Flight Question DG4 to Mars -- Doomed!

[bloodtoes]

So, I got myself all set up with a trip to Mars. I started on the ground, transferred to the ISS for refueling and resupply, planned out a low energy trip from earth to mars using TransX, executed the burn and off I went.

However, I realised almost immediately after finishing the burn that all my crew and myself are going to die 15 days into the journey. That's quite a bit short of the 6 months or so that the trip will take.

I did load "life support" supplies into the cargo bay, though I'm sure if that's going to be useful at all. My options are either to try and turn around, which I'm unsure if I have enough fuel for, figure out how to reduce my O2 usage, or die a slow, cold death.

Is it possible to refill my O2 from the can the cargo bay? Was my journey fated from the start, is it possible to fly a captain and 4 passengers to mars with the DG4?

:rofl:

Any advice on flying the DG4 is very appreciated. Thank you. =)

 

[Brycesv1]

use the config settings to give urself enough O2 otherwise its impossible

 

[bloodtoes]

I haven't looked much at the config files but after taking a look I see how I can modify the ship to suit my needs. As for the flight in question.. after seeing your reply I decided to pull a U-turn. I managed to turn around and get into a highly eccentric (but closed) orbit before running out of fuel. I'll leave that scenario in tact for perhaps a future refueling/return mission.

Thanks!

 

[Brycesv1]

the dg4 comes with a utility that u can use to give it presets of O2, fuel, and change the engine thrust.

 

[n72.75]

Send the crew on an "extended eva" and make an abort burn.

 

[n122vu]

In the current release of the DGIV, you can refill fuel and oxygen from any container or vessel you are docked to.

Since you already used all your fuel, my suggestion is this:
1. Open the nosecone, empty the air chamber, and open the outer door
2. Perform an EVA
3. Open a turbopack door and eject it (lower cockpit panel) Grapple the turbopack on your back (B key)
4. Open the cargo bay doors
5. Move the EVA's crew member right above the "life support" materials
6. Eject the payload (lower cockpit panel)
7. Grapple the payload with the G key
8. Maneuver the payload to the nose of the ship until it docks, then release it with the G key
9. On the lower panel, open all input valves (fuel and oxygen both) and refill your resources.
10. Replace the turbopack, then move your EVA crew back to the nose
11. undock the container (CTRL-D)
12. enter the ship
13. re-dock to the container, either manually or using the DGIV's docking autopilot.
14. There is no limit to the 'resources' in the cargo container, so you can keep it docked and refill as needed, after circularizing into LEO.
15. Once in LEO, discard the container, perform deorbit burn and land at the base of your choice either manually or using reentry autopilot.

Hope this helps!
n122vu

 

[the.punk]

I would do it so too.

But I think I would only use the container once.

 

[Pilot7893]

Well, that is quite a prediciment there. Hope you get it figured out.

 

[RisingFury]

Keep in mind, after you set new values for your fuel, O2 and engine settings, you need to place a new DGIV into the scenario. Any DGIV that's there frome before will have the settings it had before.



You're not the first to die of asfixiation, falsly believing you have enough O2

 

[n122vu]

I would do it so too.

But I think I would only use the container once.

Agreed. That is, if continuing on the current course, which the goal appears to be a mission abort with safe landing on Earth. Once there and wheel stop, you should be able to load the settings mentioned by RisingFury by clicking the aptly named "Load Settings" button on the lower panel, then begin the mission again.

Or you could simply start the scenario from scratch and load the settings

 

[the.punk]

You're right.

 

[Brycesv1]

in the lower panel on the bottom left click load settings. u dont need to add a new DGIV

 

[insanity]

You could also cheat and dock to a DGIV payload and then open the outer doors. The DGIV would think you were using external life support.

You'd have to add a payload, jettison it, use the docking auto pilot tuned to the payload's IDS, and then correct the trajectory to make up for the maneuver

 

[bloodtoes]

:blink:
I can't wait to try these suggestions. There's so much to learn about the DG4. Thanks!