Tutorial:Mun Squared

Mun Squared Mission Tutorial

Step 1: Rocket Design

Design a rocket with sufficient Delta V to handle two round trips to the Mun. Ensure your craft includes stages for launch, Mun landing and return, and Kerbin return. Use efficient engines like the LV-T45 "Swivel" Liquid Fuel Engine and the LV-909 "Terrier" Liquid Fuel Engine for vacuum. For a Mun rocket, it is generally recommended to have around 7-8 thousand m/s of Delta V.

Step 2: Launch and Mun Landing

1. Launch your rocket from the Kerbal Space Center (KSC) for a good inclination of roughly 0 degrees.
2. Perform a gravity turn; point roughly 45 degrees east at around 15 kilometers.
3. Continue the turn until your apoapsis is over 70 kilometers.
4. Achieve a stable orbit around Kerbin by burning at apoapsis to circularize.
5. Plot a trajectory towards the Mun using maneuvers or eyeball it if you know what you are doing and perform a Trans-Munar Injection (TMI).
6. Enter the Mun's sphere of influence (SOI) and adjust trajectory for landing. Note that the Mun has no atmosphere, unlike Kerbin, so do not use parachutes to slow down on the Mun.
7. Descend carefully and land on the Mun's surface using landing gear.

Step 3: Mun Launch and Return to Kerbin

1. Launch from the Mun's surface to achieve Munar orbit.
2. Perform a Trans-Kerbin Injection (TKI) to escape the Mun's gravity.
3. Upon reentry into Kerbin's SOI, burn retrograde at apoapsis.
4. Use atmospheric braking to slow down and prepare for reentry. Around 30-40 kilometers above the surface is a good altitude for aerobraking on Kerbin.

Step 4: Return to KSC (Optional)

1. Aim your descent trajectory towards the KSC.
2. Deploy parachutes at the appropriate altitude to ensure a safe landing.
3. Recover the vessel at the KSC to maximize mission efficiency.

Step 5: Second Mun Landing

1. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 to land on the Mun a second time.
2. Ensure precise landing to conserve fuel for the return journey.

Step 6: Return to Kerbin

1. Perform another TKI to leave the Mun's orbit.
2. Adjust trajectory for Kerbin reentry and capture into orbit.
3. Plan for atmospheric entry and deploy parachutes for safe landing on Kerbin.

Step 7: Final Landing and Recovery

1. Descend through Kerbin's atmosphere and land safely on its surface.
2. Recover your spacecraft to complete the mission.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully completed the Mun Squared mission in KSP without refueling. This tutorial should help you navigate the complexities of launching, landing, and returning from the Mun twice in a single mission.