmus Rover 1 from lander.

Kennand Kerman places mission flag between the lander and rover, completing flight testing of the Universal Landing System Mk II.

Phase 6: Minmus Rover.

Minmus Rover operations are fairly straightforward. The rover is a six wheeled all wheel drive vehicle capable of speeds that are very dangerous in low gravity situations. Minmus Rover has plenty of power to climb hills and mountains as well as braking to slow decents from higher elevations. The rover’s science package is robust and reachable by the onboard scientist for storing experiment data in the lander can and resetting experiments manually.

Kennand Kerman collects science and resets the Rover’s experiments.

Rover can send science data via long range antenna. It can also store it for collection after it returns to Kerbin.

Rover enters docking area of the Lander to be reattached for ascent to Minmus orbit.

Legs deployed on Rover to bring docking collars into a stable alignment.

Rover RCS hops up to the Lander’s docking collar to make contact for docking. Rover RCS is very strong and can make this hop on Kerbin.

Operational Launch and Testing of the Universal Landing System Mk II. (Part III Local Recovery)

The Lander section of Universal Landing System Mk II can return, along with its Rover, to the Refuel/Science Station and be use for further landing operations. Prior to orbital ascent, the Lander section is able to fill all its fuel and ore tanks using its mining drills and refinery. A net gain in fuel over fuel consumption is possible in most situations, especially when the Lander section is brought to the surface with partially empty fuel tanks.

Local recovery to Refuel/Science Station is a simple three step process. Ascent to orbit, rendezvous with Refuel/Science Station, and docking with Refuel/Science Station. Once local recovery is complete, the Lander section can offload surplus fuel, refine the ore in its storage tanks, and transfer collected science to Refuel/Science Station Laboratory, experiment storage containers, or the interplanetary shuttles.

Rover docked, drills and radiators retracted, and landing legs in flight position. Minmus Lander 1 is now ready for ascent to Minmus orbit.

Lander begins ascent to Minmus Orbit.

Lander preparing to make final burn to orbit with Kerbin in the background.

Lander moving to day side of Minmus while in orbit.

Lander in orbit around Minmus.

Lander during rendevous with Minmus Refuel/Science Station. Rover underside can be seen here showing battery and RCS thrusters.

Lander on approach to Minumus Refuel/Science Station.

Lander moving into final docking position.

Lander docking with Minmus Refuel/Science Station.

Lander docked with Minmus Refuel/Science Station. Recovery from the surface of Minmus is complete. Science and fuel surplus is transferred.

Operational Launch and Testing of the Universal Landing System Mk II. (Part IV Kerbin Recovery)

The lander can and science storage container in the Lander section of the Universal Landing System Mk II can be returned to Kerbin’s surface for recovery. It is capable of returning to Kerbin on its own in most cases or it can be returned to Kerbin orbit along with the the rest of the flight system. Once terminal trajectory to the surface has been achieved, the Lander engines, fuel tanks, and docking section can be jettisoned along with the Rover undercarraige to allow the heat sheilded lander can and science storage container to re-enter the atmosphere and land on parachutes.