lurkoholic

Sparker, Did you test for zero boil off on Kerbin/Earth or in deep space? I'm pretty sure boiloff is higher in low orbit and much higher on the ground due to higher ambient temperature. Due to testing on the ground, my old LH2 interplanetary stages had an excessive number of fins and looked kinda like giant RTGs...

Oops...Thanks for the correction. Before I played with RF, I thought the stock temperatures just looked random (a thermometer facing the sun could be colder than one in shadow), but I wasn't concerned with boiloff then.

Citizen247, This sounds like a cool idea. After reading about NTR's neutron radiation heating fuel tanks, I wondered how feasible a "Real Rad" mod would be. If you haven't already, you might want to look at FRACTALUK's mod, KSP Interstellar. I don't think the radiation part of the mod is complete, but it does track individual Kerbal radiation accumulation, has shielding ratings for capsules, and varying radiation based on location and orbital altitude/orientation. http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/104943-0-90-KSP-Interstellar-port-maintance-thread Also, RealFuels (might be DRE or RSS?) varies tank temperature based on orientation to the sun. Maybe something similar could be used to determine shielding from the sun/solar flares when in interplanetary space?

Do you have SDHI installed? After installing SDHI on a test install (using CKAN), the MK 1-2 capsule has the heat shield faring always on.

I think using the KIDS "Extend curve to Zero Isp" option is the only way to correct the Isp for atmospheric pressures above 1 atm, like on Venus, Titan, or Jupiter...although if you are trying to return a rocket from low in Jupiter's atmosphere, you're probably going to have a bad day.

Does the Lightbulb engine have small attach nodes for anyone else (size 1, I think)?

Thanks for the help Raptor831!! After adding your lines, I just had to remove the unused effects (the engine appeared to be "on" at all times). Editing unnamed nodes had me confused for a while. I changed the LANTERN to be more like a small version of Starwaster's Trimodal, but with slightly better TWR and slightly lower ISP. I also moved it to the same tech node as the LV-N and Trimodal. I changed the LOX afterburner mode to be more like the Trimodal with a thrust rating ~2.7x the LqHydrogen mode. This keeps the LqHydrogen flow rate the same for both modes. The thrust numbers came out pretty close to what's listed here: LANTR The LIGHTBULB engine creates A LOT of heat when using DRE, so I set the max heat to 10,000. If attached to a small fuel tank, it can make the fuel tank explode if it's not actively or passively (attaching I-beams or other structural parts) cooled. @PART[nuclearEngineLANTR]:FOR[RealFuels_StockEngines] //LANTERN Engine { !MODULE[MultiModeEngine]{} !MODULE[ModuleEnginesFX],1 {} // index of 1 is the second MEFX node @EFFECTS,0 { -power_open,0 {} -running_open,0 {} } @TechRequired = nuclearPropulsion //multiplied cost 1.25x to account for LOX afterburner. @mass = 3.4 @cost = 19354 %entryCost = 77415 @maxTemp = 2400 @MODULE[ModuleEnginesFX] { @maxThrust = 62 @heatProduction = 209 @atmosphereCurve { @key,0 = 0 865 @key,1 = 1 387 } !PROPELLANT[LiquidFuel] {} !PROPELLANT[Oxidizer] {} !PROPELLANT[MonoPropellant] {} PROPELLANT { name = LqdHydrogen ratio = 100.000000 DrawGauge = True } } MODULE { name = ModuleHybridEngine type = ModuleEnginesFX techLevel = 5 origTechLevel = 5 engineType = N origMass = 3.4 configuration = NTRLqdHydrogen modded = false CONFIG { name = NTRLqdHydrogen maxThrust = 62 heatProduction = 220 PROPELLANT { name = LqdHydrogen ratio = 100 DrawGauge = True } PROPELLANT { name = U235Rods ratio = 0.00000000001 } IspSL = 0.9500 IspV = 0.9500 throttle = 0 MODULE { name = ModuleEngineIgnitor ignitionsAvailable = 0 autoIgnitionTemperature = 800 ignitorType = Electric useUllageSimulation = true IGNITOR_RESOURCE { name = ElectricCharge amount = 0.62 } } } CONFIG { name = NTRLqdHydrogen+LqdOxygen maxThrust = 170 heatProduction = 238 PROPELLANT { name = LqdHydrogen ratio = 84.29684902663367 DrawGauge = True } PROPELLANT { name = LqdOxygen ratio = 15.703150973366334 } PROPELLANT { name = U235Rods ratio = 0.00000000001 } IspSL = 0.6594 IspV = 0.6594 throttle = 0 MODULE { name = ModuleEngineIgnitor ignitionsAvailable = 0 autoIgnitionTemperature = 800 ignitorType = Electric useUllageSimulation = true IGNITOR_RESOURCE { name = ElectricCharge amount = 0.62 } } } } !MODULE[ModuleEngineIgnitor] {} MODULE { name = ModuleEngineIgnitor ignitionsAvailable = 0 autoIgnitionTemperature = 800 ignitorType = Electric useUllageSimulation = true IGNITOR_RESOURCE { name = ElectricCharge amount = 0.62 } } !MODULE[ModuleAlternator] {} !MODULE[ModuleGenerator] {} !RESOURCE[U235Rods] {} !RESOURCE[DepU235Rods] {} MODULE { name = ModuleAlternator OUTPUT_RESOURCE { name = U235Rods rate = -5.166666666666667E-18 } OUTPUT_RESOURCE { name = DepU235Rods rate = 5.166666666666667E-18 } OUTPUT_RESOURCE { name = ElectricCharge rate = 3.1 } } MODULE { name = ModuleGenerator isAlwaysActive = true OUTPUT_RESOURCE { name = ElectricCharge rate = 1.55 } OUTPUT_RESOURCE { name = DepU235Rods rate = 5.166666666666667E-18 } INPUT_RESOURCE { name = U235Rods rate = 5.166666666666667E-18 } } RESOURCE { name = U235Rods amount = 5.166666666666667 maxAmount = 5.166666666666667 } RESOURCE { name = DepU235Rods amount = 0 maxAmount = 5.166666666666667 } } @PART[nuclearEngineLightbulb]:FOR[RealFuels_StockEngines] //CCGC-7 Nuclear Lightbulb { @mass = 23 @cost = 436698 %entryCost = 2183490 @maxTemp = 10000 @MODULE[ModuleEnginesFX] { @maxThrust = 450 @heatProduction = 1372 @atmosphereCurve { @key,0 = 0 1500 @key,1 = 1 671 } !PROPELLANT[LiquidFuel] {} !PROPELLANT[Oxidizer] {} !PROPELLANT[MonoPropellant] {} PROPELLANT { name = LqdHydrogen ratio = 100.000000 DrawGauge = True } } MODULE { name = ModuleEngineConfigs type = ModuleEnginesFX techLevel = 8 origTechLevel = 8 engineType = N origMass = 23 configuration = NTRLqdHydrogen modded = false CONFIG { name = NTRLqdHydrogen maxThrust = 450 heatProduction = 1372 PROPELLANT { name = LqdHydrogen ratio = 100 DrawGauge = True } PROPELLANT { name = U235Rods ratio = 0.00000000001 } IspSL = 1.4852 IspV = 1.4852 throttle = 0 MODULE { name = ModuleEngineIgnitor ignitionsAvailable = 0 autoIgnitionTemperature = 800 ignitorType = Electric useUllageSimulation = true IGNITOR_RESOURCE { name = ElectricCharge amount = 4.5 } } } } !MODULE[ModuleEngineIgnitor] {} MODULE { name = ModuleEngineIgnitor ignitionsAvailable = 0 autoIgnitionTemperature = 800 ignitorType = Electric useUllageSimulation = true IGNITOR_RESOURCE { name = ElectricCharge amount = 4.5 } } !MODULE[ModuleAlternator] {} !MODULE[ModuleGenerator] {} !RESOURCE[U235Rods] {} !RESOURCE[DepU235Rods] {} MODULE { name = ModuleAlternator OUTPUT_RESOURCE { name = U235Rods rate = -37.5E-18 } OUTPUT_RESOURCE { name = DepU235Rods rate = 37.5E-18 } OUTPUT_RESOURCE { name = ElectricCharge rate = 22.5 } } MODULE { name = ModuleGenerator isAlwaysActive = true OUTPUT_RESOURCE { name = ElectricCharge rate = 11.25 } OUTPUT_RESOURCE { name = DepU235Rods rate = 37.5E-18 } INPUT_RESOURCE { name = U235Rods rate = 37.5E-18 } } RESOURCE { name = U235Rods amount = 37.5 maxAmount = 37.5 } RESOURCE { name = DepU235Rods amount = 0 maxAmount = 37.5 } }

I tried to do that using something like !Module(modulename) but couldn't get it to work.I also couldn't nuke the second ModuleEnginesFX. Since this is a tech level 8 engine, it might be easier to leave it's built in fuel switcher and also edit its second ModuleEnginesFX (the afterburner one). I couldn't figure out how to do that either. I need to learn a lot more about using MM.

Here's what I came up with for Porkjet's Atomic Age nuclear engines: @PART[nuclearEngineLANTR]:FOR[RealFuels_StockEngines] //LANTERN Engine { //Multiplied cost x1.5 and entry cost x2 based on 40kn NTR to account for LOX afterburner @mass = 3.3 @cost = 19850 %entryCost = 132330 @maxTemp = 1450 @MODULE[ModuleEnginesFX] { @maxThrust = 40 @heatProduction = 106 @atmosphereCurve { @key,0 = 0 960 @key,1 = 1 429 } !PROPELLANT[LiquidFuel] {} !PROPELLANT[Oxidizer] {} !PROPELLANT[MonoPropellant] {} PROPELLANT { name = LqdHydrogen ratio = 100.000000 DrawGauge = True } } MODULE { name = ModuleHybridEngine type = ModuleEnginesFX techLevel = 8 origTechLevel = 8 engineType = N origMass = 3.3 configuration = NTRLqdHydrogen modded = false CONFIG { name = NTRLqdHydrogen maxThrust = 40 heatProduction = 106 PROPELLANT { name = LqdHydrogen ratio = 100 DrawGauge = True } PROPELLANT { name = U235Rods ratio = 0.00000000001 } IspSL = 0.9500 IspV = 0.9500 throttle = 0 MODULE { name = ModuleEngineIgnitor ignitionsAvailable = 0 autoIgnitionTemperature = 800 ignitorType = Electric useUllageSimulation = true IGNITOR_RESOURCE { name = ElectricCharge amount = 0.4 } } } CONFIG { name = NTRLqdHydrogen+LqdOxygen maxThrust = 328 heatProduction = 106 PROPELLANT { name = LqdHydrogen ratio = 84.29684902663367 DrawGauge = True } PROPELLANT { name = LqdOxygen ratio = 15.703150973366334 } PROPELLANT { name = U235Rods ratio = 0.00000000001 } IspSL = 0.6594 IspV = 0.6594 throttle = 0 MODULE { name = ModuleEngineIgnitor ignitionsAvailable = 0 autoIgnitionTemperature = 800 ignitorType = Electric useUllageSimulation = true IGNITOR_RESOURCE { name = ElectricCharge amount = 0.4 } } } } !MODULE[ModuleEngineIgnitor] {} MODULE { name = ModuleEngineIgnitor ignitionsAvailable = 0 autoIgnitionTemperature = 800 ignitorType = Electric useUllageSimulation = true IGNITOR_RESOURCE { name = ElectricCharge amount = 0.4 } } !MODULE[ModuleAlternator] {} !MODULE[ModuleGenerator] {} !RESOURCE[U235Rods] {} !RESOURCE[DepU235Rods] {} MODULE { name = ModuleAlternator OUTPUT_RESOURCE { name = U235Rods rate = -3.3333333333333335E-18 } OUTPUT_RESOURCE { name = DepU235Rods rate = 3.3333333333333335E-18 } OUTPUT_RESOURCE { name = ElectricCharge rate = 2 } } MODULE { name = ModuleGenerator isAlwaysActive = true OUTPUT_RESOURCE { name = ElectricCharge rate = 1 } OUTPUT_RESOURCE { name = DepU235Rods rate = 3.3333333333333335E-18 } INPUT_RESOURCE { name = U235Rods rate = 3.3333333333333335E-18 } } RESOURCE { name = U235Rods amount = 3.3333333333333335 maxAmount = 3.3333333333333335 } RESOURCE { name = DepU235Rods amount = 0 maxAmount = 3.3333333333333335 } } @PART[nuclearEngineLightbulb]:FOR[RealFuels_StockEngines] //CCGC-7 Nuclear Lightbulb { @mass = 23 @cost = 436698 %entryCost = 2183490 @maxTemp = 10000 @MODULE[ModuleEnginesFX] { @maxThrust = 450 @heatProduction = 1372 @atmosphereCurve { @key,0 = 0 1500 @key,1 = 1 671 } !PROPELLANT[LiquidFuel] {} !PROPELLANT[Oxidizer] {} !PROPELLANT[MonoPropellant] {} PROPELLANT { name = LqdHydrogen ratio = 100.000000 DrawGauge = True } } MODULE { name = ModuleEngineConfigs type = ModuleEnginesFX techLevel = 8 origTechLevel = 8 engineType = N origMass = 23 configuration = NTRLqdHydrogen modded = false CONFIG { name = NTRLqdHydrogen maxThrust = 450 heatProduction = 1372 PROPELLANT { name = LqdHydrogen ratio = 100 DrawGauge = True } PROPELLANT { name = U235Rods ratio = 0.00000000001 } IspSL = 1.4852 IspV = 1.4852 throttle = 0 MODULE { name = ModuleEngineIgnitor ignitionsAvailable = 0 autoIgnitionTemperature = 800 ignitorType = Electric useUllageSimulation = true IGNITOR_RESOURCE { name = ElectricCharge amount = 4.5 } } } } !MODULE[ModuleEngineIgnitor] {} MODULE { name = ModuleEngineIgnitor ignitionsAvailable = 0 autoIgnitionTemperature = 800 ignitorType = Electric useUllageSimulation = true IGNITOR_RESOURCE { name = ElectricCharge amount = 4.5 } } !MODULE[ModuleAlternator] {} !MODULE[ModuleGenerator] {} !RESOURCE[U235Rods] {} !RESOURCE[DepU235Rods] {} MODULE { name = ModuleAlternator OUTPUT_RESOURCE { name = U235Rods rate = -37.5E-18 } OUTPUT_RESOURCE { name = DepU235Rods rate = 37.5E-18 } OUTPUT_RESOURCE { name = ElectricCharge rate = 22.5 } } MODULE { name = ModuleGenerator isAlwaysActive = true OUTPUT_RESOURCE { name = ElectricCharge rate = 11.25 } OUTPUT_RESOURCE { name = DepU235Rods rate = 37.5E-18 } INPUT_RESOURCE { name = U235Rods rate = 37.5E-18 } } RESOURCE { name = U235Rods amount = 37.5 maxAmount = 37.5 } RESOURCE { name = DepU235Rods amount = 0 maxAmount = 37.5 } } They work, but the LANTERN Engine still has Porkjets fuel switcher for the Liquidfuel/Oxidizer mode in addition to the Realfuels switcher. Also, it doesn't use Porkjets afterburner exhaust effects for the LOX afterburner mode. If anybody can figure out how to fix that config that would be great!

Start a new blank engine and select Nitrogen or any of the propellants below it. It leaves "ignitionsAvailable= " blank until you enter a number on the EI ignitions or click Use Default Ignitions. If it matters, it will also still put a comma in the heat production field.

You are correct that the Isp and thrust would determine the mass flow rate out of the engine. The mass ratio setting is used to set the fuel/oxidizer mixture. The output for the config will be the volume ratio since the units ingame are liters. The mass ratio isn't used for monopropellant engines (e.g. hydrazine only engine or a standard Nuclear Thermal engine). The third post on the real fuels thread and the "Calcs_RF_Stockalike.xls" spreadsheet on Raptor831's github page both have information on engine configurations.

I also had this line "ignitionsAvailable = " in my config. Adding a 0 or 1 to the end allowed it to work. I'm not sure how long I spent comparing two files before I found that. Raptor831, When configuring a NTRLqdMethane engine, it adds TEATEB as a propellant.

Currently, many (all?) of the liquid engines have the same thrust for hydrolox, kerolox, and hypergolic configurations. This probably makes hydrolox the best choice unless you are very limited by volume, like early in career mode. I think setting up a new NTR also defaults to the same thrust for hydrogen, methane, and ammonia, which would make hydrogen the obvious choice if you can limit the boiloff with heat pumps.

Raptor831, The webapp looks great. I attempted to use it to create a config for the Atomic Age engines but couldn't get it to work (Maybe i'll try some easier engines tomorrow:)). I did get a config to work for the Lightbulb engine using the spreadsheet. Webapp: @PART[nuclearEngineLightbulb]:FOR[RealFuels_StockEngines] //CCGC-7 Nuclear Lightbulb { @mass = 20 @cost = 396345 %entryCost = 1981725 @maxTemp = 2400 @MODULE[ModuleEnginesFX] { @maxThrust = 450 @heatProduction = 1,682 @atmosphereCurve { @key,0 = 0 1,440 @key,1 = 1 644 } !PROPELLANT[LiquidFuel] {} !PROPELLANT[Oxidizer] {} !PROPELLANT[MonoPropellant] {} PROPELLANT { name = LqdHydrogen ratio = 100.000000 DrawGauge = True } } MODULE { name = ModuleEngineConfigs type = ModuleEnginesFX techLevel = 7 origTechLevel = 7 engineType = N origMass = 20 configuration = NTRLqdHydrogen modded = false CONFIG { name = NTRLqdHydrogen maxThrust = 450 heatProduction = 1,682 PROPELLANT { name = LqdHydrogen ratio = 100 DrawGauge = True } IspSL = 1.5000 IspV = 1.5000 throttle = 0 MODULE { name = ModuleEngineIgnitor ignitionsAvailable = autoIgnitionTemperature = 800 ignitorType = Electric useUllageSimulation = true IGNITOR_RESOURCE { name = ElectricCharge amount = 4.5 } } } } !MODULE[ModuleEngineIgnitor] {} MODULE { name = ModuleEngineIgnitor ignitionsAvailable = autoIgnitionTemperature = 800 ignitorType = Electric useUllageSimulation = true IGNITOR_RESOURCE { name = ElectricCharge amount = 4.5 } } !MODULE[ModuleAlternator] {} !MODULE[ModuleGenerator] {} !RESOURCE[U235Rods] {} !RESOURCE[DepU235Rods] {} MODULE { name = ModuleAlternator OUTPUT_RESOURCE { name = U235Rods rate = -37.5E-18 } OUTPUT_RESOURCE { name = DepU235Rods rate = 37.5E-18 } OUTPUT_RESOURCE { name = ElectricCharge rate = 22.5 } } MODULE { name = ModuleGenerator isAlwaysActive = true OUTPUT_RESOURCE { name = ElectricCharge rate = 11.25 } OUTPUT_RESOURCE { name = DepU235Rods rate = 37.5E-18 } INPUT_RESOURCE { name = U235Rods rate = 37.5E-18 } } RESOURCE { name = U235Rods amount = 37.5 maxAmount = 37.5 } RESOURCE { name = DepU235Rods amount = 0 maxAmount = 37.5 } } Spreadsheet: @PART[nuclearEngineLightbulb]:FOR[RealFuels_StockEngines] //CCGC-7 Nuclear Lightbulb { @mass = 20 @cost = 790002 @maxTemp = 13868 @MODULE[ModuleEnginesFX] { @maxThrust = 450 @heatProduction = 1671 @atmosphereCurve { @key,0 = 0 1440 @key,1 = 1 644 } !PROPELLANT[LiquidFuel] {} !PROPELLANT[Oxidizer] {} !PROPELLANT[MonoPropellant] {} PROPELLANT { name = LqdHydrogen ratio = 100 DrawGauge = True } } MODULE { name = ModuleEngineConfigs type = ModuleEnginesFX techLevel = 7 origTechLevel = 7 engineType = N origMass = 20 configuration = LqdHydrogen modded = false CONFIG { name = LqdHydrogen maxThrust = 450 heatProduction = 1671 PROPELLANT { name = LqdHydrogen ratio = 1 DrawGauge = True } PROPELLANT { name = U235Rods ratio = 0.00000000001 } IspSL = 1.5 IspV = 1.5 throttle = 0 ModuleEngineIgnitor { name = ModuleEngineIgnitor ignitionsAvailable = 1 autoIgnitionTemperature = 800 ignitorType = Electric useUllageSimulation = true IGNITOR_RESOURCE { name = ElectricCharge amount = 4.5 } } } } !MODULE[ModuleEngineIgnitor] {} MODULE { name = ModuleEngineIgnitor ignitionsAvailable = 1 autoIgnitionTemperature = 800 ignitorType = Electric useUllageSimulation = true IGNITOR_RESOURCE { name = ElectricCharge amount = 4.5 } } !MODULE[ModuleAlternator] {} !MODULE[ModuleGenerator] {} !RESOURCE[U235Rods] {} !RESOURCE[DepU235Rods] {} MODULE { name = ModuleAlternator OUTPUT_RESOURCE { name = U235Rods rate = -3.75E-017 } OUTPUT_RESOURCE { name = DepU235Rods rate = 3.75E-017 } OUTPUT_RESOURCE { name = ElectricCharge rate = 22.5 } } MODULE { name = ModuleGenerator isAlwaysActive = true OUTPUT_RESOURCE { name = ElectricCharge rate = 11.25 } OUTPUT_RESOURCE { name = DepU235Rods rate = 3.75E-017 } INPUT_RESOURCE { name = U235Rods rate = 3.75E-017 } } RESOURCE { name = U235Rods amount = 37.5 maxAmount = 37.5 } RESOURCE { name = DepU235Rods amount = 0 maxAmount = 37.5 } } @MODULE[ModuleEnginesFX] { @maxThrust = 450 @heatProduction = 1671 @atmosphereCurve { @key,0 = 0 1440 @key,1 = 1 644 } !PROPELLANT[LiquidFuel] {} !PROPELLANT[Oxidizer] {} !PROPELLANT[MonoPropellant] {} PROPELLANT { name = LqdHydrogen ratio = 100 DrawGauge = True } } MODULE { name = ModuleEngineConfigs type = ModuleEnginesFX techLevel = 7 origTechLevel = 7 engineType = N origMass = 20 configuration = LqdHydrogen modded = false CONFIG { name = LqdHydrogen maxThrust = 450 heatProduction = 1671 PROPELLANT { name = LqdHydrogen ratio = 1 DrawGauge = True } PROPELLANT { name = U235Rods ratio = 0.00000000001 } IspSL = 1.5 IspV = 1.5 throttle = 0 ModuleEngineIgnitor { name = ModuleEngineIgnitor ignitionsAvailable = 1 autoIgnitionTemperature = 800 ignitorType = Electric useUllageSimulation = true IGNITOR_RESOURCE { name = ElectricCharge amount = 4.5 } } } } CONFIG { name = LqdHydrogen maxThrust = 450 heatProduction = 1671 PROPELLANT { name = LqdHydrogen ratio = 1 DrawGauge = True } PROPELLANT { name = U235Rods ratio = 0.00000000001 } IspSL = 1.5 IspV = 1.5 throttle = 0 ModuleEngineIgnitor { name = ModuleEngineIgnitor ignitionsAvailable = 1 autoIgnitionTemperature = 800 ignitorType = Electric useUllageSimulation = true IGNITOR_RESOURCE { name = ElectricCharge amount = 4.5 } } } I'm not sure what the issue was, but I did notice the webapp version didn't have the U235 rods as a propellant. I'm not sure if that matters since the generator is always on. Would a NTR reactor (with a generator that is always at 100%) always be "full power" or is it throttled when not thrusting? I just tested the LV-N and it doesn't seem to provide any electric charge, even when using action groups to toggle the generator. That might be a Real Fuels bug.

If you change the RealSettings.cfg so that "%useRealisticMass = false", the engines and tanks should be close to their stock masses.

Was it dtobi's asteroid cities http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/79675-24-2-DISCONTINUED-July-27-Asteroid-Cities-V2-0 Or Rover Dude's Asteroid Recycling Tecnologies http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/91790 Or Regolith http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/100162-0-25-Regolith-an-open-ISRU-and-Resource-framework-Technical-Preview I think Tweakscale let's you rescale the stock grabber.

Is anyone else having problems with the rescaled SRBs (FOWDS & RT-5) or launch clamps? For me, both of the SRBs still look like the full scale 1.25m Squad parts, but with the attach nodes moved to the correct locations. Maybe this is due to the scaling changes (bug fix?) in 0.25? Even if I turn the launch clamp pumps on in the VAB, when I launch the rocket, they are always set to "Pump Enabled: False" without a toggle to turn them on. I've even tried a fresh copy of KSP with just Real Fuels v8.1 and the latest Stockalike RF engine configs (KSP 0.25 32-Bit on Win 7 64bit), but both problems persisted.

You have to edit the config file to turn those contracts on. See the changes for version 0.58b in the OP.

If you're looking for the mod, it's in another thread: http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/91043-Seadragon-for-24-2-official-release:)

Do you have any life support mods? Maybe your cockpit doesn't have any oxygen?