Istas

Is a fourth stage allowed, as long as the first and second stages (and obtaining AP above atmosphere by the end of the second stage) are as required?

I'm not really eager to try yet another challenge of yours, posted today, when you have at least three other challenge threads open where you haven't responded to an entry or question for over a day.

Must not use oxygen as in, no oxidizer? So air-breathing engines only?

On pad: http://s78.photobucket.com/user/IstasPuma/media/onPad_zps606ad7b3.jpg.html Final mass: http://s78.photobucket.com/user/IstasPuma/media/finalMass_zps9d123f70.jpg.html Impact velocity: http://s78.photobucket.com/user/IstasPuma/media/impactV_zps349d786c.jpg.html 0.5*7000*(6431.4^2) = 144.77 GJ

Thank you metaphor.

Who needs curves?

Until then; Submission. 23,317 m/s dV to solar escape. Takeoff mass: ~920 tons Probe: Lonely Jeb: Really getting tired of being left behind On launchpad: http://s78.photobucket.com/user/IstasPuma/media/screenshot150_zps60a0e737.png.html?sort=6&o=3 Having reached escape velocity: http://s78.photobucket.com/user/IstasPuma/media/screenshot184_zps3c992bc9.png.html

I was just going to amend my post to clarify on that as well. Thank you.

SparTwo: What about my entry? The lifting engines are not connected by fuel lines to the payload, which is within the ring of engine stacks. Payload of ~380 tons; ~2 tons rcs fuel, 378 tons of full, untouched fuel tanks that can't be drawn from by any of the engines.

What constitutes "sufficient" power source for ion engines? Enough to power it at full throttle?

3 days 13 hours 29 minutes 59 seconds Takeoff mass: ~920 tons Velocity before leaving Kerbin's SoI: >26 km/s Probe: incinerated, then obliterated Jeb: Disappointed he didn't get to go Launch pic: http://s78.photobucket.com/user/IstasPuma/media/screenshot150_zps60a0e737.png.html Transit pic: http://s78.photobucket.com/user/IstasPuma/media/screenshot160_zps2fcd3c29.png.html Impact time: http://s78.photobucket.com/user/IstasPuma/media/screenshot181_zpsd2ae067d.png.html

I'm on this.

I've got a lander that can lift the 4-ton pod from sea level on Eve (no messing around with mountains) to orbit. It doesn't have ladders though, and I also haven't yet had the patience to refuel it once it gets to LKO (and again once it gets orbit around Eve), then tug it to Eve. It works though, it makes it to LKO, and I used hyperedit to insert it into Eve's upper atmosphere and flew it as if the rest had been done.

It's really not that much harder than landing on land; potentially easier even, since you don't need to worry about slope, or keeping landing legs even. Just takes a bit extra dV to ease yourself into the water so parts don't go poof, and needs to be a somewhat wide craft. SunJumper: When you say all parts, do you mean all stock parts? Or are mod pack parts included? If they are, can you list separate scores for using stock parts (excepting informational/piloting things like Mechjeb and Protractor)

Please let's not get into another mechjeb yes/no discussion, that has happened far too many times and has been talked to death.

SunJumper: I'm going to ask you to specifically state that you need one of the manned pods, cockpits, or cans, because as stated the rules allow having a Kerbal cling to a ladder. I know that violates the -spirit- of the challenge, but if it's not clearly stated I'll be tempted to do it, or disappointed if someone else does.

Takeoff mass: 3265 tons Mass to orbit: 629.9 tons Payload to orbit: 380 tons of tanker for refueling (7 full orange tanks of fuel, 7 full 18-ton tanks of fuel, one partially full tank of RCS for attitude adjustment; 378 tons of full fuel tanks if you count only them) Engines cannot draw from the 378 tons of fuel tank payload. This fuel load can make it to orbit with a 3048-ton takeoff mass, I just added some extra tanks to the launcher to give it a bit more dV for flexibility in orbit. Early in launch: http://s78.photobucket.com/user/IstasPuma/media/10tankerLaunch_zps79fcf613.jpg.html In orbit: http://s78.photobucket.com/user/IstasPuma/media/10tankerOrbit_zpsb64deb96.jpg.html