Uploaded August 2012 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
Kara is an unoccupied probe designed to be a interplanetary proof of concept as well as a stepping stone for the following Crimson, Paavo, Vega, and Vulcan missions. It's goal is to leave Kerbin's sphere of influence and return after a "roughly" two year long orbit while collecting data on Kerbol along the way. Kara's launch was accomplished by the HP 31 Heavy vehicle lifting body, the same body that the following missions will be launched with. However unlike the predecessors launching three of each probe, only one Kara ever flew. This is mostly because of budget, but also due to the fact that there is relatively little data to collect as well as a large margin for error. With Kara's systems being very simple, the risk of critical failure is quite low. That being said, launching more than one is pointless. The re-entry portion of Kara is equipped with minor sensors. However unlike the Crimson landing vehicle the Kara lander is not RCS powered. The vehicle was only attached to see if the re-entry heat shield could remain functional after two years of exposure to the vacuum of space.
Kara is an unoccupied probe designed to be a interplanetary proof of concept as well as a stepping stone for the following Crimson, Paavo, Vega, and Vulcan missions. It's goal is to leave Kerbin's sphere of influence and return after a "roughly" two year long orbit while collecting data on Kerbol along the way. Kara's launch was accomplished by the HP 31 Heavy vehicle lifting body, the same body that the following missions will be launched with. However unlike the predecessors launching three of each probe, only one Kara ever flew. This is mostly because of budget, but also due to the fact that there is relatively little data to collect as well as a large margin for error. With Kara's systems being very simple, the risk of critical failure is quite low. That being said, launching more than one is pointless. The re-entry portion of Kara is equipped with minor sensors. However unlike the Crimson landing vehicle the Kara lander is not RCS powered. The vehicle was only attached to see if the re-entry heat shield could remain functional after two years of exposure to the vacuum of space.
