Xeldrak

I decided at some point to make the white chevron on black background my personal coat of arms

Well, this is basically a very interesting challenge. But I see a few problems. What do you mean by fastest? Do you mean maximim velocity in a standard ascend? Or do you mean fastest time to orbit? What kind of orbit? With cargo or without? With what kind of cargo? Maximum Cargo Maximum cargo the rocket can lift at all? Maximum cargo it can lift into orbit? What kind of orbit? Best Lookin Will you decide wich rocket looks best? Will there be a vote? Are there any guidelines?

Time to go back home! Return the Duna landing crew and any remaining Duna orbiting crew to Kerbin (+4)

Time to get my boys to Duna. What craft will I use? Well, as it turns out, the 3*Vader Block II is so marvelously over-engineered, that it can got to Duna by itself. Even when strapped to a 5*Tarkin. Now, this should get me... At least 4 Kerbals pass withing 5000km of Duna (+2) Land at least four Kerbals on Duna within 10 km (100 km if by rover) of the above Duna lander. (+5) Duna Outpost: The Duna lander uses the Duna Outpost Variant which stays on the surface and includes a pressurized rover. (+3) Each landing crew over 4, up to 6 crew maximum (+1)

Now this took some time: I'm starting to loose count of my points. But this should get me: Mission: Land an un-Kerballed Kerbin Return Vehicle on Duna. Can be either Duna-Kerbin direct ascent capable or dock with an orbiting Duna-Kerbin return stage (+4) Duna Outpost: The Duna lander uses the Duna Outpost Variant which stays on the surface and includes a pressurized rover. (+3) Use an Ares V in at least one Duna mission (flyby or landing) (+2) Use an Ares I in at least one Duna mission (flyby or landing) (+1) Science: Kerbin Return Vehicle: Pre-landed Kerbin return vehicle on the Duna mission contains a science package (+1)

I have most of my equipment set up, but I simply lack the motivation to do hight quality announcement-pictures. So here we go: 1*ATV Automated Transfer Vehicle I'll need this little gizmo to refuel the KDS on the 4*Gnosis mission. 8*Chorkun P With the Poodle engine, the KDS is efficiet enough to get my stuff to Duna. 3*Satori Habitation Module A light Habitation module for eight Kerbals. Will land using only Parachutes 2*Vyr Block II I don't even have a picture - I'm sorry. It the 2*Vyr Block I with a additional command seat an a modified Skycrane This should get me Develop a rover that can seat at least two crew in a pressurized pod. This rover can be delivered with either the Kerbin Return Vehicle or the Duna lander (+2) Outpost Variant: Develop the Duna lander to remain on Duna as a permanent outpost. The Duna landing mission should include pressurized seats for 1.5 times your crew size (round up). Eg. If your Duna lander seats 4, the Outpost Variant should have pressurized seats for 6. If your Duna lander seats 5, your Outpost Variant should seat 8 (+2) However - I plan to send two unmanned missions: One with the Return Vehicle and another with the Rover/Habitation Module. When everything is set up, the Kerbals will follow in a 3*Vader Crew Vehicle. So the Rover is delivered together with the Outpost. Is that legit too? Because to specify "delivered with either the Kerbin Return Vehicle or the Duna lander".

I'm sorry - this is simply not a viable trajectory for several reasons. For example every pass around the moon would be a gravity-assist, changing you orbit. This is not a matter of skill but of physics.

After some planning and testing I realized that I would have to make some changes to the 4*Gnosis Lander. So I give you the 4*Gnosis Block II: Before sending the new lander to Duna, I decided another LKO test was appropriate: This gets me no new points - but I decided that I wanted to take 5 Kerbals to Duna and back.

Right now I'm a little short on time - thats why I like this challenge. Mission like testing the lander in orbit can be done in a 20 minute break But hosting a challenge is rather difficult for me right now. I might consider doing a Apollo Style redux - mostly because of the new parts that lend themselves to build a Saturn V simulacrum. Not entirely sure how to incorporate science and/or funds in a meaningful - after all back in the days Money wasn't the issue

Launch an un-Kerballed Duna lander on Ares V into low orbit. Perform an orbital test and descent of the lander (crewed or uncrewed) (+3)

Yeah, it cold be that the combination of drogue and normal parachutes softens the descend somewhat. I had to use drogues, otherwise the full opening of the normal parchutes ripped the craft appart

Using an un-Kerballed Duna lander and an EDS on Ares V, perform a high-speed re-entry from at least 15,000km Ap. (+2) Two more mission points for the Pressure Drop Programm.

It's time to get to Duna! Our research-division is working 24/7 on the new hardware. We can now proudly present our Duna Lander/Kerbin Return Vehicle: Lander supports 4 crew (+4) Kerbin Return Vehicle capable of Kerbin return with either direct ascent to Kerbin or Duna Orbit Rendezvous with Kerbin return stage (+3) Rover bonus: Bring at least one rover with seats for at least half (round up) of the lander crew (+3) Addition rover: Bring a second rover (same or different than first rover) (+1) This should get me another 11 points.

Since I'm starting to loose track of my own space programm, this is just a overview: Crafts 2*Moff Münar Lander Block I 2*Moff Münar Lander Block II 2*Vyr Pressurized Rover 2*Irfan Compact Outpost 3*Vader Crew Vehicle Block I&II 4*Gnosis Duna Lander 5*Tarkin Crew Launch Vehicle 8*Chorkun Heavy Cargo Lift Vehicle Missions PDPM01 - Unmanned suborbital flight PDPM02 - Unmanned LES test PDPM03 - Unmanned 3*Vader Lifeboat docking PDPM04 - Unmanned Mün fly-by PDPM05 - LKO test of 2*Moff PDPM06 - LMO test of 2*Moff PDPM07 - Space station crew exchange PDPM08 - Unmanned münar landing of 2*Moff PDPM09 - Manned münar landing (Münshot) PDPM10 - Unmanned 2*Irfan münar landing PDPM11 - Unmanned 2*Vyr münar landing PDPM12 - Manning the münar base PDPM13 - 4*Gnosis high speed reentry PDPM14 - 4*Gnosis manned LKO test Points Crew Launch Vehicle (Ares I) - Max 11 points Two stage rocket to LKO (+2) Does not jettison any radial stages (solid or liquid tanks/engines) (+2) Can carry Orion Block 1 to low orbit without using any fuel from the Orion service module (+1) Can carry Orion Block 2 to low orbit without using any fuel from the Orion service module (+2) Uses any solid fuel booster on first stage (+1) Uses only solid fuel on first stage (+3) Heavy Cargo Lift Vehicle (Ares V) - Max 11 points Five or six liquid engines on first stage (+3) Does not jettison any radial liquid tanks/engines (+2) Uses and jettisons at least two solid fuel boosters on first stage (+1) Two stage rocket to LKO: After the first stage is dropped, the second stage (EDS), carries payload to orbit (+2) Can carry the Earth Departure Stage (EDS) and Orion BLock 1 to low orbit without using any fuel from the EDS (+1) EDS Bonus: Second stage can put Orion Block 1 into Munar free-return trajectory (+2) Crew Vehicle (Orion) - Max 14 points Supports at least 4 crew (+4) Each crew over 4, up to 6 crew maximum (+1 each; max +2) Self-contained multi-purpose spacecraft: Launch Escape System (LES), Power, RCS fuel/thrusters, orbital maneuvering engine/fuel, docking port, probe core (+2) Service module: Before landing, drops orbital maneuvering engine and all it's fuel and at least a portion of RCS fuel (+2) Safely touches down on land and water (+1) Solar/battery electrical only (no RTG) (+2) Block 1/2 bonus: Develop a Block 2 with slightly higher delta-V. Block 1 is intended for low orbit missions and the Block 2 for Munar/deep space missions (+1) Munar Lander (Altair) - Max 19 points Supports 4 crew (+4) Each crew over 4, up to 6 crew maximum (+1 each; max +2) Can perform un-Kerballed landings without the use of an Orion spacecraft (Altair and EDS launched on Ares V) (+1) Can perform Munar orbit insertion from Kerbin-Mun trajectory for both an Altair and and Orion capsule (either Block I or II) without using any Orion fuel (+2) 2 stage lander with separate ascent stage (descent stage stays on Munar surface) (+2) Rover bonus: Can deploy at least one rover with seats for at least half (round up) of the lander crew (+3) Addition rover: Can deploy a second rover (same or different than first rover) (+1) Pressurized rover: Develop a rover that can seat at least two crew in a pressurized pod. This rover can be delivered with a crewed or uncrewed Altair lander, an Outpost Variant lander or a specialized Cargo Altair that brings only the rover (+2) Outpost Variant: Develop a version of the Altair that can land robotically and has enough room for 1.5 times your Altair landing crew size (round up). Eg. If your Altair lander seats 4, the Outpost Variant should have pressurized seats for 6. If your Altair lander seats 5, your Outpost Variant should seat 8. The Outpost Variant can have, but does not require, the ability to return from Munar surface. (+2) Duna Lander (Mars Direct) - Max 15 points Lander supports 4 crew (+4) Kerbin Return Vehicle capable of Kerbin return with either direct ascent to Kerbin or Duna Orbit Rendezvous with Kerbin return stage (+3) Rover bonus: Bring at least one rover with seats for at least half (round up) of the lander crew (+3) Addition rover: Bring a second rover (same or different than first rover) (+1) Develop a rover that can seat at least two crew in a pressurized pod. This rover can be delivered with either the Kerbin Return Vehicle or the Duna lander (+2) Outpost Variant: Develop the Duna lander to remain on Duna as a permanent outpost. The Duna landing mission should include pressurized seats for 1.5 times your crew size (round up). Eg. If your Duna lander seats 4, the Outpost Variant should have pressurized seats for 6. If your Duna lander seats 5, your Outpost Variant should seat 8 (+2) Mission Points (Max 59 points): Research and Development - Max 22 points Launch a boilerplate Orion capsule/EDS on suborbital flight using Ares I (+1) Perform an abort and recovery (LES) of an un-Kerballed Orion capsule using the Launch Escape System, while first stage is firing (+1) Launch and dock an unkerballed Orion Block 1 to the orbiting space station, for use as a lifeboat (+2) Using an Ares V and EDS, send an un-Kerballed Orion spacecraft into a free-return trajectory orbit to the Mun and perform a high speed re-entry test. Re-entry g-force must exceed 9g's (+2) Perform a LKO test of an Altair Munar lander. With at least one Kerbal on board, fly an Altair Munar lander at least 100km away from the Orion spacecraft. Dispose of the descent stage, then fly the ascent stage back to the Orion. Transfer the crew to the Orion then robotically control the ascent stage into a re-entry orbit (+3) Perform the above Altair test in Munar orbit using EOR mission (+1) Using an un-Kerballed Duna lander and an EDS on Ares V, perform a high-speed re-entry from at least 15,000km Ap. (+2) Launch an un-Kerballed Duna lander on Ares V into low orbit. Perform an orbital test and descent of the lander (crewed or uncrewed) (+3) Use an Ares I in at least one space station docking mission (+1) Use an Ares I in at least one Munar mission (flyby, orbital or landing) (+1) Use an Ares I in at least one Duna mission (flyby or landing) (+1) Use an Ares V in at least one Munar mission (orbital or landing) (+2) Use an Ares V in at least one Duna mission (flyby or landing) (+2) Space Station - Orion/Ares I - Max 3 points Have already successfully orbited an Orion with full crew and returned safely to Kerbin. Launch an Orion to the orbiting space station with at least 4 crew. Perform a crew exchange and return four Kerbals from the space station to Kerbin using the Orion. (+2) Return at least one Kerbal from the space station to Kerbin in an Orion which was docked robotically. This is a "liferaft" scenario intended to use the Orion left at the space station in "Research and Development" above. (+1) Mun - Orion/Ares I/Ares V/Altair - Max 14 points Have already docked an Orion to the space station (crewed or robotic) Land an un-Kerballed Altair on the Mun without the use of an Orion spacecraft (EDS and Altair only launched from Ares V) (+2) Demonstrate that your Altair can, on its own, brake the Orion and Altair into Mun orbit and perform a polar landing: north pole (>66°N), south pole (>66°S) (+2) Land at least 4 Kerbals in an Altair on the Mun within 1km of either above Altair (+3) Return four Kerbals from a Munar landing to Kerbin (+2) Munar Outpost: Using at least one crewed Altair lander, an Outpost Variant and a pressurized rover set up a Munar Outpost. The Outpost Variant can join a crewed Altair already on the Mun or can be part of a separate Altair/Outpost Variant mission to another location. The Altair and Outpost Variant need to be within 100m of each other. (+5) Duna - Orion/Ares I/Ares V/Duna Lander - Max 20 points Have already successfully completed a Mun landing and return with Orion and Altair Land an un-Kerballed Kerbin Return Vehicle on Duna. Can be either Duna-Kerbin direct ascent capable or dock with an orbiting Duna-Kerbin return stage (+4) At least 4 Kerbals pass withing 5000km of Duna (+2) Land at least four Kerbals on Duna within 10 km (100 km if by rover) of the above Duna lander. To earn these points, the un-Kerballed lander above must be landed and remain powered. Successful landing must take place before the landing crew has committed to Duna re-entry (+5) Duna Outpost: The Duna lander uses the Duna Outpost Variant which stays on the surface and includes a pressurized rover. (+3) Each landing crew over 4, up to 6 crew maximum (+1 each; max +2) Return the Duna landing crew and any remaining Duna orbiting crew to Kerbin (+4) Science Points (Max 7 points): Advanced Technology Large-Aperture Space Telescope: Using an Ares V/EDS, deploy a science package to Kerbol synchronous orbit (Pe and Ap at 1 508 045.29 km +/- 1000km) (+2) Altair descent stage science: +1 for each science-equipped Altair landed on Mun (maximum +3) Kerbin Return Vehicle: Pre-landed Kerbin return vehicle on the Duna mission contains a science package (+1) Duna Lander: Lander on the Duna mission contains a science package (+1)

At last! The potato-snack union has finally come to an agreement with our contractors and the Pressure Drop Program can continue! Munar Outpost: Using at least one crewed Altair lander, an Outpost Variant and a pressurized rover set up a Munar Outpost. The Outpost Variant can join a crewed Altair already on the Mun or can be part of a separate Altair/Outpost Variant mission to another location. The Altair and Outpost Variant need to be within 100m of each other. (+5) Altair descent stage science: +1 for each science-equipped Altair landed on Mun (+3)

A few degrees of pitch from the landing gear are okay. Diagonal separatrons are a no-go. (sry for beeing so terse. Using my smartphone)

Cake is basically right. If you achieve this turn by controlsurfaces everything is fine.

Thanks for the entry, capi However, I must inform you that points are calculated with kilometers in mind. So its 52.250*1.5=78.375 therefore you will get 78 points But I'm sure you can do better

Well, I never said what you can orbit - but leaving kerbin SOI will disqualify you. So I guess there is not much choice.

Seems like John FX understands the challenge But let me answer these questions myself, I will mosty just quote the original post: To which degree is RCS use allowed? Your craft may only use SRBs for propulsion. Can I use RCS thruster blocks to make course corrections/adjustments? Your craft may only use SRBs for propulsion. Can I use the newly added RCS-propelled engine? Your craft may only use SRBs for propulsion. Is there a limit to how much RCS I am allowed to bring along? No, but your craft may only use SRBs for propulsion. What's the bonus if we get in orbit of the Mun Leaving the Kerbin SOI will disqualify you. Can we use monopropellant to de-orbit our kerbals if we somehow reach HKO Your craft may only use SRBs for propulsion. Is it okay to use SRBs to launch a space plane which then returns to kerbin and uses liquid fuel to land safely? No liquid fuel on your craft allowed. I hope this answers all of your questions.

Now thats an interesting solution to the "too many participants for the forum poll function". I never even considered it.

I don't see any need to recreate this thread. I like it the way it is I'd prefer to see it go on to page 10.000 Now, I gues it's time for me to sew me a "I created a moster-thread" patch. Ah yes, and I started a small challenge over at the challenges-forum. I don't expect very many entries, but thats fine with me.

@manni01 You put me between a rock and a hard place. This is a very nice entry but you are missing the most vital information. For now I will add you to the highscore. But should any complaints arise I might have to remove you again.

Nah, I'm a big fan on stock challenges. Everyone should be able to participate and achieve maximum points with a fresh vanilla KSP installation. Also: Is reserving a place for your entry a thing now? Seems like I've been away far too long.

Yes, parachutes are allowed. Seperatrons are also allowed. Well, using the thrustlimiter is okay. Let me add the option to increase you multiplier by another 0.25 is all your SRBs are set to full power. I hope this is a good compromise.