Deadweasel

A Hermes-2 shuttle's launch window coincides with a kerbolar eclipse Two orbits later, Hermes-2 and its 12 passengers are docked at Haven station ahead of the Wayfarer transport to Laythe.

I'm actually running the 3-kerbal "bus" modded version you posted up, with the two small capsules mounted atop the VTOL engines. I will readily admit that the bulk of my issues in obtaining orbit on the default configuration have more to do with inexperience in flying SSTOs, not to mention a certain level of impatience that sabotages the entire profile when I try to go too high too fast. To get around some of this, I also mounted a part called FuelTastic (looks like the original post has been nuked and not yet re-posted) that generates fuel from electricity. I expanded the generator count on the craft to accommodate this as well, which adds weight, which requires more thrust/fuel, and so on. It's pretty slow and requires a lot of electricity (which is why I also added a pair of solar panels to the nose spars), but helps add some insurance against the "oh crap, I've botched the flight profile and now I'm out of fuel just before circularization" situation that has happened often enough to be considered a regular thing now. I am still loving the heck out of this, though. Just added some nav lights and a couple of strobes to make it that much more fun to fly around the station and other orbiting vessels. It has already saved the life of one kerbal who was stranded when his vessel flew apart at near light speed (bug related to MechJeb, I think). I love that it can get around so quickly, especially since the primary rockets were upgraded.

Woohoo! Looks much better, and yes I can verify the download link works too. Good job! Now I'm going to go play with this little devil and see how it does.

Dude... This thing is straight-up awesome! I got rid of the piddling little rockets and swapped them for a set of KW burners to compensate for a few small additions to the weight that were killing its ability to reach orbit, but jeez have you ever built a well-balanced little ship! Lots of fun to fly! The only issue I have is after I finally got it to orbit (after the aforementioned engine swap), and docked with the station, it fairly blew itself apart! The forward cabin compartment and fuselage (where they connect to the girder dead-center) and the main turbojet came off the thing in a fiery explosion of doom. Luckily the station was undamaged, but now I've got the remainder of the bird still docked, and I'm sending over a scrapper tug to de-orbit it safely. Meanwhile, is this something that's common for this vessel? I wouldn't be too surprised, given its rather "clippy" construction. Anyway, still hellacious fun!!

It could very well be a problem with the forum host's connectivity to that particular image host. The fact that after I copied the URL for one of your images into my reply, after which BOTH instances of that image showed up in your original post AND my reply, UNTIL I refreshed the page, says that maybe we were both able to see the images until the browser cache got updated by refreshing. I suspect maybe the image host you're using doesn't respond well to having more than a limited number of images called from a particular user at one time. Maybe it's their method of keeping traffic loads to a bearable rate? Anyway, give imgur a try to see if it helps out. If the image links work from there, you'll have fixed the problem. Also, Imgur offers a really handy BBCode copy option for images loaded there, so it's as simple as uploading the image, then clicking the Copy icon on the line containing the ready-to-post BBCode-wrapped link.

I really appreciate the work you've done with these things. They really help my ships to come to life, so to speak. Absolutely love them! [...snip...] I was going to write a detailed description about how I felt the new flash mode was a lot more twitchy and sporadic than I'd hoped for, but then it occurred to me that new settings capabilities in the plugin might mean new settings in the part .cfg files too, which I initially did not copy from the new version. Whoops! I refined the timing sequence a bit, and now they feel that much more realistic to me. There is, however, still some twitchiness in how they work: All of the lights seem to be reluctant toward having their modes changed (on/blink/off). Sometimes multiple presses of the key are needed before they respond. The nav lights have a solid and blink mode, but selecting a mode takes multiple tries, and don't always follow the on-blink-off rotation. (see above item) The strobes are troublesome getting them to blink at the rate they're supposed to. Pressing "p" has different results each time. Sometimes it turns them off, sometimes they blink on/off at roughly once per second, sometimes they blink in the inverse of the sequence they're supposed to (on longer than off). It's a bit of a crap shoot as to whether they'll blink as expected when the key is hit. Once they're up and running though, WOW! These things are worth overlooking the minor usability glitches anyway.

Your images are not loading in your post, most likely because the links are badly formatted. I can view the images by right-clicking on the placeholders and copying the URL, but the forums apparently don't like those addresses. Do they have the "http://" in front of them? EDIT: Hmmm... just tried pasting the copied URL in, and it works until I refresh the page. Looks like there's an issue with your chosen image host, because after I submitted THIS post with the copied URL, that same image loaded in your post too, UNTIL I refreshed the page again, at which point even the one in my post was again broken. May I suggest something a bit more proven like http://imgur.com?

I have just had this issue as well. This is not a vanilla issue. I'm using a few other mods, including the docking port cam, as well as KW, truck wheels, H.O.M.E. and B9 Aerospace packs. These mods have been installed for quite some time. Dozens of vessels have been flown (dozens more exploded!) with these mods installed, without any bugs or problems whatsoever. I thought MechJeb would make rendezvous operations less tedious for the tricky-to-fly HSTAC Silverhawk, which it did beautifully. However, despite performing the initial ascent after launch perfectly, once the rendezvous process had begun, Kerbin vanished into rings of light. The rendezvous proceeded to completion otherwise flawlessly from there. Also, from the moment the MechJeb radial part was placed on the plane in the hangar, and during the entire mission, the game suffered from regular stuttering, with all processing, including sound, pausing for just a blink every 2-3 seconds. Neither the vanishing planet nor severe stuttering issues had ever been observed in my games, and I've been running the same install since two days after 0.19's release. The first and only time I've ever seen these issues on this version was from the very first test flight with MechJeb mounted. Bob is understandably concerned about the apparent explosion of his homeworld.

A .craft file really is just text. You can select that text, paste into notepad and save it as whatever. Just make sure the file name ends in .craft and you're good to go! (Oh of course it needs to be in the Ships folder as well) EDIT: D'oh! Ninja'd by teh space man.

That would be Davy Jones in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest.

-Kerbal Space Center: May 10, 2013 Following successful licensing and production supplier negotiations with B9 Aerospace (http://tinyurl.com/czy3fqk) and independent contractor TouhouTorpedo (http://tinyurl.com/bpaxxwh), Jebediah has been promoted and named project lead for the LGV Dragonfly program's development beyond the popular 7-series. Many within the KSP organization have gone on-record to say that the promotion was a mistake, as the number of testing accidents under his stewardship have dramatically increased. However, Jeb never forgot the lessons learned during the program's disastrous Stage 6 development, which resulted in the death of Jeb's protege and fellow test pilot, Bob Kerman. As a result, though the number of "profile deviations" has gone up compared to earlier stages, a large portion of the budget was earmarked in advance by Jeb's now-unwavering focus on pilot safety. Finally, Jebediah's team declared completion of the latest development stage, and with great fanfare and ceremony, LGV Dragonfly-X was revealed to the public this week at the Kerbal Space Center. Dragonfly-X test pilots (left to right) Desden and Newman pose with the new prototype, beside prototypes from the 7- and 3- series, respectively. Dragonfly-3 displays the configuration that originally inspired the project's official designation. Technical reviews posted soon afterward lauded the new Low Gravity Vehicle's design improvements, which include a drivetrain focused on higher maximum speeds and traction stability, as well as a sturdier, roomier cabin complete with galley and head facilities. "Frequent expensive EVAs to repair failed tires is now a thing of the past. In fact I have no idea why my predecessor thought it was wise to rely so heavily on duct tape in the first place!" Jeb proclaimed to the assembly. At that, murmurs of agreement could be heard rippling among the gathered members of the press. After the unveiling, Jeb graciously fielded some questions regarding the LGV re-design. When asked if he knew of a projected timetable for Dragonfly-X's deployment, Jeb seemed to savor the moment before declaring to the hushed crowd: "We already have." After the sudden and stunned outcries from the gathering had subsided somewhat, KSP director Bill Kerman, himself a former kerbonaut and longtime staff member in the program, announced the first successful landing on Duna, the next major planet out-system from Kerbin. "The LGV Dragonfly-X has not only proven it is capable of successfully landing under its own power on another world, we have discovered that it may also be capable of returning to orbit independently as well," Bill said. "This creates a host of possibilities related to establishing a more long-term presence on and around Duna, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank Jebediah and his incredible team for seeing this project through to its ultimate conclusion with extreme dedication, and demonstrated skill heretofore unseen here at the Kerbal Space Center." Even amidst thunderous applause, speculation regarding the accuracy of Bill's statement could still be heard here and there. Bill and Jebediah have similar long tenures at the KSP, and frequently flew test missions together with the late Bob Kerman. Once the commotion had subsided, Bill returned the podium to Jebediah, who began a presentation of images taken from the Duna mission, which apparently launched 10 months ago under a complete press information blackout by government request. The nature of the government's involvement was not made clear, but some sources speculate Dragonfly-X may have been rushed into deployment to investigate a series of potential ground anomalies discovered on Duna by astronomers early last year. Following are photos from Jebediah's presentation, with captions representing his narrative for each image: "Dragonfly-X on the ground near the edge of Duna's northern polar cap. We don't have stills from the descent due to a software glitch in the camera, but we do have a video sequence which will be released in about a week." "After disengaging from the delivery drive section, Dragonfly reached the surface safely, thanks to its well-balanced vertical flight system. Though the VFS was designed to be discarded after landing, the crew consulted with us and ultimately made the decision to simply keep it on-board instead, toward the eventual goal of testing its ability to return Dragonfly to orbit under its own power. Descending from a polar orbit afforded us a unique opportunity to study the terminator of Duna's polar region, which has been difficult for satellites to image in any appreciable detail." "Unfortunately, exploration of the polar terminator was performed more hastily than planned, as well as on-the-move, thanks to our eager driver's unfortunate lead foot. Doodbree had pushed the Dragonfly well beyond 70m/s by the time Control received the telemetry and sent the order to "knock it the hell off, Dood!" "Ervin is our navigator and geological specialist on this mission. As any of us would, he took some time to take in the sights (and some samples) before they continued on to descend into a crater of interest to the mission." (Responding to a question regarding the odd box on top of the vehicle) "Dragonfly-X relies on a reaction control system to provide additional stability control and traction. As seen earlier, it was expected there would be moments when the vehicle found itself temporarily 'flying' off of a sudden drop-off, so it was necessary to provide a means of controlling attitude during those situations. Because we don't yet have gas stations on Duna, we had to come up with a means to replenish the RCS propellant on-station. To that end, we 'borrowed' a prototype module from another development project and modified it to gather and compress air propellant from the surrounding atmosphere. Unfortunately no, I can't comment on that other project at this time." "Ike is also definitely a target of interest, but it's unlikely that the LGV will be capable of navigating the surface. That said, assuming the vehicle is capable of returning to Duna orbit, we're attempting to create some projections for possible landings on Ike as well." (Responding to a question regarding Doodbree's apparent absence from mission photos) "Though he remains the primary driver on this mission, Doodbree was subjected to administrative punishment after his unintentional sabotage of the polar terminus exploration segment of the mission. You don't see him in the EVA photos because he was removed from the egress rotation for the three day period during which these photos were taken. He was originally supposed to have been removed as primary driver as well, but Ervin argued at-length to keep him on because 'that was a hell of a ride, and you wouldn't believe what he can cook up with those foodpacks!'" Discussions held among members of the press after the presentation revealed that at least two reporters had heard rumors regarding the "other development project" Jebediah hinted at. Though they are still little more than unsubstantiated theories, some are beginning to believe the KSP is developing a method of fast and regular round-trip transport to Duna, and perhaps beyond. More on these stories as they develop.

The Dragonfly series Low Gravity Vehicles were designed as mobile facilities to explore the larger low gravity bodies in KSP. Dragonfly-1 was designed with its own landing "backpack" assembly that would allow it to land safely, at which point the descent engines and extra fuel tank are ejected. A triple ion engine array provides the thrust necessary to move. Aldberry Kerman is ecstatic to have successfully completed the first landing deployment test. Dragonfly-7 was redesigned to maintain the vehicle's flight capability after landing, and no longer relies on external thrust for forward motion. This makes it less reliant on support from refueling vehicles and stations. The 7 series also features enhanced lighting and docking facilities for support vehicles. Jebediah joins Aldberry in celebrating yet another successful landing deployment test, before holding a moment of silence to commemorate the loss of their friend and co-pilot. Bob, who was tragically lost in an accident during the Kerbin-side hover flight testing phase of Dragonfly-6, will be remembered as one of the finest and most skilled test pilots of the program. Jebediah, who recommended Bob for consideration into the program, carries a piece of the faulty strut that caused the tragic accident with him to the Mün.