Daelkyr

An odd question. Does this mod support a fraction of a day? I want to add Budget Interval (Kerbin Days) = 47.3 because my Kerbin calendar is based on Minmus orbit and that gives me 9 47~48 day months.

The Altair's descent stage is designed to be a lunar heavy "lift?" descent...er (That was weird.) With the underpowered nature of the Orion ICPS, mission profiles called for the Altair to perform the lunar insertion burn for the Orion/Altair stack. As well, the descent stage was designed to have lowering bay doors at the bottom to have carry rovers and supplies for a long stay. With the soon-base shelters and 15 ton cargo haulers originally planned for the Altair missions, a single massive descent stage that could be under-fueled or topped off depending on the mission was demeaned the best bang for the buck.

I mus say @CobaltWolf that your LEM engines are wonderful. They look perfect attached to a model I'm working on while trying to climb back onto the modding horse.

Orange all around

Another consideration for balance is that the ETS Saturn 1C used an uprated F1-A engine for its lower stage. So just a slight bit of extra greeble of your eventual F-1 to make an F1-A while keeping the original slightly more conservative is an option.

@Death Engineering Just one more question as I get started. Is paying for rushed construction with KCT allowed or is it forbidden. I couldn't seem to find that answer. (Obviously, if I payed for premium rush delivery, I'd have to keep track of that expense as well.)

@Death Engineering Okay... I'm eyeing this challenge and was wondering about LIfe Support. Could I use Kerbalism for my LS needs? It sits in the TAC-LS realm of hardness for LS gameplay and simulates radiation in addition to the rest of the options.

Okay! I tried long and hard to get a shuttle that would work. After tearing my hair out trying to land a modded shuttle look-alike, I decided to go with "what if?" versions of the shuttle. What I ended up with was the Sarnus Shuttle Transportation System (SSTS). The maiden voyage of the first orbiter, named Intrepid was launched with Inigma Industries 42t fuel pod on mission SSTS-1a/b. Originally, the plan was to just attempt a launch, orbit, and landing. But if the Kerbal Space Center is paying for a Sarnus V C-I lower stage booster, it wanted to get its money's worth so contracted out the payload bay. The mission was "full up" and all tasks were accomplished. Intrepid launched successfully, the Sarnus I-C booster decoupled from the orbiter external tank and was able to safely land in the ocean for retrieval, refurbishment, and reuse; saving the KSC hundreds of thousands of funds. After reaching an 150km orbit, Intrepid released it's payload and Valentina performed an EVA to activate the newly christened Fuel Depot Alpha for future space missions. After spending 4 hours on orbit, Intrepid performed a de-orbit burn and landed on the beach to the west of the KSC. While it landed short, Intrepid proved that the SSTS program is the future of space missions. SSTS-1a/b Album Mod List I'm bummed that I landed short of the runway, but I'll have to spend more time in the simulator. I'm getting ready to launch SSTS-2a but I have a quick question about SSTS-2b. Do I need to use my standard shuttle build to lift that damn ore container or can I make slight modifications. Basically, I'm wondering if I can add some SRB's to the first stage to help heft the payload into orbit? If that goes against the idea for SSTS-2b, I understand, but I just can't seem to find the right fuel balance to get the payload into orbit without that little bit extra oomph. Regardless, this is an amazing challenge. Thank you for putting it out there. I've never used orbiters before and this has been an eye-opening experience.

@Angel-125 These sir, are beautiful rockets. I'm truly impressed with the work you put into them. They scream "Saturn V" but are so clearly your own design that my head is exploding with your brilliance.

One thing I'm particularly excited about for this LEM addition, is the chance to kitbash the LEM Descent engine with the SM engine base to get a Apollo Block III Service Engine put together.

@Araym Looking over your LEM numbers for the descent tank, it mirrors pretty closely what I did for my kitbash descent stage using CTN's lander pack. With those fuel values, the LEM should do H/J missions in a x2 sized Kerbal system without issue and should even adapt itself to AAP projects llike the LEM bus. One thing I'm curious about is adding a decoupler setting to the Descent stage. Just insert the code for the .625 decoupler and then the LEM would truly be a four piece operation.

I hadn't heard of that one. I'll have to play with it sometime.

I plan on doing some testing of the LEM today after work. The question begged, is to use stock or K2Scale. With @CobaltWolf and @VenomousRequiem both stating on more than one occasion that BDB is stock-a-like but behaves most believably/historically in a x2ish scale, should we really be trying to balance the LEM with stock size or x2 that will set its flight profile to match the rest of the expectations?

It's future proofed.

Thanks for the kind words. It wouldn't have been the same without your fantastic Apollo parts.

@pap1723 I just spend a few minutes playing with this mod and and your Historical Progression. Holy cow! Just using stock parts, it feels like a brand new AND FUN game. The parts make sense. I even used the freaking Venier RCS thrusters (which I never ever ever ever use) so I could steer my LV-T30 engine. This is amazing! Thank you for all of the hard work you've put into this.

Future Proofed

Sure. As soon as I hit Mun's SOI it pops up and says it's no longer available.

I've tried to find this problem I had but the forum search is coming up empty. I completed the Mun Probe mission. I then selected The Mun Program. I saw that the mission says "No fly-by of the Mun" as a requirement to accept it, and no kerbals had. However, when I sent a two-kerbal crew for an Apollo 8 style mission, I was informed that The Mun Program had failed because of a flyby. Is that something working as expected? Will it go away when my crew returns from Mun and lands on Kerbin? I'm perplexed because it showed up when I entered Mun's SOI and didn't remove itself when I went into orbit around it.

This is the best argument I've seen for 3.75/5.625. The scale looks right. The tank size is .625m over the "standard" next biggest size after 3.75m. And the height will take it to the top of the VAB doors without stretching believability. Plus, no rescale of the Saturn 1/CSM/LM means those parts will still be easily used with other part sets because they sit in the 2.5m/3.75m stock sizes. Playing in K2Scale, the numbers for the 3.75m/5.625m set looks just right to get a full stack into orbit and TLI without much left in the tank. And additionally, the smaller size keeps the Saturn more "stock-a-like", which is a real charm of this mod pack.

Moho IV Takes Kerbonauts Over The Poles Construction Delays Muna Probes By Walter Kerman - The Daily Planet - Kerlon 27, 720 An early morning launch time did not deter thousands of kerbals from lining up all along the "Rocket Coast" as Moho IV prepared to launch from the newly designated Launch Pad 1A at the Kerbal Space Center (KSC). As super-cooled fuel was piped into the waiting rocket stack, a small white van carrying veteran Hudley Kerman and rookie Theodan Kerman arrived with cheers racing thought the crowds. Both kerbals stopped and waved at the waiting audience before ascending the mobile elevator platform that rested next to Moho IV. Anticipation climbed as the clock counted down towards zero. And at T- minus zero seconds, Moho IV leaped from the launch pad and soared its way into space. The launch of Moho IV marks eleven days since the last kerbbed rocket flight, Moho III, and 22 days since the last flight that had a scientific mission as its goal. Instead of the familiar climb over the Eastern Sea, Moho IV pitched itself north in an attempt to perform the polar orbit for the KSC. According to Linus Kerman, head of Applied Sciences, this mission would be one of the most demanding placed on the current Moho rocket stack. The goals of the mission were to test out an orbital telescope designed by DMagic Inc. When asked why a unkerbbed satellite such as the recently announced Explorer I couldn't make such a mission, Linus explained that Explorer I would utilize newer probe core technology that was developed after Moho IV's mission profile was designed. "Rather than scrub a mission that would provide valuable training for Theodan [Kerman], we decided to stay the course and integrate a Probododyne OKTO core into Moho IV a shadow pilot," Linus said. Thiswould allow Theodan and Hudley to fly the rocket while Mission Control could check the probe core to see if it would follow the same general flight path. After two and a half hours in space, Moho IV had captured basic telescopic images of Kerbin. The mission than called for Theodan to perform an EVA [space walk] to collect the scientific data for return to Kerbin. Following a four minute excursion, Theodan safely returned to the craft and Moho IV began its descent back through the atmosphere. After the two kerbonauts safely splashed down in the ocean, Rescue and Retrieval vessels were on hand to bring them back to the KSC. Both kerbal were examined by medical personnel and are said to be in good health. A press conference was held by Skylar Kerman, Head of Public Relations and Bobak Kerman, Mission Controller. Bobak spoke first, congratulating Theodan for successfully completing his first mission as a kerbonaut. Bobak went on to say that the scientific data recovered from Moho IV was already being analyzed by Research and Development as copies of it were being supplied to several universities that had requested it. When asked what the next mission for the KSC would be, he discussed plans to send an unkerbbed probe, Explorer I, in the same polar orbit for detailed radar altimeter scans of Kerbin. When questioned why a kerbbed Moho V wouldn't be making such a trip, Skylar answered that Explorer I's mission calls for an eight day orbit to map the planet. "I don't think even Val[entina Kerman, First Four kerbonaut] would be willing to sit up there doing nothing that long," Skylar said to laughs from the gathered reporters. When questioned about a rumored delay with the latest Muna program probes, Muna III and IV, Skylar answered that the rumors were true. "We have three shifts working to get construction done as quickly as possible, but a VAB [Vehicle Assembly Building] was not designed for such a massive overhaul while still serving rockets." Skylar went on to state that the VAB upgrades should be done within ten days and that while construction on the Muna satellites would be delayed, there would be no compromise on safety. "We don't cut corners at the KSC. We'll build them safe before we'll build them fast," Skylar said. Bobak concluded the press conference by assuring that kerbbed and unkerbbed flights would continue and that the "growing pains" of the KSC herald great things to come. Moho IV Mission Images Moho IV and Beyond - Advances in Rocket Science Contributed by Linus Kerman, Head of Applied Science Moho IV represents a continuous evolution of the Moho series of rockets. Featuring the venerable Mk1/Mk1-85 capsule on top, the upper stage booster phases out the 1.25m mid stack and replaces it with a short 1.875m fuel tank and the LV-T909 engine. This update lowers the power that the Moho IV has in it's upper stage, but allows it to perform more varied mission profiles that demand more fuel. Moho IV's polar orbital mission is one such reason to make the switch but others will follow. The addition of weight that the upper stage adds to Moho IV requires a new set of maths for the 1.875 lower stage. Both the BACC Solid Fuel Booster and the HGR FG-90 twin engine needed to have their thrust increased to lift the additional weight off the ground However, due to the nature of rocket science Moho IV pushes the limit of what the current lower stage and SRBs [Solid Rocket Boosters]. The addition of the SRBs after Moho I was never meant as a permanent fixture. Research and Development and Applied Sciences has been working hard on the next advances in the Moho rocket series. A new dedicated lower stage engine, HGR FG-120 features four .625 nozzles to the FG-90's two. In addition, Bill Kerman has been personally overseeing an uprated LV-T45 with Danline Kerman, formerly with Wild Blue Industries. This new LV-T270 brings an incredible amount of lifting power, especially when clustered in twos or fours. Finally, Rockomax Corporation has been having our Research and Development teams advise on a new series of 2.5m tanks and engines that they are developing for 'heavy lift" purposes. Besides advances in rocket engines, Applied Sciences has been hard at work streamlining the process of rocket manufacture. With the need for more and more launches, any place to cut expenses while maintaining or improving safety is an advantage. That is why we are working to develop standardized launch vehicles. While they won't be introduced until the FG HGR-120 is finished, Once the machining and production line is completed, being able to pair set lower stages, upper stages, payloads, and SRBs as needed will allow a safer more reliable launch vehicle and a reduced cost.

Kerbal Space Center Begins Massive Expansion New Kerbonauts Join KSC By Walter Kerman - The Daily Planet - Kerlon 26, 720 The Kerbal Space Center (KSC) continues to break news after yesterday’s successful flyby of Mun with their Muna II probe. The newest development from the rapidly expanding space program is one of growth. In a press release from the office of Skyler Kerman, Head of Public Relations, announcements for improvements for the KSC’s tracking station, Vehicle Assembly Building, and even construction on a secondary launch pad were announced. The release explained that these improvements were needed in light of the space programs expanding goals for exploration as well as their partnership with Kerbal Space Tourism. Sources wishing to remain anonymous say that the construction boom are the results of a large influx of cash from Rockomax Corporation, Kerbodyne, and personal investments from Tito Kerman, founder of Katari. Upcoming plans for the KSC include the polar launch of Moho IV on Kerlon 27 and a launch of a Kerbin bound probe satellite called Explorer I in the coming days. Questions on why this non-Muna program probe is taking precedence over Muna III & IV were answered by Bobak Kerman, Mission Controller. Bobak said, “We plan on using new technology from DMagic Inc for our next Muna probes and we want to make sure they will work.” Bobak explained that both Moho IV and Explorerer I would use parts of the technology included in the Muna program. The latest Moho rocket would certify an orbital telescope. And the Explorer rocket (a new term for Kerbin-based science probes) would certify solar powered electrical panels and DMagic’s radar altimeter. “The next pieces of technology are very ‘Mission Critical’ for Muna program and we want to make sure they will work,” said Bobak. Two Wild Blue Industries Personnel Join Kerbal Space Center A resounding success of the Kerbal Space Program (KSC) has been its two-kerbal Moho rocket ships. And the secret to that success has been the Wild Blue Industries Mk 1-85 Appaloosa Capsule Extension. This “backseat” has been responsible for allowing firsts such as two-kerbal flight, first extra-vehicular activity (space walk), and three day long duration flight. The company that designed the Mk 1-85 has become an integral part of the KSC’s future Moho plans and have lent expertise and personal to assist with the accomplishments of the Moho program. While the partnership with Wild Blue Industries will continue as both they and the KSC begin designs for a new modern two-kerbal capsule for future missions, two key Wild Blue Industries personnel have made the move to full time kerbonauts. Mitch Kerman, a veteran Wild Blue test pilot and Danline Kerman, a scientist and materials expert. Both will bolster the KSC kerbonaut corp and are expected to join in future Moho space flights.

That's some nice looking hardware @markymarkandthefunkybunch

@RedCapDan Glad you like it. Normally, it's not possible to do that in Stock KSP. But I'm using M.O.L.E. Mark One Laboratory Extension with has a great selection of 1.875m parts and a wet workshop option for several of its parts.

Your lander is looking good. Skylab's original design was a wet workshop S-IVB stage boosted into orbit on a Saturn IB. I'm following that design because using @Angel-125 amazing MOLE mod. That's why the engine stays attached. The wet workshop design also called for a LEM ascent stage with a freaking telescope mounted to the bottom to be flown up and docked to the nascent station because the Saturn IB couldn't lift it with the rest of Skylab.