How Low Can You Go... with fuel consumption to orbit?

[TUFOM]

Challenge description:

Get to stable orbit as low amount of liquidfuel you can.

Rules:

1. Get to stable Orbit +70km pe/ap

2. Included parts: Mk1-2 command pod, Mk16-XL parachute, any fuel tank, Clamp-O-Tron Sr. docking port (why docking port? because we wont want that oribiting pod to be stranded in orbit, it must have capability for refueling (and return from orbit) Parachute must allow your kerbals safe return. SRB usage forbidden.

3. You can use Mechjeb/Kerbal Engineer if needed, besides that stock parts only. (autopilot is allowed but it must be mentioned and it will showed along your result)

4. VAB only

5. Screenshots from launchpad, your final stage before orbit and stable orbit.

Used fuel will be your result. Including only full numbers (not 0. units). Lower is better.

My entries:

Units of liquid fuel used:

Rocket category:

1. 1525, Mesklin

2. 1841, Tufom

3.

4.

5.

Hybrid category (airbreathing & liquidfuel engines):

1. 54, Mesklin

2. 233, Tufom

3. 752, 700NitroXpress

4.

5.

Since SRBs cannot be refueled category removed.

Edited December 16, 2013 by TUFOM

[capi3101]

Okay...so are you saying designs must include the listed parts, or that they can include the listed parts?

I ask because this challenge becomes pretty easy if it's the latter.

[TUFOM]

Must include.

[SiliconPyro]

Are air breathing engines allowed and does it have to be a vertical takeoff?

[TUFOM]

Air breathing engines are allowed but vertical lift off/VAB only

Edit: simplified answer.

Edited December 13, 2013 by TUFOM

[700NitroXpress]

Here's my entry: all parts used per the rules. No mods or debug was used, all stock.

Total Fuel consumed: 752.48

First stage, 92 units consumed

Second Stage, 360 units consumed

Third Stage, 300.48 units consumed

[TUFOM]

Nicely done I did not know air breathing engines would be so much difference.

[700NitroXpress]

Nicely done I did not know air breathing engines would be so much difference.

For such a lightweight craft, there's nothing better, I've been using jet engines to lift light ships into orbit for a long time.

[TUFOM]

Not offend any way to be fair I will split this in two categories rocket/hybrid. Hybrid meaning jet & rocket engines were used because of huge difference between these.

[SiliconPyro]

Not offend any way to be fair I will split this in two categories rocket/hybrid. Hybrid meaning jet & rocket engines were used because of huge difference between these.

That's why I asked. There is a huge disparity there when you're lifting a light load.

[M5000]

Oooh, this sounds fun actually. I'll see if I can't get to work on an entry, as I might have a way to be witty about this challenge.

[TUFOM]

My hybrid entry:

^^

520 units of liquid fuel. Pretty close one that was.

Edit: Noticed that picture of cutting jets is from failed attempt and I don't have pic from that stage craft that worked. I will add all my fuel to my result because I can't be exactly sure how much I used.

Edited December 13, 2013 by TUFOM

[Mesklin]

Fuel for reach orbit - 110

Start mass - 8.7 t

On launchpad:

Jet stage dropped:

On orbit:

[M5000]

Does this count?

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Technically, nothing was said about SRBs in any way, shape or form, so my score would be 0, since I used no liquid fuel to get to orbit. I used it to de-orbit, but alas, this was not part of the challenge.

I understand if you overlooked SRBs, things happen, you don't have to count this entry. At most, I just did really well. At least, I just exposed a loophole in your rules hehehe c:

-M5K

[TUFOM]

Thanks for pointing that out. I am in crazy mood and I will add category even for SRBs but it will be SRB only. In other categories SRBs will be forbidden.

If you can calculate solid fuel usage from that when stable orbit was achieved your entry will be first.

Edit: but sadly your craft have no ability to refuel... that is pointed out in rules.

Edited December 13, 2013 by TUFOM

[M5000]

If you can calculate solid fuel usage from that when stable orbit was achieved your entry will be first.

Edit: but sadly your craft have no ability to refuel... that is pointed out in rules.

Nah, it's okay. I was just throwing things at a wall to see what sticks.

Also, about the refueling thing, I thought we just needed a clamp-o-tron senior that was intended (but not required) to be able to be used to refuel. I misunderstood, but that's okay. I just wanted to see if you overlooked SRBs or if I could somehow win by being sneaky.

Fun little challenge! c:

-M5K

[700NitroXpress]

Fuel for reach orbit - 110

Start mass - 8.7 t

Jet stage dropped:

Show an image right before the jet stage was dropped and then one right after.

[numerobis]

If not for forgetting a fuel line I'd have gotten it in less than 57.27 units:

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I have about 35 m/s with the LV-1 and Oscar-B, whereas my maneuver node that pulls periapsis up to 70km is just 18.7 m/s. But there's no path for fuel to get to the engine. Oops.

Jet stage is 1 turbojet, 16 ram intakes, 1 radial, MechJeb ascent with 10km start, 35 km end, 40% turn, 0 angle, 5% safety margin, prevent flameouts, manage intakes. But there's a bug in the current released version apparently: it keeps cutting out, so I had to nurse it by switching to 50% safety margin until the engine reignited, then back to 5%. Otherwise I'd just fix my fuel line and make a correct entry while cooking dinner.

BTW, your demand for a rockomax decoupler is a bit odd; I took it to mean that it had to reach orbit, but 700NitroXpress decoupled it. If it doesn't have to reach orbit, then I'll just pop it off on the ground; I'd save 10% of payload, and thus about that much fuel.

Beyond SRBs, infiniglide and stack separators will make a mockery of this challenge.

[700NitroXpress]

BTW, your demand for a rockomax decoupler is a bit odd; I took it to mean that it had to reach orbit, but 700NitroXpress decoupled it. If it doesn't have to reach orbit, then I'll just pop it off on the ground; I'd save 10% of payload, and thus about that much fuel.

It says that the parts must be included in the design, but it doesn't say anything about it reaching orbit except for the docking port.

[Mesklin]

Special for 700NitroXpress

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[Mesklin]

After some thinking I redesigned my last attempt and now more thin, more simple device could reach orbit with less fuel consumption:

Fuel spent - 54.05

Start mass - 7.141 t

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[Bobnova]

Rocket motors only, 2220 liquidfuel units.

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I have a couple more ideas to try though. I want to get under 2000.

[700NitroXpress]

After some thinking I redesigned my last attempt and now more thin, more simple device could reach orbit with less fuel consumption

You could also stick that parachute onto the decoupler and leave it behind.

[Jasonden]

Here's my entry: Toroidal Asparagus

This is a conventional liquid design, more akin to the OP. Total fuel use: 1698

I did use MechJeb to fine-tune the ascent, particularly with respect to throttling for optimal fuel use by not exceeding terminal velocity.

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[Mesklin]

Power of 48-7S

Here is classical rocket design, liters spent: 1525. Payload ratio is 19.15%, that very close to records from this challenge

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You could also stick that parachute onto the decoupler and leave it behind.

Good idea, thanks, but I love kerbanauts , they should have possibility to return safely back to Kerbin.