Misguided Kerbal

wow for once I actually made it @AccidentalColonies

I have appeared! @HansonKerman

Could I request a seat for Misguided Kerman?

Looks like I've been neglecting this thread.. for nearly 6 months. Time flies. School, homework, excuses, yada yada yada. I think it's about time I start this again, with renewed drive, energy, and passion to actually do stuff, instead of just sitting around, twiddling my fingers, and claiming to be 'waiting for the transfer window'. A lot has happened. I've gotten a new Macbook Pro (the M1 chip is absolutely INSANE), and now for the first time I have actual graphics, and, KSP is actually playable and not a slideshow anymore! I've also made some changes to my long running save, the KEC, or Kerbal Exploration Corps. Spectra has now been replaced by AVP (It was nice, but I never really liked how Kerbin was pink and how everything was do dark), I've installed Waterfall (but kept Realplume for those extra plumes) and I've removed a bunch of mods that I didn't even remember I had installed and I didn't use, like Trajectories (turns out rendering the trajectories really decreased performance, even on the M1) and some other mods that I forgot about. So before I get into the image spam as usual, I'd like to make one (small) change. I'm no longer going to write the little captions for the screenshots (because they usually turned kinda badly, and I post context in other places anyway). If you need context for these screenshots, I usually post them in my discord server, (link in the spoiler below), or on the WDYDIKSPT thread, since I feel like this has pretty much become the 'Misguided spams pretty screenshots thread'. Anyways, without further ado, here we go!

Indeed, KS3P is quite nice! Though if you can, TUFX is always the better option. As I promised (mainly to myself), I have gotten back into KSP recently, and after finishing up just marveling at my new graphics capabilities and doing some chores, it is finally time to actually make progress! First I designed a whole new module for a whole new base. I've been focusing too much on interplanetary stuff like Eve and Duna so I haven't really done anything on or near the Mun. But with the Mun looking so pretty now, (and I had been neglecting it for a long time too) I had to do something. Enter Homestead: the new, permanent Munbase. I didn't want to get too ahead of myself and then quit, so I began by designing a habitation module (way over-engineered, as per usual). I didn't realize exactly how bad my heavy lift rocket, the Griffon, was designed until now. The boosters buckling, I managed to get it off the pad. Engine shots are the best. Once in orbit, I sent one of my ANTS nuclear tugs, docked at the refueling station OFD-1, to retrieve the Homestead module and tug it to the Mun. ( I didn't take any pictures of the docking, so sorry about that.) Again, the Homestead module was way too over-engineered. I could have probably done without the vernier-powered braking stage (seen here) Final descent was way easier than expected: the 6 terriers had more than enough thrust to slow it down, and I packed way too much fuel. This picture wasn't actually of the first touchdown area, I originally came down on a slope but I managed to maneuver the craft to a spot pretty much in the center of the crater I landed in. More modules, and crew will be joining it soon! In the meantime everything is extended and it'll act as a target for the next module to arrive. Also, here's a random screenshot I took of Mungate station:

AVP, Scatterer, EVE, Distant Object Enhancement. I actually use a custom KS3P config as well as a Kopernicus sunlight booster config.

I have done some more stuff! (though mostly just messing around and marveling at my new graphics) First up, cleanup. I had left a Callisto-Thunderbird in orbit as a test launch, and so it was time to deorbit it, as it had nothing else to do. Completely unplanned, I landed within range of the KSC Still having the graphics bug, I itched to do another launch (getting stuff done was a secondary objective). Turns out, with better framerates it's actually harder to control this rocket, the Thunderbird. I didn't realize exactly how insane I had set the TWR and so I burnt most of my fuel going straight up and attempting to do a gravity turn. I ended up almost in orbit, with about 100 m/s left on the maneuver. Which I could fix with the spacecraft itself of course. However, I didn't realize that my throttle was still on full, and when I tried to transposition it ignited the service module's engines on full blast, and exploded the second stage and the orbital module. I was going to do a Mun Mission, having the Callisto dock to an ANTS nuclear tug and send it around the Mun, but with my rules of 'Realismtm' (also known as Realism when convenient and as an excuse), 3 crew would be pretty cramped in a Mun mission without an orbital module. So it was reentry, again. The area the capsule landed in was absolutely gorgeous, but it gave me quite a scare. I had accidentally cut the drogue chutes (action group 1, I meant to press 3) so we were coming over faster than usual, and over a mountain. Fortunately the chutes fully deployed about 100 meters from hitting the ground. Completely unrelated, I went for a drive! I never knew that external seats could just eject kerbals if they were flipped over. You learn something new everyday.

I've been gone.. again. School messes with your free time. So does procrastination. But in the meantime, I got a new laptop! I heard rumors about the new apple M1 chip being good. It has literally transformed my KSP install from a slideshow to a game. a solid 60 fps, and that was only because I capped it. With demanding visual mods. And while being emulated by Rosetta 2. How, I don't understand. But it looks great. Same old save of mine that's been going on since forever. I finally installed waterfall. No regrets. I kept realplume for the SRB effects though, they look awesome. Full throttle Nuclear plumes are amazing. I regret not installing waterfall earlier. I also installed AVP. My old Macbook couldn't handle AVP, but with this I can finally upgrade from Spectra. It's nice to have a change for sure. No words. Looks like something out of EVE Online. I had returned the crew of Ares 2 back to orbit, and so I had left the lander nearby, uncrewed of course. Having a little degree of probe control, I decided to do a flyby. I hoped you guys enjoyed, and I look forward to actually getting back and playing ksp againtm

Yeah, I stopped working on it a long while ago. I think I even cleared the files from my computer in an attempt to save space.

Sure, you can have the whole thing. Some of the assets aren't mine so you're probably better off starting from scratch.

*Screams loudly* I win, by the sheer number of decibels pounding into their eardrums.

I have joined [ rather late but it's the spirit that counts right? ] @Spaceman.Spiff A P P E A R

Thank you! I'll try and incorporate that into a future project. Yeah I'm afraid this was just a futile exercise in planet modding for me.

I think, even if just speaking for myself here, that long mission reports like this are always welcome, and people would love to see more.

I'm afraid nothing will be happening here. As you can tell I've pretty much abandoned the project and moved on to other things, sorry.

It's summer break and I have free time, and I've been busy, just not playing KSP. I might just go ahead and warp to the transfer windows already instead of just waiting around. But of course I get bored, and so back to KSP I come running. The first thing I do is... chores. Last time we left off, ANTS-2 returned to LKO after delivering a fresh crew to Mungate Station and finally bringing Wilmon home. Of course I was too lazy to do anything about it, so I left it, tanks 1/3 full, drifting in orbit. I decided to station it at OFD-1 for the meantime for refueling and future use. Docking and rendezvous were nothing of note, and ANTS-2 joined its sibling ANTS-4. After refueling both tugs, that left a station with nearly empty fuel tanks. Of course, I had designed for this, and I decided to send up an SRTM: Semi-Reusable Tanker Module: The design itself is rather bad, as it was hastily put together to refuel the original KOFDs as I forgot to include a way to refuel the station. But I've been trying to design a reusable tanker to no avail, so I had to launch it. The rocket decided to behave strangely and tilt during launch, even though all nodes were attached properly and I had autostrut connecting nearly every single part. I hastily decoupled the rocket and managed to get it into the air. I thought that mechjeb might be able to save the launch, so I switched on mechjeb ascent guidance. Mechjeb was doing fine until it decided to freak out and well.. it all goes downhill (literally) from here The crash left me feeling rather uninspired, so that's the end of it from me. Hopefully I'll do some more in the future.

I don't think I'm a vampire @Spaceman.Spiff

Ironically, summer brings even more stuff than when school was still in session. So, my current save has been running for a while now, totaling to 9 in game years (I mainly stick around Kerbin). However, while doing everything I was working on, I missed some important stuff: the Mun and Minmus. After touching them from Year 1 - Year 2, they've been pretty much neglected since I focused on new stations and interplanetary shenanigans. So, I took my first (minor) step to try and fix this issue, as the flotilla of interplanetary EVs headed to Duna and Eve don't depart for about 2 more years. Last time we left off, we finally visited Wilmon Kerman, alone at Mungate Station for 7 years. (link below) Today, he finally comes home! Since I'm quite lazy, I'm returning both the ANTS and the Expeditioner together. Also, the fact that the Expeditioner is a pretty sucky craft, with no remote control (Wilmon is an engineer). And besides 'realism' (ignore the fact that he was stuck around the mun for 7 years with no company). The ANTS stack settles in orbit relatively easily, and Wilmon undocks. The meager controls are barely enough with Wilmon onboard, and we avoid an accident like last time. The deorbit burn goes flawlessly. Decoupling also happens fine, which is surprising given the Expeditioner's shoddy past in decoupling (part of why I moved on). Reentry goes without a hitch and the drogues deploy. Nothing wrong except for a minor mishap with extending the floats, which are quickly retracted. Luck seems to be on our side. The capsule lands perfectly on a beautiful beach. Wilmon walks around and does the obligatory moody stare into the distance, finally bringing the (Expeditioner 4? can't remember) mission to an end after 7 years of him sitting around in Mungate station's centrifuge. The only remaining remnant of the Expeditioner-class is Expeditioner 5? docked to Minmus Outpost, with a crew of 3 (ignoring the part of 158 debris floating throughout the Kerbol System. I should probably do something about that).

Have I really been guided? Maybe. @Souptime

*Jedi Noises* @HansonKerman

First up, the kraken prone KOFD-2 was deorbited. However, I forgot to take screenshots the camera malfunctioned, and no footage was recovered. The deorbit was a bit harrowing, as the ANTS sent to deorbit it (ANTS-4) was nearly burnt up with the station. However, some quick thinking, a burn radial out, and a short skim through the upper atmosphere managed to recover it. Then it's successor, the OFD-1 was launched. Next up, the second module was launched during a rare nighttime launch. The brand new ANTS launched to deorbit the KOFD-2, ANTS-4, was rendezvoused and docked with the OFD-1 Next, I decided to finally switch out the crew at Mungate Station, launched back in Year 2. Poor Wilmon Kerman has been alone on the station in the centrifuge for over 7 years. In a lapse of judgement, the Expeditioner is undocked before Wilmon is transferred on board, and as it has no remote control, efforts to redock with it are unsuccessful. With no other choice, I EVA'd Wilmon over. I'd like to think he would enjoy it after being cooped up for so long. Wilmon gets in his 7 year old Expeditioner. Somehow it's still functioning perfectly after being idle for so long. He backs away for the time being, he needs to be out of the way for a moment. The Callisto brought here by an ANTS tug undocks, and begins the docking sequence. The docking process is relatively quick, and the skeleton crew of just Wilmon Kerman is replaced by a joint Kerman - Von Kerman crew of 3. Meanwhile, the Expeditioner moves to dock with the ANTS tug. While the Expeditioner has enough fuel to head back to Kerbin by itself, I'm too lazy and want to bring both back at once after 7 years of inactivity, engineers had concern about the reliability of the engines. However, I ran out of time, so that'll have to be a job for next time.

Spare time leads to more shenanigans.. and more shenanigans leads to more image spam First up, I decided to finally use the ANTS nuclear tug for it's original intended purpose: shuttling crew modules and cargo throughout the Kerbin system. Of course, that also meant launching up a new crew. I've haven't been playing for a while (even though last post was 'back from hiatus', flying planes and then aborting on one doesn't really count), so I was a bit rusty. First, the first stage wanted to veer out of control (For once, I'm launching manually. The Thunderbird is a pretty fun rocket to fly), but luckily I wasn't all that bad and corrected it. However, transposition was an entire different story. See, the Callisto crew module transpositions shortly after reaching orbit to extract it's mission module. A weak part of the link is well... the link. The stack separator attaching the crew module to the mission module is usually knocked out of the way when the crew module turns around. But not this time. After some minor wrestling, I managed to push the separator away and dock with the mission module: Of course, since the only operational ANTS tug, ANTS-2 (ANTS-1 was destroyed in a kraken attack) was docked to the buggy, Kraken-prone KOFD, I decided that it would go to the Callisto, instead of the other way around. No need to compound a chance of a Kraken attack. Nuclear plume.. never gets old The ANTS tug is massively overpowered for this purpose: even carrying the Callisto, it still has well over 5000 m/s of ∆v. Of course, it is designed with much bigger payloads in mind such as base modules and such, so this is a welcome margin. A relatively simple munar injection is plotted. A second burn breaks the crew into a roughly 100 * 100 km munar orbit, my typical operations altitude. And there they are, around the Mun. At this point I decided not to return them yet.. I have stuff planned for the future and an extra crew on hand would be very handy. So, something had to be done with the brand new, but kraken prone KOFD-2. It seems like the KOFD line of stations are very susceptible to kraken attacks, and I attribute it to their size. 4 Jumbo 64 tanks, attached to a node and then to a structural truss. Even with autostruts and rigid attachment, it still isn't very stable and it likes to wiggle. So in this case, smaller is better, so I decided on a new design: 4 massive Jumbo-64s simply aren't required, with regular tanker flights and (hopefully in the future) ISRU landers to top them off. So we get this, a pretty versatile design. I'm intending to put one around at least every major body which will hopefully streamline future operations. This is small enough that empty, the whole thing could be carried by a first generation EV to the destination body (such as Eve or Duna), and then topped off with fuel once we get there. Of course, merely planning isn't going to do anything. Before we could do anything, the KOFD-2 had to be deorbited, and before we can do that, the crew have to be evacuated, so I did. I thought I actually had a chance of making it to the KSC this time.. no luck. We easily overshot both the KSC and the Island Airfield, leaving us only with enough velocity to ditch in the ocean like last time. I'll have to practice my spaceplane skills more often. However, I think I did a bit better this time. I actually managed to conserve some speed and not stall out straight away (with the help of SMART A.S.S), and I glided out to a rather smooth landing, at only 14 m/s with no parts broken. A quick blast of the abort SRBs to prevent stalling out and hitting the ocean nose first again And splashdown! No parts lost, which is a miracle. Of course, I also had time to think. Thinking is dangerous: it gives you more work to do. So, in my save the Von Kermans haven't really done much. They have a nice station called Molinya Station with plenty of fuel: But that's about it. They don't have anything else. Sure, they have a nice crew vehicle and a rocket, but they haven't done anything. So, I thought it was time to do something. They'll also set up their own tug system, except instead of being big, bulky, and nuclear like the ANTS, it's going to be derived from the Glushko second stage, and to increase efficiency it'll be LH2 instead of Liquid Fuel. They'll also establish a Mun and Minmus base restively. But their pinnacle will be establishing their own base on Gilly, and perhaps.. doing the first manned Eve Return Mission. However, it isn't all good news and progress. I ran out of disc space on my hard drive, leaving me with only 2 GB of space left, which meant I had to clear out some stuff. Since I didn't really have any junk files (I like to keep my drive squeaky clean) the first target, the unused JNSQ save used to run One Small Step had to go, along with the old KASA save folder and some other large applications such as Flightgear. I've recovered 50 GB of disc space, but at a loss. However, since I don't really want to continue the current storyline, a new one will probably start from scratch. That's about it from me, hopefully I'll get actual progress on the Von Kerman side of things.

Welp.. I'm afraid this is officially over for now. I ran out of disc space on my laptop, and I had to clear some stuff. Of course, the 10 GB JNSQ install that I never really use was a prime target, and coupled with the fact that I don't have any motivation for this anymore and that activities on my main save are ramping up, this gets the short end of the stick. Hopefully I'll find time to continue it once more, but it'll probably be a (much better!) version from scratch.

Looks like I'm late... 10.1 K posts. Not 10k pages, but we're getting there!

I am puppet. @Dman979