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Showing results for tags 'microsat'.
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Hello, everybody! I've recently been experimenting with making smaller and smaller satellites, regularly getting masses as low as 25kg. I want to see just how low you can go! The way this challenge works is fairly fool-proof: You must build and launch a fully functional satellite of the lowest mass possible into Low Kerbin Orbit. Sadly, I'm not offering bonuses for sending these to other celestial bodies, as that's not exactly going to be a challenge. Remember, this is a challenge about payloads, not launchers. There are other challenges for small LVs. My definition of a 'Fully functional satellite' is an uncrewed craft, capable of re-orienting itself (you can use any method you like for this, RCS or reaction wheels), with an antenna and some way to generate power (again, I don't care what it is), and at least 50 units of electric charge storage. The satellite DOES NOT need a propulsion system (though you can add one if you want). The only mods I am outlawing at the moment are NanoKube, as it gives anyone using it an unfair advantage, and tweakscale, as it has become apparent that you can re-scale a probe to rediculously small sizes. If you have any other suggestions for banning, PM me, and I'll consider it. Procedural Parts is welcome. I'll need pictures of your satellite in the VAB/SPH with either the engineer's readout, or (even better) the KER readout, which accurately shows the mass of a procedural parts ship. I'll also need a picture of it in orbit. Feel free to throw in a few pictures of ascent. The scoring system works like this: Your score is the satellite's weight in kg in orbit. Lowest score wins. I'm also adding categories, after a few requests to do so. The categories are as follows: Stock (that's fairly self-explanatory) I'D ALSO RECCOMEND THROWING YOUR DESIGN TOWARDS @HalcyonSon'S STOCK THREAD: Science (which requires at least one science instrument on board, and a way to transmit the data), Propulsive (any satellite with it's own propulsion system and more than 30m/s of delta V. If you need one, here's a delta V calculator: http://strout.net/info/science/delta-v/intro.html ), Return Capsules (probes that carry a return vehicle capable of safely landing on Kerbin from where the satellite is launched to). (THESE WILL NEED IMAGES OF THE SEPARATION, DE-ORBIT, RE-ENTRY, LANDING METHOD, (parachute, engines, airbags etc.) AND LANDING.) Minimalist (a probe designed to just meet the basic requirements of the challenge. If your design impresses me, I'll take 1 or 2kg off your score. This is at my discression. LEADERBOARDS: STOCK 1. @panzerknoef, a 105kg stock entry. 2. 3. 4. 5. SCIENCE 1. @eloquentJane, a 69kg satellite with a DMagic magnetometer and RPWS antenna. 2. @KEngineer, 270kg satellite with stock instruments. 3. 4. 5. PROPULSIVE 1. @Sharpy, an 18kg satellite, fitted with solid fuelled engines. 2. 3. 4. 5. RETURN CAPSULE 1. @Sharpy, a 124kg crew rescue ship. 2. 3. 4. 5. MINIMALIST 1. @Sharpy, a 15kg satellite. That's pretty damn impressive. 2. 3. 4. 5. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHICH CATEGORY YOU'RE GOING FOR. If anyone wants to make a badge, they're more than welcome, but I have no idea how. (If people want my own submission, I'll include it.) Good luck!