STS Space Shuttle Challenges: PROVE YOUR PILOTING METTLE Earn a Badge!

[inigma]

[table]

[tr]

[td][/td]

[td][/td]

[td][/td]

[td][/td]

[td][/td]

[/tr]

[/table]

All STS Space Shuttle & Subassembly Downloads

Anyone who can get the STS Space Shuttle into orbit can become an STS Astronaut, but can you earn a place on the Leaderboard?

STS Space Shuttle Leaderboard (Leaderboard closed after KSP 1.0.5)

KSP 1.0.4 and Earlier:

Name - Shuttle Name - STS Fuel Pod Periapsis - Rating

1. Aphobius - Space Shuttle Like a Baws - 400,053m - STS Pilot I

2. TeeJaye85 - Space Shuttle Fortunate - 303,640m - STS Commander I

3. kookoo_gr - Space Shuttle Intrepid - 301,592m - STS Commander I

4. FlipNascar - Space Shuttle Indefatigable - 211,489 - STS Pilot I

5. trooperMNG - Space Shuttle White-Grissom-Chaffee 206,981 - STS Pilot I

Only the top five will be listed. If you get bumped off, try again!

STS Astronaut Corps (Corps Roster Closed after 1.0.5, but challenge remains self-certifying to new attempts)

1.0.4 and earlier roster:

inigma - Space Shuttle Intrepid

Tangle - Space Shuttle Ranger

ExplorerKlatt - Space Shuttle Challenger

ilo - Space Shuttle Inigma

Jackvony - Space Shuttle Archimeades

Yukon0009 - Space Shuttle Pathfinder

DMSP - Space Shuttle Columbus

ExplorerKlatt - Space Shuttle Horizon

xoknight - Space Shuttle Hubble

Frannington - Space Shuttle Myshka

NoPanShabuShabu - Space Shuttle Yossha Ikuzou

Columbia - Space Shuttle Columbia

kookoo_gr - Space Shuttle Intrepid ☆

Aphobius - Space Shuttle Like a Baws ☆

totalitor - Space Shuttle Bounty

1Revenger1 - Space Shuttle Oddysey

Death Engineering - Space Shuttle Discovery

pTrevTrevs - Space Shuttle Enterprise

willshmo258 - Space Shuttle Excalibur

TeeJaye85 - Space Shuttle viewfull=1#post1784113'>Fortunate

Kelderek - Space Shuttle Icarus

Indy - Space Shuttle Rodger Young​

Nansuchao - Space Shuttle Challenger

FlipNascar - Space Shuttle Indefatigable ☆

boostme - Space Shuttle Dauntless

Angel-125 - Space Shuttle Falcon

boostedM - Space Shuttle Hermes

trooperMNG - Space Shuttle White-Grissom-Chaffee

☆ Special Commendation Award (for meritorious action during unplanned emergency events)

Missions

Earn the following merit badges in the following order to rank up. It is possible to meet the goals of several proficiency ratings in a single mission. Keep track of your proficiency progress on your own, and as you meet all goals, reward yourself with a new forum badge!

As a general rule, STS Astronauts are those who can fly the STS Space Shuttle (or any stock variant). Mission Specialists are those who can get stuff to orbit. Pilots are those who can get stuff to orbit and land at KSC. Commanders are those who can get stuff to orbit, land at KSC, and survive emergencies. Legends are those who earn their place in the Academy Hall of Fame forever until someone else unseats them. Which astronaut are you?

Mission: STS Space Shuttle Maiden Flight

Description: The Kerbal Space Program administration team wants you and your crew to fly the maiden launch of the STS Space Shuttle, and hopefully make it back alive.

STS Space Shuttle Astronaut

To earn this badge and get listed in the Astronaut corps:

-Fly an STS Space Shuttle at least once above 70km

-Post in this thread your space shuttle name and a screenshot.

Then feel free to wear this, and/or others you earn below proudly in your forum signature.

Mission Specialist Qualification

-Orbit above 70km.

-Make two complete orbits.

Pilot Qualification

- Complete a roll program between launch and 10km or your gravity turn, whichever comes first. (Your tail must face the ocean for most of your launch)

- Complete another roll program before jettisoning your External Tank. (by 50km is a good time to do this)

- Achieve a circularized orbit greater than 120km over Kerbin. (Pe and Ap must be within 100m of each other)

- Land the Space Shuttle intact on Kerbin.

Commander Qualification

- Achieve a circularized orbit greater than 200km over Kerbin (Pe and Ap must be within 100m of each other)

- Land at KSC Runway or KSC Island (Bad weather is reported at KSC with wind shears capable of harming your shuttle wings. Try landing at KSCI to avoid a .90 wing collision bug, though its not required)

Mission: STS Fuel Pod Deployment - Hall of Fame Mission

Description: KSP mission planners require a fuel pod to be delivered into orbit for future missions. KSP weather forecasters warn of bad weather at KSC and recommend an alternate landing site to avoid wing damage (a bug in .90), but they leave that decision up to you.

Mission Specialist I:

- Deploy the STS Fuel Pod into orbit above 70km.

- All crew must survive returning to Kerbin. Crash landings are acceptable.

Pilot I:

- All Pilot Qualification goals must be achieved on your attempt.

- Deploy the STS Fuel Pod into a circularized orbit above 200km. (Pe and Ap of STS Fuel Pod must be within 100m of each other)

- You may not use any of the STS Fuel Pod liquid fuel.

- You may only use 5 units of STS Fuel Pod monopropellant to extract the pod from the cargo bay, and fine tune the orbit.

- You must not alter the STS Space Shuttle or STS Fuel Pod in anyway, except to adjust fuel amounts pre-launch (I suggest filling up all tanks).

- You must land the shuttle back at KSC or KSC Island to qualify for having your attempt ranked in the Hall of Fame.

Commander I:

- All Pilot I goals are included in this rating attempt.

- You must complete a separate RTLS (Return to Launch Site) abort mission: At least 1m 30s into the flight while during your gravity turn above 10km and over the water, prematurely eject the boosters. Then attempt to make it back to KSC without ditching your cargo. You may of course use the fuel in your attached External Tank, and even the STS Fuel Pod in an attempt to dump some of the weight. KSC doesn't care how much fuel you burn up as they just want the STS Fuel Pod, the Shuttle, and your bodies all back in once piece. Land at either KSC runway or KSC Island.

.

- Relaunch and deploy the STS Fuel Pod into a circularized orbit above 300km. (Pe and Ap of STS Fuel Pod must be within 100m of each other)

Hall of Fame Requirements:

- Complete Pilot I or Commander I ratings.

- Highest STS Fuel Pod Periapsis wins!

- Must post screenshot of STS Fuel Pod periapsis.

- Must post screenshot of tank deployed STS Fuel Pod tank values.

- Must follow all rules listed at the bottom of this post for Hall of Fame submissions.

Mission: STS Fuel Pod Rendezvous & Retrieval

Description: KSC director Gene Kerman wants you and your crew to test the feasibility of retrieving the orbiting STS Fuel Pod in preparation for future space station missions.

Mission Specialist II

- Mission Specialist I is required before attempting.

- Simulate an ATO (Abort to Orbit) by shutting down one or two SSMEs (Space Shuttle Main Engines) after passing 30km up, prior to achieving orbit.

- Achieve orbit with periapsis above 70km.

- Land on the Africa-like landmass that KSC is on. Crew survival is required. Crash landings are ok.

Pilot II

- Pilot I is required before attempting.

- Simulate an ATO per the Mission Specialist II goals above. This can be done in a separate mission or during the same mission.

- All Pilot Qualification goals are required during your attempt.

- Rendezvous and dock with your deployed STS Fuel Pod (you may refuel as necessary)

- Return to KSC or KSC Island.

Commander II

- Commander I is required before attempting.

- Simulate an ATO per the Mission Specialist II goals above. This can be done in a separate mission or during the same mission.

- Rendezvous with the STS Fuel Pod and stow it in your cargo bay. You may modify the cargo bay anyways you wish for this mission. (I recommend using 2 Sr. docking ports at either end of the bay)

- Return the the Space Shuttle with STS Fuel Pod in the cargo bay, to KSC or KSC Island. You may use the STS Fuel Pod fuel to burn it off or use it for your flight home to make the shuttle easier to land.

Mission: STS ComSat Deployment & Servicing

Description: KSP has received the first commercial contracts willing to pay the premium for hands-on Kerbal deployment of their cargo into orbit which the STS (Space Transportation System) offers. Launch the SBS and Anik ComSats into orbit! Be wary, installing the cargo into your space shuttle will require you to adjust and plan your staging accordingly. Each satellite is deployed via a decoupler which trigger sepatrons to spin stabilize the sats. After they clear the orbiter, their PAM (Payload Assist Module) fires them into orbit while spinning, (you manually kill the rotation after you achieve the target apoapsis), and decouples from the satellite.

Mission Specialist III

- Mission Specialist II is required before attempting.

- Deploy both STS ComSats into orbit at any altitude and inclination of your choice. Satellite spin launch is not required.

- Decouple the PAMs from the satellites to let them orbit freely.

- Land intact anywhere on Kerbin. Shuttle must not be damaged (KSC bug excepted).

Pilot III

- Pilot II is required before attempting.

- All Pilot Qualification goals are required during your attempt.

- Deploy both STS ComSats from the orbiter using spin stabilization

- Use the PAMs to have the satellites reach Kerbin synchronous orbit on opposite sides of Kerbin from each other.

- Decouple the PAMs.

- Land at KSC or KSC Island (KSC Island preferably) or else a previously marked (with a flag) alternate landing site.

Commander III

- The Service Module subassembly is required to be installed in the orbiter cargo bay prior to launch (along with KIS, KAS, IR, and Tweakscale mods), in addition to the STS ComSat subassembly in order to complete this rating.

- Commander II is required before attempting.

- All Pilot Qualification goals are required during your attempt.

- Deploy one STS ComSat from the orbiter using spin stabilization

- Use the PAM to deploy one successful satellite to Kerbin synchronous orbit.

- Deploy the other STS ComSat but don't allow its PAM to fire.

- Capture and return the defunct satellite back to Kerbin (feel free to use KAS struts to accomplish this).

- Bad weather at KSC. Mission Control orders you to land at KSC Island or else any previously marked (with a flag) alternate landing site.

Mission: STS Orbital Construction

Mission Specialist IV

- Mission Specialist III is required before attempting.

- Deploy the STS Space Telescope above 120km.

- Assemble the STS Space Telescope solar array and deploy them via EVA.

- Land the shuttle intact on the Africa-like landmass that KSC is on. Crew survival is required. Shuttle must not be damaged (KSC bug excepted).

Pilot IV

- Pilot III is required before attempting.

- Mission Specialist IV is required before attempting.

- Design, construct, and launch a space station core and 3 modules for a space station in 120km orbit. One module must be a habitat and command module, another a science module, a third a fuel module.

- Assemble your station in orbit in two or more separate launches.

- One of your landings must be at KSC Island or alternate previously marked (with a flag) landing site simulating a bad weather report at KSC.

Commander IV

- Commander III is required before attempting.

- Mission Specialist IV is required before attempting.

- Design, construct, and launch a space station core and 5 modules for a space station in 120km orbit at a 55 degree inclination. One module must be a habitat module, a second a command module, a third a science module, a fourth a fuel module, a fifth a docking array module.

- Assemble your station in orbit in three or more separate launches.

- KSC reports the command module is faulty and needs replaced. In a separate launch rendezvous and retrieve the command module and replace it with another. Return the faulty command module to KSC Island so it can be serviced there.

Honorary Badges

STS Engineer Award

Given by an STS Architect for developing a subassembly for use with the STS Space Shuttle, or for assisting in the development of an STS Space Shuttle. If you have a subassembly you'd like to be reviewed, post it here in the STS Space Shuttle development thread.

STS Mission Control Award

Awarded for completing any of the STS Space Shuttle missions using a NASA style space shuttle other than the STS Space Shuttle developed by inigma. Post your attempt in this thread.

STS Flight Director Award

Awarded to anyone completing any of the STS Space Shuttle missions using a NASA style space shuttle that they have developed on their own. Post your attempt and your craft file in this thread.

STS Space Shuttle Architect

The award given to the designer of the STS Space Shuttle, or awarded by inigma to anyone developing an aesthetically pleasing spin off to the STS Space Shuttle aesthetics design. PM me if you have a design you'd like me to look at!

Downloads and Instructional Videos for All Missions:

STS-4 Space Shuttle

STS Elevator

STS Astrovan

STS Fuel Pod

STS ComSats

STS Operations Module

STS Service Module

STS-4 Pre-Launch Sub Assembly Installation Video

STS Fuel Pod Deployment:

RTLS Abort:

There are no rules on how you accomplish a mission, unless you intend to compete for the Hall of Fame.

Hall of Fame Rules: (Hall of Fame is closed to new entries after KSP 1.0.5)

1. You must use the STS-4 Space Shuttle.

2. STS Fuel Pod liquid fuel is locked and must not be touched during the STS Fuel Pod deployment mission.

3. You may unlock the STS Fuel Pod monopropellant to activate its onboard RCS to extract the payload from the bay and fine tune its circular orbit, but only 5 units of STS Fuel Pod monoprop are permitted for this purpose. All other use is restricted.

5. STS Fuel Pod payload must remain in circular orbit with only a 100m difference between Pe and Ap. Hint: use your RCS to fine tune your orbit.

6. You may not modify the STS-4 Space Shuttle, STS Fuel Pod, or STS ComSats in anyway except to adjust pre-launch fuel amounts (I suggest filling up all tanks), and staging orders.

7. You must land the shuttle back at the KSC to qualify for the leaderboard for all Hall of Fame missions. All other participants will be recorded in the STS Astronaut Corps Honor Roll.

Hall of Fame Allowances:

- All flight information, navigation, and control mods are allowed (MechJeb, Kerbal Enginer Redux, Trajectories, etc.). It is worth noting here that I believe the best Shuttle Commanders will actually manually beat those who use computer aided flight controllers exclusively. As an extreme example, I have been able to achieve 300km orbital payload insertion, and have enough monopropellant left in the orbiter tanks to make it back to KSC runway.

- F5 saves are permitted. The goal is to learn the STS flight characteristics and enjoy completing these missions to the max, not make it a chore for you. That said, if you can fly any or all missions without saves, the experience is well worth it.

General Requirements for Submitting Your Entries:

Hall of Fame:

1. Name of your Space Shuttle

2. Picture of your launch

3. Picture of your completed roll program.

4. Picture of your space shuttle's or deployed payload's orbital altitude periapsis and apoapsis (either map view or mod info window view)

5. For the STS Fuel Pod mission: picture of your deployed STS Fuel Pod with tank levels. Liquid tank must be 100% full. Monopropellant must have 745 units or higher remaining.

Other Missions:

6. For the RTLS Abort mission, all I need is a picture of your abort start point (showing altitude), and a picture of your rested shuttle with bay open and fuel amounts displayed on the STS Fuel pod.

7. For the STS Fuel Pod Retrieval mission, picture of your landed shuttle with pod fuel amounts showing.

8. For the STS ComSats mission, picture of a satellite being deployed

9. For the STS Orbital Construction mission, picture of the STS Space Telescope constructed in orbit, or completed Space Station.

All Entries:

10. More screenshots as desired to tell your story.

11. Videos of all or any of the above are greatly desired in lieu of screenshots.

You may award yourself if you know you've met the requirements, but if you want me to check your work, give me 72 hours to respond. Else assume you've earned your badge and wear it proudly!

Edited November 17, 2015 by inigma

[Columbia]

Wow, I am so thrilled to try this!

[Columbia]

I have a few questions:

1. Is it a must to be able to complete the main challenge before attempting the RTLS mission?

2. Can there be multiple winners?

3. In order to get a badge, is it a must to win?

4. Is returning to the KSC required for the challenge entry to be considered valid?

Thanks in advance!

[totalitor]

I loaded your Space Shuttle and it really is a joy to fly! But...how can I attach fuel pod to shuttle? I don´t know a way to do that. Should you allow to load craft with fuel pod already inside?

[HoloYolo]

Do we have to build our own?

[inigma]

I have a few questions:

1. Is it a must to be able to complete the main challenge before attempting the RTLS mission?

2. Can there be multiple winners?

3. In order to get a badge, is it a must to win?

4. Is returning to the KSC required for the challenge entry to be considered valid?

Thanks in advance!

You may complete any mission in any order. To qualify for a rating though you need to complete all its requirements. I will be adding a II and III level rating for each rating category. Soon.

There is only one winner in the Leaders list for the STST Fuel Pod mission, but anyone can achieve mission badge ratings.

KSC return is required to be placed on the leaderboard. KSC return is not required to earn a Mission Specialist rating.

- - - Updated - - -

I loaded your Space Shuttle and it really is a joy to fly! But...how can I attach fuel pod to shuttle? I don´t know a way to do that. Should you allow to load craft with fuel pod already inside?

Thank you! Watch this to see how to load the STS Fuel Pod. Jr. Port goes up.

- - - Updated - - -

Do we have to build our own?

no. Use of the STS-4 Space Shuttle is required. See link in my sig or in OP above.

[totalitor]

Oh - subassemblies. I didn´t know that. Thanks for instructions, I thought that video was only of flying the shuttle. Very interesting!

[Aphobius]

Highest STS Fuel Pod deployed orbit, wins.

What does this mean? Highest semi-major axis, highest Ap+Pe or simply the highest Pe?

[inigma]

What does this mean? Highest semi-major axis, highest Ap+Pe or simply the highest Pe?

Highest Pe. STS Fuel Pod orbit must be circular to within 100m Pe and Ap difference. l'll add a rule.

Edited March 5, 2015 by inigma

[Aphobius]

Highest Pe. STS Fuel Pod orbit must be circular to within 100m Pe and Ap difference. l'll add a rule.

I suggest you to leave out the circular within 100m part. If the scoring is based only on the Pe, having a much higher Ap means only wasted fuel. Having a rule that requires a circular orbit makes the challenge require a lot of unnecessary calculations and makes the challenge annoying.

Just let the people get the Ap as high as they want and after that raise the Pe until they are out of fuel (or have just enough for the landing). I bet no one knows how to calculate this properly and they'll just get frustrated because they'll get out of fuel at the Ap and will not be able to complete the circularization, which will disqualify them and it will not matter how high they've got the Pe.

Anyway, it's up to you, that stuff can be calculated or people can just try to be safe so they don't get the Ap too high.

Note: I've got a 380km circular orbit and landed on the runway on the first try, with sloppy maneuvering and without calculating anything. Just so people have a reference to know what they should aim for.

[inigma]

I suggest you to leave out the circular within 100m part. If the scoring is based only on the Pe, having a much higher Ap means only wasted fuel. Having a rule that requires a circular orbit makes the challenge require a lot of unnecessary calculations and makes the challenge annoying.

Just let the people get the Ap as high as they want and after that raise the Pe until they are out of fuel (or have just enough for the landing). I bet no one knows how to calculate this properly and they'll just get frustrated because they'll get out of fuel at the Ap and will not be able to complete the circularization, which will disqualify them and it will not matter how high they've got the Pe.

Anyway, it's up to you, that stuff can be calculated or people can just try to be safe so they don't get the Ap too high.

Note: I've got a 380km circular orbit and landed on the runway on the first try, with sloppy maneuvering and without calculating anything. Just so people have a reference to know what they should aim for.

I think measuring STS Fuel Pod Pe with proof that Ap is within 100m of Pe is quite reasonable. KSC mission planners want to use the STS Fuel Pod for another mission (Mission Specialist II , Pilot II, and Commander II being defined shortly) and having a circularized STS Fuel Pod will simply make rendezvous with it simpler.

Simply use the STS Fuel Pod RCS to fine tune your orbit at Pe and Ap. Not a chore per se, but if you think I should increase the allowable difference to 1km, let me know. Now you are right in that it is guess work when first getting started to see how high you can bring the shuttle up with the fuel pod. This is meant as a mission of testing one's mettle, not a walk in the park to Shuttle Commander. Btw, 380km circ with return to KSC is far better than I've achieved. Great job. Looking forward to your entry, and if you can complete the RTLS Abort mission, I look forward to awarding you as the first rated STS Shuttle Commander!

Edited March 5, 2015 by inigma

[NoPanShabuShabu]

Once I figured out the trick, here (for reasons that will become apparent) is a mere Class 1 Mission complete:

Javascript is disabled. View full album

Edit: Shuttle name is "Yossha Ikuzou!"

[inigma]

Once I figured out the trick, here (for reasons that will become apparent) is a mere Class 1 Mission complete:

http://imgur.com/a/3Mh2U

Edit: Shuttle name is "Yossha Ikuzou!"

Congrats! You have earned the Mission Specialist I rating but without landing at KSC I can't fairly list your altitude on the leader board! Try again! Ill update the op shortly as im on my mobile now.

UPDATE!

Here is your Forum Badge!

Edited March 6, 2015 by inigma

[Columbia]

I tried the challenge. I named the Shuttle "STS-107 Space Shuttle Columbia" in memory of the Shuttle Orbiter, the first to fly to space, and the seven astronauts - Husband, McCool, Anderson, Chawla, Brown, Clark and Ramon - who sacrificed their lives for the greater being of Space exploration in STS-107, When the shuttle was destroyed in reentry. I got the shuttle and Fuel Pod to - As stated - a circular, 200,300km orbit. Unfortunately, the shuttle never made it back, and Lembro, Sheluki, Jedgan and Barden have to stay stranded with the tank until a rescue shuttle arrives.

Here's the album:

Javascript is disabled. View full album

I might reattempt this soon, along with the RTLS challenge.

[inigma]

I tried the challenge. I named the Shuttle "STS-107 Space Shuttle Columbia" in memory of the Shuttle Orbiter, the first to fly to space, and the seven astronauts - Husband, McCool, Anderson, Chawla, Brown, Clark and Ramon - who sacrificed their lives for the greater being of Space exploration in STS-107, When the shuttle was destroyed in reentry. I got the shuttle and Fuel Pod to - As stated - a circular, 200,300km orbit. Unfortunately, the shuttle never made it back, and Lembro, Sheluki, Jedgan and Barden have to stay stranded with the tank until a rescue shuttle arrives.

Here's the album: http://imgur.com/a/Jykti

I might reattempt this soon, along with the RTLS challenge.

Great job on this first attempt!

You have earned the following forum badge and have been honored with a place in the Astronaut Corps!

- - - Updated - - -

OP updated with new forum badges, missions, rules, etc. Should make jumping in and getting started much easier. The idea is that you self-reward your forum badges as you complete missions. Post in this thread for proof. To get listed in the Astronaut Corps or to have your attempts posted on the leaderboard, please post all required information.

[Columbia]

Oh, thanks for the badge!

I'll see if it'll fit in my signature, as it's pretty crowded.

[kookoo_gr]

Here is the first challenge with a bit of an emergency while landing. I overshot the runway and i had to go back for a proper landing. The landing took place with no fuel consumption, you can check the images. Name of the ship STS-4, did not bother to change it

Javascript is disabled. View full album

Edited March 6, 2015 by kookoo_gr

[inigma]

Here is the first challenge with a bit of an emergency while landing. I overshot the runway and i had to go back for a proper landing. The landing took place with no fuel consumption, you can check the images. Name of the ship STS-4, did not bother to change it

http://imgur.com/a/vGQy7

Congratulations, kookoo you are the first rated STS Shuttle Commander. Here is your qualification badge:

[zekes]

Do I get bonus points for doing this in my shuttle?

[inigma]

Do I get bonus points for doing this in my shuttle?

I've been thinking of offering special badges labled Flight Director and Mission Control for those who do any of the STS challenges with their own shuttles or borrow a non-Intrepid class shuttle made by someone else. They will not be ranked in the STS Astronaut Corps or leaderboard but they can wear the appropriate badge proudly!

I'll post it later and PM you.

Edited March 6, 2015 by inigma

[kookoo_gr]

Question. for the sts-tank, i am going for the commander badge, so far i have placed the tank at an orbit above 300km and i return the sts back to ksc, but for some reason the wings keep blowing up while on the air and a few meters above the runway before touchdown causing the craft the crash. I have reloaded and tried the landing several times with the same result, the best landing so far is with the plane torso intact along with landing gear but no wings. Since it appears to be a bug is this going to be an acceptable entry, along with the abort attempt?

just before touchdown

best landing so far

last attempt, the shuttle landed safely but then the wings started blowing up and the whole ship then just fell apart

Edited March 6, 2015 by kookoo_gr

[inigma]

Question. for the sts-tank, i am going for the commander badge, so far i have placed the tank at an orbit above 300km and i return the sts back to ksc, but for some reason the wings keep blowing up while on the air and a few meters above the runway before touchdown causing the craft the crash. I have reloaded and tried the landing several times with the same result, the best landing so far is with the plane torso intact along with landing gear but no wings. Since it appears to be a bug is this going to be an acceptable entry, along with the abort attempt?

just before touchdown

http://i.imgur.com/RcKuFgb.png

best landing so far

http://i.imgur.com/C08q0nX.png

last attempt, the shuttle landed safely but then the wings started blowing up and the whole ship then just fell apart

http://i.imgur.com/V0Ppxp3.png

Acceptable! Bugs are not fun. Even the STS Columbia Memorial Flight could not escape the same fate:

[kookoo_gr]

Thank you, that's exactly what happens to my sts, even the way the rudder fell apart, it fell apart the same way as yours

[Deutherius]

I've been thinking of offering special badges labled Flight Director and Mission Control for those who do any of the STS challenges with their own shuttles or borrow a non-Intrepid class shuttle made by someone else. They will not be ranked in the STS Astronaut Corps or leaderboard but they can wear the appropriate badge proudly!

Now you have my attention... Nothing against your shuttle, I just prefer to fly my own crafts

Also, how about a Rescue mission?

There was a slight mishap in the very early development of my shuttle (I forgot RTGs and to top off the OMS fuel tanks)... And one test flight got stranded in orbit without fuel and electricity. Second orbiter was launched with extra crew cabins to dock and save the stranded guys. Jeb also volunteered to stay behind with a bit of fuel the second orbiter could spare, deorbited and landed the first orbiter intact on KSC runway. (I know it's not much, but I felt like a badass )

(I can't keep a straight face just imagining Zekes trying to dock two of his shuttles )

[kookoo_gr]

I finished the STS-Fuel Pod challenge along with an RTLS abort mission. As mentioned before i had a bug that tore apart my ship's wings, even though the entry was accepted by the OP i restarted the game and thankfully i had a save while near the KSC and i landed the ship intact. As for the RTLS abort mission i may not win an efficiency award for recovering the cargo but hey i managed to land safely after a death spiral once the main tank was dropped that led me to go for a landing at runway 09.

Javascript is disabled. View full album