Interplanetary Transfer and Aerocapture
Once all systems were ready, the Ares Spacecraft departed on its interplanetary journey.
The selected transfer trajectory was close to a Hohmann transfer, and allowed minimal fuel expenditure. Naturally, the insertion delta-v would be significantly cut by performing an aerocapture using Duna's atmosphere.
After plotting the maneuver, the Ares spacecraft departed on its way to the Red Planet.
Seventy seven days after leaving low Kerbin orbit, Duna and its small moon Ike were within sensor range.
The initial hyperbolic trajectory was slightly altered in order to bring the periapsis within 13 km of the surface.
The kerbonauts braced themselves as their spaceship approached Duna, hoping its thin atmosphere would be enough to eliminate the excess orbital energy.
The aerobraking pass was successful and Ares 1 emerged from the atmosphere in an elliptic orbit interior to the orbit of Ike.
The second aerobraking pass reduced the apoapsis to under 100 km.
The crew of Ares 1 had completed the first leg of their journey.
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