GoSlash27

Apologies, I mean using a KSP "aileron" part as an elevator/ canard. In my experience, placing it ahead of the CoM will not make it reverse it's direction and start acting like a canard. Likewise, placing a canard in back will not make it act like an elevator. Best, -Slashy

In my experience, control surfaces are pretty dumb. They react to their rotational alignment and whatever control inputs are enabled, but won't reverse themselves or operate proportionally based on where they're placed on the longitudinal axis. I place any elevators or ailerons behind the COM and canards ahead. We really need an official test of this... Best, -Slashy

My k-drive infiniglider still works fine in .25. I never cross an SOI with the k-drive engaged and I never time warp. That's just inviting a kraken attack. Best, -Slashy

Mission example slideshow--> http://s52.photobucket.com/user/GoSlash27/slideshow/KSP/ULS%202_0 My not-so-humble submission for "greatest stock launcher ever". Name "Utility Launch System" aka "the forklift" Company Mainway Aerospace Mass -Dry 11.08 Tonnes -Launch 21.3 Tonnes -Gross 36.5 Tonnes (with payload) Delta V : Just enough to do the job Max cargo weight: 15 Tonnes Cost: √66,898 dry, √67,989 with fuel, oxidizer, and monopropellant (doesn't include cost of payload) Part count: 77 (does not include payload) Configuration: high-yield fully recoverable RAPIER SSTO This little puppy is devilishly simple and economical (less than 73 credits total expenditure per metric ton delivered), but it requires excellent pilot skills to complete the mission. It is not recommended for manned flight due to the tight margins and lack of abort options in the event of failure. It is also not recommended for use by inexperienced pilots. WARNING: The launch profile must be followed exactly in order to place the 15 ton payload in orbit! Any deviation from this launch profile will likely result in the loss of payload. Mainway Aerospace is not liable for any losses incurred due to failure to adhere to this profile. Launch Profile: Engage SAS and throttle to full Space bar to start Fly vertical to 6KM altitude. Begin prograde gravity turn, holding the heading dot on the nav ball at the edge of the prograde ring Continue gravity turn until 20* pitch Maintain 500 m/sec climb rate to 23 KM altitude Adjust pitch to zero to null out climb rate at 26KM Maintain 26KM altitude until 1.7 Km/sec airspeed is achieved VERY GENTLY increase pitch to 30* and hold Maintain 30* pitch until altitude of 31KM or engine flameout, whichever happens first Press 1 to transition to closed cycle operation, reduce to 2/3 throttle, and pitch up to 45 degrees. Maintain until 70 KM apoapsis achieved, then pitch to prograde Throttle as necessary to maintain apoapsis, then circularize as desired. This launcher is equipped with a clamp-o-tron sr. docking port for payload retention, full RCS and SAS systems, solar panel arrays, and staged parachutes for launch vehicle recovery. (edit) It appears wikisend is down at the moment. I'll include the craft file here once it's available(/edit) Best, -Slashy

Moment of inertia is computed the exact same way pilots compute weight and balance. Directly proportional to distance and mass, and the effects of the individual components are algebraically additive. If you compute it once with full tanks and once with empty tanks, you will know what your moment of inertia is as a function of fuel percentage. The problem is KSP doesn't allow for precise measurements in the VAB. Best, -Slashy

Also make sure your elevators and ailerons aren't responding to yaw. Best, -Slashy

This is why we can't have nice things Kerbals do not have "genders". They do not reproduce and they are not even alive. They're just characters in a video game. Any discussion beyond that is entertaining speculation at best and a pointless argument at worst. Best, -Slashy

I agree with the others here. USA is not #1 at the moment because we can't put astronauts in space. Best, -Slashy

After learning how to marry infiniglide and kraken drive in a single vehicle, I attempted to build a working 1950s era flying saucer. Unfortunately, the parts count was too high. My favorite failure -Slashy

"People please learn to read"? Wow, talk about biting the hand that feeds you... If you want to slow down prior to landing, the best thing to do is fly an overhead "spin" pattern prior to landing. Come overhead the runway at 300M and cut the throttle while banking left 45* to head west. Once on-speed (about 120 M/sec), drop the gear and fly west until the runway is about 45* behind you on the left. Then bank 30* left for lineup to final approach and use the throttle to maintain your glideslope and pitch to maintain speed. Consider that your last freebie from me. I know how to fly and you don't. I'm more than happy to help teach you... *if* you display the proper attitude, which you haven't so far. It's all the same to me if you continue leaving smoking craters. Regards, -Slashy

lesto, You're top dog at the moment for .25. Congratulations! Now to see if someone else can catch you Do you have a name for this craft? Best, -Slashy

Yeah, what Pecan said. When I go to design a rocket stage the first thing I do is plug the payload and desired DV into a spreadsheet to see which engine will yield the lowest total stage mass overall. A good deal of the time the aerospike comes out on top. Best, -Slashy

In that case, I have a couple additional favorites: From the Earth to the Moon. HBO miniseries documenting the Apollo program. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZEZnnxTI4I And also Moon Machines, the Science Channel back story of the pieces of the Apollo program. It covers the nav computer, the F1 rocket engine, the rover, and other key elements. Best, -Slashy

Ah. In that case, I'm sorry but I'm afraid I can't offer many helpful suggestions for you. Your best bet is probably picking up a used phone 2 generations old such as the Galaxy S3. That way you won't be locked into it and will have some time to sort out what features are important for you. After you know what you will be using it for, you will be in a better position to pick out which option will work best for you. If you like, I can tell you what I use mine for. I'm sure others around here will do the same. Best, -Slashy

Apologies if this was already posted and I missed it. Pretty good documentary miniseries of the American/ Russian space race from the last days of WWII to the Apollo program. It mainly follows Von Braun and Korolev and their challenges. 4 part BBC miniseries, 4 hours run time. Best, -Slashy

Well... Your criteria are a bit vague. All Android smartphones will do what you normally want from a smartphone, so you'll have to be a bit more specific. What, exactly, do you want it to do well? What features do you not care about so much? What is your price point? Best, -Slashy

All, Since the 0.25 release has altered the physics and parts availability, I'm going to reset this challenge. Same rules apply. I'll keep the old leaderboard under a "spoiler" tag. Best, -Slashy

Yep, that's exactly what it was. Sorry for the inconvenience and thanks! Best, -Slashy

I ran my first orbital rendezvous since the .25 update last night on my stock 32 bit Windows install. I was unable to click on the target in external view to get the pink diamond and range info within 20 KM and had to shoot the approach pretty much blind. I don't know if this is a unique situation or if there's any workaround for it. Best, -Slashy

Jean Deux, It's a really neat model, but unfortunately we can't accept it for the leaderboard in it's current state. Gliders in this competition are limited to 1 control surface, and it must be locked and vertical. Apologies, -Slashy

My first SSTO for version .25: The Butterfly Mk.1. Successful SSTO to the KSS, rendezvous & docking, crew transfer, and return to the KSC. 13.1 tonnes and 31 parts. http://s52.photobucket.com/user/GoSlash27/slideshow/KSP/Butterfly No funny business on this one. It's all legit physics. Does transferring 4 crew to orbit count as utilitarial commendation? Best, -Slashy

Yeah, that's the easter egg sstv signal. People run across it from time to time in deep space. Best, -Slashy

Ah, thanks. Didn't know that! Total mass is 13.1 tonnes and thrust from that engine is 30 KN, so 23.3% t/w ratio. Best, -Slashy

Not sure if you're referring to me, but if so thanks! Not sure what the total mass is, since I don't use MechJeb. It pushes 1G acceleration on the turbojets and about 1/4G on the rocket. The rocket doesn't need much t/w to do it's job. Best, -Slashy

I just knocked this little buggy together today without much fuss. Just enough to transfer 6 kerbals to a space station and back, nothing more. Best, -Slashy