The Optimist

They have more stayputniks in a strutted shaft, and my newer models feature secondary reinforcement on the propeller. Also, I've more finely tuned the Stayputniks in relation to the main shaft, to minimize wobble.

My bearings are similar, but arguably more stable.

You might be getting some competition soon

I've been working on my mini-enterprise to flesh out more of its features and make it more interesting.

I like how he completely ignored my entry in exchange for a, well, pretty typical jet plane...

Engineering Computer Entry 005: Day 003 (Kerbindate 2578.2 User: Lieutenant engineer Genenie ... The ship experienced a complete systems failure 46 minutes ago. It was apparently caused by a massive fluctuation in power from the antimatter reactor, but we don't know why the fluctuation happened in the first place... Most systems are off-line or running at limited capacity, and we're running on the backup fuel cells. Main priority for us is to get one of the undamaged reactors back online. Attempts to send a quantum signal to Kerbin have been unsuccessful, so far, but we have to keep trying. Meanwhile, sensor readings indicate we're in a orbit around some sort of large planet, which leads me to believe sensors have been compromised. We'll get that hypothesis confirmed after we reach the day side... And to think this was just a routine Minmus mission... Damage Report: Reactors: 11 disabled, 2 damaged, 2 shut down, 1 destroyed. Life Support: Air scrubber system functional at 26% capacity, water recovery system at 88% functionality, environmental controls off-line. Hull integrity: 98%, light damage to micrometeorite shielding. Gyroscopic turning mechanisms: 44%, electrical shorts detected. Warp drive: 75% capacity, not enough power to operate Crew: Minor lacerations and slight electrical shocks on 2 personnel. Backup rocket motor: 92% capacity Computer Processing Unit (Main): Offline Computer Processing Unit (Backup): 100% functionality Computer database: Inaccessible ... A bright blue spark lit up the darkened engineering hall, prompting a burst of cursing. "Exotic matter containment vessel compromised" The automated voice said. "Verke! Multitool! Now!" Genenie said, holding out his hand. Verke, floating by the porthole, did not reply. "Computer, stop containment vessel repair subroutine Delta-V-13." The computer silently shut down the field, leaving the singed husk of the containment chamber sitting on its pedestal. Impatiently, Genenie floated across the engineering room to her. "What's the matter?" he asked. Verke simply motioned towards the window. Genenie floated closer, and looked out. Rubbing more of the condensed moisture off the window, he peered out. "My god, It's full of stars!" Verke looked Genenie in the eyes. Quietly, she murmured. "We're a long way from home, Gene." ... ... "All hands to command room!" the PA blared. The crew silently made their way through the hallways, into the artificial gravity section of the ship. Bob and his science officer Kenski stood up. "As you probably have already heard, all scans so far indicate we are in orbit around some unknown gas giant. We have also lost communications with the Kerbin system, and are between 60 and 125 light years from home, based on the lack of recognizable stellar signatures. It will take a minimum of 25 years to return to Kerbin, at our top speed of 2.4 times light speed, and that's assuming we're only 60 light years away. The crew shifted, looking hopeless. "HOWEVER, as Captain of this vessel, the safety of my crew is my greatest priority. If we are to return home one day, I will need the help of each and every one of you." Bob continued in a gentler tone. "We have detected a faint quantum signature, consistent with those of a U.S.F.A ship, in orbit of this star's second planet. If they're still,well, alive, they might know how we can return. "Dismissed." He said with a wave of his hand. "Helmsman, set a course for the second planet." To be continued...

0/8. Mun was not cheese.

Presenting the Spirit of St Kouis, a replica with a boring name. Fully electric, really fat, and pretty much perfect in every way, except for speed and basically every other way. https://kerbalx.com/WorkaroundIndustries/Spirit-of-St-Kouis Yes, rotations per second. Granted, it was just a shaft and I used a ridiculous combination of jets and SAS wheels, but I did get 290 radians/second, which is roughly 50. And by long periods of time, i mean about 4 seconds.

Do Dyson Spheres usually instantly destroy their star?

The small, sleek metal probe silently cruised through a hole in the craft's hull. Slowly, delicately, it clamped onto the main computer database. Wordlessly, it downloaded its program into the database, and activated its program <PROGRAM INITIATE> Time: Kerbindate 2622.7 Sojourner Log Database--- Retrieving data Data recovery program initiate Defragmenting processes completed- 76% data recoverable ... ... ... HO>IY*()!JDNM)JKSLJIu890rmL_,'F24lm<(8&nr,1'G['9G['UGB'U'kb'oui0I=01O4R;OUHFJHbJHkokg920unM;:g;JIHFOHAWOHF [Deleting corrupted files] TxF89iN33b-223-og Entry 001: Day 001 (Kerbindate 2577.3) User: Captain Bob Kerman The Sojourner II has finished orbital construction, and will be finished refueling in 3 to four days. Our mission is a short-term voyage to investigate some sort of gravitational anomaly near Minmus' northern pole, which my higher-ups have deemed worthy of investigating further. As a scientist, I leapt at the chance to make a new discovery, and here we are, on this new ship. My crew of 5 have shown themselves to be competent, if a bit passive-aggressive... As part of the mission briefing, we were given a list of ship specifications, which I seem to have misplaced. It's definitely enough for our mission though. I mean, at 5 times light speed, getting there'll be a breeze! At least I think it was 5 times light speed... How do you delete log entries again? A little help, Verke?--- SOJOURNER MISSION SUPPLY LOG -(2) Prototype MP-X Molecular printer -(4) Type 2 non atmospheric lander -(1) Mark 24 automated medical station -(16) T-4 Self contained antimatter reaction cells -(1) Quantum comms station (Frequency [REDACTED]) Consumables -(220) Type 3 S.A.B.T Dehydrated ration. (We've somehow created FTL travel, but sailor's food is still terrible.) -(3) Emergency medical kit (MK23 trauma kit) -(4) Level 1 damage repair kit -(8) OrbiTech Aelon EVA suit [ENTRY END] ... ... Main Computer Entry 002: Day 002 (Kerbindate 2577.9) User: Captain Bob Kerman ... After completion of all checks, we have been cleared for Minmus transfer. Warp drive is only partially powered, so we'll be travelling there at a measly 28 km/s instead of our top speed. Still will only take a couple minutes, but whatever. All systems nominal, except for a minor antimatter confinement leak. I mean, 23 antiprotons an hour isn't that bad, right? Definitely with safe limits. All the same, I sent a couple into the reactor to check it out. Our engineer, Lury, is preparing a scan. We're within 50km of the anomaly, and closing in. Hopefully it's either something interesting (harmlessly of course) or just a sensor glitch. Engineering Computer Entry 005: Day 002 (Kerbindate 2577.96) User: Lieutenant engineer Genenie ... Checks on the magnetic lock assembly have yet to yield results. The containment chambers seem to be functioning fine, but the particles keep... vanishing. I believe it has to be due to interference from the quantum distortion. Getting a scientist here, stand by. Warp drive computer log: Power: 0% Power: 1% Power: 2% Power: 4% Power: 16% Power: 256% SENSOR PROTECTION ENGAGED ... Engine Antimatter Storage: SENSOR LOST ... Core Temperature 54,000,000 K/ 12,000,000K MAX ... Travel velocity: 4400 cc (1.2236 seconds) ... Location: Correlating nearby signals Quantum beacon damaged Identifying location based on astronomical landmarks N/A Protective Shutdown Engaged

And I'm done! 2 hour flight at an average of 49.7 m/s

Do I get extra points for using an actual stock propeller instead of jet engines? You can examine the craft file, if you like. Not a single rocket or jet to be found. https://kerbalx.com/WorkaroundIndustries/Spirit-of-St-Kouis

A gruelling 2 hours later, our brave pilot landed, causing minimal damage to the craft itself and marking a first for electric planes. No mods were used, other than Pilot Assistant, VOID, and EVE, which are not part adding or physics altering at all. The entire flight was powered by a single WR-4A stock reaction wheel motor, giving it unlimited range. About as close to the real thing as you can get to the real plane, which AFAIK does not have any jet engines on it. The KSC distance indicator is in millions of meters, which in this situation works out to around 340 kilometers of flight.

Unfortunately, the plane has not been provided with dedicated landing lights, but the one built into the rear landing gear will have to suffice.

I have begun my attempt to navigate Kerbin's analogue to the Atlantic Ocean with one of my trusty electric aircraft, which I mutilated and turned into a horrible approximation of the Spirit of St Louis. Slow and lacking in any positive aerodynamic traits, it does feature an internal engine separated from the cockpit, which is something I guess. The engine does spin at 45 rad/s, and has done so for about half an hour already. I guess I'll go do something productive for a while...

I enjoy the fact that this trash-fire looking turboprop is still technically a jet-powered aircraft.

https://kerbalx.com/WorkaroundIndustries/Workaround-Industries-PRMKII-Miniaturized-Turboprop-Aircraft Small, reliable, and easy* to fly, it is a versatile turboprop aircraft. For optimal computer performance, disable the ground effects on the jets. *easy, as in controllable. It will NOT work properly without you following the instructions given on the KerbalX page.

Pfft, jets are easy mode. (<- A joke) It has the aerodynamic qualities of a brick and is overly maneuverable, but at least it's historically accurate, right? Right?!

Way too steep, try to keep the periapsis above 50K

Have you considered that maybe you're reentering at too steep an angle?

I have accomplished my goal of breaking the 160 m/s threshold with a electric prop. Emulating a typical turboprop, I turned down drag to 0.100, making my plane travel almost twice as fast easily.

I do not believe the OP has a fundamental grasp on the relationship between specific impulse and mass.

Back in my day, we waited 5 minutes to boot up our NES

More propeller plane foolishness and a few tests of cluster bombs.