Mars-Bound Hokie

I finally completed a tourist mission - involving ONE paying tourist - to Pol and back. To save fuel, I aerobraked in LKO to lower my apoapsis before making my de-orbit burn to the KSC. As an extra risk, I landed AT NIGHT.

Duna?

ENMAL KERMAN'S MISSION LOG: Y63D19 - 5H55M I still remember when Lodock and I flew to Duna to refuel during the Neptune III mission, though I never would have guessed I would be landing on Duna itself in an experimental spaceplane. Even if I did, I wouldn't have imagined going on a space mission with a kerbalnaut from another Neptune mission. Specifically, Johnfrid Kerman --> sole scientist of the Neptune II flight. Although our new SSTO prototype was called the Anubis II for testing purposes, the main manufacturing firm behind it decided to rename it the T-6 Cannonball. Wernher von Kerman had no objections, as the Anubis II was supposed to be a mission name - and the T-6 Cannonball is a model name, should we decide to use it later (e.g. for rescue/tourist missions). And no, it's still no good for Eve. While Mission Control and the design team were debating on the model name, we uploaded the Cannonball's design into a simulator program and had three kerbalnaut rejects do the Jool-5 challenge. Though it took multiple quicksaves and a lot of frustration, they eventually managed to pull it off. After the Anubis I returns, all we need to do is do it for real. For more information on how they did, click on the link below and follow their photo-heavy album. After careful review of the (patched) successful simulated Jool-5 run, Mission Control realized that we still need to improve on our plane's design and piloting techniques. These alterations include, but are not limited to: Removing one of the landing struts per side so that the plane could lean forward and land on its wheels upon touchdown For Kerbin takeoff, we need to: Pitch up at ~20 degrees upon liftoff Pitch downward until ~5 degrees when your velocity reaches 335 m/s Switch off rapiers before they flame out and switch to rocket mode. NERVs and skippers still have a TWR of over 1 by then Aim pitch at prograde until desired apoapsis reached. For long-distance Hohmann transfers, you don't need to fill up the oxidizer tanks completely - just enough for the plane to get off the surface and achieve the desired apoapsis Laythe takeoff and Bop refueling is going to get tricky. Back to our test run, Johnfrid and I are taking a Cannonball to Minmus to refuel before flying to Duna. Since the plane boasts A LOT of delta-V on rapiers and skippers alone (you need that kind of thrust to get off Tylo), we filled the Lf+Ox tanks ALL THE WAY this time so that, when we hit Duna's atmosphere, we'll have sufficient thrust to fly around. Some of the engineers think that we're good in terms of Duna aerodynamics due to the large wingspan and rear stabilizers, while others disagree on the grounds that the Cannonball - unlike the Dirtblood - was not designed to fly in a thin atmosphere with a Duna TWR of more than 1 on Lf+Ox engines alone. Gene Kerman put their argument to rest after saying this: "There's only one way to find out." Not even 100 m above the surface, and we were dumb enough to leave our engines running until we had a 513-km apoapsis. For now, we'll use the NERV engines so we can burn off some of the excess Lf. Since the plane now has 18,994 units of Ox, we'll use the NERVs until our Lf tanks are at 15,541 units total. When that happens, we'll switch to one or more types of Lf+Ox tanks so that we can use up both Lf+Ox at equal rates. EDIT: We originally planned to remove only two struts per side (four total), but then realized that we need to add another strut so that the bottom rapiers don't hit the ground when the plane tilts. At least the Cannonball has monopropellant to help tip it over; sure, it's docking-capable, but we shouldn't need to use it if we can do the Jool-5.

I made a model of one of my SSTOs on Autodesk Inventor.

@Misguided_Kerbal, it seems that you're ready to start flying to space. I wish you good luck and great success on all your endeavors. If you ever need help, don't be afraid to ask for it here; that's why the forum exists in the first place. I'm also willing to offer some assistance, as I've landed kerbals on all planets except for Eve. Yes, that means I've done the Jool-5. With some time and experience (including failures), you can do that too. (You can make your own ribbon and put it in your signature)

I did the Jool-5.

@JacobJHC, here's my entry for the Jool-5 challenge. I did it in a Sandbox save because I hated waiting for my other missions to get done. I'm bad at Imgur albums, so here are the pictures in individual sections. To describe my entry: Three-person SSTO Fun fact: comes with emergency abort system ISRU and docking-capable Won't need the docking for this case. Science-capable. Specifically Goo Temperature Crew report Pressure Atmospheric GCMS Gravioli scans Seismic scans Mods used for this challenge: MechJeb Kerbal Alarm Clock Getting to Jool from Kerbin STOP 1: Laythe STOP 2: Bop STOP 3: Tylo (a real doozy) STOP 4: Pol STOP 5: Vall Going back home What do you think?

Yeah. I mean, if you can land on Eve and return, you can definitely do the same for Duna.

Ever wondered why your kerbals keep dying left and right, despite hours of preparation and practice? Here's your answer. Bill Kerman is at the VAB adding struts to the new Apollo-Style Duna lander when he saw something fall out of the sky and onto the tracking station. He then picked it up and saw that it was a notebook; what really caught his eye was the message in the interior cover. "The kerbal whose name is written on this notebook shall die." Being the curious engineer that he is, he decided to test it. A total of three names later - and three dead kerbals - he realized the notebook's power was something to be taken seriously. Along with that, he saw his new purpose in life; to save all of kerbalkind from the filth growing within the species. Using the Kerbal Death Note, he now deals swift, effective justice throughout the entire solar system. Please tell me what you think about the video. If you want to try the Kerbal Death Note for yourself, here's the forum game. All you need to do is: Describe in detail what happens to the previous poster's victim, according to the specified cause of death. Name your next victim and cause of death (don't give specifics, because that's someone else's job). If you like it, please like/comment/subscribe to my channel. I got more KSP content coming.

I asked KSP Support (support@kerbalspaceprogram.com) a few days ago, but no response. Here's the story. My plane keeps sliding on the surface of Bop. However, when I right-clicked the landing gear and tried to mess with friction control, it wouldn't move. I even tried "clear input locks," but no good. I even tried "revert to quicksave" and changing it in orbit, but no good either. Friction control just wouldn't cooperate. Picture of the plane in orbit with its Friction Control not working. Even tried it on the surface, but nothing. How can I fix this without having to start the mission all over again? I'm doing the Jool-5 with this, and Bop is my second stop. Thanks for your help.

GLEVEY KERMAN'S MISSION LOG: Y62D403 - 4H00M For the past few months, we've been devoted to testing our new Anubis spaceplane. The last entry of this thread mentioned a problem with the abort system as well as a canard snapping off, so the SPH guys decided to add more struts to the wings. As a precautionary measure, we added some to the rear stabilizers. For the abort system, Bill suggested bigger parachutes as well as small rocket boosters for the crew capsule so that not only can we separate from a crashing body, but we can have a softer landing. A day after that design change was implemented, Jeb and Bill were airborne again. Only this time, their instructions were: Make at least a 90-degree turn in any direction (preferably toward land) Land anywhere with daylight Too risky to land in the dark Refuel Take off Turn around and go in a random heading Activate the abort system while in a downward trajectory Jeb and Bill soon landed in some random field over 100 km away from the space center, sending us this picture. It's a bit of a jump, but Bill was able to climb the rear ladder to repack the rear parachute. We may need to switch it. A few days of refueling later, and it was time to test the abort system. Much to everyone's surprise, the SRBs made no difference when trying to separate the capsule from the plane. Jeb and Bill had to wiggle themselves away from the front before the plane fell into the ocean. They had managed to do so in the nick of time before their parachutes would make no difference. The panels on the side are for power in case the capsule needs to wait for a long time. The third test we did for this plane was even more interesting, yet also boring at the same time. Lasel Kerman - the scientist who saved Bill and Val from Eeloo, a rookie engineer named Aldgee, and myself flew it to Minmus for the refueling test. We ran out of oxidizer before touchdown, but we had enough delta-V and thrust to land (and far more than enough monopropellant to straighten ourselves out). We landed in the lesser flats and got some good science points before beginning to refuel. That was when the boredom hit: It took us ~130 days to fill up all our tanks Though it was agonizing to wait for months for our tanks to fill up, we learned some interesting facts about our plane during and afterwards: When our Lf tanks were completely full AND our Ox supply was below 1% capacity (and monoprop at ~85%), our delta-V was above 6,000 m/s on NERVs alone Of course, that came at a cost of having a Minmus TWR of less than 1 on the NERVs We could fill up the oxidizer tanks enough for the Skipper engines to get us off the planet, but Gene ordered us to fill them completely so that we could see our delta-V count on the higher-thrust engines. We could do a straight shot to Jool (or even Eeloo) from there if we wanted to. Pay close attention to the Lf/Ox levels. After we used: Skippers and NERVs to get to 60 km Minmus orbit NERVs to achieve a 250 km-periapsis inclined orbit above Kerbin Skippers and NERVs to circularize at periapsis 2576 km/s on rapiers and skippers alone (TWR 1.31) I don't know what this means regarding the plan to get to Tylo from one of the smaller Jool moons, but I hope the plane can safely land on Tylo with that much delta-V and thrust. Us flying over Minmus' lesser flats after refueling (finally) Since we had plenty of Lf+Ox to spare, we decided to use ALL the engines to make a de-orbit burn to the KSC - probably with more than what's necessary. However, we overshot the runway and had to turn around after 30 km. We also had another problem; it was dark, and we were close to overshooting again after correcting our heading. That was when Wernher took the opportunity to test the new abort system, which was more than just SRB separators. It included the main body: Extending airbrakes Deploying the rear chute Shutting down all engines (no matter what) Indeed, the new program paid off well. We didn't land the way we hoped, but at least we got near the KSP runway - and the science and battery (and panels) are safe. What remains of the plane's body. We can't keep using the abort system when landing on other planets, let alone Laythe. My personal recommendation is to not land at night, add more structural support to the tanks, and watch our downward velocity. Besides, we don't really need that much monopropellant.

Well, was it good? Did you like it? Feel free to like, comment, and/or subscribe. In the interest of not getting this thread derailed, if you want to comment on my video in the thread, just leave your opinion of it before submitting your entry (detailed scenario leading to the death of previous poster's victim, and then your next victim). Alternatively, you could always leave a like/comment on the video itself. Enraged at Cheapskate Kerman's gross negligence, John Kerman drew a handgun from his jacket and shot at Cheapskate - but missed. The bailiff immediately drew his service weapon and aimed at John, who took another shot at Cheapskate. Though Cheapskate was only grazed in the arm, the bailiff shot John in the chest. The trial judge immediately ordered the courtroom emptied and paramedics to the scene. They were able to save Cheapskate, but there was no hope for John. Chelsea Kerman will fall to her death from 30 kilometers high.

JEBEDIAH KERMAN'S MISSION LOG: Y62D254 - 5H00M Our original goal for a Jool-5 SSTO was to have a deployable lander (and/or an ion tug) inside a large Mk. III mining-capable spaceplane. However, after numerous failed design simulations, most of us were starting to give up hope - including Bill. I would have pulled him off that bench and locked him in the drawing room (along with enough supplies to last him months) until he came up with something, but Gene told me not to since our deadline for "serious" Anubis II plans was years away. However, right as we were about to give up, we found hope. Bill and I were looking online for some ideas when I came across a plane some guy named @evader made (Bill was staring at a beach picture of Val). The craft was called the "Tylo Slayer," and it was claimed to be able to transport three kerbals and a mini-rover to Tylo after refueling on Minmus. I wanted to buy it and use it as our Anubis II, but Bill and Mortimer objected on the grounds that: Planetary law mandates that we design our own spacecraft LOOPHOLE: we can use other people's designs as inspiration We are also allowed to use craft designed by our contractors, provided that we directly contribute to the design and testing process There are also concerns that "outdated" designs are not up to KAA code. It was not equipped with the standard-issue parts for interplanetary SSTOs, like: Probe core Antenna Science Control surfaces Surprisingly, there were none on the wings OR canards When we test-flew it to Minmus, getting the drill to work was a nightmare. Bill: "Whose bright idea was it to put a small drill in the same cargo area as a rover?" I can't even tell if it's attached to the plane or the rover." Me: "What's wrong with the drill?" Bill: "Besides the control surfaces - which he TOTALLY FORGOT - causing the plane to bounce upon landing, the interior of the cargo bay exploded when I tried to use the drill." Bill: "There's plenty of room for improvement." Using the Tylo Slayer as inspiration, we managed to build our own prototype. Only this time, we're not carrying a rover in our cargo bay - which is DEFINITELY NOT in the rear. @evader's original design in the SPH (image from KerbalX) Latest version built in 1.6.0 Doesn't have any control surfaces. Our current design, built from scratch Design differences between us and the source material include, but not limited to Docking-capable Once Bill installed monopropellant near the front to move the CoM, Wernher seized his chance to make it docking-capable. Larger tailfins and rear stabilizers. Larger wingspan And we DIDN'T FORGET THE CONTROL SURFACES Who knows, we might even land this on Duna Science and a large drill in the FRONT cargo bay. Antenna Probe core Over SIX TIMES the power capacity And solar panels EIGHT rapiers instead of four And still have enough delta-V for a Minmus stop. Abort system, disconnecting the capsule from the rest of the plane in case of emergencies More on that later Rear parachute Airbrakes Wider landing gear arrangement Bill hoped that he wouldn't need to use the skipper engines for the atmospheric ascent, but he still needed them despite doubling his rapier count. Since Mission Control had no doubts that the ISRU systems would work - not that they don't plan to test that later - they planned to perform atmospheric ascent and re-entry tests first. The ascent was fine, but it was re-entry that was another story. And no, it wasn't a loss of control. On the contrary, it seemed to glide just as well - even with missing parts. Picture of a test run from OUR first prototype. A lot of parts exploded, like a couple of airbrakes and most of the RCS thrusters. The worst part was when we lost the docking port and the probe core. Though nobody was inside at the time, we couldn't perform a controlled landing. It managed to overshoot the KSC and glide to the ocean. For our second test (sorry, no pictures here), we forgot to program the "Switch mode" control to ALL the rapiers. Regardless, we still managed to turn it 90 degrees to the north just fine after re-entry. It was during landing on the grass that was the issue - one of our canards was MISSING. When I couldn't pitch up in time, I jumped out of the cockpit. We didn't know how exactly that happened, so we did the same thing again a third time. That was when we saw the canard snap off during re-entry. I don't know why the other one didn't though, but that was unacceptable. Wernher anticipated a failure, so he seized the opportunity to test the abort system. Unfortunately, when I hit the button, the capsule was still riding on the rest of the plane. If I didn't move it soon, I would die. I then bounced around inside the capsule, causing it to get away from the front of the crashing plane. I was seconds from impact when I managed to break free, so I deployed the chutes immediately. Unfortunately, they weren't enough. I lost the heat shield and the battery as a result. Overall, not a bad design. My official complaints are that they need to: Fix the abort system Pushing the capsule AWAY from the plane Better chutes Make sure canards don't snap off during re-entry If we can get this plane to work on Kerbin, we'll test it on Minmus next - and, later, use it as our Anubis II. If we do this right, the Jool-5 trophy is ours. While the SPH engineers are working on fixing the errors, we at least got an ore scanner in position of Tylo. Despite the fact that our current prototype has a large drill rather than a small one, the guys at R&D wanted to get orbital readings of the surface before we send any landing crews. Plus, Mission Control anticipated us needing to use a small drill for future craft. Tylo with ore concentrations laid out.

Confirmed case in Blacksburg, VA. I hope s/he didn't pass it along to anyone else.

Gene: "Why were you checking your watch a lot before the launch? We were already counting down." Bill: "I guess it's because... because I'm Kirba."

Man, you could use some struts - and CHECK YO STAGIN!

This. While Yaj Kerman was waiting for his rescue ship to arrive, he fell asleep in his lander can. Unbeknownst to him, it was the end of the Bop Kraken's decades-long hibernation cycle. When it woke up, it sensed some food on the other side of the planet. Yaj Kerman couldn't fire up the engines - since the lander didn't have any - so he was easy prey for the hungry beast. Naomi Kerman will die during Eve re-entry

Dinky was hiking up the Mun's northeastern craters when he let a big one rip. The pressure from all the gas, and the shock from the resulting sound wave, caused his spacesuit to explode from the inside. While all of his oxygen was leaking out, the cold vacuum of space killed him in a matter of seconds. His partner, Raye Kerman, had no idea that Dinky had died until his base had lost contact with his bio monitor. Raye couldn't hear the first explosion since, well, sound doesn't carry through space. Raye Kerman will die from spaghettification.

THIS IS A PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE PRIME MINISTER OF KERBIN In the past three months, we have experienced a spike in fatalities caused by pilots who were texting while flying. Today, the Kerbal Space Program has made this video to outline the dangers of such reckless behavior. By showing this to you, we hope to raise awareness of the consequences and, eventually, save more lives as a result. Don't text and fly.

I made this video, which shows what happens when you text and fly. Please feel free to like/comment/subscribe.

I submitted an entry to the Asymmetrical Aircraft Challenge. Watch the video below to see it in action. https://kerbalx.com/Mars-Bound_Hokie/Asymmetrical-Aircraft

Hey, @Klapaucius. Here's my entry for the challenge. What do you think? I also brought my parts list with me (which you can find on KerbalX):

Nice work, @mystifeid. You got close to beating @Laie's time (24:32), in fact. One question: why did you put Wheesley engines on your plane? Why not use a supersonic engine, like a whiplash or a rapier? I suggest doing this a second time, but switching the wheesleys for something more powerful. If you need to slow down that quickly, try airbrakes and/or drag chutes. Heck, you may even have a shot at beating @Laie.

That's weird, because it's now embedded in the command module controls. Unless you used the separate MJ remote part, the mod wouldn't show up on KerbalX. Regardless, MJ should be okay as it's just a craft control mod. It doesn't come with any parts that would give unfair advantages, like aerodynamic structures or hyperdrives or stuff like that.