Gnikyv 1 Mission to Duna, completed

 Year 3, Day 136

Gnikyv 1 was a proposed mission to Duna turned real by astronomer Karl Kerman. It was planned as an uncrewed probe to Duna similar to Evera 1, but instead of going to Eve, which was actually surprisingly easy due to the high gravitational pull, it was gonna go to Duna.

Getting to Duna is significantly harder due to the low gravitational pull, about 30% of that compared to the surface of Kerbin. Due to the gravity, the SOI of this body is much smaller.

But Karl wouldn't let this get past him. Partnering with the KSA, he built the most accurate launch vehicle of its time to get to Duna safely and as quickly as possible.

When the Duna transfer window opened, they launched the rocket carrying the Gnikyv lander inside. After getting to orbit and running a couple background checks, they shot for orbit around the Sun.

After getting into a stable orbit, they headed straight for Duna. It would take months to get there.

After arrival at Duna, the lander detached from the payload bay and began descent towards the surface of Duna, near the Midland Canyon in a flat Planitia field about 20 km north.

Upon landing, measurements such as wind speed, air pressure, composition, and surface samples were taken. Precise gravitational and accelerometer measurements were also captured and revealed for the first time seismic activity on another planet in the Kerbol system! The rest of this data was transmitted back to Kerbin and images were analyzed. No microphones were carried onboard unlike Evera 1.

Karl Kerman said this about this marvel of a mission:

"The spectacular success of the KSA's mission to Duna, Gnikyv 1, was without a doubt in mind the number 1 highlight of this year and likely, this decade. We have almost certainly entered the age of interplanetary exploration and we shall continue to grow throughout the cosmos. Let us answer some of Kerbal-kinds oldest and most important general questions, and shower thoughts too."






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