Mars-Bound Hokie

I've been interested in Mars since I was a kid, and I was an aerospace engineering major in Virginia Tech when I started playing KSP. Anyone who knows me well who comes across this forum might figure out "Mars-Bound Hokie" is me.

Jebediachk Kerman, an agent of the Kerbal Revenue Service, was programming a computer chip to plant in the agency's latest (illegal) project, the Taxmanian Devil. When he was done putting the chip in the animal's brain, the taxmanian devil specimen tore Jebediachk's arms off before beating his skull to a bloody pulp with them. The supervising scientists had to use poisonous gas to subdue the creature before securing the lab. Anthony Kerman - Watneyvirus vaccine

Orange Kerman was texting, vlogging, and driving around the Kerbal Space Center in a golf cart. Unbeknownst to her - but she would have known if he had paid any attention to the runway - a cadet was lining up to do a nighttime cross-country flight in a starter plane. As the cadet was accelerating, his landing gear lights picked up Orange doing poses in front of her camera on the runway. The instructor, who had decided to stay in Mission Control due to being a whiny germaphobe, activated the remote override protocol and tried to avoid Orange - but it was too late. One of the plane's air intakes smashed Orange's head clean off. Orange's family sued the KSP for wrongful death, but the courts quickly ruled in favor of the KSP. Though the plaintiffs argued that the student pilot should have reacted sooner, the defendants argued that the young, inexperienced student simply panicked and did not expect "Some idiot with a death wish" to jump out in front of him. Additionally, the judge commented that "At her age, Orange should have known what texting and vlogging on an active runway could lead to. Had she simply paid attention, and maybe waited until after it was clear, she would still be alive." Spiff Kerman - being sus

I'm thinking about diving deeper into the ion engines of KSP. Not only can I understand them better for KSP fanworks, in which the engine math would be described in great detail, but I can apply these principles for real-life. As a KSP example, the given values of the IX-6315 "Dawn" engine are: Isp = 4200 s Thrust = 2 kN Which is way higher than the real-life ion engines I've been seeing. Values I can easily calculate are: Mass flow rate for xenon propellant (kg/s) Exhaust velocity (m/s) Beam power (watts) Wet-to-dry mass ratios for certain dV requirements For certain phases, some parts will be jettisoned (e.g. I'm not going to carry an Apollo-style landing craft back home if I've already used it). Using this engine as an example, how do I calculate the specific power (W/kg) for it? With that value, I can divide it by the input power to get the mass of the power supply system required. Example: an engine with an Isp=2000s and a Thrust = 0.2 N. A value of 100 W/kg was given for the specific power, but I have no idea how they got it. mass of power supply system = (Power required in W) / (specific power in W/kg) This might not matter so much in KSP, but it does for real-life calculations. Plus, as an aerospace engineering major, I want to better understand what goes into xenon-powered spacecraft. If someone could help me, that would be nice.

Challenge accepted. In fact, I managed to pull it off a year ago finishing a tourism contract. If you want more details, look up my forum posts about the Raven-Remembrance Saga - otherwise known as the Remembrance-Trainwreck Saga The forum post announcing the Eeloo landing, made February 2020 Poseidon SSTO on the landing approach Craft file - https://kerbalx.com/Mars-Bound_Hokie/Poseidon-Mk-IV-NO-MODS If you want more details on how I carried out this mission, I started with a Minmus landing to refuel after taking off. However, the details on what happened after that are a bit fuzzy. More specifically, I don't remember if I: Went straight to Eeloo after refueling on Minmus (most likely), or made a pit stop at Ike Blasted off back to Kerbin with or without an ore transport between Eeloo takeoff and the exit burn. Either way, I am certain on the outcome and the main gist: The Poseidon SSTO took off from Kerbin Said SSTO did not use gravity assists to reach Eeloo, then landed on the surface to refuel That SSTO flew back to Kerbin, landing on 0-9 KSC in one piece.

Well, in any case, I'll enter the Velocity Division. I'll use the same plane I used to kick off my "80 Minutes" challenge. I had to fly it again due to the 1.10 rule, and I originally flew December last year. "Bill's Car" right before takeoff Bill's in the cockpit. He doesn't need to worry about not being able to control the plane, for he has a probe core. Working on a cruising speed and altitude. Flying at 18,500 m altitude at 1,350 m/s When I tried 1400 m/s, I eventually blew up from overheating. Used MJ Autopilot for most of the flight. When the cockpit heat meter got too high, I had to cut the engine for a bit so that it could cool down while the plane glided. While it saved Bill's life, it cost me some precious time. So close to the runway. TIME: 53 minutes, 35 seconds So close to beating my previous time. Stupid aerodynamic update.

Were you, by any chance, inspired by my old "Around the World in 80 Minutes" challenge from last year?

You bet.

How hard can it be? Just think of a Random first name (doesn't even have to make sense), followed by "Kerman" For some reason, everyone's last name is Kerman Cause of death Like I said earlier, don't just use "Heart attack." We can do better than that. It can range from being realistic (e.g. plane crash) or just outright ridiculous (e.g. getting high on Duna dust)

I made a full stock replica of the jet Helen Parr (Elastigirl) used in The Incredibles. Watch the video at the end of this post to know what the plane was supposed to look like. Craft file: https://kerbalx.com/Mars-Bound_Hokie/India-Golf-Niner-Niner-IG99 As usual, Jeb is flying at supersonic speed with this thing. Good thing he doesn't have any kids (that we know of), and that the cabin is otherwise empty in case he screws up. India Golf Niner Niner (IG99) at the recommended cruising speed and altitude - and engine mode (supersonic) Much to my surprise, a perfect landing - and nobody tried to kill Jeb. Bill suspected that Jeb might kill HIMSELF after causing structural damage. The plane was noted to be a bit wobbly in the wings right at liftoff. SPH Picture Unfortunately, I was unable to make the Incredibles logo show up. Oh, well, you can never go wrong with the Stars and Stripes. Below is the chase scene with the plane in question. It took me a while to find a clear shot of it so I know what to make my plane look like.

Impressive, @katateochi. I wonder what kinds of cargo (satellite/s, crew transit vehicle, fuel tank) you can put in your launch vehicles. Indeed, they are. Below is a link to an imgur album showing one I made after its payload was deployed, along with the associated craft file. https://imgur.com/a/kUVEECj Full craft file: https://kerbalx.com/Mars-Bound_Hokie/Kirakens-Hand

My parents were promised flying cars in the future, so where are they? Well, move aside, Tesla Roadster, because I'm going to make good on that promise - on Minmus at least. BEHOLD, THE MINMUS FLYING CAR Craft file: https://kerbalx.com/Mars-Bound_Hokie/Minmus-Flying-Car Cost: 189,705 Docking-capable Vertical takeoff to gain enough altitude before firing the rockets to get into orbit. Has A LOT of science Including the new magnetometer (won't work on the surface) Use in spaceflight Has an action group for collecting all that data Picture of this car during a test run Download my craft file, send it to Minmus, and try it out for yourself. Be sure to have refueling craft/fuel tanks available for that car, though.

I used the "Set Orbit" cheat to position it in orbit over Minmus. Turns out, it extended the antenna BEFORE running data. This new magnetometer might only be good for orbital probes/vehicles, apparently. I guess this means I can't use magnetometer on the surface of any planet/moon, or through the atmosphere (at a low enough speed so it doesn't snap off, of course). Too bad there's no KSP Wiki page on this thing. THAT would have been helpful.

I updated to 1.10 less than a week ago, and I just noticed that there was a "Magnetometer Boom." added to the science parts list. For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, here's a picture. I had just installed it on my flying Minmus car prototype, and yet I have no idea how to use it. More specifically, I tried to use the "Run Magnetometer Report" action group - along with the other science data groups (they were for the same key - 3) - but nothing. I then extended the antenna, but it only gave the option to retract it (aside from Autostrut and same vessel interaction). Below are the action group options. What exactly is this thing used for, and how? If there's a problem with the game/version, then how do I fix it? I have Version 2917 installed, by the way.

My proudest (and my most nail-biting) moment was when I did the Jool-5 in an SSTO. https://kerbalx.com/Mars-Bound_Hokie/T-6-Cannonball - craft file of the beast that pulled it off. https://imgur.com/gallery/luIEBS9 - imgur album

Context in Spoiler Below:

I sent a small two-stage rocket in orbit of Kerbin, only for the final stage to crash into the VAB. AFTER completing orbit. I'll end up less than a km away from the launch pad, but I've got my sights set on the VAB. Say your prayers, VAB engineers. DIRECT HIT. Otherwise, the camera wouldn't focus on that part of the building. No damage to the building, but it was a small rocket anyway. At least I hit it after full orbit. Reason (skip if you just came for the action)

Need I say more? More below if the answer is "yes." I bet lots of you are curious about how far your planes can go from their starting point when their tanks are full. However, I doubt all of you want to waste time just taking them out for test runs - one plane at a time. This thread is to finally know, once and for all, how to calculate your planes' range? In the spoiler below, you'll find SPH shots of a few of my aircraft - none of which are SSTOs. What bugs me is that the delta-V count for the engines don't really give a clue. If they are, then I obviously missed it. Could someone point that out, please? I also noticed that the Regional Jet Challenge had the range equation as the following. However, I don't know if it's accurate. Speed in this equation is the given cruising speed at the recommended altitude. Is there any way to calculate the range of my aircraft without needing to download any mods? Thank you.

I was cleaning my SPH of old craft files (mostly other people's creations and other spacecraft that currently have replacements), when I stumbled upon my first career plane. The aircraft in the SPH. I know it's fully upgraded in this picture (taken today), but it was the best I could do at the time I made this. Has a part count of 30, which includes a thermometer. Perfect for your first survey missions. Just be sure to land it right. Curious on what it can do, I decided to take it out for a spin. Recommended Cruising Specs Altitude Above Sea Level(m) 9,000 Surface Velocity (m/s) 270 Estimated Usage Time Over 2 hours It was evening at the KSC when I took off, which meant I was entering the dark side of the planet. However, much to my surprise, I saw some sunlight when I had less than 1/3 fuel capacity left. To be honest, I wasn't expecting the range on this plane to be this high. I don't know if pilots were allowed to go on EVAs when I first made it, but I wasn't going to just let Jeb take the easy way out of this test flight. I made sure I was over land when I descended, touching down smoothly. Still in one piece, so that should count for something. Only 1/4 fuel left, and about 1,187 km (that's 737.6 miles) from the KSC. Pretty impressive, isn't it? Pretty much your best choice for your first Kerbin temperature and crew report surveys. Craft file: https://kerbalx.com/Mars-Bound_Hokie/First-KSP-Plane

I did months ago. By the way, have you tried flying my asymmetrical aircraft (craft file on KerbalX)? Took me a few tries to land it in one piece, but I did it.

Yeah. What exactly is the goal of this game here? Travel 100 km from the KSC as fast as you can? Go as long as possible on one full charge - on the Mun? Carry at least five people to the mountains west of the KSC quickly. What? As for my entry, they don't call it the Speed Demon for nothing - and look who volunteered to drive it. As you can see, it has an unreasonably high top speed thanks to this rocket booster. It was originally installed to get up the steeper hills on the Mun. Has solar panels and a TCS unit, but I don't use them during the Kerbin rocket tests since they tend to fly off quite easily. Also, my rocket comes with an alternator. Here's the craft file for the speed demon AND the rocket that takes it to the Mun - https://kerbalx.com/Mars-Bound_Hokie/Speed-Demon-NO-MODS

That's not a challenge; that's last week's tourist run. Test picture of Bill and Val taking off from the Mun. I made at least two spaceplanes capable of landing on the Mun, refueling, and landing back on the KSC runway. Mun Hopper: Mk. II - https://kerbalx.com/Mars-Bound_Hokie/Mun-Hopper-Mk-II Mk. III (current variant) - https://kerbalx.com/Mars-Bound_Hokie/Mun-Hopper-Mk-III Laythe Speeder Craft file - https://kerbalx.com/Mars-Bound_Hokie/Laythe-Speeder I don't currently have any pictures of it on the Mun, but I would assume that it is capable of getting there - given that it has more delta-V in LKO after taking off than the Mun Hopper. Hope I didn't make this look too easy.

From the creators of "The Airliner," and the "Around Kerbin in 80 Minutes," Dusted from the shelves of KerbalX Hokies Aerospace Presents (wait for it) B-343 (Picture taken today during a test run. Plane originally built December 2019) SUPERSONIC Long-hall, low capacity airliner Recommended cruising specs (used MJ Autopilot for the speed and heading hold; altitude was too bouncy) Altitude: ~14,000 m That's almost 46,000 feet, putting you in Class A airspace if you're in the U.S.A. Recommended Cruising Speed: 1,000 m/s Range: 4,280 km Fuel: 10,700 units Consumption rate: 2.5 Keep in mind that the consumption rate dropped over time as the altitude and speed remained constant. Also, I had to hold the altitude manually. If I used the MJ autopilot for altitude holding, I'd be bouncing up and down forever. Occupancy: 20 (4 crew + 16 passengers) Originally designed to fly the KSP Board of Directors through Kerbin at high speeds. They don't want to use SSTOs like the Poseidon or the Olympian, since not everyone who will use it (especially attendants/family members/others) are medically qualified to fly in space. Price: 138,804,000 Craft file here.

Last time I built a subsonic Mk. 3 airliner without cargo bays, I had a bit of trouble keeping the plane balanced due to its CoM. Also, I was going for an occupancy of over 30 here. Do radiators (and batteries) count as cargo? I installed them inside the plane so that the large wings won't blow up mid-flight. Plus, kerbals can jump out of the plane that way - or get on it without having to go through the cockpit.

Hokies Aerospace Introduces The Airliner (We're bad at naming not-so-kickass aircraft, all right?) Short-hall, low capacity airliner Recommended cruising specs (used MJ Autopilot) Altitude: 5,700 m Recommended Cruising Speed: 310 m/s Range: 1,761 km Fuel: 5,000 units Consumption rate: 0.88 Keep in mind that the consumption rate dropped over time as the altitude and speed remained constant. Occupancy: 36 (32 passengers + 36 crew) Price: 124,230,000 Also comes with features such as: Kerbnet access from the probe core Which also means it can be remotely controlled Internal radiators to keep the wings cool A rear exit, with a ramp that opens Do not get anyone out through the rear hatch while the ramp is closed. That's how we lost one our volunteer jumper. Rest in peace, Fermal Kerman. Craft file (current version): https://kerbalx.com/Mars-Bound_Hokie/Airliner