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Shuttle Challenge v5 - The STS thread [Stock and Mod Friendly] - MAJOR CHALLENGE ANNOUNCEMENT! - 30.3.2020


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SHUTTLE CHALLENGE v5 - THE 1.2.X - 1.9.X STS THREAD

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Incredible artwork by @Pine from the Screenshots Re-imagined thread

This heritage challenge is a revised and updated version of the @Speeding Mullet's STS Challenge @FCISuperGuy's STS challenge, which was in turn derived from @inigma's original STS challenge

 

The series of challenges below represent a sliding scale of difficulty ranging from relatively simple to highly complex.

UPDATES

****Slight clarifications of minor rules, general clean-up****

****Rule change to allow for shuttles with no cargo competing for STS-1A****

****Rule change to allow attitude control autopilots during reentry****

****Rule change to limit overpowered modded engine use****

****Amazing new badges created by @FCISuperGuy****

****New mission - STS Minmus 1****

****Rule change for STS-2a****

****New mission tier - "Test pilot missions"****

READING/WATCHING MATERIALS

Proposed rescue mission - recreated in STS-4

When we left Earth - Shuttle designing, Challenger disaster, first Hubble mission

When we left Earth - Hubble repair, space station building, Columbia disaster

https://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/index.php?/topic/169590-sts-shuttle-discussion-thread/ - A topic in the science & spaceflight forum section by @GoSlash27. Lots of great information about the shuttle, and a heated, but very interesting discussion.

 

RULES - PLEASE READ THESE BEFORE ATTEMPTING THE CHALLENGES

 

Official definition of a shuttle for this challenge:

A "reusable" winged Orbiter which carries Kerbals (and cargo for any mission beyond STS-1a) to orbit and back and is capable of a horizontal landing. It's advisable to have OMS engine(s) for trajectory changes as well as an RCS system for maneuvering.  The Orbiter must be lifted into space by a Launch System that decouples or un-docks once expended, allowing the Orbiter to land entirely under it's own power.

 

1. You must declare any and all mods used so I can place you into the relevant category / award the relevant badge.

2. Modded engines used must be approximately in balance with the stock ones. For example - while large SRBs from "SpaceY" are ok, engines with insane both TWR and ISP are not.

3. All atmospheric flight should be handled manually, with the exception of self scripted autopilot programs and "attitude hold" instruments during reentry.  Mechjeb etc is fine for on orbit procedures.

4. All atmosphere-altering mods (except FAR) are disallowed

5. You may not cheat in any way, whether it be by using plugins like HyperEdit or by using the Debug Menu for infinite fuel/RCS (you may, however, use the Debug Menu for part clipping).

6. You are required to use your own shuttle when completing any of the missions below.

7.   All missions require either an album showing each stage of the flight, or a video showing all stages of the flight.

8. Once you have completed a mission, please post your proof in this thread for my review.
9.  SSTO's are not eligable for entry to the challenge.

10.  Missions must be completed in the logical order unless you are certified from either STS v1, v2, v3 or v4 challenges to the relevant level, except for the "Test pilot" missions.

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                            

MISSIONS

                                                                                                                                                                                                            

STS-1a:  Getting the Basics Right

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This is the simplest mission - all you need to do is build a space shuttle, fly it, and land it.

Badges Available

STS Pilot - Rank 1

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Build a shuttle complying to the above space shuttle definition and fly it to orbit, then de-orbit and land wherever you like!

 

STS Commander - Rank 1

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Build a shuttle complying to the above space shuttle definition and fly it to orbit, then de-orbit and land. Land either at the KSC runway, the island airfield just off of the KSC, the Dessert Airfield from MH, or at any Kerbal Konstructs airport.

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                            

STS-1b:  Bonus Fuel Pod Mission (Do you even lift?)

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Mullet Dyne has contracted you to take their brand new 40t fuel pod up to the highest possible Kerbin orbit. Since it requires special on-orbit activation procedures, unmanned expendable launch vehicles are out of the question; it's up to you to take this behemoth to orbit and then return to land. Not only that, but they require a very precise orbit: You must adhere to the tolerances (Maximum difference between periapsis and apoapsis below). Do not use any of the pod's resources - it must be completely full when delivered to proper orbit! Can you do it?

Tolerances:

70-1999km - 100m

2000-4999km - 500m

4000-5999km - 1km

6000-8000km - 10km

8000km+ - 50km

Mullet Dyne Fuel Pod Available Here
 

If you have successfully taken the Fuel Pod to orbit (70+km), you get the special Flight Director badge, the ultimate display of piloting and engineering prowess and skill.

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STS-2a:  Can You Hear Me?

This mission is slightly harder - your goal is to design and deploy two or more comsats to geostationary orbits from your Shuttle and to return to Kerbin. Additional goals are required for higher-ranking badges.

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Badges Available

STS Pilot - Rank 2

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Reach an orbit of 200+km and deploy two comsats to geostationary orbits. De-orbit and land anywhere you want.

 

STS Commander - Rank 2

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Reach an orbit of 350+km and deploy three or more comsats to equidistant geostationary orbits. De-orbit and land at either at the KSC runway, the Island Airfield just off of KSC, the Dessert Airfield from MH, or at any Kerbal Konstructs airport.

                                                                                                                                                                                                            

STS-2b:  Bonus Ore Pod Mission (Do You Even Land?)

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Mullet Dyne has contracted you to recover their 40t fuel pod from where you left it, after contaminates were discovered in the fuel.  Can you land the thing!? Do not use any of the pod's resources - it must be completely full when landed!

 

If you have successfully landed the 40t fuel pod (from where you left it), you get the special Flight Director - Rank 2 badge, the ultimate display of piloting and engineering prowess and skill.

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STS-3:  Can You See Me?

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Your mission here involves some design and orbital construction - you are to launch a Space Telescope into orbit and deploy it. This will require assembly with the 2 MMUs (Manned Maneuvering Units, like this one) you will design, as the solar panels need to be attached on-orbit with Kerbals.

 

Badges Available

STS Pilot - Rank 3

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Launch the space telescope to an orbit of your choice and deploy and assemble it; afterwards, deorbit and land. Land anywhere you want.

 

STS Commander - Rank 3

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Launch the space telescope to a 550+km circular orbit inclined at 25-30 degrees and assemble it. After deployment, land at either at the KSC runway, the Island Airfield just off of KSC, the Dessert Airfield from MH, or at any Kerbal Konstructs airport.

                                                                                                                                                                                                            

STS-4/4R:  Can You Rescue Me?

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This'll be the most daring mission so far - first, you must launch a single shuttle to orbit, then send another shuttle to rescue it. See this article for technical details of the IRL proposed STS-107 rescue. Resource transfer between the two shuttles is not allowed.

 

Badges Available

STS Pilot - Rank 4

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Launch your first space shuttle into a 200+km orbit with a minimum of 4 crew, then send up your second shuttle to rendezvous with it and rescue its crew before coming in to land anywhere you wish.

 

STS Commander - Rank 4

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Launch your first space shuttle into an 350+km orbit with 6 crew at an inclination of 25-30 degrees, then send your second shuttle to rendezvous with it and rescue its crew. Land at either at the KSC runway, the Island Airfield just off of KSC, the Dessert Airfield from MH, or at any Kerbal Konstructs airport.

                                                                                                                                                                                                            

STS-5-8:  Can You Build Me?

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Your mission here is to build a 4 module space station with your space shuttle. Your space station must have:

A service module with RCS, engines, and reaction wheels
A habitation module
2 scientific modules

Badges Avaliable

STS Pilot - Rank 5

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Assemble your space station above 150km. After each mission, you may land anywhere you want.

 

STS Commander - Rank 5

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Assemble your space station above 300km. After each mission, land at either at the KSC runway, the Island Airfield just off of KSC, the Dessert Airfield from MH, or at any Kerbal Konstructs airport.

                                                                                                                                                                                                            

STS-9:  Can You Land Me???

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This mission is significantly more difficult than those before it.  You must develop your own unique sub-assembly and fly a daring mission in order to capture a space potato and return it to Kerbin for study.  This will test the balance and re-entry capability of your shuttle to the limits and is not for the feint of heart!  Also It's not mandatory for a kerbal to ride the asteroid in on top of the shuttle, but serious respect if you manage it.  Example mission here if you need inspiration.

Badges Avaliable

STS Pilot - Rank 6

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Launch your shuttle and capture an asteroid, then de-orbit and land wherever you like!

 

STS Commander - Rank 6

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Launch your shuttle and capture an asteroid, then de-orbit and land. Land either at the KSC runway, the Island Airfield just off of the KSC, the Dessert Airfield from MH, or at any Kerbal Konstructs airport

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                            

YOU MUST HAVE COMPLETED THE ORIGINAL KERBIN MISSIONS 1-8 IN ORDER TO PROGRESS TO THE MUN CHALLENGES
                                                                                                                                                                                                              

MUN STS-1:  Do I have Mun-quakes?

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Landing on an airless body was never going to be easy in a shuttle, but your task is to not only successfully land on the Mun, but to deploy a small research facility of your choice to study the Mun.  Oh yes you need to get back too!

Badges Avaliable

Mun STS Pilot - Rank 1

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Land your shuttle anywhere on the Mun and deploy a small un-manned research facility (which you will design) on the surface and then return home, capturing however you like and landing where you want.

 

Mun STS Commander - Rank 1

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Land your shuttle on the Mun and deploy a manned research facility (which you will design) on the surface and then return home, perform an aero-capture and land at either at the KSC runway, the Island Airfield just off of KSC, the Dessert Airfield from MH, or at any Kerbal Konstructs airport.

                                                                                                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                                                                                            

MUN STS-2-4:  Can You Explore me?

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@qzgy and his rather large munar base

 

This mission will really test your piloting skills, as well as the capability to design various payloads that you can transport in your shuttle.

Landing on an airless body was never going to be easy in a shuttle. But since you managed to do that, how about precision landings? You have to perform three shuttle missions to construct a scientific outpost containing:

A habitation module for at least 5 kerbals with an antenna and a docking port (STS Mun-2)

A pressurized rover for at least 5 kerbals, that is capable to dock to the habitation module (STS Mun-3)

An Emergency Escape Vehicle (EEV) for the whole crew (STS Mun-4)

 

The shuttles don't have to stay on the Mun, you can fly them home after deploying their payload.

 

Badges Avaliable

Mun STS Pilot - Rank 2

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Construct your base anywhere on the Mun. Dock the rover to the base, take your crew for a short ride and dock the rover back. After exploring the area, use the EEV to transport the crew to a stable Munar orbit, and rescue them however you like. Land all three shuttles anywhere on Kerbin.

 

Mun STS Commander - Rank 2

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Construct your base at greater latitude than 60° north or south. Dock the rover to the base, take your crew for a short ride and dock the rover back.  After exploring the area, use the EEV to transport the crew back to Kerbin - the EEV must be capable of reentry and safe landing. Land all three shuttles either at the KSC runway, the Island Airfield just off of KSC, the Dessert Airfield from MH, or at any Kerbal Konstructs airport.

                                                                                                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                                                                                            

MUN STS-5-7:  Can you LOP-G?

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Lunar Orbital Platform-Gateway

 

This mission uses the shuttle program to expand the infrastructure around the Mun - you will build a spacestation in a munar orbit to support Mun exploration and serve as an outpost for long duration stay in space.

The station consists of 3 modules:

The PPE (Power & Propulsion Element) that generates electrical power and has ion engines for orbital maneuvering

A science module/docking adapter

A habitation module

 

Badges Avaliable

Mun STS Pilot - Rank 3

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Assemble your LOP-G for at least 6 kerbals in any munar orbit with periapsis above 600 km. Land all three shuttles anywhere on Kerbin.

 

Mun STS Commander - Rank 3

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Assemble your LOP-G for at least 12 kerbals in a polar munar orbit (inclination of at least 85°) with periapsis and apoapsis between 600 and 700 km. After the departure of the last shuttle, demonstrate the orbital maneuvering capacity of the station by raising the orbit periapsis and apoapsis above 2000 km. Land all three shuttles either at the KSC runway, the Island Airfield just off of KSC, the Dessert Airfield from MH, or at any Kerbal Konstructs airport.

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                             

YOU MUST HAVE COMPLETED THE ORIGINAL KERBIN MISSIONS 1-8 IN ORDER TO PROGRESS TO THE DUNA CHALLENGES
                                                                                                                                                                                                              

DUNA STS-1:  Can You Visit Me?

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This mission is significantly more challenging than those before it and may require extensive shuttle modifications, or even a new shuttle design for some.  You must develop your own unique sub-assembly and fly an epic interplanetary mission to Duna in order to deploy a small orbital outpost.  This will test the range, aero-capture, and re-entry capability of your shuttle to the limits and is not for the feint of heart!  The orbital outpost must have: 

Room for 4 or more kerbals,
Electricity generation and storage
Antenna for communication
Probe core with SAS

NOTE:  You may launch 1 support package for your shuttle using a traditional rocket or shuttle launch for this mission.

Badges Avaliable

Duna STS Pilot - Rank 1

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Launch your shuttle to Duna, capture how ever you like, deploy an orbital outpost at your chosen altitude, and return home, capturing however you like and landing where you want.

 

Duna STS Commander - Rank 1

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Launch your shuttle to Duna, aero-brake/capture at Duna, deploy an orbital outpost below 70km, and return home, aero-brake/capture at Kerbin,  land at either at the KSC runway, the Island Airfield just off of KSC, the Dessert Airfield from MH, or at any Kerbal Konstructs airport.

                                                                                                                                                                                                             
 

DUNA STS-2:  Can You Land on me?

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This mission requires not only a Shuttle capable of getting to Duna, but also one capable of landing on the red planet and successfully returning to Kerbin.  You may require extensive shuttle modifications, or even a new shuttle design for this mission.

NOTE:  You may launch 1 support package for your shuttle using a traditional rocket or shuttle launch for this mission, and feel free to use the mission to add another module to your outpost (this is not a requirement for the challenge)

Badges Avaliable

Duna STS Pilot - Rank 2

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Launch your shuttle to Duna, capture how ever you like and visit your orbital outpost from Duna STS-1 before or after your Duna landing.  Return home, capturing however you like and landing where you want.

 

Duna STS Commander - Rank 2

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Launch your shuttle to Duna.  Aero-brake/capture at Duna and visit your orbital outpost from Duna STS-1 in Low Duna Orbit before or after your Duna landing.  Return home, aero-brake/capture at Kerbin,  land at either at the KSC runway, the Island Airfield just off of KSC, the Dessert Airfield from MH, or at any Kerbal Konstructs airport.

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                             
 

DUNA STS-3:  Can You Von Braun me?

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This mission continues to build your own infrastructure around Duna, but has a small twist requiring skilled interplanetary navigation. Your task is to bring a fully reusable lander to your Duna outpost from Duna STS-1 and return to Kerbin performing a flyby of Eve. This was an idea of Wernher Von Braun for his "Marsproject" missions, which would shorten the duration of the mission.

Duna STS Pilot - Rank 3

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Launch your shuttle to Duna, capture how ever you like, rendezvous with your orbital outpost from Duna STS-1 and deploy the lander for at least two kerbals.  Then run a mission where you land on the surface of Duna, plant a flag and return to the outpost without decoupling anything from your lander.  Leave the lander docked to the outpost. Transfer from Duna to Eve, perform a flyby and set yourself on a course to Kerbin. Return home, capturing however you like and landing where you want.

Duna STS Commander - Rank 3

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Launch your shuttle to Duna.  Aero-brake/capture at Duna, rendezvous with your orbital outpost from Duna STS-1 and deploy the lander for at least four kerbals.  Then run a mission where you land on the surface of Duna, plant a flag and return to the outpost without decoupling anything from your lander.  Leave the lander docked to the outpost.  Transfer from Duna to Eve. When in Eve's SOI, deploy two communication satelites - one in a circular polar orbit with a periapsis of at least 2 000 km, one in an equatorial circular orbit with an apoapsis of less than 150 km. Perform a flyby and set yourself on a course to Kerbin. Return home, aero-brake/capture at Kerbin,  land at either at the KSC runway, the Island Airfield just off of KSC, the Dessert Airfield from MH, or at any Kerbal Konstructs airport.

                                                                                                                                                                                                             

YOU MUST HAVE COMPLETED THE ORIGINAL KERBIN MISSIONS 1-8 IN ORDER TO PROGRESS TO THE JOOL CHALLENGES
                                                                                                                                                                                                              

JOOL STS-1:  Can You Breathe here?

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This mission is hideously challenging and will no doubt require extensive shuttle modifications, or even a totally new shuttle design.  You must develop your own unique sub-assemblies and fly an epic interplanetary mission to Laythe in order to deploy a small ground outpost capable of refining Ore (for Pilot level) with the addition of an atmospheric exploration aircraft (for Commander level).  This mission is designed to test your shuttle in the extreme, and also your payload construction and deployment methods.  

The ground outpost must have: 

Ore refinery and fuel storage with docking port
Room for 4 or more kerbals

The Atmospheric Exploration Aircraft must have:

Room for 1 or more kerbals
Docking port

NOTE:  You may launch 1 support package for your shuttle using a traditional rocket or shuttle launch for this mission.

Badges Avaliable

Jool STS Pilot - Rank 1

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Launch your shuttle to Laythe, and land on Laythe before deploying an outpost capable of refining Ore.  Return home, capturing however you like and landing where you want.

 

Jool STS Commander - Rank 1

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Launch your shuttle to Laythe, and land on Laythe before deploying an outpost capable of refining Ore and before or after deploying an atmospheric exploration aircraft.  Return home, capture however you like and land at either at the KSC runway, the Island Airfield just off of KSC, the Dessert Airfield from MH, or at any Kerbal Konstructs airport.

                                                                                                                                                                                                             

YOU MUST HAVE COMPLETED THE ORIGINAL KERBIN MISSIONS 1-8 IN ORDER TO PROGRESS TO THE EVE CHALLENGES
                                                                                                                                                                                                              

EVE STS-1:  Can You Survive Me?

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Shuttles were designed for both space and atmospheric flight. This mission will test that to extreme lenghts. Will your shuttle survive Eve's infernal atmosphere, or will a new design be neccessary?

Your mission is to deliver a probe to dip into Eve's atmosphere, collect the experiment unit from the probe and return it back to Kerbin.

The recovered experiment unit from the probe has to contain:

at least 3 different science experiments

a probe core

a battery

NOTE:  You may launch 1 support package for your shuttle using a traditional rocket or shuttle launch for this mission.

 

Badges Avaliable

Eve STS Pilot - Rank 1

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Launch your shuttle to Eve, capture however you like, deploy the atmospheric probe. The probe must dip into the atmosphere below 70 km, perform the scientific experiments and get back to orbit. Rendezvous the shuttle and the probe, and get the experiment unit of the probe to your cargo bay. Return home, capturing however you like and landing where you want.

 

Eve STS Commander - Rank 1

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Launch your shuttle to Eve, aero-brake/capture at Eve, deploy the atmospheric probe. The probe must dip into the atmosphere below 60 km, perform the scientific experiments and get back to orbit. Rendezvous the shuttle and the probe, and get the experiment unit of the probe to your cargo bay. Return home, aero-brake/capture at Kerbin,  land at either at the KSC runway, the Island Airfield just off of KSC, the Dessert Airfield from MH, or at any Kerbal Konstructs airport.

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                            

YOU MUST HAVE COMPLETED THE ORIGINAL KERBIN MISSIONS 1-8 IN ORDER TO PROGRESS TO THE MINMUS CHALLENGES
                                                                                                                                                                                                              

One very close celestial body has been neglected by this challenge so far. Mun's little brother, Minmus. That is over, a series of missions will be dedicated to the little rock floating around Kerbin. Since it's quite close, some parts are beautifully flat, and the gravity is negligible, these missions will probably not be very difficult for shuttle veterans. These conditions are however optimal for a new goal of the shuttle program - building and supplying a huge fuel depot in LKO. So, in this series of missions, you will explore this small celestial body and design and build the infrastructure needed to mine on Minmus, refine the minerals into fuels of different kind and transport it to the fuel depot in low orbit of Kerbin. This will serve as an important step toward the big missions the program was progressing towards. The details have not been announced to the public yet, but we'll learn the details soon.

MINMUS STS-1:  Ice cream mining operations: Prelude

RAVRKNc.jpg?1

 

The first Minmus mission will do a bit of a reconnaisance. Are there any resources? If so, where are they located? You will take a look at this both from orbit and from the surface.

NOTE: In this mission you will pick a site which will be used in the rest of the Minmus missions. I recommend picking one in one of the "Flats" biomes, since base construction is much easier on level ground.

 

Badges Avaliable

Minmus STS Pilot - Rank 1

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Reach low minmus orbit and deploy a resource scanning sat. After performing the scan, pick a spot with reasonable ore concentration and land your shuttle nearby. You will then deploy a rover for at least 2 kerbals and perform additional measurements with the surface scanning module. After performing the scan, return home, capturing however you like and landing where you want.

 

Minmus STS Commander - Rank 1

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Reach low minmus orbit and deploy a resource scanning sat and one additional CommSat, which you will place in a polar orbit with a Pe and Ap of your choice. After performing the scan, pick a spot with reasonable ore concentration and land your shuttle nearby. You will then deploy a pressurized (no command chairs) rover for at least 4 kerbals and perform additional measurements with the surface scanning module. After performing the scan, return home, perform an aero-capture and land at either at the KSC runway, the Island Airfield just off of KSC, the Dessert Airfield from MH, or at any Kerbal Konstructs airport.

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                             

"TEST PILOT" MISSIONS - NO PREVIOUS MISSIONS REQUIRED
                                                                                                                                                                                                              

An STS-or-Buran-looking shuttle+LV is strongly reccomended. You might not be able to complete certain missions with a significantly different design!

STS-1T:  Approach and landing test

8LjQd6N.png

Approach and landing tests were a series of test flights of a space shuttle prototype "Enterprise" conducted in 1977. The aim was to verify the systems behaviour and test the parametres of atmospheric flight of the orbiter. The orbiter was released at an altitude over 7,000 metres and glided to land at the Edwards air force base. A bit of reading on shuttle flight testing available here.

Your mission is to design an aircraft that will take your shuttle to an altitude over 5,000 metres, separate from the aircraft, and glide for a landing at the KSC. The orbiter can not use engines of any kind during the whole mission.

Badge Avaliable

LOkYAUP.png?1

 

STS-2T:  RTLS abort

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Let's not practice Russian roulette, because you may have a loaded gun there. [John Young, STS-1 commander]

 

RTLS (Return to launch site) was one of the procedures considered for aborting an STS mission after losing one of the SSMEs during the early stages of flight. It was considered the most dangerous abort mode, and was never used in a real mission. To read more about RTLS abort, I recommend this article, or a wiki page on all the different abort modes here.

58551-rtls.jpg

RTLS abort chart from NASA manual

 

Your mission here is to simulate an RTLS abort situation. You will launch as usual, heading to orbit of your choice. At approximately T+30, simulate a loss of one of the main engines (for example by an action group). Continue your ascent, ditch the SRBs. When you are over 50 000 metres, commence the PPA (powered pitcharound) while still burning the SSMEs, and possibly the OMS engines. Your ascent trajectory should put you out of the atmosphere for a while. After depleting most of the ET fuel, separate from the tank and glide back to the KSC runway for landing.

Badge Avaliable

pfbRTpD.png?1

 

STS-3T:  Cassini-Huygens

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This mission is a bit different than the two previous missions - the main focus is not shuttle flying, but payload design, mission planning and advanced interplanetary navigation. Your goal is to run a mission to the Jool system, mimicking the famous Cassini-Hyugens mission, which brought us a lot of valuable information on Saturn and its moons. If you're not really familiar with Cassini-Huygens mission, a brief article can be found here.

 

Your task is to launch a space shuttle carrying the Cassini-Huygens spacecraft (and its trasfer stage) to LKO. After deploying the probe, the shuttle will land on Kerbin. Then, you will carry on with the mission to Jool.

There are very specific requirements for the spacecraft and mission profile, so, please, read carefully!

 

- The transfer stage must consist of solid rocket boosters only, and must separate after a single burn in LKO

-The Cassini probe must be at least 1,5 tons, the Huygens lander must be at least 1 ton

-The Cassini-Huygens spacecraft + the transfer stage must fit into the long MK3 cargo bay

-The Cassini spacecraft and Huygens lander must enter Jool's SOI before separating from each other

-The Cassini probe has to flyby at least four of Jool's moons and finish its mission by entering Jool's atmosphere, where it will meet its fiery end

-The Huygens lander will land on Laythe

-The only fuel tanks allowed on the spacecraft and the lander are: a single R-12 "Doughnut" (left) for the Cassini probe and a single "Oskar-B" (right) fuel tank for the Huygens lander

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Badge Avaliable

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STS-4T:  Skylab boost mission

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Your mission here is to rescue the Skylab station - something NASA failed to achieve because of significant delays in the shuttle program. And while you are at it, you will improve the station a bit. There will be two shuttle launches in this mission.

A bit of reading about a possible skylab boost mission can be found here.

First, you will have to set up the station into a correct orbit. You can either download my version from kerbalX here, or build your own. If you choose to build your own, please build it in a way so all the objectives are achievable. The easiest way to set up the orbit is to go to "cheat menu" (alt+F12), choose cheats/set orbit, and put the station in an orbit with Ap/Pe between 80 and 90 km, and an inclination between 50 and 52 degrees. However, if you want, you might launch it on a rocket.

 

Now about the mission.

The first shuttle mission will:

- Rendezvous with Skylab

-Bring a docking adapter for all the future missions - the docking ports do not have enough clearance for a shuttle

- Remove and deorbit the solar/comms array (detachable via docking port jr.)

- Disconnect, load into a cargo bay and land the hab module (on the right of the screenshot, detachable via docking port sr.)

-Dock a rocket stage to Skylab, which will boost the station into an at least 200 km/200 km orbit

 

The second shuttle mission will:

- Rendezvous and dock with skylab (which is now in a 200 km/200 km orbit)

- Bring a new habitation module

- Bring a new solar/comms module

- Bring crew of at least 3 to Skylab

 

Both shuttles have to land on Kerbin after their mission. You can do the "repairs" however you like - by MMUs, or some sort of probes doing the docking work. As always, creativity is encouraged.

Badge Avaliable

mag5XYH.png?1

 

STS-5T:  Shuttle-Apollo crossover

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This mission is a bit ridiculous, but will test yet another aspect of spaceflight planning - free return trajectories, and your capacity to guide your shuttle to a precise landing from sub-optimal entry conditions.

Wiki article about free return trajectories can be found here.

 

Your mission here will be to design an Apollo-like spacecraft for three kerbals and a lander for two kerbals. You will launch the spacecraft in a shuttle cargo bay, and the shuttle will perform a maneuver to reach a munar free return trajectory, which will place you into Kerbin's atmosphere on the inbound leg of the journey.

You may perform one small correction burn on your way to Mun. In Mun's SOI, you will deploy the spacecraft, which will then burn for munar orbit, land two kerbals on Mun, rendezvous in LMO and return the crew to Kerbin in the command module.

The shuttle will meanwhile continue its flyby of Mun and begin its way back to Kerbin. You may perform another small correction burn. Then you will perform a direct entry and land either at the KSC runway, the island airfield just off of the KSC, the Dessert Airfield from MH, or at any Kerbal Konstructs airport

Badge Avaliable

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STS-6T:  SRB recovery

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This mission doesn't focus on the orbiter, but on another part of the launch vehicle and the infrastructure associated with it.

The SRBs of a space shuttle were supposed to be recoverable after splashdown to be refurbished and reflown in a short time. There were issues about that caused by damage from the sea water and the refurbishment was much more costly than estimated.

Your mission here has two parts: you will launch a shuttle, separate the boosters as usually, and let them splash down in the water safely (it's not neccessary to fly the shuttle all the way to orbit, from the point of SRB separation  you do not have to focus on the shuttle at all). Then a vehicle/several vehicles of your design will transport one of the boosters all the way to the SPH.

Badge Avaliable

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HONORARY BADGES

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STS Engineer Award

Given by an STS Architect for developing a sub-assembly that ends up being a core part of this challenge, or for assisting heavily in the development of a Shuttle. If you have a sub-assembly you'd like to be reviewed, please post a detailed analysis and example mission report in the challenge thread.

                                                   

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Skunkworks Badge

This badge is given to people who have submitted especially unique and outstanding designs which abide by the given definition of a space shuttle. Skunkworks badge holders are still eligible for the above mission badges. The full list of Skunkworks badge holders is as follows:

@Alchemist - A full Jool-5 run in two shuttles completed on the Jool STS-1. A mission report here

@Ozelui - Two shuttles going on an adventure to Duna, building crazy stuff all over the place. STS Duna 2 report here

@Kerbolitto - An extensive trip through the inner solar system, including a Moho landing. A mission report here

                                                   

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Architect Badge

 

The full list of Architect badge holders is as follows:

@Speeding Mullet -  Version 3 and 4 Challenge Creator, temporary admin of Version 2 Challenge

@inigma - Original Challenge Creator/Manager, Builder of highly-capable STS Space Shuttle and numerous STS-related subassemblies

@FCISuperGuy - Version 2 Challenge Creator/Manager, builder of a highly capable shuttle, and excellent giver of advice

@xoknight - Creator and maintainer of the venerable Hubble Space Telescope across 3 versions, requiring consistent updates

To receive the Architect Badge is a rare honor.  To be awarded at my discretion, or through nomination of SpeedingMullet, FCISuperGuy or Inigma for my consideration, and given for acts of invaluable contribution to the challenge above and beyond the call of duty.

                                                                                                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                                                                                            

 

 

 

Edited by michal.don
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Glad to see that this challenge is being continued. I meant to do this back in 1.1.3, but never got around to it...

Until now.

Here's my entry into STS-1a, with the Space Shuttle Symmetry:

Spoiler

UyTFFBW.png

Launch is a bit funky. You have to first gain enough height to clear the launch clamps, then gradually lean over until you have enough horizontal velocity for the wings to generate lift. It's more spaceplane than shuttle during ascent.

Spoiler

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lbswiuj.png

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Farewell, boosters. You will be missed.

Spoiler

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Aaand we're in orbit! 

Spoiler

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Now for re-entry. Yes, it's spinning out of control. No, this does not spell disaster; I intentionally did that to spread the heat around because the cockpit is prone to overheating.

I also overshot the KSC by a few miles. Not a big deal, I have reserve fuel.

Spoiler

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Touchdown!

Spoiler

I'd like to point out that I landed at the KSC. Just not on the runway.

wdPaWxS.png

L7GiRQ5.png

2NHKZtG.png

 

No mods were used in the building of this shuttle.

Edited by Mjp1050
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25 minutes ago, HiThere!2 said:

Starting a new thread?

 

My word the new badges look so shiny.  My regret @FCISuperGuy that I didn't ever get round to putting them into the v4 challenge, but very pleased they are now in their rightful place :).  Now I'm not running the challenge I may well get time to design a new shuttle, and get round to actually finishing some of the later stage challenges that I never completed (Duna, Jool, Mun, and landing an asteroid for commander level).  Really look forward to seeing how this challenge develops!

Best luck with taking it forwards to new highs @michal.don:)

SM

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9 hours ago, HiThere!2 said:

I might consider doing this at some point

Great, I'm looking forward to see your entry :) Good luck!

 

9 hours ago, Mjp1050 said:

Glad to see that this challenge is being continued. I meant to do this back in 1.1.3, but never got around to it...

Until now.

Here's my entry into STS-1a, with the Space Shuttle Symmetry:

Welcome to the challenge!

A nice and original design, I like the additional wings on the boosters to shift the COL. The mission looks fine, so you are the first to earn the new badge!

QThe6Sf.jpg?1

Congratulations, commander!

Just a small detail, please land on the runway the next time, it is a requirement for the commander level. I'll edit the OP so it is more clear.

 

9 hours ago, swjr-swis said:

Have you changed anything from the V4 challenge? Tweaked rules, other challenges?

To be honest, I mostly copied the old post to get this thread started. I will probably keep the old missions as they are, but I'll try to design new ones. But I'm certainly open to suggestions, so if you do have some rule/mission changes on your mind, you can write them here or in a PM. Thanks

 

9 hours ago, Speeding Mullet said:

My word the new badges look so shiny.

Indeed they do :) 

 

3 hours ago, zolotiyeruki said:

Any chance of new missions?

 

I have a few ideas, I just have to check whether they are feasible. If all goes well, there will be a new mission soon-ish :)

 

Michal.don

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Quote

9.  Missions must be completed in the logical order unless you are certified from either STS v1, v2, or v3 challenges to the relevant level

Does this mean completion of the V4 missions don't count and we have to start over from the beginning, or can we just continue from where we left off?  Just asking as I have nearly figured out all the parts for the Jool mission and planned on posting it when I have time to finish it.

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20 minutes ago, armegeddon said:

Does this mean completion of the V4 missions don't count and we have to start over from the beginning, or can we just continue from where we left off?

Of course the entries from V4 still count, you can continue. That would be quite cruel from me to disregard the last version :D

I edited my mistake in the OP, thanks for pointing that out.

Michal.don

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On 6.8.2017 at 9:37 AM, michal.don said:

To be honest, I mostly copied the old post to get this thread started. I will probably keep the old missions as they are, but I'll try to design new ones. But I'm certainly open to suggestions, so if you do have some rule/mission changes on your mind, you can write them here

I participated in the V4 Missions and got stuck on the Asteroid catching. A shame since I started this challange specificly to do the mun-duna badges :-p I have to get back on my shuttle and fix the dV issues to catch me a rock once.

As for ideas I have more of a request: I liked how you implemented the return of the 40t cargo as a bonus mission. I think it's a good idea to have some missions build on each other that way to push motivation for some extra bonus points on a later mission.

i.e that space station we had to build in STS 8 would be nice to place *somewhere else*. Break it appart (after testing in LKO), reload it into cargo bay and rebuild it somewhere else. If possible even dock it to that pesky asteroid you had to catch and land - at the target planet of course. That would be a nice bonus challenge!

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tweak and interstellar (solid nuclear core) mods used.

Ghetto Shuttle

 

B12DF00D58B9CCB1FE401260511287E32AD241B9

 

balancing tank and engine ( is this even safe? )

1F83C89729171EA9B0AC01B071BB7479D21B1203

none of this NASA shenanigans with upside down flying

7116538A7C616A0AFE0F26FD5C0420683E1BF091

littering the ocean

D0130AA4FE5FD3EE4EBC8AD94C7E4BE0A801E416

littering space

BB983B5245C06EF7FC3E4C93668B8B1256F8325C

SAT

9E155D04A96D9FFCD8AABE9AD9984AE04CB7B259

since Jeb wasnt flying we made it back safely

B7E6C2C920F915F33474D6F5844570AFDCCC466A

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On 7. 8. 2017 at 0:24 AM, CaptainTrebor said:

Might have a go at this, seeing as I never got round to doing the previous one...

I encourage you to try, most of the missions are really challenging and fun. Good luck! :)

 

14 hours ago, Shadow dream said:

I participated in the V4 Missions and got stuck on the Asteroid catching. A shame since I started this challange specificly to do the mun-duna badges :-p

I made an edit to the rules - one I've been thinking about but did not implement until now. Since the asteroid mission is rather a humorous one (but still a very difficult one), I cancelled it as a requirement for the Munar and interplanetary missions. As long as you completed STS 1-8, you are good to go beyond LKO. But you should still try STS-9, potato landing is really fun :)

 

14 hours ago, Shadow dream said:

As for ideas I have more of a request: I liked how you implemented the return of the 40t cargo as a bonus mission. I think it's a good idea to have some missions build on each other that way to push motivation for some extra bonus points on a later mission.

i.e that space station we had to build in STS 8 would be nice to place *somewhere else*. Break it appart (after testing in LKO), reload it into cargo bay and rebuild it somewhere else. If possible even dock it to that pesky asteroid you had to catch and land - at the target planet of course. That would be a nice bonus challenge!

Well, I did not implement the bonus missions, that was @Speeding Mullet in the last iteration of the challenge. But I do like the concept, too, so there may occur bonus missions for STS-3 and later. And, I do have an idea for another tier of missions - the "Test pilot" flights. I still have to think them through a bit though. But a small spoiler, just to share the kind of things i have in mind :wink:

Spoiler

8LjQd6N.png

 

14 hours ago, invision said:

tweak and interstellar (solid nuclear core) mods used.

Ghetto Shuttle

I can't say that this is the most elegant-looking shuttle I've ever seen, but I guess Jeb would really approve of the design, and it gets things done in a very kerbal way :) I gladly award you the commander badge for the STS-1, and I'm looking forward to seeing more of your designs!

nTYtbyq.jpg?1

 

Michal.don

 

EDIT:

I'll rather mention it here, too. A new mission is available,

"The STS Mun-2-4"

Read the description in the OP, and build me a base on the Mun :)

 

Edited by michal.don
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On 08.08.2017 at 0:29 AM, michal.don said:

And, I do have an idea for another tier of missions - the "Test pilot" flights. I still have to think them through a bit though. But a small spoiler, just to share the kind of things i have in mind :wink:

  Reveal hidden contents

8LjQd6N.png

Yeah, testing the flight capability before going to space - that's a good thing to consider for development of a shuttle.
The story of my Buran replica somewhat started (and almost ended) with "OK, it looks quite close, but can I even make something like this fly with my piloting skills?" So  I replicated the flight test vehicle. Buran's looks like this

Spoiler

qvCEaqp.jpg

Kerbal X

Yup, they just slapped couple larger engines on to make it capable of taking off from runway

Flew surprisingly well right away and required just a few minor tweaks. It was much more problem getting Energia to fly straight, but then in the next version they added proper engines with enough gimbal range

 

 

On 08.08.2017 at 0:29 AM, michal.don said:

I'll rather mention it here, too. A new mission is available,

 

"The STS Mun-2-4"

Read the description in the OP, and build me a base on the Mun :)

Need to think of something interesting for this. Somehow, I feel tempted to drop the escape vehicle out of a shuttle in flight...

 

But first need to finish a few things on the previous mission. that is the reporting part. As for the shuttles, here they are
e881091ddaa9.png

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17 minutes ago, Alchemist said:

Yup, they just slapped couple larger engines on to make it capable of taking off from runway

A sophisticated example of "moar boosters!!" :D

 

17 minutes ago, Alchemist said:

But first need to finish a few things on the previous mission. that is the reporting part. As for the shuttles, here they are

Serious congratulations, I'm really looking forward to seeing the full story!

 

18 minutes ago, AVaughan said:

A question.  Autopilots are prohibited during atmospheric flight.  Does that mean you can't use Mechjeb's Smart ASS to hold attitude during reentry ?

I might be walking on thin ice here, but I'll say that you can. But just the attitude hold, and just during reentry. The other parts must be piloted by you.

Michal.don

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Because the new thread was being created, I decided I needed to mark the occasion somehow. My idea: build another shuttle!

Meet the Curiosity Shuttle Pair: Spirit(manned reusable booster, fully stock) and Opportunity(Orbiter, highly modded) https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B0eMT8zRijNmQW1vdkVfUDNQTUk

1 note: I did get it to orbit on it's own, but then as I was trying to recover the parts FMRS glitched and made the main mission be mid launch as opposed to in orbit. I decided to place it back in orbit using the debug menu(Delta V is very tight with the 40 ton fuel pod, which made me very frustrated with my repeated piloting failures), and manually edit the fuel amounts to equal what I had after the successful launch. I got the fuel pod into orbit and landed Opportunity, though I undershot the KSC by a lot because the L/D ratio is apparently a lot worse than my other shuttles.

2 note: Spirit had two landings because FMRS didn't register the command pod as a successful recovery. 

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I wanted to give this challenge a try, but didn't find the moment... until today, so here's my first mission report:

https://imgur.com/a/qSpkz

Craft file: https://kerbalx.com/Ozelui/Pulsar-shuttle-mk-1---M1-Do-you-even-lift

After finishing the flight, i decided to name the shuttle "Pulsar".  I expect it to be able to complete several other missions without important changes.  Waiting for the green light to start working on the second assignment.

The mission was done on a clean install of the game, so no mods, but i wouldn't mind using some in the future, like rasterprop monitor for IVAs, or kerbal engineer for deltaV calculations.

Edited by Ozelui
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Alrighty then!  Since I had a couple of hours to play with today, I decided to finish off a Shuttle I was working on and take it on a test flight.  Meet the Mullet Dyne Interplanetary Shuttle X (Definitely for wont of a better name at this stage):

d3AQB4m.png

 

As you can see there are multiple sections.   The cockpit first which is generally a good idea.  Then there is an expansive crew quarters as a permanent feature as this Shuttle is designed for long and ultra long duration missions.  Next comes the ISRU deck, before the tail section which is made up of a large cargo bay.

This shuttle is Stock, and no mods were used at all, even visual.  no MJ either so this one was totally hand balled from start to finish.  Shooting for Mun STS-1 commander level, but I think I interpreted the "Aerocapture" slightly loosely, so if it's Pilot, then I'm not fussed.  Basically instead of pure aerocapture (which the shuttle is absolutely capable of), I burned from cismunar to aerobrake without completing a single orbit, then just smashed into the atmosphere at 2.5 km/s and let the shuttle sort the rest out.  Let's check out the mission report:

 

Hope you like it :).  Good to be back and flying again!!

SM

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Finally got around to building that station. Should be commander level (Station assembled in 320x320ish orbit, landed at KSC all the time.)

Caspersson station. Named after a random dude from wikipedia.

09h1dG2.png

 

Modlist: KER, TACFuel Balancer, VOID, Precise Maneuver, BetterBurnTime, Scaterrer and EVE. Other stuff installed, but not used. All parts stock.

Edited by qzgy
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STS Mun-1 entry. Could be commander, depending how you view a inclination change into a parking orbit before landing after an aerocapture into said parking orbit. Not much arguement if deemed pilot, you're the one running the challenge.

Also tested out a new shuttle design, which worked really well

 

Edited by qzgy
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Well It would seem its going to take a while to figure out how to integrate this and make it function properly, but perhaps some food for thought for anyone else on the stock end of shuttles?

 

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1 hour ago, Fraus said:

Well It would seem its going to take a while to figure out how to integrate this and make it function properly, but perhaps some food for thought for anyone else on the stock end of shuttles?

 

Oooh, neat! How well does it turn/survive timewarp?

 

Also started work on a polar base for STS-2. May have made the base a little too elaborate.

Edited by qzgy
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