Our tried-and-true 3-satellite communications network is coming to Minmus. Successful use of the constellation around both Kerbin and Mun have deterred engineers from implementing more complex solutions, although they certainly thought about them. The satellite will carry two dishes and one antenna. The antenna will serve for the local omni network while the dishes allow for direct comms to Mun and indirect comms to Kerbin, routed through the IP ComSats. A lofty 1,150km orbit will provide for a very stable constellation once all satellites are in place. The transfer stage contains a probe core that will allow for any remaining fuel to be used to send the stage into Minmus for impact experiments in the future.
The flight team worked in data as late as possible to get a more accurate thrust since the proximity of the moon was liable to cause a good deal of change to the trajectory when dealing with a maneuver of less than 0.2m/s! The initial result was an apomin of 1,130km but as the craft sped away from Minmus the trajectory eased out and apomin turned out to be 1,155km - still a bit high than the planned 1,150km but after crunching the numbers with the new telemetry data it was confirmed the craft would still reach an equidistant point between ComSats #1 & #2 that was only 5km off of optimal.
Because the loft up to 1,155km will happen behind Minmus, a 2hr eclipse will occur, far longer than this ComSat can withstand. So we have shut down non-essential systems and comms to allow craft to operate through the night transition.
