Zorg

Can't help myself, one more Universal/BDB craft. Direct ascent Gemini. Think you might like this @Daishi

@Snark Very cool! I wast just literally just about to launch a GEO constellation. The fine tuning is always such a headache. edit: Can't believe how easy that was!

Always had a bit of fun combining BDB and the larger DMagic parts. revisited the concept today with a MOL "Peaceful civilian station" launched on military Titan III transtage for orbital maneuvering Cargo bay contains life support AND NOTHING ELSE! Large binocular surveillance camera agricultural surveyor takes up most of the equipment. Living space is reduced to a single combined lab/hab. Its ok, the only equipment inside is a photo development kit. Atlas Agena brings up the final piece One more high resolution camera for totally peaceful non nefarious purposes. note: Both DMagic surveillance cameras were tweakscaled to fit.

Thanks! I had seen reDirect but didn't realise it had DCSS parts. I've seen DCSS in another mod but the mod wasn't to my taste, will check this one out.

Hope you do, I would be interested. I'm quite fond of the Delta IV heavy. In my game I used the RS68 from CryoEngines as suggested above. I found it a bit overpowered compared to the BDB real world analogues and so I tweakscaled the engine down to 2.5m (The original size being 3.75m). The balance hasnt been analysed in detail but I'm happy with it. I used procedural tanks with basic procedural textures for the cores. I guess procedural fairings would complete the look but I dont have it in my current modlist. Whats great is that this post is in fact fully on topic as I kitbashed the DCSS upper stage using mostly BDB parts Admittedly the strutwork doesnt look great compared to the 3.75m version of the rocket I first built as that was easier to work with (I tweakscaled up the BDB parts in that version) Parts used. Its mostly Centaur bits with a Vega control block for the top of the lower tank (remember to switch the fuel) and a procedural tank for the top with Centaur T adapter. edit: updated the DCSS pictures, just realised I built this from an imported craft file from an older game back before the single engine Centaur V mount was available.

One more post from me on US2 and BDB synergy. I wanted to build a Gemini with extended life support mission endurance to occasionally send a Gemini out to the moons instead of an Apollo. The tapered fairing is perfect for this of course. I managed to load it up with quite a bit of LS and Monoprop (though I would normally limit qtys to about 2 months for missions). I wanted RCS points so that meant configuring it and locking the bays down. Nothing deployable in there. The cylindrical 0.625m CSM is great for a nose extension for science instruments. Of course the problem is the lack of an orbital maneuvering engine... Coatl/Probes Plus came to the rescue with the "Jib" monoprop engine. Unfortunately 2 engines didnt give me enough oomph so I sacrificed historical accuracy and used 4 of them. Note: The PentaCore makes it a bit hard to balance out the loads to avoid torque which can be annoying especially on a low TWR craft like this. RCS Build aid is quite helpful to eliminate this issue when loading out. Locked down the bays and added the RCS in the proper positions. As configured its about a ton heavier than the BDB csm but only about 100m/s less Delta V (center core is also Monoprop). Not bad given the additional life support supplies and batteries. The US2 tapered fairing looks pretty awesome in action! Also always upgrade your Geminis to X-wings.The Titan II can get this into orbit but I guess a Titan III will be needed for moon missions. Unlike the Apollo size cylindrical fairing the Gemini fairing doesnt seem to detect obstructions so you can actually clip through the solar panels and RCS but I consider this cheating so I keep the bays locked down

Thanks! Personally I'm playing science mode and relying on more of a self directed role play in terms of structuring my space program. The suit textures must be the ones included with GPP. They came up as soon as I installed Sigma replacements as recommended by GPP which I forgot initially.

Some Skylab screenies... I'm trying to avoid getting stuck in the local sphere in this GPP playthrough but stations always distract me from interplanetary. Couldnt help but start tinkering while the first probes are on their way out of the Gael system. Started out as a fairly standard ETS alt history Spacelab with the bigger solar panels and European exploration module but still including the original Skylab solar observatory. After finishing Gael orbital science I boosted it to Iota where I made my recent expansion by adding my first expansion module consisting of a SSPXr Centrifuge, a Universal Storage II and TAC LS enhanced life support module and a new docking adapter with 3 passive Kane ports, a CADS and a clampotron. Accidentally left behind an Apollo block V hab module between the European Science module and the Centrifuge but I guess it makes for a nice lounge next to the centrifuge crew quarters. I feel like the mostly linear design of this expansion still kind of evokes the design spirit of the original Skylab The beautiful science instrumentation is always very satisfying. Parts from Probes Plus and DMagic in addition to BDB. EVA Inspection of new docking module and life support systems

This looks very useful! Just wanted to indicate my interest in case you decide to come back to it.

Back at KSP after a bit of break, at that time US-II was still in development and I'm delighted to see the full release as I started a new GPP game. I usually play with USI life support but all the US-II parts for TAC LS made me try that out instead. Just want to say thank you for the fantastic work to the devs! I think theres already been some discussion about RCS options but I've found some workarounds for good looking Apollo craft. a 3 segment core together with a compact CSM from BDB makes a very proportionate craft with more delta V than a 4 segment US-II only design and with RCS mounting position on the body. Compact CSM from BDB combined with 4 segment USII Core also makes for a very nicely proportioned (modified) AARDVARK Surprise that the small stock radiator fit without clipping, decided to shove one in to pair with the sabatier. Suffice to say I'm thoroughly enjoying this!

Up next was my first ever landing attempt at Eve. The mission was launched atop a TantaresLV Soyuz rocket The lander is from Probes Plus again, the appropriate Venera lander and orbiter I tried to separate the lander on a re-entry trajectory and then correct the orbiter's trajectory to try and enter orbit. Unfortunately I couldn't circularise before the lander entered the atmo and so the orbiter flew off on a sunward trajectory, Stock Visual Enhacements makes Eve look quick beautiful but the dense clouds obscure the surface. Having never visited the planet before I was curious to see what would greet me as the probe descended through the clouds By sheer luck I had managed to send the probe towards a very picturesque area, the shallows near Crater Lake. The lander ended up quite close to the shore with a nice beach view The orbiter ended up making a rather close approach to the Sun I also sent a separate mission to land on Gilly I used the same basic probe design I used for Ike and Dres (based on the IRL Surveyor probes)

So on to the first planetary missions, my first ever landings at Moho and Dres The lander is entirely built on Probes Plus parts I have heard about the Mohole but decided to land in a somewhat more normal area. Chose this crater which was one of the few points of interest. I guess there's not too much to say about it apart from that you get some epic sunflares at Moho The Dres mission: I used an identical lander for this mission. Seen here decoupling from the Centaur transfer stage.I believe the SRB used for deorbit is from BDB (Star 48 equivalent IIRC) and not one of the probes plus ones. Dres has a rep for being a bit boring but I found a valley that I thought would give some nice views Nice safe landing

Final round of Kerbin SOI highlights Returning to the Mun with surface experiments. This is quite satisfying actually, setting up the various experiments instead of just landing. Two totally peaceful non military "civilian" stations pass each other in a "chance" encounter Launching Buran (Cormorant Shuttle with Tantares Energia) Building MIR with Buran instead of Proton Completed MIR replica Some more MIR angles

Not sure, I am still on 1.4.3. I think it should work, just give it a try. If you need any help with configuring it you can always post in the KS3P thread.

You're welcome. From the description and from my own experience KS3P does not have a big effect on performance.

@Catatau_27 The 2nd picture is by me. The depth of field effects and bloom effects you're seeing are from KS3P. The terrrain textures are also not stock they are from SVT (Stock Visual Terrain). I do have EVE and Scatterer of course but they only affect atmospheric bodies so they don't come into play here. I cant speak for Cobalt's banner for certain but lens dust, film grain and depth of field effects are visible and so it looks like KS3P again.

Ah fair enough. Since my earlier post I compared both in greater detail and decided I was happy with SVE.

Spray On Foam Insulation (I tried googling this acronym a while back when I first came across it and actually its not easily found even when combined with terms like NASA or Rocket)

Part 3 - The Mun missions Following the events of the previous post, of course moon missions are next. Gemini X-wing for first Mun flyby Apollo orbital mission for some proper science gathering Building and launching the BDB Saturn V was quite fulfilling! I've done plenty of Mun missions and bases even but a full fledged Apollo mission has a unique sense of satisfaction The landing Minmus landing Built 3 skylabs, for Kerbin, Mun and Minmus More Skylab Just one or two (max) more Kerbin SOI post before moving to the interplanetary missions I think

Thanks! If you're not familiar with those parts, they're from D-Magic orbital science. The one pictured is actually the Undersized model lol. There is an even bigger oversize model. They come with a science experiment but I think their main utility is that they double as extremely powerful relays. Useful for planet packs.

Well done! Way cooler than my first Mun lander for sure!

I mentioned that theres not much of a story here but I did enact a little roleplay sequence after I installed Tantares as a prelude to Munar exploration. Part 2 - WHISPERS AND RUMORS Following rumors of increased activity at the Dessert Kosmodrome, Kerbin States launches a KH7 "Kambit" spy satellite on an Atlas Agena. The Dmagic undersized Signals Intel dish is being used here on an Agena bus, this was before I installed tweakscale so proportions are a little off. The real KH7 was optical of course. Deploying the undersize SIGINT dish to drop some eaves on the Krussians. Some disturbing chatter about a large delivery of "staged combustion engines" from the Tantares Design Bureau is overheard... Following up with a KH8 - "Kambit" 3 on a Titan II. Surveilling the Dessert Kosmodrome. The little brother reconnaissance camera from DMagic seems directly inspired by the KeyHole satellites. Apart from the surveillance unit being a little too wide, this is a fairly accurate recreation of a KH8. "film return capsule" Time to develop the film and see what the Krussians are up to. The close ups are grainy but they reveal a truly collosal rocket being built. Such a rocket can only mean one thing. Funding for the Sarnus V has been quadrupled in response. Bonus real image of the N1 taken by a KH-8 Gambit 3

I thought I would use this sub forum to create a visual record of my attempt to explore the system in a nice sequential and somewhat organised way for posterity. Hopefully someone will enjoy viewing them too . This will be mostly images with some comments. Like seemingly quite a few players I had gotten stuck in the Kerbal SOI building stations and Mun/Minmus bases without ever exploring the wider system (I had done one manned Duna mission and sent ScanSats as far out to Dres and Laythe in a previous save but thats it). I started an all new 1.4.3 save with the clear intention of thoroughly exploring the Kerbol system as best I can and then on top of that do the Outer Planets AND go interstellar with the Valentine system! I wont be using KSPIE but rather less complicated methods like Alcubierre warp standalone when I get to that point. The aim is to at least land robotic landers or rovers on all major bodies (i might skip a moon or two from the first round if it doesnt interest me) and to send Kerbals to the bodies that interest me the most. I'm playing this game in science mode to give a sense of progression in the early game and kind of for roleplay purposes. I like collecting something when I visit a planet even after unlocking the full tech tree. The game is pretty heavily modded and I have USI life support installed to make things harder for myself lol. Anyway I've been playing for a few weeks so I will kick this off with some highlights from my activities in the Kerbin SOI before posting some images of of the interplanetary missions. Bluedog Design Bureau parts will feature heavily though I think Near Future will take centre stage as we reach the mid game. Part 1 - THE EARLY DAYS First launch was a tiny sat on a Viking rocket. Much more satisfying than a capsule on a suborbital SRB that doesnt decouple like stock forces you. First Kerbals into space on a Mercury Atlas More Atlas Wouldn't be complete without Gemini Agena docking mission More Gemini Agena

Hey @Kerbas_ad_astra, just downloaded your 1.4 branch to test things out on a clean install. Its definitely looking good! I did notice a small issue that may not have come to your attention: the standard size clampotron docking port's new bumper animation seems bugged in both the VAB and in flight (extends but then retracts at end of animation) All the other ports seem fine. Edit: Weirdly enough, I was able to reproduce it once upon reloading the game but not since. Not sure what caused it. Will let you know with a log if it happens again.

At present US1 converts the Food wedge and radial food tank into USI "Supply" containers. However it does not seem to add any life support recyclers that extend the supply duration. What I personally did was use the Sabatier and Water Recycler models (both of which look amazing!) as USI Recyclers. WRS model - 50% life support recycler for 2 crew, 0.5 ec/s Sabatier model - 70% life support recycler for 2 crew, 1.2 ec/s I also made new descriptions but kept the tech and costs the same as the TAC parts these were derived from. I suspect the balance isn't as well thought out as the official TAC stuff in your mod. These recyclers are a lot more compact (and more powerful in the second case) than the small size converter that comes with USI itself as I configured them for my personal needs but on the other hand they are more expensive in price and tech unlock node. (I'm kind of new to module manager and for some reason the +Part method didn't work for me so I made copies of the models and created new config files.) Anyway a patch that does something along those lines for US2 would definitely be appreciated by USI users I'm sure PS. As far as new parts go I would love a USI greenhouse wedge perhaps exclusively in the new tallest wedge size. Again the appeal of such a thing lies in just how much better looking the US parts are compared to the early stockalike aesthetic of USI. Please have a think about it when/if you look to expand US2 in the future!