Astraph

Mushot I Objectives: - Perform soft manned landing on the Mun ✆- Perform EVA on Munar surface ✖ - Collect surface samples ✖ - Return to Kerbin with all the data for processing ✖ Craft used: KE-003 + Munshot I Crew: 1 Cost: 45,962 Total mass: 86,190 kg Ship mass: 5,035 kg Science collected: 77 Economy: 9,128 / t & 597 / science Despite POISK's failrue, KSP has given order for the Munshot program to proceed to the final phase. A skyscrapper-like KE-003 was designed, utilising new generation Maverick and Vesta thrusters. Correcting some critical flaws of its predecessor, it was ready to put the first kerbed interplannetary craft into orbit. The mission plan was simple; to land in the middle of Mun's crater, collect surface samples and perform temperature checks, then return to Kerbin. Extra caution was given to selecting landing spot; following the failrue of POISK, KSP wanted to make sure their precious equipment would touch the Mun without any issue. However, a critical design flaw became evident just before touchdown; just before landing, the gear deployment mechanism jammed. Athough the Munshot lander was perfectly capable of aborting the landing procedure and head straight back into orbit, Jebediah decided to risk landing on the surface directly, as it was tested in one of the simulations. Despite making the touchdown delicate as possible, the tall lander lost stability soon after reaching surface. An emergency engine reactivation failed to blast the ship off the surface - and as a result Jebediah became the first Kerbal on the Mun... Luckily, the crucial life support and communication mechanisms remained operational - so Jebediah was at least able to wait for a rescue mission to be set up...

Preparation Of Interplanetary Surface Kontraptions (POISK) The second step in preparation for a kerbed landing was a robotic landing, aimed to investigate surface conditions. Additionally, the probe was to return, carrying the first samples of Munar rocks and dust for scientists on Kerbin to investigate. Kepanik designed a completely new, three-stage launcher for this mission, dubbed KE-002. It was used to deliver an automated lander into LKO, which was then planned to reach the Mun, land softly on the surface, collect all the data desired, and finally blast off back towards Kerbin. Equipped with freshly perfected solar panels, it was designed to function for an indefinite amount of time, unlike the OKO probes before it. The approach and descent proceeded without issue. However, due to landing site being chosen hastly and without sufficient observation conducted, the proble found itself on a slope too steep to maintain balance and simply toppled over. Luckily, the shock was insufficient to damage scientific instruements, and the mission has been at least partly salvaged - the data has been beamed to KSC, and stable contact with the probe has been maintained. Objectives: - Perform soft landing on Mun ✆- Collect surface samples ✖ - Return them back to Kerbin ✖ -> Craft used: KE-002 + POISK - Crew: 0 - Cost: 38,405 - Total mass: 59,458 kg - Ship mass: 6,050 kg - Science collected: 12,8 - Economy: 6,348 / t & 3,000 / science

Munarne Orbitalne Laboratorium (MOL) First images sent from the Mun caused a great deal of enthusiasm in KSC; not only it was proven that reaching the Mun is actually possible, it also appeared radiation levels were not lethal for living beings. In order to evaluate potential landing sites, as well as collect as much data as possible, a kerbed flyby mission was designed. A modular spaceship consisted of three main elements; proper vessel and two symmetrical laboratory modules. These labs were fitted with a simple return system, allowing to retrieve them from LKO without bringing the whole ship down. Carried into orbit by KE-001B rocket, the ship successfully tested the CRS by delivering both laboratory capsules back to Kerbin, then proceeded with a Munar flyby. Using a free return trajectory, the laboratory got 292 km from the Mun at apoapsis, then began its unpowered return. Using an extensive power supply, Jebediah constantly beamed all crew reports, including a brief EVA during closest Mun approach. Objectives: - Complete kerbed Munar flyby ✆- Conduct experiments of HKO ✆- Conduct experiments on HMO ✆- Conduct experiments on LMO ✖ - Test Capsule Retrieval System (CRS) ✆-> Craft used: KE-001B + MOL - Crew: 1 - Cost: 44,572 - Total mass: 83,413 kg - Ship mass: 4,910 kg - Science collected: 179,4 - Economy: 9,078 / t & 248 / science

Danny2345 would be proud.

A natural second step in space exploration was a mission to Kerbin's two satellites - Mun and Minimus. However, kerbed flight has been considered too dangerous for the current phase of development, as the light, portable life support systems have not been perfected yet. Instead, the KSP has decided to revert to unkerbed missions. The Oko probe was designed to be a small, compact device. Lacking solar panels or any other external sources of power, it relied on a fixed energy supply to approach its target, collect all the data avalible and transmit it back to Kerbin. Using the KE-001 launcher (effectively a perfected, mass-produced version of MEL III), two Oko probes have been put into LKO with no issues. Mun I's approach to Kerbin's larger satellite and data transmission, including first photographs of munar surface, were completed with no issues, after which the probe was put into hibernation and carried on to an eccentric graveyard orbit around Kerbin. Minimus I however suffered a minor failrue due to orbit miscalculation; instead of passing within 50-100 kilometres like Mun I, it passed Minimus within over 3,000 km, resulting in only partial data being collected. The probe lacked fuel to correct this, however, so the KSC had to stick to the original plan and followed its accelerated flight path into the a heliocentric orbit. Project Oko Objectives: -> Mun I: - Complete Munar flyby ✆- Collect data from both high and low Munar orbits ✆- Transmit results back to Kerbin ✆-> Minimus I: - Complete Minimus flyby ✆- Collect data from both high and low Minimus orbits ✖ - Transmit results back to Kerbin ✆-> Craft used: KE-001 + Oko probe - Crew: 0 - Cost: 19,685 - Total mass: 20,185 kg - Ship mass: 2,190 kg - Science collected: 22,14 - Economy: 8,989 / t & 889 / science

Folllowing the partial (at best) success of Monitor II, the KSP had enlisted the help of Kepanik Kerman, pioneer of rocket design. His remodeled carrier was dubbed MEL III, despite being only loosely based on the previous incarnations of the series. Apart from being turned into a fully-fledged three stage rocket, MEL III was powered exclusively by liquid motors. The additional power has proven enough to put the capsule into orbit - allowing Jebediah Kerman to take first detailed pictures of Kerbin's equatoral area. After one full orbital circle, the craft was turned round and the re-entry phase began. After half an hour in space, the capsule touched down on the Kerbastan Desert. With this success, the Monitor program has been concluded. First steps have been made - the time has come for more ambitious goals... Monitor III -> Objectives: - Attain stable LKO ✆- Conduct orbital experiments ✆- Compose an orbital map of Kerbin equatoral regions ✆-> Craft used: Monitor Experimental Launcher III - Crew: 1 - Cost: 18,787 - Total mass: 32,145 kg - Ship mass: 2,865 kg - Economy: 6,557 / t & 341 / science

The success of Monitor I prompted a next, more ambitious mission; to attain stable Kerbal orbit and conduct basic experiments in zero-g environment. The MEL has been refitted with three solid rocket boosters to increase its delta-V capabilities. However, although the craft attained a semi-stable LKO (with perikerb high enough to sustain at least one full circle between atmospheric drag forcing the capsule back to the surface), the KSC ordered Jebediah to brake down and re-enter before the first full circle was complete. Nevertheless, all planned experiments have been carried out. Monitor II -> Objectives: - Attain stable LKO ✖ - Conduct orbital experiments ✆-> Craft used: Monitor Experimental Launcher II - Crew: 1 - Cost: 9,797 - Total mass: 16,278 kg - Ship mass: 1,200 kg

The development of rocketry sciences in the past few decades has finally allowed fulfillment of kerbinity's great dream; reaching outside its home planet, into the cold vastness of space. Not suprisingly, it were the Klavs, as the most advanced nation on the planet, who took the lead. The first step was to test all the crucial technologies required to safetly attain orbit and return. In order to do so, a series of experimental flights was planned, using ad-hoc designed and modified test vehicles. Monitor I -> Objectives: - Achieve sub-orbital flight ✆- Conduct basic in-flight experiments ✆- Return to Kerbin ✆-> Craft used: Monitor Experimental Launcher - Crew: 1 - Cost: 7,497 - Total mass: 12,240 kg - Ship mass: 1,200 kg

Table of contents: 1) The Monitor Program 1.1) Monitor I 1.2) Monitor II 1.3) Monitor III 2) The Oko Program 3) Project Munshot 3.1) Munarne Orbitalne Laboratorium 3.2) Preparation Of Interplanetary Surface Kontraptions 3.3) Munshot I 3.4) Oko-II 4) POISK-II 5) Badacz 6) Latawiec Achievements: -> First Kerbal in space: Jebediah Kerman (Monitor I) -> First Kerbal on the Mun: Jebediah Kerman (Munshot I) -> First Kerbal on Minimus: Bill Keman (Badacz) -> First orbital flight: Jebediah Kerman (Monitor III) -> First Mun soft landing: POISK -> First Munar flyby: Mun I -> First Minimus soft landing: POISK-II -> First Minimus flyby: Minimus I -> First Eve soft landing: Latawiec -> First heliocentric orbit achieved: Minimus I Records set: -> Longest flight: POISK-II (17d 11h 43m) -> Most economical launch (cost to mass): Monitor III (6,557 / t) -> Most economical launch (cost to science): POISK-II (141 / science) -> Most flights: Jebediah Kerman (5; Monitor I-III, MOL, Munshot I) -> Most Kerbals in space at the same time: Monitor I (1) -> Most science collected: Badacz (Minimus; 369)

Hello guys! I've recently blown the dust of my Steam and rediscovered the magical world of Kerbal Space Program! Immediately, I started thinking about making kind of an AAR... But I realised I have no concrete project to think of. Instead... Well, I decided to just launch a career mode and go with the flow. Wonder where will this take me ^^' Here's a couple of home rules I've made: -> No mission revert. If the craft explodes on launch - tough luck. If I miscalculate delta v - again, poor chap. -> No mechanics abuse (intake stacking, clipping) -> Mods used: KAS, B9, KW Rocketry, Kerbal Engineer, Alarm Clock, Kethane I'll also keep track of the project's milestones, as well as records being set as the program progresses. So, enjoy the read!

Thanks, but my computer is already struggling to load & maintain this little amount of mods ^^' Maybe after an upgrade in some future I'll try Fustek out

Phase I - Deploying the Core Module

Hello people Background: With the great success of Kyakovlev Design Bureau's KYA-12 SSTO design, the KSP administration has decided to use this promising spaceplane to a daring mission - assembly of the first fully functional orbital refinery in medium Kerbin orbit. The new structure would be used by interplanetary craft as a staging point, refueling depot and makeshift shipyard for any type of interplanetary mission designed. As in most cases, beginings are rather modest... Table of contents: Phase I - Deploying the Core Module Objectives: -> Circular medium Kerbin orbit (between 200 & 1000 km) ✓ -> Living quarters for the crew ✓ -> Kethane refining capabilities -> Liquid fuel, oxidizer, monopropellant and xenon tanks -> Multiple docking capabilities -> Utility craft (tugs, tankers, crew shuttles) Mods used: Kerbal Engineer B9 Aerospace KW Rocketry Kethane Mod (quite obviously ) Kerbal Alarm Clock Kerbal Attachment System (not used yet, but might be)

Yeah, FINALLY, my third spaceplane is capable of actually doing something in orbit, not just turning round and decelerating back into the atmosphere Kyakovlev KYA-12 is ready for duty!

It works - over 2 minutes of full power working and no overheat

The list of files I updated/modified in my install is above (Exurgent Engineering, Firespitter & landing gear tweaks). From what I know, my friend installed only the Exurgent Engineering .dll file.

I did install the files from this update. Exurgent Engineering, Firespitter plugin and updated the wheel configuration files. I didn't do anything with control surface tweakbles (as I never need them anyway).

OK, that's strange. My engines overheat as hell, making building anything Sabre-based impossible. Below I attach test platform I built for my space shuttle design: I have KW Rocketry, B9, Kerbal Engineer, Kerbal Alarm Clock, Kethane and KAS installed, so this can't be the problem with Interstellar. Small Sabres seem to be working perfectly. I've tried attaching precoolers to the engines - it slows the meltdown by 5-10 seconds, depending on throttle setting, but still makes the engines explode before I gain 100 m/s and take off. A friend of mine has experimented with a very simmilar design (he has KW, B9, Kethane and Deadly Reentry installed) - his both SSTOs reach orbit perfectly at 100% throttle and 4 large Sabres.

Hello fellow Kerbonauts, There is one thing that keeps bugging me, but I'm unable to find a satisfying answer. How to calculate (or even just estimate) the amount of lift generated by wings? I know each aerodynamics part has a fixed lift rating, but how does this relate to lift force? It can't be newtons or even kN (since, well, 0.9 canards would be useless then), but I have no idea what equation should I use to estimate how much wing area would my plane need...

OK, the issue might be I installed precoolers just before the engines, not after the intakes. I'll test the new design tommorow, many thanks!

If I don't have Interstellar, but my sabres overheat at ridiculously high rate, what might be the reason? It's kinda frustrating to see them simply blow up every time I open the throttle... Edit so that no one can accuse me of being non-specific I'm using the S2 rear hull part (the one with two 2,5m hardpoints on the sides) to install two large Sabres, plus a bunch of smaller engines along the wings to create enough thrust to make my plane rise. Intake air is provided with Sabre intakes for the smaller engines and one intake hull adapter for the large ones. Small engines run smoothly, but the larger ones start overheating at around 10s after firing. I've installed precoolers to the large engines, which slows the overheat down, but I was unable to determine whether the engines would explode, as the plane starts wobbling and crashes (apparently14 wheels for 150 t aircraft is not enough, even with the fix...)

I think the main reason behind the confusion is that I didn't understand "parent body" the same way every jargon-fluent KSP player would ^^'

Thanks for helping with Imgur. I wouldn't have figured it out by myself... My mistake with the probes. I thought that if one can spam rovers ("Each working rover not already scored"), satellites also count - but on the other hand, I agree that putting a rover on the Mun is much more demanding than sending an orbital probe. As I said - my mistake. Also, I interpreted the "escaping debris counts towards the parent body" as all escaping debris still counting for Kerbin (which I understand as body the debris originate from - thus the "parent" one). Anyway, thanks for correcting the score... Even though I can't say I'm happy with my performace. ^^'

OK, time for my attempt. Damn rover, somehow thought that if I play it safe and don't include them, I wouldn't have to take this modifier into account... The only mod used was Kerbal Alarm Clock. All craft are 100% stock. I dedicate this mission to Mirosław Hermaszewski, the first (but not last) Polish cosmonaut. And the score: Launch: 1.8 (single launch) Flight plan: 0.9 + 0.2 = 1.1 -(Mun + Minimus) Kebrals in space: 6 (sniff) Kerbals in command pod: 0.7 + 0.33 = 1.03 -> (2 out of 6) Kerbals landed: 0.3 + 0.67 = 0.97 (4 out of 6) Rovers: 0.5 (None) Science: 0.5 + 1.2 (Mun Farside Crater, Minimus Lowlands, Minimus Poles, Minimus Highlands) + 0.8 (4 satellites) = 2.5 Landings: 0.6 + 0.2 = 0.8 (Two additional landers, none of them two-staged) Return: 1 + 0.1 = 1.1 (Splashdown within 100 km from KSC) Debris: 1 - 0.3 = 0.7 (2nd stage left in LKO, plus some debris on escape from Kerbin SoI) Survival: 1 (No one died, all chaps went back home) So, the total score is... 1.8*1.1*6*1.03*0.97*0.5*2.5*0.8*1.1*0.7*1 = 9.14

Nope, because the final modifier is 1 above the number of Kerbals lost. So, if you lose 25 out Kerbals, then the modifier is 1/25 = 4%...