Kerbal Space Program: Duna to Kerbin

Mission: Interplanetary Travel from Duna to Kerbin

Top: Planning a course from Duna to Kerbin. Bottom: Departing from Duna.

The Kerbals had been stationed on board the Duna Space Station for a number years and would be needed for future missions. They were beginning to tire of each others company and requested a leave of absence. After much deliberation, Gerlo, Ronmon, and Ribdon were given permission to return home.

The Kerbals boarded the interplanetary vessel and plotted a course for Kerbin. Gerlo transferred sufficient fuel and mono-propellant to the interplanetary craft and Ronmon performed the undocking maneuvers. When the craft was safely distant from the station, the Kerbals activated the nuclear engines and departed from Duna.

Arriving at Kerbin.

This would be the first time in Kerbal history that we attempted to return anything from beyond the Kerbin system. Our scientists informed us that returning would be quite similar to departing, only in reverse, except still in the same direction, while following a completely different trajectory. Maybe it wasn't exactly the same, but we would make it work nonetheless!

Separating the command module from the interplanetary craft.

In a pure stroke of luck, we managed to have the Kerbals arrive somewhat near Kerbin! We discovered that the trip only consumed about 25% percent of the craft's fuel. We decided not to inform the Kerbals aboard the Duna Space Station that a large percentage of their fuel was wasted. Nothing good would come of it!

Ribdon adjusted the craft into an aerocapture with Kerbin. Ronmon separated the command module from the craft and boosted away. The two crafts greatly separated from one another after entering Kerbin's atmosphere. The parachutes were activated and the command module thankfully came to a rest above land!

Top: Entering Kerbin's atmosphere. The interplanetary craft as it burns up can be seen as a tiny speck above and to the left of the command module. Bottom: Parachutes are deployed!

We did it! We had successfully built a space station to orbit around Duna, landed Kerbalkind on both Duna and it's moon, Ike, AND returned the Kerbals (mostly) safe and sound! Where would we go next? The universe was ours to explore!

Here's one for the family!