Jump to content

Lightning22

Members
  • Posts

    7
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Reputation

0 Neutral

Profile Information

  • About me
    Bottle Rocketeer
  1. The naming scheme in my present career mode generally follows a unique name followed by the iteration number, in roman numerals. As an example, before I could really make orbit, and really my first orbital craft were the Planetary Explorer-K (I-XII), but then certain craft have additional designations so, if something that is typically manned has a probe body on it, maybe for testing or a no-return mission, have a "D" designation at the end of the numerals, but then if it's built specifically as a probe, then probe will be in the name. So to go through an abbreviated list: Planetary Explorer-K,D (I-XII) Deep Space Probe (I-V) Munar Lander (I-IV) Special designations: D-Drone (Probe body added) N-Nuclear Power plant added to to craft NP- Atomic Rocket motor is used in craft I-Ion engine is in the final stage
  2. If we're assuming that this is occurring in space, we should consider more than on defense, it's clear that there is no single catch-all, mirrors are really only good for certain wavelengths and any smokescreen used to diffuse the beam would also encounter the same problem, ECM can only get you so far, and shooting first isn't always an option due to rules of engagement. So to prioritize, ECM and stealth would be the first choices, you can't hit what you can't "see". Next would be the plan B passive defenses, some way to absorb and perhaps radiate the heat out of the craft, as mentioned, this wouldn't be possible for the entire craft, but if you can keep the sensitive parts out of the beam you might last long enough to break the target lock, or eject in a smaller pod. Finally a plan c, I'm thinking something similar to chaff, similar in material to what is presently used to befuddle radar, only in space, not only do you have a cloud of fine metal to hopefully diffuse the laser, depending on your release method, you also have a very fine cloud of metal hurtling towards your attacker. This would probably be completely last ditch due to the very high improbability of actually catching the beam and the fact that it endangers not only the craft deploying it, but every future vessel to pass through the orbit you just put that cloud of metal in.
  3. Improper staging (Lander capsule detaches from landing legs and control surfaces) Suicide burn while watching altimeter, above a mountain. Did not course correct after entering the sphere of influence of a body that is not your target. Not having enough power to run your ion engine.
  4. I'd stick to IL-2 1946, from there you'll want to update it at the very least version, 4.09, if you want to stay stock, look up Team Daidalos, they've been updating with Oleg's blessing. If you're doing mods, either Ultrapack or SAS are good choices, SAS tends to look prettier, and I think, someone may need to correct me on this, ultrapack has more aircraft going up through the Korean war. It should run on Windows 7, I've seen forum posts on mission4today that Windows 8 can be iffy though. There's also IL-2 Cliffs of Dover, the successor, better graphics and engine, I'm assuming that there are mods, but the stock is limited to the Battle of Britain. Beyond that you're looking at older games and arcade-like controls.
  5. I'd recommend that you start looking around at the colleges that interest you, community colleges can be really good choices as already mentioned, in addition though, as you do your search, get into contact with the faculty there, because making that contact before your application even gets in can really put you ahead, I wound up going to LTU on scholarships likely in part because I was a familiar face to the faculty, including the deans. As towards high school, the engineering classes can really help you out, they may not go for credits, but they provide some pretty valuable experience. When you start to look at AP courses, check with the colleges you're looking at see, what courses they'll except and where you need to score to get the credits, based off of what I've seen for engineering, AP Chemistry, AP Lit and/or Composition (some schools will only take one, others both), and AP Econ can get you out of some of the more sluggish freshman classes, and save you a good chunk of change. AP Calc, normally split between AB Calc (First college semester calculus) and BC Calc (First and second semester calc) Can be a bit of two edged sword, depending on your math skills. If you do well in math and can study on your own, go for it, however, transition wise, both classes can be difficult, in that if you get college credit for them, your taking the next calc class in college, normally calc 2 or 3, both of which build off of the prior courses, you have a couple months in the summer between classes, so you'd need to really study up before your classes start to keep up. Additionally, look for and apply for any scholarships you can, there's a lot of money out there, I myself for example applied for an essay scholarship run by the Michigan chapter of UNAA (United Nations Association of America), the essay was actually a paragraph about what the UN meant to me, only one other person from my school applied, and in the entire state, less than 50 applied, I took first got a check for $75, easy. Some scholarships aren't so easy, but if you look and try, go for it, because even if your classes are cheap, the textbooks, even rented/used can be expensive. In regards to extra curriculars, debate and archery are an interesting mix, I'd recommend trying to get some volunteering in as well, if not to put on your applications, (though volunteering looks very good on them), then to help others, which trust me, leaves you feeling like a million bucks sometimes. If you can, this spring or next look into something called the Global Trade Mission, see if you can't get your school and/or yourself involved, it throws you into a scenario where the focus is on team building and networking I unfortunately haven't been involved in it since 2010, so it may have changed since then, but quick break down is that it's a kind of two day simulation in which you are placed into a random group with three other people, told to pick a field (electronics, robotics, communications, software, etc.), pick a regional market, come up with a product, figure out how to market the product and some basic logistics, and then pitch that to experts in that field. It's crazy, but it can do a lot of good, I wound up having lunch with a NASA engineer from JPL, he was going to write my letter of recommendation, but was pulled a way by curiosity.... The point being, if you can network, get to know people in the field as they can really help you in the future. My final recommendation is to pick what you feel you can afford and what fits you best, that is to say look for a balance between financial security and your happiness. Good luck
  6. College and the economy have unfortunately kept me out of anything but the digital cockpit, I've been flying around in IL-2 Sturmovik since it came out though, and been flying with ultrapack since 2011. Closest airport is a private field, so not much air traffic, although, Selfridge ANG base is in reasonable driving distance and A-10s can sometimes be seen (and heard) high overhead.
  7. When you start drafting out rockets and aircraft in Autocad or other software because you've already modeled the basic parts in it.
  8. 1. If mods are your thing, do them, if not don't. 2. Regardless of your choice for #1, remember, you set your own goals, hopefully you set all of them with fun as mission priority number one. 3. The navball is your best friend, it removes concerns about which way the camera is pointing as you try to maneuver your craft. 4.When in doubt about delta-v add more boosters OR reduce weight. 5. Struts and symmetry do not always a stable craft make. If your rocket is spinning, a lot, and you've loaded your craft with SAS, RCS, and wings/fins, it's likely a strut and/or symmetry problem. 6. Scot Manley's videos are excellent for inspirations, however, they should not be the expectations you set for yourself. 7. Stock KSP aerodynamics means that if there's a drag measurement on the part your using, then it will exert drag regardless of location on your craft. 8. When leaving a body, there is such a thing as wasted speed, you don't need to hit mach 7 to make orbit. 9. Remember to have some power sources on your vehicles, I can't tell you how many probes I've lost and Kerbals I've stranded because I forgot batteries and/or solar panels 10. It's a sandbox game, there are millions of ways to do something, for you the only important way is the one that you want to do.
  9. Wow, I've spent the last few days reading up on this thread. KSK, this is fantastic. You've demonstrated a great talent for writing and I can't wait to see what comes next.
  10. So how much delta V would you need to manage anything even close to that in KSP, without something like the interstellar mod?
  11. The first time I had hooked up my joystick on a shuttle, it was a return mission with a little extra fuel. "Time to lower the throttle <orientation reversed, throttles up to 100%>". I then learned the true usefulness of the cut throttle key.
×
×
  • Create New...