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A Hodgepodge of Whatever I Think of: The Madness of Manatee Aerospace.


Blufor878

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3 hours ago, Rutabaga22 said:

How do you get this inspiration? I love these builds!

A wise man once said
"Don't ask questions you don't want answers to"

Oh, you wanted an actual answer. Hold on a sec...

First off, I'm technically a Florida Man. Not only that, I'm an ASIAN Florida Man, which means not only am I nuts, but I have a mathematically sound justification for it. Therefore, I cannot be stopped!

Also I'm a huge fan of spaceflight, especially the concepts that never were. KSP allows me to express this in the most way possible (I know what I typed). It actually goes back to an old obscure game called Skybase. It was a game that allowed you to build your own space station using (planned) ISS components. You could even tour the inside. Sadly I can't imagine that the game works now. That said, KSP is a worthy successor. I don't think any game scratches my spaceflight itch like KSP does. And I suck at it (as far as actual flight is concerned)! Can't say I'm at the level of big guys like Matt Lowne or Scott Manley, nor would I ever compare myself to the likes of @Beccab, @CobaltWolf, or @pTrevTrevs with their insane content. But I have fun. The game offers a level of sandbox creativity that no other game provides (at least in my opinion).

But mostly the Florida Man thing.

Also, if you have any medication, take it now.
dfhaycm-121e0e6f-97bf-4370-bc82-878fa1a3
dfhayce-6750fd62-9d8a-42bc-a71d-b76315af
dfhayca-6e027b20-cb51-4e2e-a1c3-06628b76
dfhayc5-c8a43c55-4e53-4852-8140-116221fc
dfhayc3-06297437-b080-4a61-8f08-294b5419
Don't tell the KSC Budget Office, they wouldn't understand. And don't tell Jeb, he'd make it worse.

Edited by Blufor878
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There might be some minor possible issues, but I think my Saturn C7 (not C8, couldn't fit all 8 engines without it looking odd) is ready!
https://kerbalx.com/ManateeAerospace/C7-DI-761-Pad
52521349192_3d2731f5c2_o.png
52521348877_5821301b93_o.png
52522292270_a2ddf632bf_o.png

The DI-761 designation is inspired by the direct ascent design that inspired the lander here, specifically a July 1961 proposal. (middle top row).
zapcmlme.jpg
The rocket and lander are by no means exact replicas, but I'm happy with the end result.

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I feel like I've been pressured into using conformal decals...

52534929354_9c8ab04bf9_o.png
52534647736_998147fc24_o.png
52534929254_3378a5f666_o.png

...and I don't hate the results.

Oh, say hi to the Maru smallsat launcher. A methane rocket capable of lifting 1 ton to LKO.
https://kerbalx.com/ManateeAerospace/Maru-CDL
It's based on the Zero rocket being designed by Interstellar Technologies in Japan. What can I say, I was in the mood for Japanese.

Edited by Blufor878
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9 hours ago, Probird_23 said:

A tad bit late to this, but I assume the name is derived from Chiang Kai-shek?

No, but I like your guess. It’s named after Kai Tak, Hong Kong’s former international airport. 101 Rocketry has the Taiwan/ROC theming.

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H-II Tangent
So, I was on a bit of an H-II tangent tonight. I have both @Beale's Gemstone mod and @mcdouble's H-IIA/H-IIB mod. Both are awesome mods. But sadly based on my understanding we haven't heard from mcdouble recently. And while the H-IIA/B mod is amazing, as near as I can tell the engines don't have sound. However, I found that the BDB Herakles engine mount looks similar when in the 2-engine configuration. So I used it with some help via the move tool, and it fits well, like really well. So I put the gemstone engines on there...
52550350129_68ea501699_o.png
Doesn't look bad at all I think!

But what about 3 engines, and eliminating the SRB's?
52550597368_9cd3536cde_o.png
Works just fine! And it lifts over 10 tons to LKO and then some.

Then I thought "what about the KS-25 hydrolox engines from @benjee10's Redirect mod?
52550054226_2170dbb253_o.png
Also works!

Of course that led to the obligatory F-1 LF/O variant. However the tank didn't have an option to switch to LF/O, so I used one of the appropriate Herakles tanks from BDB and set it to SOFI mode. Ended being a lot shorter, but it definitely can get stuff to LKO (little guy's doing his darned best)!
52549596362_84847d778d_o.png

Bonus monstrosity with shuttle style SRB's
52550350504_980c961275_o.png

I have more where this came from. A while ago I combined Gemstone with @Well's Fuji spacecraft. Stay tuned.

Edited by Blufor878
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So, I goofed a little bit with my post last night. I credited the modders who made the awesome parts mods, but I didn't credit the original inspiration. That would be BSS_SNAG on KerbalX.

BSS_SNAG has used a few parts mods like BDB, Gemstone, and H-IIA/B to recreate modern and vintage NASDA/JAXA launch vehicles. The basis for the rockets from last night's post was the H-IIB craft file from his/her KerbalX. That in turn used parts from Gemstone, H-IIA/B, and ORANGES. I highly recommend looking up BSS_SNAG's stuff:
https://kerbalx.com/BSS_SNAG

On the plus side, this has also given me an idea. In addition to messing around with rockets on my own I think I want to showcase rockets from other KerbalX users. A lot of those guys deserve more attention, unless they already have it, in which case I'm sending more on their way!

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16 hours ago, Blufor878 said:

H-II Tangent
So, I was on a bit of an H-II tangent tonight. I have both @Beale's Gemstone mod and @mcdouble's H-IIA/H-IIB mod. Both are awesome mods. But sadly based on my understanding we haven't heard from mcdouble recently. And while the H-IIA/B mod is amazing, as near as I can tell the engines don't have sound. However, I found that the BDB Herakles engine mount looks similar when in the 2-engine configuration. So I used it with some help via the move tool, and it fits well, like really well. So I put the gemstone engines on there...
52550350129_68ea501699_o.png
Doesn't look bad at all I think!

But what about 3 engines, and eliminating the SRB's?
52550597368_9cd3536cde_o.png
Works just fine! And it lifts over 10 tons to LKO and then some.

Then I thought "what about the KS-25 hydrolox engines from @benjee10's Redirect mod?
52550054226_2170dbb253_o.png
Also works!

Of course that led to the obligatory F-1 LF/O variant. However the tank didn't have an option to switch to LF/O, so I used one of the appropriate Herakles tanks from BDB and set it to SOFI mode. Ended being a lot shorter, but it definitely can get stuff to LKO (little guy's doing his darned best)!
52549596362_84847d778d_o.png

Bonus monstrosity with shuttle style SRB's
52550350504_980c961275_o.png

I have more where this came from. A while ago I combined Gemstone with @Well's Fuji spacecraft. Stay tuned.

At first I though this thing was going to be normal

I was very wrong

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49 minutes ago, Royalswissarmyknife said:

At first I though this thing was going to be normal

I was very wrong

" You chose...poorly..."

I wanted to say "Mr. Harry" at the end of that but I think both fandoms would be ruthless about it even though it was on purpose...

Also I'm a Florida man, what were your expectations?

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On 12/8/2022 at 6:00 PM, Blufor878 said:

" You chose...poorly..."

I wanted to say "Mr. Harry" at the end of that but I think both fandoms would be ruthless about it even though it was on purpose...

Also I'm a Florida man, what were your expectations?

True but I would at least expect you to make the H-II Heavy. Also here it is for inspiration

Heavy_1.jpg

Edited by Royalswissarmyknife
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11 hours ago, Royalswissarmyknife said:

True but I would at least expect you to make the H-II Heavy. Also here it is for inspiration

Heavy_1.jpg

I actually would love to make more asymmetrical rockets but I'm terrible at it. I made one successful design but it's really only useful for a specific task. Even that required a lot of finagling with the engine on the side stage. In all other cases my attempts have resulted in unwanted flips and HUGE levels of flight instability. Any suggestions?

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Today I'm gonna showcase two different things.
First, I want to make a visual shoutout to The_Black_Badger on KerbalX.
This is the Pleiades family of rockets. Now, there are multiple versions of this rocket, but I'm just gonna do some highlights today. I should also preface that I had to make some adjustments due to my use of Restock. Otherwise, all credit goes to The_Black_Badger.
First we have the Pleiades-I ILV. I love the idea of an Ares I style rocket but for cargo use.
52555735213_8e86308535_o.png
Next we have the Pleiades-III ELV. This rocket represents the mid-tier of the family.
52555492299_57c11fc06f_o.png
Finally, the king (or queen given the namesake) of them all, the Pleiades V EC.
52555198751_1369b096f9_o.png
52555493074_e78499f6d6_o.png
I had to include booster seperation as well. Such a spectacular visual.

As a bonus I have a modified Pleiades-I designed to carry crew. The_Black_Badger has a crew variant on KerbalX. However, Restock ends up making it look kinda funky. So I had to make some modifications on my end.
Oh, and I made a pad.
52555733988_cf283d3870_o.png

Black Badger, if you are on this forum, your stuff is fantastic! I look forward to what you're gonna make next.
For everyone else, I highly recommend checking these rockets out!:
https://kerbalx.com/The_Black_Badger

Second order of business. Something that's dawned on me is that I haven't shown any of my rockets putting payloads into space recently. I'm gonna fix that today.
Today the Kerstler Star will launch the main module of a new station, Summit 1, into orbit.
Kerstlar Star lifts from its weird launch pad.
52555664225_a4fe088884_o.png
Nominal MECO and stage separation.
52555195661_0b9deb0210_o.png
And fairings gone. Summit 1 shows itself to the vacuum of space. This is also the debut of @benjee10's Habtech2 in the Manatee Aerospace Universe.
52555195861_ffda4da8c0_o.png
Finally we have payload separation. The upper stage will soon make a deorbit burn and burn up in Kerbin's atmosphere.
52555195986_aaeabd254c_o.png
As a bonus, we have picture of Summit 1 in orbit, ready to receive visitors and future modules.
52555733493_d6184cb1dd_o.png
If the design looks somewhat familiar, I took some cues from Axiom's planned space station.

Edited by Blufor878
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On 11/8/2022 at 12:31 AM, Blufor878 said:

A wise man once said
"Don't ask questions you don't want answers to"

Oh, you wanted an actual answer. Hold on a sec...

First off, I'm technically a Florida Man. Not only that, I'm an ASIAN Florida Man, which means not only am I nuts, but I have a mathematically sound justification for it. Therefore, I cannot be stopped!

Also I'm a huge fan of spaceflight, especially the concepts that never were. KSP allows me to express this in the most way possible (I know what I typed). It actually goes back to an old obscure game called Skybase. It was a game that allowed you to build your own space station using (planned) ISS components. You could even tour the inside. Sadly I can't imagine that the game works now. That said, KSP is a worthy successor. I don't think any game scratches my spaceflight itch like KSP does. And I suck at it (as far as actual flight is concerned)! Can't say I'm at the level of big guys like Matt Lowne or Scott Manley, nor would I ever compare myself to the likes of @Beccab, @CobaltWolf, or @pTrevTrevs with their insane content. But I have fun. The game offers a level of sandbox creativity that no other game provides (at least in my opinion).

But mostly the Florida Man thing.

Also, if you have any medication, take it now.
dfhaycm-121e0e6f-97bf-4370-bc82-878fa1a3
dfhayce-6750fd62-9d8a-42bc-a71d-b76315af
dfhayca-6e027b20-cb51-4e2e-a1c3-06628b76
dfhayc5-c8a43c55-4e53-4852-8140-116221fc
dfhayc3-06297437-b080-4a61-8f08-294b5419
Don't tell the KSC Budget Office, they wouldn't understand. And don't tell Jeb, he'd make it worse.

I really wish I had medication to take before that thing.

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  • 2 weeks later...
2 hours ago, Blufor878 said:

Today I decided to give the Block I Falcon 9 Shuttle SRB's.
52573863338_ecfd769b1a_o.png
52572865502_b289563d28_o.png
Also installed @DylanSemrau's Photon Corp in full for the SRB's. On that note I also apologize to DylanSemrau and @Damon for what has transpired here.

You know, that doesn't look like the worst idea for a heavy launcher (in KSP at least)

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You ever wanted to launch Gemini on top of a shuttle era SRB? No? Too bad, we're doing it anyway.
52576512764_a8c440cdca_o.png
52575773457_2a77d53ae9_o.png
52575773227_93d44705ed_o.png
I also gave the Gemini spacecraft some upgrades.
52574447459_ee7708748e_o.png
52576229041_584fc66abb_o.png

As a bonus we have a cargo variant.
52576681500_00e4201802_o.png

KerbalX Downloads:
https://kerbalx.com/ManateeAerospace/SRB-1-GLV
https://kerbalx.com/ManateeAerospace/SRB-1T

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I don't know, do you guys thing posting these right before Jesus Day is a bad idea?
52579238157_37e6d47384_o.png
52580238473_ecfe054bc8_o.png
52579968229_e8800a1513_o.png
52579237712_5866fe81b6_o.png

52579700311_cd8990b128_o.png
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52580140010_b84cd19dd3_o.png


And the home additions:
https://kerbalx.com/ManateeAerospace/NOTRAG
https://kerbalx.com/ManateeAerospace/NOTRAG-Charlie
https://kerbalx.com/ManateeAerospace/NOTRAG-Lambda

Edited by Blufor878
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