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Challenge Earth to Mars, advanced challenge.

dgatsoulis

dgatsoulis

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Here is an interesting and fun challenge: Land the DG in the following scenario, on Olympus base, on Mars, before the end of 2011.

Code: 
BEGIN_DESC
Land on Olympus base on Mars before the end of 2011. No re-fuelling. 
END_DESC

BEGIN_ENVIRONMENT
  System Sol
  Date MJD 55317.8031126967
END_ENVIRONMENT

BEGIN_FOCUS
  Ship 3
END_FOCUS

BEGIN_CAMERA
  TARGET 3
  MODE Cockpit
  FOV 60.00
END_CAMERA

BEGIN_PANEL
END_PANEL


BEGIN_SHIPS
3:DeltaGlider
  STATUS Orbiting Earth
  RPOS 6570835.61 1714348.62 5042902.18
  RVEL -217.392 6577.520 -1952.786
  AROT -71.46 -12.66 49.18
  RCSMODE 0
  PRPLEVEL 0:0.1581 1:0.1333
  NAVFREQ 0 524 84 114
  XPDR 6
  GEAR 1 1.0000
  PSNGR 2 3 4
  TRIM 1.000
END
END_SHIPS

BEGIN_ExtMFD
END

BEGIN_VistaBoost
END

Here is a silly little "scorecard", to help you keep track of your score:

1.Land on Mars before the end of 2011 = 2000 pts
2.Land on a pad on Olympus base before the end of 2011= 1000 pts (Bonus)
3.For every day BEFORE the deadline 20 pts added to the score.
4.For a landing away from the base 1 pt is subtracted for every Km.

Example1: Land on Mars on 12 November 2011, 600km away from Olympus base: 2000(Land on Mars) + 980(49 days before deadline) - 600(600km away from base) = 2380 pts

Example2: Land on pad 1 of Olympus base on 30 December 2011: 2000(Land on Mars) + 1000(land on a pad of Olympus base) + 20(1 day before deadline) = 3020 pts

Many thanks to flytandem for providing the scenario.
For tips you may want to read flytandem's posts in this thread

Remember, last allowable landing date is MJD 55926.9999 (December 31st 2011 - 23:59:59)

For the XR2 fans, here is the same scenario with a Ravenstar loaded with the CHM and 2 passengers onboard.
Loadout and fuel are set to give the ship the same dv as in the DG scenario (6900 m/s). Oxygen is enough to last untill 1/1/2012

Code: 
BEGIN_DESC
Land on Olympus base on Mars before the end of 2011. No re-fuelling.
END_DESC

BEGIN_ENVIRONMENT
  System Sol
  Date MJD 55317.8050314768
END_ENVIRONMENT

BEGIN_FOCUS
  Ship XR2-01
END_FOCUS

BEGIN_CAMERA
  TARGET XR2-01
  MODE Cockpit
  FOV 60.00
END_CAMERA

BEGIN_PANEL
END_PANEL


BEGIN_SHIPS
XR2-01:XR2Ravenstar
  STATUS Orbiting Earth
  RPOS 6475522.22 2785948.30 4674540.42
  RVEL -930.683 6330.736 -2484.396
  AROT -71.34 -12.79 49.13
  PRPLEVEL 0:0.996 1:1.000
  IDS 0:199 100
  NAVFREQ 588 466 84 114
  XPDR 193
  SECONDARY_HUD 3
  LAST_ACTIVE_SECONDARY_HUD 0
  ADCTRL_MODE 0
  TAKEOFF_LANDING_CALLOUTS 7096.611468 0.510000 0.528000 

0.000000 -0.350620
  APU_FUEL_QTY 0.848
  LOX_QTY 0.954398
  CABIN_O2_LEVEL 0.209
  CREW_STATE 0
  INTERNAL_SYSTEMS_FAILURE 0
  COGSHIFT_MODES 0 0 0
  MWS_ACTIVE 0
  COOLANT_TEMP 32.307
  DMG_0 1.000000 Left Wing
  DMG_1 1.000000 Right Wing
  DMG_2 1.000000 Left Aileron
  DMG_3 1.000000 Right Aileron
  DMG_4 1.000000 Landing Gear
  DMG_5 1.000000 Nosecone
  DMG_6 1.000000 Retro Doors
  DMG_7 1.000000 Top Hatch
  DMG_8 1.000000 Radiator
  DMG_9 1.000000 Airbrake
  DMG_10 1.000000 Left Main Engine
  DMG_11 1.000000 Right Main Engine
  DMG_12 1.000000 Left SCRAM Engine
  DMG_13 1.000000 Right SCRAM Engine
  DMG_14 1.000000 Fore Hover Engine
  DMG_15 1.000000 Aft Hover Engine
  DMG_16 1.000000 Left Retro Engine
  DMG_17 1.000000 Right Retro Engine
  DMG_18 1.000000 Forward Lower RCS
  DMG_19 1.000000 Aft Upper RCS
  DMG_20 1.000000 Forward Upper RCS
  DMG_21 1.000000 Aft Lower RCS
  DMG_22 1.000000 Forward Star. RCS
  DMG_23 1.000000 Aft Port RCS
  DMG_24 1.000000 Forward Port RCS
  DMG_25 1.000000 Aft Star. RCS
  DMG_26 1.000000 Outboard Upper Port RCS
  DMG_27 1.000000 Outboard Lower Star. RCS
  DMG_28 1.000000 Outboard Upper Star. RCS
  DMG_29 1.000000 Outboard Lower Port RCS
  DMG_30 1.000000 Aft RCS
  DMG_31 1.000000 Forward RCS
  DMG_32 1.000000 Bay Doors
  IS_CRASHED 0
  MET_STARTING_MJD 55317.8050314768
  INTERVAL1_ELAPSED_TIME -1.000000
  INTERVAL2_ELAPSED_TIME -1.000000
  MET_RUNNING 1
  INTERVAL1_RUNNING 0
  INTERVAL2_RUNNING 0
  ACTIVE_MDM 3
  TEMP_SCALE 2
  CUSTOM_AUTOPILOT_MODE 0
  AIRSPEED_HOLD_ENGAGED 0
  SCRAM0DIR 0.000000 0.000000 1.000000
  SCRAM1DIR 0.000000 0.000000 1.000000
  HOVER_BALANCE 0.000
  MAIN0DIR 0.000000 0.000000 1.000000
  MAIN1DIR 0.000000 0.000000 1.000000
  GIMBAL_BUTTON_STATES 0 0 0 0 0 0
  ATTITUDE_HOLD_DATA 0.000000 0.000000 0 0 0.000000
  DESCENT_HOLD_DATA 0.000000 -3.000000 0
  AIRSPEED_HOLD_DATA 0.000000
  OVERRIDE_INTERLOCKS 0 0
  TERTIARY_HUD_ON 1
  CREW_DISPLAY_INDEX 0
  GEAR 0 0.0000
  RCOVER 0 0.0000
  NOSECONE 0 0.0000
  AIRLOCK 0 0.0000
  IAIRLOCK 0 0.0000
  CHAMBER 0 0.0000
  AIRBRAKE 0 0.0000
  RADIATOR 1 1.0000
  HATCH 0 0.0000
  SCRAM_DOORS 0 0.0000
  HOVER_DOORS 0 0.0000
  BAY_DOORS 0 0.0000
  APU_STATUS 0
  EXTCOOLING_STATUS 0
  TRIM 0.000
  LIGHTS 0 0 0
  XRUMMU_CREW_DATA_VALID 1
  UMMUCREW XI0-Lee_Nash-39-65-78
  UMMUCREW XI1-Kara_Miller-32-65-58
  PAYLOAD_SCREENS_DATA 0.2 0 1 1
END
XR2-01_Bay:XRPayloadBay
  STATUS Orbiting Earth
  RPOS 6475522.35 2785951.45 4674540.10
  RVEL -930.683 6330.736 -2484.396
  AROT -71.34 -12.79 49.13
  ATTACHED 0:3,XR2-01
END
XR2PayloadCHM-01-1:XR2PayloadCHM
  STATUS Orbiting Earth
  RPOS 6475523.24 2785946.66 4674541.50
  RVEL -930.683 6330.736 -2484.396
  AROT -71.34 -12.79 49.13
  ATTACHED 0:0,XR2-01
  NAVFREQ 0 0
END
END_SHIPS

BEGIN_ExtMFD
END

For the scenario to work properly, you have to use these settings in the XR2RavenstarPrefs file, located in the Config directory:

MainFuelISP=0
LOXLoadout=3
LOXConsumptionRate=4
APUFuelBurnRate=5
 
Last edited:
As i tried the challenge with the XR2, i noticed that Jupiter was in a nice position to try and make a Hoffman transfer.
I thought i'd give it a try, if nothing else, to see how much more fuel would be needed.
I was surprised to see that, regarding the dV, the XR2 COULD make it to Jupiter but the oxygen would be depleted long before i got there. (remember the settings on the XR2RavenstarPrefs file).
I said "what the heck, even with the crew dead, lets see how close i can get."

Result: Crashed on Jupiter on October 20th 2012!
Of course the crew was dead since January 10th 2011, but still, i would have NEVER thought that from that starting orbit, an XR2 with "expert" settings could make it to Jupiter!

Now, i know that the XR2 didn't actually have a total dV of 6900 m/s, because of the oxygen consumed during the flight.
But after my TJI burn, i had only about 200kg of total fuel left and my oxygen was more than 97%, making the resulting extra dV negligible.

Conclusion:
To those of you that know how to use IMFD and prefer it to TransX (hey, let's face it, IMFD is a bit easier to use), i strongly recommend to take the time and check out flytandem's tutorials and challenges.

When you use the things you'll learn there, on a ship with TransX on one panel and IMFD on the other, the results are simply amazing!

P.S. I think Doug should change the following line in the XR2RavenstarPrefs config file: "# 0 = Expert (ISS Only w/expert use of SCRAM engines and expert deorbit/landing) [13943]" with:

"# 0 = Expert (ISS Only w/expert use of SCRAM engines and expert deorbit/landing) [13943] (Oh, and you might also get to Jupiter from LEO)" :lol:

Have fun everyone, happy orbiting!
:cheers:
 
Last edited:
Seems with dV limit 6900 m/s it's possible to get to Mars much faster than at 31 December 2011:
1. MJD 55317, dV=6873 m/s, intercept Mars at MJD 55741 MJD (June 29, 2011).


But better to wait few weeks and save fuel for maneuvers:
2. Burn time 55334 MJD, total dV=6709, arrival at 55759 MJD (July 17, 2011).
 
Last edited:
Excellent job on finding that launch window Ajaja! :thumbup:
(The first was very nice for close fly-by but almost impossible to make a landing without a "crash").

The second one though, was pretty impressive! Landed on Olympus base about 3 months earlier! (I had to reproduce it on TransX and then "tweak" it for quite a while to get an even better total dV. Then i used the "known tricks" (6 days before TMI-> raise Apoapsis to the edge of Earth's SOI -> At Apoapsis kill the Rinc -> lower Periapsis as close to the atmosphere as you can get) to get a sufficient enough amount of fuel left to allow me to land on Mars safely.)

Mine was "Burn now- land on Mars" on MJD 55847 (It required a massive plane change of about 87 degrees, which i did with as little fuel as possible, using the method above), which left me with about 2000 kg of total fuel left, after the TMI (more than enough for the MCCs and a relatively easy landing, "spot-on" Lpad 1 of Olympus base, with about 400kg fuel left).

May i ask you how you found it?
The Ejection and Encounter dates seem a bit counter-intuitive since the "total dv" shown on the Course plan of IMFD was quite high. What exactly where you looking at on the course plan of IMFD that allowed you to choose those dates? Or where you switching back and forth of the course and orbit eject plans until you got to a minimum dV?

This was a real "eye-opener". I didn't use the "Outward-velocity" of TransX for ejections. Only for MCCs. But it was what IMFD did, and this is as close i could get to it with TransX. (Left MFD-IMFD, to the right-> TransX)

Code: 
BEGIN_DESC
Contains the latest simulation state.
END_DESC

BEGIN_ENVIRONMENT
  System Sol
  Date MJD 55317.8579618402
END_ENVIRONMENT

BEGIN_FOCUS
  Ship 3
END_FOCUS

BEGIN_CAMERA
  TARGET 3
  MODE Cockpit
  FOV 60.00
END_CAMERA

BEGIN_MFD Left
  TYPE User
  MODE Interplanetary
  Scenario Old2
  MapMFD V5
  Reference Auto
  Target none
  Center GravityRef
  Data 0 1 1e-006 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
  MassLimit 1e+020
  CMode 0
  Config 1 1 1 1 0 0
  ExtMode 0
  Periapis none
  END 
  CorMFD V4
  Reference Sun
  Target Mars
  Source Earth
  ActiveProg 1 1
  DataA 0 3 0 0 0 0
  DataB 1 10 55334.00536666648 0 0 0.9280632179986528 0 55757.02372777665 0
  DVProg 0 0 0 1
  AdvConf 0 0 1 0 0
  Guidance 0
  END 
  EjectMFD V5
  Reference Auto
  Data 1 1 3 1 0 55317.90340409727 9416.6
  Guidance 0
  END 
  BaseAprMFD V2
  Reference Auto
  Target none
  Source 3
  DataA 0 0 120000 0.10821 0.366519 1 1 55317.8032814351 55317.80493511566 0
  DataB 0 3 0 1 0 1
  END 
  SlingMFD V4
  Reference Auto
  Source 3
  Data 0 1 1 3 0 0 55317.8032814351 0
  END 
  LaunchMFD V4
  Target None
  Data 0 1 1 3 0 1 0
  END 
  CF1_DataA 0 0
  CF1_DataB 55317.8031895601 10 120000 2 20 150000
  CF1_SecTgt 
  mfdShare -1
  mfdProgram 2
END_MFD

BEGIN_MFD Right
  TYPE User
  MODE TransX
  Ship  3
  FNumber 3
  Int 1
  Orbit True
  Vector  -4826037.95323 -6554746.92546 -2281704.76883
  Vector  3616.31205186 -4104.91291811 4148.39719752
  Double  3.98600439969e+014
  Double  55317.8579618
  Handle Earth
  Handle NULL
  Handle NULL
Select Target
 0 Escape
Autoplan
0 0
Plan type
0 0
Plan
0 1
Plan
0 0
Plan
0 0
Select Minor
 0 None
Manoeuvre mode
0 0
Base Orbit
0 0
Prograde vel.
 0  0
Man. date
 0  55317.8578514
Outward vel.
 0  0
Ch. plane vel.
 0  0
Intercept with
0 0
Orbits to Icept
0 0
Graph projection
0 1
Scale to view
0 0
Advanced
0 0
Pe Distance
 0  7645212
Ej Orientation
 0  2.12476383138
Equatorial view
0 0
Finvars
  Finish BaseFunction
  Int 2
  Orbit False
  Handle Sun
  Handle Earth
  Handle Mars
Select Target
 0 Mars
Autoplan
0 0
Plan type
0 2
Plan
0 0
Plan
0 0
Plan
0 1
Select Minor
 0 None
Manoeuvre mode
0 0
Base Orbit
0 1
Prograde vel.
 0  0
Man. date
 0  55317.8579615
Outward vel.
 0  0
Ch. plane vel.
 0  0
Intercept with
0 0
Orbits to Icept
0 0
Graph projection
0 0
Scale to view
0 0
Advanced
0 0
Prograde vel.
 0  2754.36377548
Eject date
 0  55334.0048843
Outward vel.
 0  8925.72351647
Ch. plane vel.
 0  -1042.62648318
Finvars
  Finish BaseFunction
  Int 5
  Orbit True
  Vector  2413294107.69 825497220.392 5751982721.28
  Vector  -4475.35811055 -1531.1010666 -10634.528121
  Double  4.28282991638e+013
  Double  55750.7671952
  Handle Mars
  Handle NULL
  Handle NULL
Select Target
 0 None
Autoplan
0 0
Plan type
0 1
Plan
0 0
Plan
0 2
Plan
0 0
Select Minor
 0 None
Manoeuvre mode
0 0
Base Orbit
0 0
Prograde vel.
 0  0
Man. date
 0  55317.8578721
Outward vel.
 0  0
Ch. plane vel.
 0  0
Intercept with
0 0
Orbits to Icept
0 0
Graph projection
0 0
Scale to view
0 0
Advanced
0 0
Draw Base
0 0
Finvars
  Finish BaseFunction
END_MFD

BEGIN_PANEL
END_PANEL


BEGIN_SHIPS
3:DeltaGlider
  STATUS Orbiting Earth
  RPOS -4826012.64 -6554775.66 -2281675.73
  RVEL 3616.334 -4104.883 4148.408
  AROT -129.79 24.12 -43.91
  RCSMODE 0
  PRPLEVEL 0:0.158 1:0.133
  NAVFREQ 0 524 84 114
  XPDR 6
  GEAR 1 1.0000
  PSNGR 2 3 4
  TRIM 1.000
END
END_SHIPS

BEGIN_ExtMFD
END

Excellent job!:thumbup:
Respectfully,
Dimitris
 
If you share the instances of IMFD, you can have both Target Intercept AND Orbit Eject open and linked. While the dV shown in OE will be a bit erratic, keeping an eye on the EIn shown there will make a big difference. Once you find a window with a small EIn, you can tweak the TEj in Orbit Eject for lowest dV.

If you look, his first window had an EIn of 17.6 degrees (2.112 km/s), a large plane change to be making at Pe. The second window had an EIn of 3.65 degrees (437 m/s). The dV cost for the plane change is included in the Enroute dV. Remember that Target Intercept is using the Earth for it's source, so your velocity relative to Earth isn't counted in it's dV estimate.

Raising the Ap to make the plane change prior to ejection, as you suggest, would make the first plan much less expensive.
 
Yes, I used Target Intercept and Orbit Eject linked, trying to find best dV.
 
dgatsoulis said:
"# 0 = Expert (ISS Only w/expert use of SCRAM engines and expert deorbit/landing) [13943] (Oh, and you might also get to Jupiter from LEO)" :lol:
Click to expand...

You actually have just enough fuel after refueling at ISS that you can land on the Moon with a few kg of fuel remaining - maybe 200kg or so, I was landing on-target so you will have a larger reserve if you go for a landing anywhere. (launch window opens every 2 weeks. you can refuel at Mir, but I just don't like Mir and prefer ISS.)
 
hribek said:
You actually have just enough fuel after refueling at ISS that you can land on the Moon with a few kg of fuel remaining - maybe 200kg or so, I was landing on-target so you will have a larger reserve if you go for a landing anywhere. (launch window opens every 2 weeks. you can refuel at Mir, but I just don't like Mir and prefer ISS.)
Click to expand...

Yeah, i know. In fact, you can make a 48 hour round trip to the Moon with expert settings, ANYTIME you want. (Refuel at a space station and then refuel again, once you land on the Moon).

I uploaded [ame="http://www.orbithangar.com/searchid.php?ID=4367"]this[/ame] playback on O-H a few months ago, but i never finished the notation.

I'll try to update it sometime this month, by breaking down the flight in 3 parts.
1. KSC to Mir.
2. Mir to Brighton Beach.
3. BB to KSC.

This way there will be no "refuelling issues" that don't show in the playback (except the mandatory RCS to MAIN Xfeed, required for a Lunar landing within the first 30-31 hours of the flight).
 
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