Campaign: Project JOOL

← Where No Kerbal Has Gone Before

Campaigns

Introduction

With the completion of the Exploration of Jool, a step forward in Kerbal knowledge created a spark. Yet there still was knowledge waiting to be discovered. So, the Kerbal Space Program once again turned its attention to the exploration of the Jool system. This time, Kerbal scientists wanted the Jool system mapped and its scientific information properly recorded. A lot of probes were constructed to explore Jool and its moons.

Specifications

• Length: 3-6 hours
• Difficulty: 8/10 (Expert)
• Skills Needed:

1. Expert navigation via maneuver node
2. Advanced orbiting
3. Intermediate understanding of interplanetary launch windows (phase angles)
4. Expert probe design
5. Advanced fuel efficiency
6. Ability to complete Kerbol System Exploration

• For Version: Every Version Post-0.18 (tested on 0.23)

Missions

ELROND

• Construct the beginning mission that will result in a flyby of Jool.

1. Probe must contain at least six scientific experiments
2. Probe must contain at least two Communotron 88-88 antennas and at least one Communotron-16 antenna
3. Probe must contain two electric generators and must have at least a 2000 electrical storage capacity
4. Probe must contain RCS (at least 200)

• The probe must be bulked up.

ELROND Launch

• Have a space shuttle launch ELROND into a Kerbin escape trajectory, and then further the trajectory into a Joolian encounter.

1. Probe must be launched into a Kerbin escape trajectory by a reusable launch system.
2. Probe must make a flyby of Duna, using it as a planetary slingshot

(Tip: Make sure that the ELROND probe has sufficient fuel and thrust to make the voyage from Kerbin to Jool.

Encounter and Flyby

• ELROND must encounter Jool at any time (preferably <320 days)

1. ELROND must use a Joolian gravity assist and have a periapsis lower than 30,000m
2. ELROND must use all scientific instruments during its flyby
3. ELROND must flyby Jool at less than 30,000m
4. Probe must image Laythe, Vall, or Tylo - imaging just requires using the screenshot feature - if you can tweak it with Photoshop that would be better)
5. Probe must at least image Laythe during flyby. This requires ELROND to be launched at a position where Laythe would be.
6. Probe must do at least one of the following:

• Escape Jool's SOI
• Use Jool's own gravity to escape its SOI.

JAPAN

• Construct a secondary probe to explore the atmosphere and magnetosphere.

1. Probe must carry at least five scientific experiments, including a GRAVMAX Negative Gravioli Detector, a 2HOT Thermometer and a [[PresMat Barometer]
2. Probe must be able to burn into an approx. 5000 km orbit.
3. Probe must be able to image Jool - aka screenshot it.

JAPAN Launch

• Have a space shuttle launch JAPAN into a Kerbin escape trajectory, and then further the trajectory into a Joolian encounter.

1. Probe must be launched into a Kerbin escape trajectory by a reusable launch system.
2. Probe must make a flyby of Duna, using it as a planetary slingshot

(Tip: Make sure that the JAPAN probe has sufficient fuel and thrust to make the voyage from Kerbin to Jool.

Encounter, Orbital Insertion, and Laythian Orbital Insertion

• Encounter Jool at any time (preferably <320 days)

1. JAPAN must circularize an orbit at 5800 km above Jool, with a 0 degree orbital inclination
2. Probe must then image Jool rapidly.
3. Probe must investigate Jool's Great Wisp.
4. Probe must image either Vall or Tylo before or after orbital insertion.
5. Probe must insert itself into a circular 5800 km orbit at 0˚
6. Probe must do both one of the following:

• Alter orbits so it orbits Laythe now
• Use a Joolian gravity assist to slingshot it into a Laythian encounter

Finishing Word

The JAPAN and ELROND probes had successfully mapped and collected data from the Jool system. The probes had also proved that Jool would not be a very good place for Kerbals to live, although that subject is still being debated. The green planet and its moons were now somewhat understood by KSP scientists, and no further missions were currently needed to further explore it. The Kerbal Space Program now turned its head to discovering what was beyond the Kerbol system, and began constructing space telescopes.