Ten Parts Roket To Orbit And Back

[Scarecrow]

Here's my entry.  All 1.25m parts as stipulated, and a total count of 8 parts.  Lower stage consists of decoupler, 2 fuel tanks and an engine.  Upper stage consists of capsule, parachute, fuel tank and engine.

 

Launch

 

Circularising orbit

 

Orbit established - showing Pe above 70km

 

Re-entry phase

 

Just before splashdown

[dnbattley]

4 minutes ago, QF9E said:

you may only use parts that are in the 1.25 meter list and not in any other size category?

I like this. We are, of course, completely hijacking OPs original challenge, but I like to think of these as evolutionary improvements...

[ffx]

Quote

 

Then put a decopuler under the "3 parts to multiple planets" and decouple it on launch. Now you have a 2-stage-to-orbit.

Making an SSTO is (supposed to be but really isn't all that) hard. Making one into a non-SSTO is trivial.

 

 

 

You use the decopuler in a normal way.

Quote

Then put a decopuler under the "3 parts to multiple planets" and decouple it on launch. Now you have a 2-stage-to-orbit.

Making an SSTO is (supposed to be but really isn't all that) hard. Making one into a non-SSTO is trivial.

 

 

 

That is useing the decopuler in a not normal way.

 

 

Quote

Then put a decopuler under the "3 parts to multiple planets" and decouple it on launch. Now you have a 2-stage-to-orbit.

Making an SSTO is (supposed to be but really isn't all that) hard. Making one into a non-SSTO is trivial.

that is useing part bigger than the 1.25m part

[nelso]

I did the challenge in OP, orbit kerbin and return, but with 6 parts not 10.  I used the biggest SRB, a decoupler, a swivel (for elec generation and gimbal), mk1 command pod and small parachute (best aerodynamics I found for takeoff).  My initial orbit was a bit high but was able to land.  The main challenge was getting the ascent right with only reaction wheels in the command pod, but after a bunch of tries I got it, pretty much hold right.  For descent, I used the swivel to stay retrograde and also burn the engine so the parachute would activate.

Fun challenge using only the 1.25m parts.

 

[QF9E]

@ffx: Good to see you back in this thread. I'd like to invite you to not just react to others discussing the rules of the challenge, but to also judge the submissions so far. There have been two by myself, one by Scarecrow and one by nelso that await your review. And I'm sure dnbattley could do a more detailed report of their attempts if you ask them.

[kspnerd122]

maybe you don't get this but I have literally visited pol and bop with a 1.25 meter rocket, part count NINE(just use gravity assists) i even had enough fuel to put jeb on minmus(you need to rethink this challenge, TOO EASY)

[Jetski]

Here's 8 parts to Laythe landing and back to orbit

 

This thing is a crime against proper ship design.

 

Edit: Oops I missed the part where we had to be 1.25m stack.  I think that narrows down out options, yes?  Pretty much a standard rocket at this point.

Edited February 25, 2020 by Jetski