[1.12] Extraplanetary Launchpads v6.99.3

[Aeon-Phoenix]

Okay since its Kerbmas i gonna show off some more progress.

Here is a quick render of the new launchpad as it unfolds. As the previus Launch Pad 2. This will be more or less a selfcontainable unit with some design changes from my side: I included landing legs on the outter side. this will help for better stable operations as both a launch and landing platform. I also did not installed any engine(s) on it. there will be attachment points on the top and bottom where you can throw on things to adjust to the body you're planning to land this baby on. I can't tell anything about the final stats as that is taniwha's domain.

[Ralathon]

Looks great Aeon! Really looking forward to some new models for EPL.

[taniwha]

* scratches head at the engineering involved in such a thing

However, yes, it certainly does look neat. getting attachment nodes to move (if necessary) will be a hassle (code required).

[TimMartland]

Aeon, your models are amazing! Are you officially doing these for inclusion in EL, or is it something you are doing seperatley?

[taniwha]

TimMartland: semi-officially? He volunteered, we discussed some topics and came to an agreement on some issues. We'll see what comes of it

[Aeon-Phoenix]

taniwha: Not sure if we need to move the top attachment point. But if its there it would give you the option to put a lifter/parachute assembly for planets with atmosphere/high gravity on top that can be jetisoned once used. About the enginering. It looks more complicating than it is. Just look at some of the solar panel rigging ;D

All others: Thanks!

[taniwha]

Aeon-Phoenix: I'll defer to you on that as my engineering was electronic. The joint strengths concerned me, that's all.

Indeed, an attachment point on the top will make getting the pad down a lot easier, and due to the way EL works, having something permanently attached to it won't be a good idea anyway.

[Aeon-Phoenix]

taniwha: easy answer to the strenght: Composites and Aluminium. When you see it close up you see that they also grip into each other and the holes you see on the side are for arresting locks.

[taniwha]

Aeon-Phoenix: obviously you know your joints (and what to do to help weak ones) better than I do My mechanical engineering comes from Lego, Mechano, and some straws and spaghetti.

[Chaosratt]

Trying to figure out how the recycle bins work. I've got one on the side of my station to recycle the OMVs for my fuel & rocket parts lifters, but they do not do anything. See pic.

[Andon]

Right click it and activate it.

Beware, though, it'll eat the entire craft of any part that touches it.

[taniwha]

Indeed, the recycling bins being off by default is a safety feature

[Superfluous J]

Right click it and activate it.

Beware, though, it'll eat the entire craft of any part that touches it.

Oh I *gotta* try lowering a docked piece into it with a KAS winch, that is on the same structure as the recycle bin.

WHY HAVE I NEVER TRIED THIS BEFORE!?

[taniwha]

Sorry, no Ouroboros. I figured it would be all too likely for someone (like me) to use a crane to lower junk into the bin and get a little careless. I didn't want to get lynched.

[Superfluous J]

Awww darn. I suppose it makes it safer to use a crane to do cleanup work. Tether the crane-car to the recycling bin with a docked winch, then drive around picking up debris.

Though I'm a bit embarrassed to admit I never considered the concept of the recycling bin on a space station. Or more appropriately for my uses, on a garbage scow that goes around cleaning up spent stages in orbit.

[FaceDeer]

Now that is a spiffy launchpad! I won't be too terribly concerned if the top connection node doesn't move when the launchpad unfolds, it looks like anything that remains connected there would be serious trouble either way when stuff gets built on it. So I would use it solely as a connection point for a sky crane or other such temporary gripper.

[taniwha]

FaceDeer: I've come to that conclusion myself, though I could make SpawnHeightOffset a tweakable (not sure it's worth it, though).

Much much easier to just say "don't put anything permanent here".

[Donziboy2]

Im having an issue, whenever I build a craft no rocketparts are taken..

Also any chance in a 2.5m parts container?

[taniwha]

Donziboy2: Do you not have Kethane installed? Without Kethane, EL will not consume any resources when building things because there is no way to generate the fuel or parts.

[Donziboy2]

Donziboy2: Do you not have Kethane installed? Without Kethane, EL will not consume any resources when building things because there is no way to generate the fuel or parts.

TY. Maybe that should be listed on the first post....

[impwarhamer]

could you make the top node on the new launchpad decouple things when it deploys? That would solve any issues caused by people not knowing how it worked.

[taniwha]

impwarhamer: I'm sure it's possible, but I'm not sure it's worth the effort. I think it might be a better idea to put a big "do not obstruct" sign on the spot.

[Phlex]

I just found this by accident and I love it! Playing KSP I discovered some mild OCD-ish behaviour, manifesting in trying to keep it realistic. Yes, i know... But i could never just strap a structure the size of a footballfield to the top of a rocket thats wider than it's tall, even the thought of it... And while I don't need a Launchpad on other planets (all I "need" is something for smaller constructions and repairs) having one in orbit is brilliant and the fact, that I have to supply it with resources...Exactly what I was looking for! This is so close to my imagination, it's almost scary.

[Donziboy2]

taniwha, any chance the ore scanner will shrink in the near future? Or maybe go on a diet?

[makkenhoff]

I found the large ore scanner to be quite ridiculous as far as size vs kethane for a comparable range of scanning power; also new to this plugin, which is probably the best I've found so far, aside from my main favorite kethane.