Venn Base
The whole Duna mission was of a redundant design: two spacecraft, two bases, two rovers. The designs relied on one proven one and one new, more optimal one for the mission.
Today’s launch was C372A Venn Base 01 a complete overhaul optimized for arctic conditions. The launcher was a Freya Mk3, something that you don’t see every day. It would wait in orbit for 200 days and then head to Duna on autopilot.
Cobalt 2
C350B Cobalt 02 was the updated design of the current base at Minmus. More supplies, better mechanics, comms, and landing mechanisms. This base would be the center base of operations for the Duna mission.
Sojourner 2
A Freya Mk2 launcher took the R102B Sojourner 02 in orbit. There were no changes to this design, compared to its twin that was roaming the Mun. That craft had already been outfitted with parachutes to mimic this launch as close as possible.
The Beatle
V-101C Beetle 01 was a new rover design. Less focussed on exploration, but more on-base construction. It would join Cobalt 2 and serve as a general beast of burdon to expand the base and its resources during the mission. If the Sojourner would fail to land, the Beatle could be converted to serve a science mission as well.
KSC Archives 