SRV Ron

According to the engine indicators on the left, the lower stage has consumed all of its fuel. What shows on the right is total fuel left from the upper stages.

Closely watch what is happening when you drop the boosters. I have found that some setups cause the spent tanks to rotate inward to hit the center column. If that is the case, a pair of sepratrons properly placed will resolve the issue. In addition, if you are doing an orbital turn during the staging, you will end up turning the ship into a staging tank. You should be going straight during staging.

Interesting results, two FL-T200 cost $450 VS one FL-T400 at $850 for a savings of $400. In addition, I tested the design with one FL-T200 and a FL-T100. Cost $335 for both tanks. There was still enough fuel for orbit with some to spare. Had to throttle back some 1/2 way in the flight. And, I was able to crash the original probe into Mun. There may have been enough fuel with a better intercept for orbit. Bare min design; In Orbit; Stats; The Mun mission

Most certainly. Best to use for refueling rather then assemble for long range flight.

It appears to be a bug along with typing in names as well. May be something to do with clicking during a point in the program where the detection of input seems to be disabled.

I noticed that as well but figured the fewer parts the better. Could have saved $50 on the comm but it was causing control issues in flight. The extra fuel allows for polar orbit and flight higher up. One way mission to Mun impact may be possible.

Built a cheap SSTO orbiting probe from a description in the Challange forum. It worked even better as described after removing duplicate parts and balancing the remaining on the Stayputnik.

Actually, between the battery, Too Hot thermometer, and the Ox4w 2x3 solar panel, I got a balance without having to duplicate anything. Went with the more expensive comm due to air drag causing control issues on launch. Results; $300 Stayputnik $150 Comm (Cheaper one available if you can overcome stability during atmosphere flight.) $80 Battery. (Can be eliminated) $900 Too Hot. (To satisfy science requirement.) $380 Solar panel 2x3 $850 FL-T400 fuel can $300 477-s engine $2960

Cheap Probe One. Not only does it have a Science Bay, it had sufficient fuel to go to Mun in low orbit. Cheapskate Jeb Orbiter. 1. Stayputnik $300 2. Comm $150. (There is suppose to be one comm, not two as pictured) 3. Two Battery Packs $80 x 2 4. Science Jr $880 5. FL-T200 fuel can $225 6. Pair Ox Stat 2x3, $380 x2 7. 48-7s engine $300 8. TR2-C decoupler $450 9. Reaction Wheel $600, Needed to control the SRBs during launch phase as they are non vectoring. 10. RT-10 SRB set at 50% power $450 11. TR2-C decoupler $450 12. BACC SRB set at 75% power $800 Total cost, $5525 Performace, low orbit Mun or Minmus. I have since moved the reaction wheel to the second booster since the Stayputnik can control flight of the remaining probe. I can cut the cost more by eliminating one battery and one solar collector.

Simple three stage from Career, more then enough fuel to orbit Mun and return.

That's what allows this huge design to place 100+ tons into orbit. And beyond

Better yet, don't even include antennas on your manned pods until you have unlocked solar panels. Until then, use the SAS sparingly until you get the panels. Once you have solar panels, you will be able to use the Stayputnik for probes to explore deep space and to land on other worlds. Keep in mind that the LV-909 does not have a generator, so, when doing a Mun or Minmus flyby mission, keep the SAS turned off except as needed for control during a burn. You will lose control of your rocket should the battery go dead.

Balancing of thrust to weight ratios throughout launch to orbit can make a difference of having a 760 ton rocket placing a payload of 108 tons in orbit, or needing 1500+ tons to acomplish the same goal. This is often where the varied selection of engines from mods, such as KW Rocketry and Nova Punch can help out with performance design. Tweak-able SRBs are going to be a big factor in efficiency in the initial launch phase.

There may have been a change in aerodynamic since some Career Mode designs from 0.22 are now quite tippy in powered flight. Tier 0 designs are also more prone to falling apart on landing or losing a chute. And, before updating or downloading, make a backup of your KSP 0.22, remove all mods and saves from the original install, then update it. Mods can be added later as they get updated.

Command pods now carry mono prop. (No thrusters at present built in.) No doubt, to limit what your Kerbal can use for EVA. Mass of the pod reflects the limited on board monoprop for use by your EVA Kerbal. (Not yet tested if that fuel gets used across decouplers by thrusters placed elsewhere.)

Rather then build a big complex ship, start simple and make Minmus your first lander target. It,s low gravity and seas make landing much easier. Then, go for Mun and finally Duna. A simple Duna lander; Just be sure to fire the retro to reduce touchdown speed to avoid damage. Be sure to land in daylight.

Best to start simple, right click to activate banner for selecting crew reports, do an EVA at apogee with a report, land, eva and do a report and soil sample, then recover vessel. Best to recover vessel rather then attempt transmitting data as that takes tons of battery power. Once you unlock solar panels and extra batteries, you will be good for transmitting data. Simple first rocket, note staging. Simple sub orbiter in tier one with goo canisters. Recover them for max science points. Later stage probe lander. Enjoy and succeed by starting simple.

Tweakables extended the range of single SRBs by about 35% Tried spin stabilized. Didn't work. Then, tried dual angled small engines to counter drop. Still get the yaw to the left. However, got in a good flight with the Mainsail and two orange tanks. Results of stock only;

Note that Jeb has long gone Voyager on the five part design. It doesn't count since he will never land anywhere. (He does have enough fuel to brake back into a long elliptical orbit and could crash back, no chute, on Kerban given enough time to get an aerobraking intercept. Good flying with the six part to get an intercept with that much fuel left.

I noticed one SRB wobbled for a second after hitting the launch clamp. Otherwise, it did not change orientation during the entire duration of the flight. I suspect that stacking will not result in any range gain. That can only work with stacks of fuel cans on a big liquid engine balanced against gravity. I tried spin stabilization with fins which was not enough. I may try rocket spin with either small SRBs or ant engines. Note, the rocket used needs to have a picture on the launch pad to verify it has been tilted 5x9 or 45* for launch. If quick, you can save a screenshot as the launch clamps drop with the Navball verifying the starting trajectory. Less then 45* from vertical greatly affects how it will fly. What it does after launch from a 45 is fair game for interplanetary flight. Get it to orientate itself vertical with enough fuel and it will go interplanetary. Otherwise, the lower in the atmosphere the flight the shorter the distance flown.

Found a bug to disqualify SRBs as a single part rocket. They fly perfectly straight as if they have a built in SAS. Stock SRBs also have the same bug. (The old short one blows up about 15 seconds from overheating.) Even the big SRB from Novapunch Place a nosecone on them and they will arc over into the ground unless counter balanced by the ant engine.

"With only 10 you'll have to think." And, use good piloting and navigation skills to do a Jool mission with a landing on one of its moons with a two stage all stock rocket.

It flies quite well. The center tank feeds the twin LV-N till it runs out. Bracing properly is the key to stability. When rockets fall apart on the pad, there are serious stability and bracing issues to be sorted out.

Older all stock design.

790+tons, 108 tons in orbit. KW Rocketry and Nova Punch mods used. Payload to Jool is stock.