Another science post
Wehrdard and Sampond went on one last mission. Building a science outpost on the nearest mountain. It was strange how quickly time had passed on this red planet, both were disappointed to leave that soon. So they packed up their Beatle and rode up the mountain slopes and camped for two days. They then deployed the sensors and enjoyed the sunset.
Packing up
By the end of the week, they were packing up at Cobal II. Sampond had configured the rover as a three-seater, following Katsuki’s design. It was hard to shut down the science lab and download all the data, there was so much more to do. The greenhouses would run on automated control until there was a crew to harvest. Hopefully not too long from now.
Early in the morning, they departed for the Falcon parked nearby. Scott loved the new seat. “It’s nice to travel together guys,” Scott said as they headed out.
Katsuki and Wehrdad boarded the dormant craft to restore its systems and prepare it for takeoff. It was a bit unusual for the commander to stay behind, but Scott wanted one last look at the red landscape. “I should get back to this place, we all should,” he said to himself. “Duna should have a Kerbin colony, perhaps we can find out more about the Dunatians and their history.”
The departure
The Falcon blasted off Duna with a mighty roar. Designed for the Mun it had been designed with foresight and it was powerful, so powerful that the craft would make orbit easily. Rather than a descent and ascent stage, the craft would now use both stages to reach orbit.
The Falcon performed its circularization right on the inclination of their mothership, resulting in just minor course changes for proper alignment and rendez-vous. They were eager to get back and dock with their ride home.
Docking occurred 45 minutes and two orbits later. They noticed the docked Pipet on the final approach and Wehrdard was very excited to compare those samples with the data that he had collected. Duna had not given up all of its secrets, but there was much they had learned.
At one time it had supported life, a strong atmosphere, and a sentient race called the Dunatians. There must have been a reason for the Kraken to enslave it, so what resources made Duna unique?
Breaking orbit
The first to break orbit was the Beale. It would deplete its fuel reserves significantly, but they were in a hurry. It was expected that she would end up in a highly eccentric orbit upon capture, a Galahad could pick them up and provide a little fuel to guide the spacecraft to its berth in Minmus orbit if needed.
The Sirkut departed a few days later. It would take a longer road, but due to a fortunate assist of Ike would make still good time. The crafts were not that far apart, and with a bit of a puff the cryo chambers put the teams to sleep.
It would take 260 days to come home, by the time they would get back the new crews should be arriving at Duna.
KSC Archives 