Project The Janus Expedition

[francisdrake]

The story is based on the book Janus by Phillip P. Peterson.

Photos taken from orbit indicate the monolith on the Mars moon Phobos may be an artificial structure. Earths nations race to Mars to become the first to capture the possible alien technology. Makeshift spacecrafts are assembled. The USA and Europe re-purpose the Lunar Gateway, adding extra fuel and engines to it, as well as an inflatable heat shield for an aerodynamic capture in the Martian atmosphere.

Update: The vessels and scenarios here are still under development. The Janus is now a dll vessel and can perform status changes, like jettison the heat shield, adjust the solar panels or spawn an EVA. The scenarios can be played to achieve their individual objectives. See attachment 'Janus-...zip' below.



A CrewDragon is approaching the Janus to deploy its crew. The Janus is attached to an Exploration Upper Stage, which will boost it into a Martian transfer orbit. To the front of the vessel a folded-up heat shield is attached.


Arrival on Mars. In a trail of plasma, with its heat shield deployed, the Janus is slowing down to capture into an elliptical orbit.
The solar arrays are in a feathered position to protect them against the entry heat.


A distress call is received from the Russo-Chinese expedition. The Janus approaches to assist them.


The Stickney crater is a remarkable surface feature of Phobos.


With Mars dominating the sky above, an astronaut prepares for an EVA to investigate the Phobos monolith.
What will he find?

 

[Buck Rogers]

Nice little addon, kinda mini 2001 Odessy

Had a little camera target conflict, apparently Janus already orbits Saturn (didn't expect to see rings!)- solved it by renaming the ship Janus1.
And the Monolith is missing in the .scn files.
With a few extras (maybe VesselBuilder?), shield, array animation etc. so one can fly it in 1 flight it would make a really nice mission.

 

[francisdrake]

Thanks for trying it!

Yes, the name 'Janus' is already taken. I was also confused with the book title, when I realized it was an expedition to Phobos.
Maybe I should rename the ship.

On the long run, I intend to write a dll for it, so the ship can actively configure its operation modes.
But flying the whole story may still be very challenging. I picked the departure date for a good launch date to Mars, but still struggle to inject the ship into a proper transfer orbit.

For some fun try the '70 Monolith' scenario and have closer look on the artifact ...

 

[Buck Rogers]

On the long run, I intend to write a dll for it, so the ship can actively configure its operation modes.

Yes, that would be great! can't wait

But flying the whole story may still be very challenging.

Do like to manage a flight from beginning to end, but it's nice to have the individual .scn files for reference. And no challenge no fun (will take a look at the transfer).

For some fun try the '70 Monolith' scenario and have closer look on the artifact ...

Non of the .scn files have entries for the Monolith! The .msh is in the download but missing from the scenes.

 

[francisdrake]

The monolith is actually a part of a base called 'Monolith'.
I will check the download, maybe I missed to include the base.

 

[Buck Rogers]

All working, my error. Phobos.cfg was missing: Dir Phobos/Bases. All .scn files successfuly loaded (sorry for the false alarm).

Eject date looks good, Haven't been able to set up a good auto burn with IMFD yet, had to do it manually; Dv 4.63k, Pe MJD ~63975.
It would make a nice challenge to race against the Soyuz. I imagine the Tanker flies parallel with the other two? If all 3 are in the start scene one can fly them all together.

 

[francisdrake]

If you can find a good timing for Trans Mars Injection, maybe you can post the scenario?

In the book they raise the Soyuz' orbit with a series of Progress transporters to a highly elliptical orbit, before they give it the final push to Mars. The Janus follows a few days later, but because it launches in middle of the transfer window, its route is slightly faster and they arrive one day ahead of the others. Would be interesting if this can really be so, or if it just a plot set up by the author.

 

[Buck Rogers]

If you can find a good timing for Trans Mars Injection, maybe you can post the scenario?

I gave it a closer look:
Using the porkchop tool Trajectory Planner I get the following best transfers around that date:

Eject date
63691
Prograde vel.
2405,0146731104
Outward vel.
519,952075166858
Ch. plane vel.
1537,74615173111

Tot.Dv: 6975
Arr: 63868,3417085
Trav.time: 177,3417


Eject date
63715
Prograde vel.
2751,55340195284
Outward vel.
-153,149174433712
Ch. plane vel.
-317,046880451657

Tot.Dv: 7140
Arr: 63988,9447236181
Trav.time: 273,9447


Eject date
63728
Prograde vel.
2789,17598236824
Outward vel.
844,202951427813
Ch. plane vel.
384,583216875341

Tot.Dv: 7240
Arr: 63992,9648241206
Trav.time: 264,9648

First one looks good, note Dv is without the eject burn (Tot.Dv is escape and capture), and this where it starts to get tricky. The initial inc. (~ISS) is way off (5+k Dv), the most practical solution a 2 plane transfer, there's a plane change node coming up in a month or so (2.85M) (~1.1k Dv).
I've set it up and tweaked the escape burn in IMFD but still can't get it to autoburn properly, I have to manually burn an extra 1.1k Dv! I've tried both Vel. frame and LVLH. I tested with the DG (.scn attached) and it burns perfectly, I'm wondering if the stack mass is being calculated properly (can check in burntimeMFD)?

Attached are .scn files preburn: Vf, LVLH, DG, MCC

its route is slightly faster

Possibly, have experienced something similar in KSP being to impatient and sending probes to early and the later ones arriving first (also reminds me of an interesting theory that the first contact with an alien race would be made with the newest probes sent by them followed by the older ones?). But I'm not sure a few days would make that much difference and at the end of the day it's how much Dv you have at your disposal. Also a lot can happen on the way, accuracy of the escape burn, MCC, rendevous with Phobos.
I guess the best way (and most fun) to find out would be to fine-tune the .cfgs and fly it in Orbiter

p.s. the left IMFD also has the target intercept and orbit eject programs with the data I used for the delta velocity program

 

[francisdrake]

Thanks for posting these scenarios!

I am not familiar with IMFD, so I gave it a try with the stock MFDs, using your scenarios. After prograde accelerating to 11 km/s relative to Earth, and some mid-course corrections I was able to reach an atmospheric entry on Mars. This was quite surprising for me! In previous trials I had missed Mars by a lot.
Will modify the Trans Mars Injection scenarios with your data, for the next version.

 

[Buck Rogers]

Try this one:
A prograde escape burn at T-500s for 955s (Dv 3285) fly way out of Earth SOI til the MFDs have settled down, and then wait and execute the plane change in the Align planes MFD (Dv ~1000), you should then only need minor MCCs for an intercept.

P.s. InterplaneteryMFD has a highly accurate course prediction (Map program) and is indespensible IMO.
Look forward to the next itteration

 

[francisdrake]

Working on a dll to do the vessel status changes. The HIAD can now be jettisoned after use. Still a long way to go ...
- Does anybody now where the Lunar Gateway has its RCS thrusters located?

 

[Buck Rogers]

Here you can see the RCS on the PPE

 

[francisdrake]

A prograde escape burn at T-500s for 955s (Dv 3285)

Thanks for the ProGrade scenario!
Still, sometimes I get better results using the "20 Transfer Injection PreMMC", although with a lot of midcourse corrections and higher encounter speed on Mars.

In the ProGrade scenario:
Can I simply add the speed value (Dv 3285) to the current orbital speed, to determine the engine cutoff speed?

Below a picture of the work in progress. Janus is firing the ion-thrusters to raise its orbit after aerobraking.

 

[gattispilot]

On my ppe rcs are here

 

[Buck Rogers]

Still, sometimes I get better results using the "20 Transfer Injection PreMMC

It's all very hit or miss, it's a long burn (rel.) in a low orbit, exact start and finish make a big difference.

Can I simply add the speed value (Dv 3285) to the current orbital speed, to determine the engine cutoff speed?

I get a post-burn OS of ~10.23k, which doesn't add up, I think it's better to time it (BurntimeMFD, IMFD).

 

[francisdrake]

Update in the first post. The attachment is "Janus-01.zip".
The Janus is now a dll-vessel. It can perform status changes, discard the heat shield, adjust the solar panels, spawn an EVA and refuel on a tanker.

On my ppe rcs are here

I use the same position, and added 2 RCS clusters at the front end of the HALO, to be able to translate the vessel.

 

[Buck Rogers]

Looking good so far, hope to do a complete flight soon
Still having a minor conflict, Janus.dll already exists, put it in it's own folder: modules/Janus/Janus.dll, and changed the .scn ship name to: Janus1:Janus/Janus
A little wish, animated panels, HIAD (and the ion exhaust a little thinner)?

P.s. I don't know if it's wise to enter the Monolith

 

[francisdrake]

I guess you found it!

A question on the Janus.dll: Do you have a Saturn moon pack installed, or such? Janus (the moon) has no dll to my knowledge.

 

[Buck Rogers]

A question on the Janus.dll: Do you have a Saturn moon pack installed, or such? Janus (the moon) has no dll to my knowledge.

Yes, I have 230 entries in my Sol.cfg

; === Configuration file for solar system ===
Name = Sol

Star1 = Sun
Planet1 = Mercury
Planet2 = Venus
Planet3 = Earth
Earth:Moon1 = Moon
Planet4 = Mars
Mars:Moon1 = Phobos
Mars:Moon2 = Deimos
Planet5 = Vesta
Planet6 = Jupiter
Jupiter:Moon1 = Io
Jupiter:Moon2 = Europa
Jupiter:Moon3 = Ganymede
Jupiter:Moon4 = Callisto
Jupiter:Moon5 = Amalthea
Jupiter:Moon6 = Thebe
Jupiter:Moon7 = Adrastea
Jupiter:Moon8 = Metis
Jupiter:Moon9 = Himalia
Jupiter:Moon10 = Elara
Jupiter:Moon11 = Pasiphae
Jupiter:Moon12 = Sinope
Jupiter:Moon13 = Lysithea
Jupiter:Moon14 = Carme
Jupiter:Moon15 = Ananke
Jupiter:Moon16 = Leda
Jupiter:Moon17 = Callirrhoe
Jupiter:Moon18 = Themisto
Jupiter:Moon19 = Megaclite
Jupiter:Moon20 = Taygete
Jupiter:Moon21 = Chaldene
Jupiter:Moon22 = Harpalyke
Jupiter:Moon23 = Kalyke
Jupiter:Moon24 = Iocaste
Jupiter:Moon25 = Erinome
Jupiter:Moon26 = Isonoe
Jupiter:Moon27 = Praxidike
Jupiter:Moon28 = Autonoe
Jupiter:Moon29 = Thyone
Jupiter:Moon30 = Hermippe
Jupiter:Moon31 = Aitne
Jupiter:Moon32 = Eurydome
Jupiter:Moon33 = Euanthe
Jupiter:Moon34 = Euporie
Jupiter:Moon35 = Orthosie
Jupiter:Moon36 = Sponde
Jupiter:Moon37 = Kale
Jupiter:Moon38 = Pasithee
Jupiter:Moon39 = S2003-J1
Jupiter:Moon40 = S2003-J2
Jupiter:Moon41 = S2003-J3
Jupiter:Moon42 = S2003-J4
Jupiter:Moon43 = S2003-J5
Jupiter:Moon44 = S2003-J6
Jupiter:Moon45 = S2003-J7
Jupiter:Moon46 = S2003-J8
Jupiter:Moon47 = S2003-J9
Jupiter:Moon48 = S2003-J10
Jupiter:Moon49 = S2003-J11
Jupiter:Moon50 = S2003-J12
Jupiter:Moon51 = S2003-J13
Jupiter:Moon52 = S2003-J14
Jupiter:Moon53 = S2003-J15
Jupiter:Moon54 = S2003-J16
Jupiter:Moon55 = S2003-J17
Jupiter:Moon56 = S2003-J18
Jupiter:Moon57 = S2003-J19
Jupiter:Moon58 = S2003-J20
Jupiter:Moon59 = S2003-J21
Jupiter:Moon60 = S2003-J22
Jupiter:Moon61 = S2003-J23
Planet7 = Saturn
Saturn:Moon1 = Mimas
Saturn:Moon2 = Enceladus
Saturn:Moon3 = Tethys
Saturn:Moon4 = Dione
Saturn:Moon5 = Rhea
Saturn:Moon6 = Titan
Saturn:Moon7 = Hyperion
Saturn:Moon8 = Iapetus
Saturn:Moon9 = Phoebe
Saturn:Moon10 = Janus
Saturn:Moon11 = Epimetheus
Saturn:Moon12 = Helene
Saturn:Moon13 = Telesto
Saturn:Moon14 = Calypso
Saturn:Moon15 = Atlas
Saturn:Moon16 = Prometheus
Saturn:Moon17 = Pandora
Saturn:Moon18 = Pan
Saturn:Moon19 = Ymir
Saturn:Moon20 = Paaliaq
Saturn:Moon21 = Tarvos
Saturn:Moon22 = Ijiraq
Saturn:Moon23 = Suttungr
Saturn:Moon24 = Kiviuq
Saturn:Moon25 = Mundilfari
Saturn:Moon26 = Albiorix
Saturn:Moon27 = Skathi
Saturn:Moon28 = Erriapo
Saturn:Moon29 = Siarnaq
Saturn:Moon30 = Thrymr
Saturn:Moon31 = Methone
Saturn:Moon32 = Pallene
Saturn:Moon33 = Polydeuces
Saturn:Moon34 = Narvi
Saturn:Moon35 = Daphnis
Saturn:Moon36 = S2004-S7
Saturn:Moon37 = S2004-S8
Saturn:Moon38 = S2004-S9
Saturn:Moon39 = S2004-S10
Saturn:Moon40 = S2004-S11
Saturn:Moon41 = S2004-S12
Saturn:Moon42 = S2004-S13
Saturn:Moon43 = S2004-S14
Saturn:Moon44 = S2004-S15
Saturn:Moon45 = S2004-S16
Saturn:Moon46 = S2004-S17
Saturn:Moon47 = S2004-S18
Planet8 = Uranus
Uranus:Moon1 = Miranda
Uranus:Moon2 = Ariel
Uranus:Moon3 = Umbriel
Uranus:Moon4 = Titania
Uranus:Moon5 = Oberon
Uranus:Moon6 = Cordelia
Uranus:Moon7 = Ophelia
Uranus:Moon8 = Bianca
Uranus:Moon9 = Cressida
Uranus:Moon10 = Desdemona
Uranus:Moon11 = Juliet
Uranus:Moon12 = Portia
Uranus:Moon13 = Rosalind
Uranus:Moon14 = Belinda
Uranus:Moon15 = Puck
Uranus:Moon16 = Caliban
Uranus:Moon17 = Sycorax
Uranus:Moon18 = Prospero
Uranus:Moon19 = Setebos
Uranus:Moon20 = Stephano
Uranus:Moon21 = Trinculo
Planet9 = Neptune
Neptune:Moon1 = Triton
Neptune:Moon2 = Proteus
Neptune:Moon3 = Nereid
Neptune:Moon4 = Naiad
Neptune:Moon5 = Thalassa
Neptune:Moon6 = Despina
Neptune:Moon7 = Galatea
Neptune:Moon8 = Larissa
Neptune:Moon9 = S2002-N1
Neptune:Moon10 = S2002-N2
Neptune:Moon11 = S2002-N3
Neptune:Moon12 = S2003-N1
Neptune:Moon13 = S2002-N4
Planet10 = Pluto
Pluto:Moon1 = Charon
Pluto:Moon2 = Hydra
Pluto:Moon3 = Nix
Pluto:Moon4 = Styx
Pluto:Moon5 = Kerberos
Planet11 = Chariklo
Chariklo:Moon1 = S Chariklo 1
Planet12 = Cruinthe
Planet13 = Eris
Eris:Moon1 = Dysnomia
Planet14 = Haumea
Haumea:Moon1 = Hiiaka
Haumea:Moon2 = Namaka
Planet15 = Makemake
Planet16 = Orcus
Planet17 = Quaoar
Quaoar:Moon1 = Quaoar I
Planet18 = Sedna
Planet19 = Varuna
Planet20 = Ceres
Planet21 = 2 Pallas
Planet22 = 3 Juno
Planet23 = 1620 Geographos
Planet24 = 1998 KY26
Planet25 = 2063 Bacchus
Planet26 = 216 Kleopatra
Planet27 = 243 Ida
243 Ida:Moon1 = Dactyl
Planet28 = 253 Mathilde
Planet29 = 4179 Toutatis
Planet30 = 433 Eros
Planet31 = 4769 Castalia
Planet32 = 6489 Golevka
Planet33 = 951 Gaspra
Planet34 = 90 Antiope
90 Antiope:Moon1 = S2000 90 1
Planet35 = 2006 SQ372
Planet36 = 1994 CC
1994 CC:Moon1 = S2009 136617 1
1994 CC:Moon2 = S2009 136617 2
Planet37 = 1566 Icarus
Planet38 = 3200 Phaethon
Planet39 = 5786 Talos
Planet40 = 588 Achilles
Planet41 = 624 Hektor
Planet42 = 659 Nestor
Planet43 = 911 Agamemnon
Planet44 = 1143 Odysseus
Planet45 = 1404 Ajax
Planet46 = 1437 Diomedes
Planet47 = 1583 Antilochus
Planet48 = 1647 Menelaus
Planet49 = 1749 Telamon
Planet50 = 1868 Thersites
Planet51 = 1869 Philoctetes
Planet52 = 617 Patroclus
Planet53 = 884 Priamus
Planet54 = 1172 Aneas
Planet55 = 1173 Anchises
Planet56 = 1208 Troilus
Planet57 = 1867 Deiphobus
Planet58 = 1870 Glaukos
Planet59 = 1871 Astyanax
Planet60 = 1872 Helenos
Planet61 = 1873 Agenor
Planet62 = 2207 Antenor
Planet63 = 2223 Sarpedon
Planet64 = 2000 EH26
Planet65 = 2014 MU69
Planet66 = 2014 OS393
Planet67 = 2014 PN70
Planet68 = 2000 SG344
Planet69 = Didymos
Didymos:Moon1 = Dimorphos

So I guess these names are taken

 

[Arvil]

Janus does not come with any version of Orbiter from O2001 through O2016, but it is available as an add-on body in 'Saturn Moons' add-on in 2014. It has cfg, msh, and dds files, but not dll. Hope that helps.