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Goddard-Problem: Maximal launch altitude Challenge

mhoram
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mhoram

mhoram

Posted
Posted (edited)

It has been a long time (V0.16) since someone brought up the Goddard problem here on the challenges-forum. So I felt it is time with the new aerodynamic system to have a new take on it.

Mission Description

Launch the provided rocket "Triple-G" from the launchpad as high as possible into the upper atmosphere.

XGGd5Df.jpg

Scoring

The score you get is the altitude in meter as shown in a screenshot you provide. The higher the better.

Restrictions

In order to be able to use MechJeb, Telemachus or kOS, I provide an officially sanctioned module manager config file (goddard.cfg)


{
MODULE
{
name = kOSProcessor
diskSpace = 5000
}
MODULE
{
name = TelemachusDataLink
}
MODULE
{
name = TelemachusPowerDrain
powerConsumptionBase = 0.01
powerConsumptionIncrease = 0.02
}
MODULE
{
name = MechJebCore
MechJebLocalSettings {
MechJebModuleCustomWindowEditor { unlockTechs = flightControl }
MechJebModuleSmartASS { unlockTechs = flightControl }
MechJebModuleManeuverPlanner { unlockTechs = advFlightControl }
MechJebModuleNodeEditor { unlockTechs = advFlightControl }
MechJebModuleTranslatron { unlockTechs = advFlightControl }
MechJebModuleWarpHelper { unlockTechs = advFlightControl }
MechJebModuleAttitudeAdjustment { unlockTechs = advFlightControl }
MechJebModuleThrustWindow { unlockTechs = advFlightControl }
MechJebModuleRCSBalancerWindow { unlockTechs = advFlightControl }
MechJebModuleRoverWindow { unlockTechs = fieldScience }
MechJebModuleAscentGuidance { unlockTechs = unmannedTech }
MechJebModuleLandingGuidance { unlockTechs = unmannedTech }
MechJebModuleSpaceplaneGuidance { unlockTechs = unmannedTech }
MechJebModuleDockingGuidance { unlockTechs = advUnmanned }
MechJebModuleRendezvousAutopilotWindow { unlockTechs = advUnmanned }
MechJebModuleRendezvousGuidance { unlockTechs = advUnmanned }
}
}
}
@PART[probeStackSmall]

Submissions

A valid submission must contain at least the following information

  • A screenshot depicting the rocket at it's highest possible altitude or a F3-readout after reaching apoapsis.
  • A list of addons you used, that helped with the launch (readouts, steering, thrust)
  • Optionally it would be great if you would provide stats about the ascent (Telemachus for example) or infos on how you reached the altitude

Leaderboard

  1. 61867: Padishar (kOS-script)
  2. 61761: Nich (manual launch)
  3. 61704: Sando Mutt (manual launch)
  4. 61525: Gaarst (manual launch)
  5. 61503: Nao (manual launch)
  6. 61478: MadChris48 (manual launch)
  7. 61296: Padishar (manual launch)
  8. 61194: SpaceWeaver (manual launch)
  9. 61175: Feradose
  10. 61137: mhoram (kOS-script)
  11. 58824: kookoo_gr (manual launch)
  12. 58330: Foxster (manual launch)
  13. 56969: Cool791
  14. 53914: Kaboom!
  15. 49261: mhoram (manual launch)
  16. 46070: littlebuddy0

The Attic - the place where you beat yourself

  1. 61604: Padishar (kOS-script)
  2. 60915: Padishar (manual launch)
  3. 60883: MadChris48 (manual launch)
  4. 59963: MadChris48 (manual launch)
  5. 59531: MadChris48 (manual launch)

Pending Verification

  1. (to be verified: 62891: adamgerd) (manual/MJ launch)
  2. http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/128509-Goddard-Problem-Maximal-launch-altitude-Challenge?p=2158468&viewfull=1#post2158468
  3. http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/128509-Goddard-Problem-Maximal-launch-altitude-Challenge?p=2159963&viewfull=1#post2159963

Since it was requested, participants may use this badge:

C0mg0CA.png (large version)

Edited by mhoram
Updated Leaderboard
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mhoram

mhoram

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Here is my first entry with an altitude of 49261m

It was a manual launch with KER for readouts. I tried to adjust throttle so that there was no visible airflow around the rocket.

h0X2U66.jpg

- - - Updated - - -

Edit 1- Will there be a FAR leaderboard?

Since I don't use FAR, I can't even test, if the provided rocket will fly reasonably with FAR-aerodynamics. In the case that I try FAR and validate the rocket, I will adjust the challenge rules accordingly.

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MadChris48

MadChris48

Posted
Posted (edited)

60883m. manual launch.

  • SAS on and full throttle off the pad until ~300m/s
  • Almost immediate switch SAS to hold prograde (this was the break 60k tweak)
  • After ~300m/s is reached, gently and steadily tap the throttle down
  • I never went below 1/3 throttle, and I saw best results keeping the TWR at or above 3 for the duration of the burn

1fEvBm1.jpg

Edited by MadChris48
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mhoram

mhoram

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Posted

Thanks for the sumbmissions, I updated the leaderboard

Does this include adjusting the thrust limiter in VAB?

You may adjust the thrust limiter of the engine, since it does not improve the engines performance.

I did a complicated launch of hitting T, pointing it straight up and going at full throttle...

When I tested the rocket at full throttle, I reached a maximal altitude of 40km. So I am having difficulties verifying your result of 58km. Do you have any mods installed that alter the properties of parts or change the physics?

Am I missing something here? What can you do to get higher?

The problem is that a higher velocity induces higher drag, so the faster you fly the more you decelerate by air friction. The trick is to optimize the thrust for the whole launch.

60k might be the number to beat...

I believe 60k is reachable. The calculations for the theoretical limit are a bit tricky.

60883 km. manual launch.

You keep the submissions coming in faster than I can update the leaderboard

Gratulations for beating 60km (and not 60000km) ;)

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Padishar

Padishar

Posted
Posted

I didn't get a screenshot at the max height but I did get this...

cppd47u.png

Manually flown using KER for readouts.

Does this count? If not, I guess I'll have to try again and make sure I don't get distracted and forget to reduce timewarp and take the screenshot...

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mhoram

mhoram

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Posted
I wanna badge.

For what?

54km using Mechjeb and "limit to terminal velocity".

Setting her to prograde (rather than straight up) raises this to 58km.

If you provide screenshots, I will gladly include your submisssions to the leaderboard, but thanks for the info of your reached altitude.

Um...

71708m

Did I do something wrong?

Don't know ... you tell me.

From the other entries it seems like the maximal reachable altitude is around 60km, but if you were able to push this to over 70km it would be a huge step.

Please provide more info on how you handled the throttle during the ascent, so that it can be reproduced.

Do you have any physics or part changing addons installed?

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Padishar

Padishar

Posted
Posted
Um...

Did I do something wrong?

I suspect that there is something wrong with your installation. E.g. the physics.cfg file or one or more part .cfg files have been modified by a mod or weren't updated correctly when you updated KSP. How did you do the launch?

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HoloYolo

HoloYolo

Posted
Posted
For what?

If you provide screenshots, I will gladly include your submisssions to the leaderboard, but thanks for the info of your reached altitude.

Don't know ... you tell me.

From the other entries it seems like the maximal reachable altitude is around 60km, but if you were able to push this to over 70km it would be a huge step.

Please provide more info on how you handled the throttle during the ascent, so that it can be reproduced.

Do you have any physics or part changing addons installed?

Participating? Sorry if I sounded like an ass. It just seems like we should get a badge saying, "I Participated!"
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Endersmens

Endersmens

Posted
Posted
https://www.dropbox.com/home?preview=2015-07-13_00001.jpgThis Is My Failed Attempt At Getting 50km +

- - - Updated - - -

Why Isn't My Picture Showing Up I Used Dropbox Is That A Problem

Yes, I would recommend uploading it to Imgur and the on the left side, copying the "forum link" and pasting it here. :)

Ninja'd the man. :blush:

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mhoram

mhoram

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Posted (edited)
Edit 1- Will there be a FAR leaderboard? Edit 1.5- It flips out

61175m

Gratulations on that altitude! Thanks for FAR-testing - seems like the ship is of no good use.

And I nearly missed your entry, since I do not get notified when posts are edited. Next time I suggest that you simply write a new post with your entry.

I didn't get a screenshot at the max height but I did get this...

Does this count? If not, I guess I'll have to try again and make sure I don't get distracted and forget to reduce timewarp and take the screenshot...

Since the readout from the altimeter can be smaller than the f3-screen, I will subtract 10m from your result and accept it as such - otherwise feel free to launch again. Thanks for your submission.

Participating? Sorry if I sounded like an ass. It just seems like we should get a badge saying, "I Participated!"

No worries - I added a badge. Now you just have to participate ;)

Why Isn't My Picture Showing Up I Used Dropbox Is That A Problem

Yes it is a problem, since I can not verify your claim. Have not tested dropbox as image-hoster so far.

Here is a FAQ on how to embed images:

http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/48073-Forum-FAQ-%E2%80%93-Answers-for-New-Users?p=637095#post637095

And welcome to the forum!

Edited by mhoram
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