Solivagant

Nawww, it has the Mohole, neat craters, a huge sun, it's a challenge to get too, it's perfect for driving rovers, etc. The real boring one is Dres.

This thread is more heated than Moho

Lord help us if it's not.... But it is, right?

Alright, I'll put something together for the Orion then. Thanks for the compliment, I spent far too long than is healthy on those landers. I've run into a little problem: I forgot that when you put the Hitchhiker sideways, the Kerbal exits sideways too... makes for an awkward disembarking.

Sneak peak at my first few crafts for the challenge! If someone could explain how to embed images, that'd be great. For now, this link will have to do: http://imgur.com/a/388tT The official announcement will come later...

Wait, so it is a must that Orion be able to hold 4? Or will you just lose the points for that requirement?

I'd like to participate, if anyone else is still here. I have some special treats in store, having already designed the Orion, Ares I, Ares V, and both the Mun and Duna lander.

Holy Batman! Mad props to all of you, it sounds like great things are getting done. Really hyped about interstage faring and logos! Keep it up!

Eyebrows... ehhh, not a huge fan, but all the power to Squad for implementing female Kerbals!

I... I can't say I particularly like it. The shape is nice, but the eyebrows look wonky and the hairline is weird. Well, better than nothin', and better late than never!

4 tons.... is not a lot. I think a lot of people would prefer something cheap, small, and disposable for payloads that small.

The two most hyped features in the entire game, getting added at the same time, with fairings and female kernels thrown in as well. I'm not sure I've ever been as excited for an update.

I'm wondering, what percent of the total mass should my payloads be? The lifters I'm designing carry between 13 and 15 percent, is that an okay amount? What sort of tips do you guys have for improving this?

I don't use spreadsheets or back of the napkin calculations, I just fiddle with something that seems good, then find its upper limit and spend a few hours tweaking it to be optimized. My criteria are 2 stages only, not counting boosters, of which I usually use liquid fuel for and there can be no more than 4 boosters.Another must-have is that it has to look nice and realistic. There's nothing wrong with rockets wider than they are tall, but I like sleek, SLS-style stuff with nosecones. Additionally, I'll be set when the aerodynamics overhaul comes.