BJ Quest

I have been working on making small as possible a combination orbital scanning prob - landing prob. Below is the picture of the latest results. A previous version was launched to Duna then Eve (in flight). I was successful in scanning Ike and landing a probe (with no remaining fuel, it did bounce but stayed together) as well a mapping Duna with a successful landing. Completed the contract which included transmitting science from the surface of both Ike and Duna. I do not think I can get any shorter then this. Two sets are staked so only one rocket is needed to get to both leaving the scanner in orbit (2nd picture below). Not a bad nights work :-)

I lost one several day ago... Playing with the big parts can be fun... (try to forget the cost and amount of resource use) :-)

A great Mun mission. Got a lot of science and now on the way home :-) The craft works quite well and slices through the atmosphere of Kirben quite well :-)

I worked on this SCANsat-Sci delivery vehicle. Delivers 2 scanning satellites to a system. A bit unique. Started with a 3 drop, 3 drop booster and ended up with a 4 drop 2drop booster. Much better use of fuel :-)

Patched together some old rusty parts for an orbiting sun station. Updated a probe deliver vehicle. The old rusty one was getting a bit worn.

Nice :-) I like them. Because the parts are rusty ("used") they really out to be discounted a lot in the cost of them (Tong in check) Nicely done! My first rusty vehicle It took a bit to get it into the air :-)

This one that is maned is going to Jool. Two others without the SatSCAN attached (all ready sent on different rocket) are going to Duna and Eve. Research is nearly max out. Am using several mods. The Farscape mod is neat but the basic engine is too fuel efficient to make it much of a challenge.

Started working with version 1.05. Made an aircraft - and is does fly Ok. A land vehicle to gather more science with very low technology at this time. Work quite well :-)

After building several different model rocket helicopter recover designed from scratch I thought what about KSP designs. Below is a test of the concept using the air break devise as helicopter blades. it works quite well through the atmosphere although some kerbals might get a bit sick from the tremendous amount of spinning. Perhaps a note needs to be stuck on the dashboard "Do not attempt right after eating" :-)

Been working a short series of jet aircraft. PJ and TJ Jets are shown. The side by side (PJ) is a real nice smooth flyer :-) A total of about 5 different jets were made last night of which the PJ and TJ were the 1st and 2nd ones in the effort.

I have been working and different types of probes. Shown below are 2 put together intended to map out a planet and a breakaway lander for atmospheric science information as well as science on the surface information. Multiple modes were used in this effort.

Did some real model rocket designing. http://imgur.com/wk3LmHw http://i.imgur.com/u213ZXz.jpg Helicopter recovery types

Huston .... I think we have a problem........ Up ... not down .... up...up.. That is better... NUTS!

The last of the Mega series - 16 probes to drop on planets/moons. the system works well. a space station called "Crazy 2" More then enough.

Worked on my big ships. refueling a large probe drop ship for exploring the surfaces of other planets/moons. This is turning into what I call the EGR series. Did a bit in the hanger with new parts. An side by side cockpit and two drones. Quick, and fast designs that works very well the first flight :-)

I went off this last weekend to help teach others how to do model rocketry. while standing night watch I did a little KSP and further developed my designs. Large enough to destroy the launching pad on lift off. I lifted the rocket just a few feet more in the vertical hanger/assembly building and got a clean but slow take off. Had to reduce the acceleration on the climb in order not to shred the rocket into peaces in the upper atmosphere. The computer frame rate was affected by such a large rocket. In this case - a good day (night) with KSP :-)

I played around in the hanger today after working on family members condo for sale. The R71 mini did great at getting into orbit with fuel left for landing. 20 degrees climb to 30 to 40 to about 45 until predicted height 76-77k. Orbited. Retro burned to land. Got a an important call so let the space plane descend through the atmosphere. Phone call ended in time to bring the plane in for a smooth landing. The R71 mini was red hot with heat but safe on the ground and in one piece. A good day in Kerbal Land :-)

I did a little re-thinking on landing with probes on other worlds. Since there are more then one zone on most planets multiple drops would be fine and can be balance around a core of a ship. This is the latest design (Science mode) The launch and refueling went well. Next time I will deploy the shielding before deploying the solar panels :-( As a note: lately a lot of the aircraft being posted are very nice :-)

I played around with larger size rockets in the sandlot mode. The following image is among the first to experiment with. The booster is a central core with 8 of the same rotated into the core making a 9 times fuel and power for the booster. It gets it into space and depending on what is on top into orbit (145K). The latest is a modified version that nearly gets it top into orbit (145K). Nearly all variations did quite well. :-) Add a few things and it should take one to anywhere, back and them some.

Jeb taking the new fighter out for a spin. Two tails fins required for acceptable yaw control. Why Kerbals are making fighters? - Who knows? Lets see... Small outpost to land on the Mun... Pick up a pilot from station around the Mun... Plant a flag on the Mun... return the pilot to Kerbin for up coming mission... Yes we can do that. (until a call from a sibling help caused me to mess up the departure from the Mun back to Kerbin (argh!!!!)). . F5, F9 does help for those situations :-)

Started working through career mode of version 1.03. Found a way to get ships and stations into space with minimum science tech (under 140kt limits for launch pad). Requires 1 or 2 refueling s to get to Mun, Minmus etc. But happy with results (See below): Also played with building a jet that looks like a jet - Seems to do quite well and take a lot of punishment as well as STOL abilities :-)

I have been in career mode (v.1.02) and came up with a variety of designs with less science levels then usual. The shot below is of a station heading for Ike using low cost parts and able to refuel with the large automated refuel-er once using the same booster. That booster works quite well time and time again with out breaking apart although 2 of the first 4 orange dropped destroys them self but does not damage the rest of the craft/booster. :-) The last shot is of a similar station that is headed out for Duna. Same process - One refill and it will reach the burn point to Duna 3 Kerbal day's before the other station going to Ike (about 116 Kerbal days).

A 2 place variant of the first jet design in career mode v1.02. Flys well and does the job :-)

This booster get the probe and 3 small Lander's up into orbit with just one refueling. a bit on the massive side for me.