Speeding Mullet

Ahhhh its so good to see LLL parts again. Easily my favorite base part mod back in the day. I couldn't find a "continued" thread, is someone still maintaining it per chance? Normally @linuxgurugamer brings these back from the depths or Laythe and I believe has in the past. Not a request LGG get back to the shuttle thread. SM

Like every good story this was full of nearlies, maybe's, might just works, and a fist full of derring-do. thanks for taking the time to put it into mission reports . I've often toyed with the idea of installing a planet pack once I was over the stock system. That still hasn't happened but i'm interested in any recommendations! SM

Welcome to the forums @ShuttleHugger! Always good to see a fellow shuttle builder A lot of us hang out at the Shuttle Challenge and by the looks of your initial mission report you would be in line for some of the badges if that was your thing also! Look forward to seeing the shuttle fly! SM

Central core liftoff courtesy of future productions imagery emporium This is an ongoing mission report and on completion subsequent entry for @Death Engineering's "Das Dunaprojekt" or Duna von Braun Style challenge. This mission has always been unfinished business for me. I originally signaled intent in October 2014 and started my first foray into one of Death's challenges,which are regarded as detailed, well thought out, and challenging. Fast forward to April 2015 and I'd melted my copy of KSP under the weight of mods and irretrievably broken my game, and my will to play KSP for some time afterwards. Here is my failed Dunaprojekt. Fast forward again...nearly 4.5 years. I present my unfinished business - A collaboration of Goliath National Products, C7 Aerospace, Maxo Construction Toys, Probodobodyne, Steadlier Engineering Corps, and of course Dinkelstein Kerman's Construction Emporium: VON BRAUNCANO - A DAS DUNAPROJEKT MISSION REPORT Von Brauncano ejection burn by concept artist and backup mission pilot Summer Kerman As we go through the mission report you will see Mission Logs numbers with links to the full mission detail, and below each link to the imgur album with full details you will see a mission summary by way of some explanation and a couple of pertinent pictures. Mission Log 1 - The Construction Phase: The mission could only ever be achieved by working together - The main customer Mullet Dyne was well aware of the limited time and resources and drove the subcontractors hard. One by one the modules rolled in on the specially commissioned Bumvy 1850FBT. The FBT (Fairly Big Tractor) is shown here with one of the huge side core's being delivered to the VAB, straight from Dinkelstein Kerman's Construction Emporium: Image courtesy of Dinkelstein Kerman's Construction Emporium Fully integrated inside the huge VAB, we can now see what the mission specs will be. No broken records here, but none the less we are keeping things within reason and not entering too many engineering death spirals which has seen the demise of many of my missions: Image courtesy of Mullet Dyne Mission Statistics: Version - Stock 1.7.0 Wet weight - 198.585t Dry weight - 124.575t Total mission cost - 293,809 snacks Propellant mass fraction - 0.3726867588 Mass per crew - 33.0975 Science points - This is not a science mission Crew Manifest: Gusbert Kerman - Scientist Hans Kerman - Scientist Kagas Kerman - Pilot Ragas Kerman - Pilot Endous Kerman - Engineer Dudgar Kerman - Engineer The leg work is done and all construction and integration complete thanks to the enormous efforts of both Mullet Dyne and its supplier. We can marvel at the core of the Von Brauncano ready to launch on the epic mission to Duna, and by Eve on the way home. Will I break my copy of KSP with an over engineered monster, or will the stability of stock KSP these days see us through to the end. Only one way to find out... Image courtesy of Mullet Dyne Thanks for reading everyone. I know another Duna mission on the face of it is nothing special, but hopefully the nature of the challenge, and a couple of surprises along the way will make it worth checking in on. SM

I've only just come back after a year out of KSP. Welcome back. You are insanely talented, the mission was excellent. I made a detachable cockpit once I think, ah yes here's the album. Great work on the mission! Well, I finished this mission on July 16, but what with time, and imgur not playing ball at all, I only just finished uploading the pictures. It was a massive mission in itself just organising the screenshots into something resembling order, as I ran two missions concurrently (but separately) for the Duna STS-2 and 3 missions. there was also a support package as allowed in the STS-2 mission. OK here goes. You will have a link and "best" picture for each part of the mission. Click on the link to view the full report from that section. Hopefully its not too onerous! Duna STS-2 Support, STS-2, and STS-3 Launches Kerbin > Duna Legs for STS-2 Support, STS-2 and STS-3 Duna STS-2 Support, STS-2 and STS-3 plane changes Duna STS-2 Sunrise Module Drop off and Ike landing Duna STS-3 Duna arrival Duna STS-2 Duna landing operations Duna STS-3 Von Braun Ground Operations Duna STS-3 - Eve Operations Duna STS-2 - The return home! Duna STS-3 - The return home! The gag reel: I'm running a few other missions at the moment, and toying with the idea of a couple of interesting missions, but I think I'm also eyeing up the Laythe missions. When I set them originally I never thought I'd actually be good enough to do them, but you never know. SM

I'm sure its been said but to say it again. NASA could learn a lot from KSP players! Yes, this was just an IVA view. I did used to have a telescope mod installed, but I'm running pure stock these days so I don't descend into design spiral. Speaking of that, to send the Shuttles on the next Duna missions I just added a couple of aerobrakes and mining system, so hardly changed at all. In fact, I've completed Duna STS 2 and STS 3 over the last 7 days around other commitments and will be uploading the report once I can sit down and get the screenshots together. I ran the missions at the same time (but separate) and honestly it was a time saver, but also quite complex. Not as complex as realising that one of my probes didn't have the required fuel to make the required orbit, which resulted in roughly 86 aerobraking maneuvers around Eve to lower the Ap to the required level. that alone took a couple of hours over an evening. Couple of teasers: The view from Eve as seen from the Shuttle Brunch STS-3. A moment of beauty and serenity set against a genuine fight for the crews survival: POOPR (POlar Orbit Precision Relay) burning to capture at Duna. Well made probes can sometimes provide the best screenshots. Everything here lined up perfectly: I'll sort out the mission reports over the next few days but I've got a lot on so please bear with me SM

Its not as cutting edge as pointy end upwards, but its pretty avant-garde thinking! . Raner had a blast and is already under pre-selection for a long stay at Duna as mission engineer. Yep, I tend to go over detailed, but this is probably less detailed than I used to be to be honest! Thanks for the badge. I've just prepared the mission report for Duna STS-1 ready for your adjudication Full Mission Report - https://imgur.com/a/qpKOeB1 the next task is to convert the shuttle for surface operations on Duna. This will require some level of modification, but probably not a huge amount. The shuttle just seems to be brilliantly capable! SM

So I believe it is literally as I was hungry and it was roughly brunch time, but I can't prove that, so it is in fact shrouded in mystery and the truth, although out there - will never be known. Why thanks very much indeed!! I'll readily admit to not sitting down for the full 4 hours, but skipping through the pertinent bits I'd like to say wow, and well done on this mission. It takes a lot of work (and time) to do stuff like this. Don't you love it when you can measure the size and complexity of your mission by the increase in frame-rate between launch and landing . Right - the LOP-G Missions, or MOP-G in my case. I designed the payloads on Wednesday, and flew the missions Wednesday and Thursday night / Friday afternoon. Here are my missions for the commander badge. Mission 2 is reasonably straight forwards, but mission 1 and 2 both included spur of the moment bonus sub missions for the hell of it, and for further capability testing in advance of the next set of missions. MOP-G Mission 1 - https://imgur.com/a/sBsSAD1 MOP-G Mission 2 - https://imgur.com/a/Hr6YuC2 MOP-G Mission 3 - https://imgur.com/a/K7A7MaF MOP-G Orbit change - https://imgur.com/a/O5e5Jrm I guess next up I really need to visit Duna now. Need to work on the ET and general shuttle framework a little for these ones most likely, especially judging by others! SM

Everyone was looking forward to the next launch in the schedule. Someone had decided that the latest vanity project, the MOP-G was the ideal way to not visit the Mun. The PPE module was aboard the strangely named Shuttle "Brunch" and on lift off everything looked good for the completion of Mun STS-5. But wait - What happened to that rocket motor? Full Mission report - https://imgur.com/a/gWBn9yL Proof of altitude: Unfortunately I failed to read the instructions and landed at the Island airfield instead of KSC as directed. I'm hoping you will class this as a pass for an "old stager" though as all other missions allow landing at this secondary strip, it made it more challenging, and I could easily have landed the shuttle at KSC if I wanted If not I guess I'll do it for a third time, but I'm kinda itching to get stuck into the Mun STS mission! SM

Waaah no I didn't I don't think. I raised the Ap above 70km (just) so with aero forces during the pitcharound for sure this would have dropped below 70km. Highest I have a screenshot of though is: The shuttle is probably capable of doing a jool 5 before pad abort, but rules is rules I will run the mission again tonight and post the report! Maybe not stealing ideas haha. Wow that's a beast SM

Why thanks very much! It does seem to perform remarkably well, so I'm for once looking forward to flying some new missions! Saving the Atlant was pure luck. I just assumed it lost! Thanks! Nice to be hanging out here again among friends. I'll leave the robotics for the moment. Trying to keep things simple to avoid over complicating things and ending up in the same trap as last time! I think there's a reason they called the mod "infernal" robotics I honestly don't remember whether I ever completed the Duna missions beyond sending a Shuttle there as a plausibility test before publishing the missions. I'll be interested to read the mission report, and rip off some of your quality ideas . I just completed another mission - STS-2T Abort. I did this for an easy badge as part of easing myself back in, and to further test my shuttles capability. Its called Brunch for some reason?! Full Mission Report - https://imgur.com/a/taPioS4 Again an enjoyable mission, thanks! I need to back track and work out which missions I have not done. I think I've not done (possible edits to come): Mun STS 5 through 7 Duna STS 1 through 3 Jool STS 1 Eve STS 1 STS 3T through 6T I think I can at least LOP-G with minimal modification to the current shuttle, so perhaps I'll work on that casually SM

Getting to / doing Moho is considered the hardest location in KSP as far as I am aware, but given you have been to all other planets I am sure you will be fine the flying skyscraper was on the large side and included a lander with room for 2, orbital outpost with room for 24, and return vehicle with habitat supporting a crew of 3 on an extended return mission. Full details in the mission report I linked in my post above, but in essence it was a very silly thing to do. Tall - 50.2 meters to be precise. Not the tallest out there but nearly the height of the VAB and certainly long enough to experience massive noodling Wide - Almost exactly 25 meters each way. It's both long and very chubby Heavy - Four thousand five hundred tonnes, and seven hundred kilos (snacks). the trans Moho injection vehicle and payload alone are over 800 tonnes Computer crushing - 608 parts on the launch pad. Could be worse but it's not friendly. Luckily Gerty 3000 was up to the job Expensive - 1,659,692 things. I was running an i5 4690K, GTX 970 Strix, and 16 Gig of pretty decent Ram, SSD etc. Seemed to work fine on full everything, but this was March 2016 and I'm sure the game has changed quite a lot since. I'm literally only just booting up KSP and visiting the forum for the first time in over a year myself. good luck with the mission - Link the report if you get a chance! SM

I can certainly tell you how not to do it: Seriously though, a few tips: Unless you want to end up with the above, the shave weight at every opportunity in order to build in fuel margin. If it isn't mission critical - Strip it out. Pack extra delta-V though. You will use it... Plan your launch window and transfer very carefully. Moho above all requires precision, otherwise your transfer or capture costs go through the roof. There are a few different ways of getting to Moho, but I believe the best option is to deal with your inclination at the ejection burn, which puts you in good shape for arrival from the start. You should be able to achieve the transfer for around 4-4.5K delta-V from memory if you are snappy. Have a High TWR for your capture burn if it is possible. You will be melting past Moho with gusto if you fly anything like me. Unless anything has changed, plan for about 1.5km/s to get to the surface in your lander, and build in maybe 3km/s overall. Getting down and back up from Moho isn't much harder than Mun, so a similar lander would suit to be honest. You don't need ladders from memory, and I doubt you need mono with inboard SCS so leave it behind. 1 tiny solar panel will pump the power out so don't use more unless mining. Here is a great post thanks to @Geschosskopf which explains your options in some more detail with respect to the transfer: Moho is hard. We are hear for you SM

Still taking my first tentative steps in KSP and on this forum after a year out. This looked like a fun challenge that wouldn't see me bogged down in my usual ridiculous over designing. I made one first that broke the rules (I didn't read the rules), you will note how smooth takeoff is with SCS on: Then I settled down and designed a simple but definitely asymmetrical plane: Link to Gallery - https://imgur.com/a/zXzBxLO Thanks @Klapaucius I had fun, and that's been missing for a while. SM

A tentative hello to the KSP community after almost a year away . I wasn't a big name on the forums particularly, but most well known probably for running V4 of this challenge, and doing some really overly complex missions including Jool 5's, Elcano's, and plenty of other shenanigans. Oh yes I built a few Shuttles too! Good to see the Shuttle Challenge still going strong and indeed growing after all this time. @michal.don and everyone else - Hi again, and @4x4cheesecake Here's an entry for old time's sake. I threw together a Myasishchev VM-T Atlant and a new Buran style shuttle and did the STS-1T Approach and Landing test: Link to Mission report - https://imgur.com/a/5pKod8l Not too bad for first KSP boot up in a year I'm back baby (maybe). SM

Hi there! How's the shuttle challenge going Yep - I'm planning some off window high energy packets to Duna around the first window at this stage. Launching at day 310 you can still get a transfer to Duna for a reasonable Ejection Δv. I am however considering scrapping my fairing requirement, as to be honest the fairings do contribute unfairly to the weight of the module's. A good example is the Duna Navigator and Habitation packages. both have a weight of 35t without fairings, or 45t with fairings, which seems a little silly when I could plonk an inflatable heat shield on at a cost of 1.5t to do the same job. This would mean I'd be able to launch module 2 on around day 250 and just scrape into the very end of the launch window. EDIT - Bit of a redesign now occurring this weekend to shave some weight off where I can! SM

The "Habitation module" that I showed in the post is a module destined for the second transfer window. As the NPM of my rocket is 45t, I can only boost 2 payloads to Duna in the first window - The fairings count for the total payload as I'm placing the requirement of aero-brakes around Duna require shrouded payloads (where as EDL doesn't as it won't incur visible re-entry heating) As a consequence I will definitely have to sacrifice a good portion of the 45t to propellant in the fist two modules to Duna as I won't have any IPT's available. A DAV, some supplies (I've decided to use Ore instead of a life support, because I just don't have time to work it out, and I am familiar with ore from the last time I did this challenge), a habitation package, and a Duna orbital platform module, as well a small DSN are likely features of the first two packages. I reckon only a crew of 4 on the first transfer window, but if I'm clever I might be able to squeeze 8 in there or more! The plan is for 16 total on the ground in the second Duna arrival, and nearly 50 by the 4th or 5th arrival. That's going to be a great group photo!! SM

Still very time limited but I thought I would check in, as I have made some (if limited) progress. Most people that know me on these forums will understand that I design to death and love making things as neat and aesthetically pleasing as possible, as well as functional. I've upgraded my NPM to 45t which means I can launch less often, but there's a bit of a sweet spot to be had around here with some transfers occurring after the window, but without incurring too higher energy so won't be too highly penalised for launching extra packages slightly late. The Duna Navigator that will complete the Elcano is now packaged up and ready to fly. The package itself is highly controllable, with a fully fitted out entry, descent and landing module which will be common across almost all modules: The Habitation package features two modules, each made for a crew of 4. Bolted to the common EDL package, it is capable of performing multiple deep space maneuvers, as well as a whole EDL sequence. This means the IPT's can boost the modules on escape from Kerbin, and return if required to boost the next module away. The EDL system is so accurate that both modules will land safely within a few hundred meters of each other on the surface of Duna (I hope) and use the small retractable wheels to join together and negotiate a short path to flat land. Movement is certainly limited, so landing site selection is critical for the success of the missions. On the front of each habitation package are two deep space relays which will provide considerable communication and automated control capability from Kerbin to Duna orbit. Here it is all packaged up with the Common EDL module and ready for shipping: These are actually modules designed for later shipping to Duna around the second transfer window. The first window allows for two launches on my schedule, so economics of weight dictate that I launch Hole Shot Missions (HSM's) where the SLV will boost lighter weight packages with enough propellant to make the trip to Duna without the need for an IPT. A smaller initial base module, a DAV, and a couple of other things are in store for designing over the weekend. Lastly, and just for fun, and because I quite like it - Here's a packaged up module heading off for final checks before being put into launch ready storage: SM

As promised here's a couple of shots of the Duna Navigator which I will be doing an Elcano circumnavigation of Duna with during my challenge entry. I think this is nearly final form, although weighing in at 28t with all tanks empty, I'm either going to have to find some efficiencies, or slightly increase my NPM to a shade over 30t so I can package it in fairings (not essential, but in the spirit of my rules regarding aerobraking around Duna I require it). It's a pretty capable machine, with ground tests on Kerbin showing stability at speeds over 90m/s. At the front end we have a communications blister, detailed survey scanner and cupola command centre, as well as 4 braking engines. Moving back down the land train, we have lower and upper decks. Lower decks are engineering, made up almost entirely of an ore processing module which will serve to refuel the main tanks as we circumnavigate. at the rear of the lower decks we also have 4 small engines to help the Duna Navigator up steep slopes, or when I get bored and want to go fast. As going fast is extremely risky, there is also a parachute braking system in place for when I go too large. On the top deck we have space for 1 in the cupola, followed by a twin sided airlock with access to balconies. Moving back we have a secondary command module with a capacity of 2, followed by a large extending habitation module with flat screens, sofas, a kitchen, and living spaces. Behind this we have a science module with capacity for a further 2. 4 Kerbals living in supreme comfort will be circumnavigating Duna in this machine. Let's hope it is up to the challenge! More to follow once finished SM

I haven't had heaps of time to put to this in the last week, but I have moved forward with the basic design for my habitation modules and, more importantly, my Duna Elcano vehicle is now well developed and in final refinement iterations. As its by far the most complicated aspect of my mission (it needs to be user friendly and easy to drive in a complete circumnavigation) I'm spending a lot of time trying to get it right. I'll post some pictures later which are sure to impress. All it needs now is it's Descent entry and landing system integration and it's ready for warehousing in advance of the mission proper. SM

I'm using Kerbal Planetary Base Systems, as stock base building (in the fashion I like to build) is all but broken due to autostruts on landing legs. It has a greenhouse (among lots of other modules), supports TAC and 7 other life support mods including kerbalism which I intend to use. It also gets around the autostrut landing leg / decoupled tractor to move modules issue by having it's own retractable wheel set that doesn't make your base look like wheel/leg spaghetti. SM

Oh wow, that's so long ago I forgot it was a thing! With life support I've always wanted to try out Kerbalism. It models radiation, Van Allen belts, magnetosphere's, solar weather including coronal mass ejections as well as all the biological, psychological, and general environmental needs of the crew. You have to be careful about where you position yourself in space, be aware of temperature fluctuations and loads more. Looks to be pretty challenging compared to taking ore on the trip and allowing for the extra Delta V, but then I've never used a life support mod before! We will see if I go down that road. I've got so much experience building and connecting large structures on Duna now that I'm sure I will figure out the re-supply thing again . So much of this feels like playing for the first time again though. I mind blanked on quick save and load yesterday! Loving the objectives and achievements by the way. @Kerbolitto not to step on Death's toes, but to answer your question - You can launch the first rocket after 40 days with any payload you choose within the confines of your Standard Launch Vehicle's (SLV) nominal payload mass (NPM). Basically the largest weight your SLV can loft determines your NPM, but also how often you can launch. Bearing in mind that once designed your SLV is fixed and must be used for all launches, I would think about your mission cycle before deciding on what NPM your SLV will have. Or you could just wing it, it'll be heaps fun either way . SM

I think I speak for all who completed this challenge between 2013 and 2015 when I say that I am extremely glad to see it refreshed. This post most definitely marks my intent to re-enter the world of KSP! For all who are reading this and want a challenge that will test you as much as any other out there and give KSP some game-play definition, I would highly recommend taking part - This is a true heritage challenge! First step for me is to mod up and do a LOT of thinking. Advice to anyone considering an entry to this is to do a little spread-sheeting. Feel free to check out my previous entry or any of @Death Engineering's or other peoples detailed entries. The old OP is a wealth of good information and guidance that could be relevant to this challenge. Undecided as to whether I am going to simulate life support or use a mod but the basics of what I would like to achieve are: 1) Enjoy myself. I'm not going for any particular score, just immersion as much as it is possible. 2) Develop an SLV and mission test by launching and assembling an LKO station in modules for staging crew on outbound and return legs. 3) Develop a space-plane to phase out the shuttle and act as a reliable and cheap crew transport to and from LKO. 4) Develop IPT and associated refuel module, DAV, Hole-shot missions, and all other associated space and ground exploration packages. 5) Use the architecture and ongoing mission to support an Elcano of Duna From there (assuming I make it) I would only make one suggestion for this thread, which for me was lacking in the last one: At day 800 or 1000 or somewhere after you first crew are likely to make it home I'd love to see the Kerbal Federation finish development of a second SLV which could be used to support Laythe Outpost Mission Architecture, either as a bolt on to this challenge, or separate and associated thread Great work bringing this one back from the boondocks!! Edit - I see you've also made a couple of changes like the days in that the first rocket is available for launch etc. SM

This might bring me back to KSP. Bring me back Death Engineering!! Might get a head start on it SM

There's a couple on the front page available for re-boot, or you could go deep trawling in the bowels of the challenge forum to find one that really should be a heritage challenge. that was half the fun of OP'ing this page for me! Good luck, and thanks for picking this up! EDIT - There's also quite a lot of clean up required from previous posts on challenges to open and close / replace etc. SM