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

[inigma]

Any new Astronaut candidates?

[inigma]

Time to give Aphobius a run for his money...

[inigma]

I made it to 380! Won't post pics though until I beat 400k.

[willshmo258]

Nice job, I've been trying to get too 350 just as a goal, but I haven't made it there just yet. Anyway, I have a question, are you working on any new payloads/subassemblies that I can help with? I'm very unoriginal when I don't have a goal, but if you need help with something, I definitely would be able to help! Also, when's your next video going up, because the STS-4 video is so good!

Edit: I think I am #5 on the leaderboards for highest orange fuel tank. My orbit was 202,483/202,442 which beats out totalitor, who is the current #5. Just letting you know, I know it's only 1k difference, so it doesn't really matter to me, but it would be pretty sick. Also, in that album (http://imgur.com/gallery/q93Wp/new) I get all the tier one (one star) badges except for commander, and I haven't been given them yet. But take your time, honestly, like I can wait! Sorry in advance if this came off as rude (was not my intention!)

Edited March 26, 2015 by willshmo258

[inigma]

Will, could I commission you to develop an STS 51-L payload subassembly for a Challenger memorial video? Post your result in the STS Spacecraft Exchange forum thread!

[willshmo258]

What was the payload?

[inigma]

Search Google for STS press kit for any mission number and it will show the cargo bay. Useful for making subs!

[Kelderek]

Kelderek's STS Shuttle flight

Made several orbits at 182km and landed back at the KSC runway safely except for a busted right wing. I did a couple roll maneuvers during the ascent as seen in the images. This was my first attempt, so I chose not to carry any cargo.

EDIT: I guess I forgot to name it, I'll call this the Space Shuttle Icarus

Javascript is disabled. View full album

Edited March 30, 2015 by Kelderek

[Ticondrius]

I have trouble keeping the ship stable right from launch for the first one or two km. I've tried shuffling fuel around, and so far I've only have a couple successful launches which involved recovering from the bizarre corkscrewing the ship does right on launch.

That said, my ship is the Shuttle Excelsior and I have orbited more than twice at over 70km and returned to land at KSCR and also at KSCI. Only with no cargoes as of yet. No screenshots yet either, ship is incredibly touchy to fly manual (Yes, I'm flying the thing manually with no quicksaves/restores), which makes it hard to take time to get a good screenshot.

[inigma]

Kelderek's STS Shuttle flight

Made several orbits at 182km and landed back at the KSC runway safely except for a busted right wing. I did a couple roll maneuvers during the ascent as seen in the images. This was my first attempt, so I chose not to carry any cargo.

EDIT: I guess I forgot to name it, I'll call this the Space Shuttle Icarus

http://imgur.com/a/dwO0c

Congratulations Kelderek! I have added you to the Astronaut Corps Roster!

Based on your first reported mission, you have earned the following ratings:

Feel free to complete additional missions/qualifications and award yourself whatever you achieve in your forum signature and elsewhere!

That wing collision bug with KSC and wing parts will hopefully be eliminated in 1.0 KSP. For now, landing at KSC Island is a safer alternative.

- - - Updated - - -

I have trouble keeping the ship stable right from launch for the first one or two km. I've tried shuffling fuel around, and so far I've only have a couple successful launches which involved recovering from the bizarre corkscrewing the ship does right on launch.

That said, my ship is the Shuttle Excelsior and I have orbited more than twice at over 70km and returned to land at KSCR and also at KSCI. Only with no cargoes as of yet. No screenshots yet either, ship is incredibly touchy to fly manual (Yes, I'm flying the thing manually with no quicksaves/restores), which makes it hard to take time to get a good screenshot.

Try a fresh download. Maybe it's bugged? Weird. The shuttle should fly easy without having to adjust fuel amounts for any cargo (although cargo of 10-20 tons will require filling the central External Tank tank. If you do adjust fuel, leave the boosters alone except when lifting off with the STS Fuel Pod cargo (in which case filling the boosters is required if you hope to make it to orbit). Have you see the videos that show how to adjust fuel? Watch the STS-4 Showcase File and the STS-1 video.

[Ticondrius]

It's not bugged, the ship acts like it's top heavy towards the xtank, causing it to pitch forward. The only thing I can do is do a 180 degree roll IMMEDIATELY on liftoff and then correct the corkscrewing that results as quickly as I can. I can usually get it stable at an 70-80 degree pitch toward the ocean before 1000m. I gave mechjeb a try at it, and it crashes the ship every time.

Let me try and find a way to get a video of it for you....

[TeeJaye85]

It's not bugged, the ship acts like it's top heavy towards the xtank, causing it to pitch forward. The only thing I can do is do a 180 degree roll IMMEDIATELY on liftoff and then correct the corkscrewing that results as quickly as I can. I can usually get it stable at an 70-80 degree pitch toward the ocean before 1000m. I gave mechjeb a try at it, and it crashes the ship every time.

Let me try and find a way to get a video of it for you....

Do you have all of the ET segments full with an empty (or light) cargo bay? That would likely pull the CoM over enough to result in the behaviour you're describing.

[EDIT] Sorry, I see inigma already suggested looking at the fuel balance in a previous response. Ignore me.

[Indy]

Indy's STS Shuttle Flight 1: Astronaut and Specialist Qualifications

Made several orbits at roughly 200km, actually still up in the air. I realize the qualifications asked for a minimum of 70km but my philosophy is "go big or go home". Planning on lining up the shuttle for a landing run near the KSC, never piloted spaceplanes before but hey.

This mission was run using the STS-Class shuttle, no additions.

Max Altitude: 2040,00m

Max Orbits : 3

Sorry for this post's massiveness, could someone tell me what the Spoiler code for these forums is? xD

Edited April 1, 2015 by Indy

[inigma]

It's not bugged, the ship acts like it's top heavy towards the xtank, causing it to pitch forward. The only thing I can do is do a 180 degree roll IMMEDIATELY on liftoff and then correct the corkscrewing that results as quickly as I can. I can usually get it stable at an 70-80 degree pitch toward the ocean before 1000m. I gave mechjeb a try at it, and it crashes the ship every time.

Let me try and find a way to get a video of it for you....

Are you using FAR? Try a different approach. Fill up all the tanks and slap in the STS Fuel Module. Lift off with that. It should be easier to fly.

[inigma]

Do you have all of the ET segments full with an empty (or light) cargo bay? That would likely pull the CoM over enough to result in the behaviour you're describing.

[EDIT] Sorry, I see inigma already suggested looking at the fuel balance in a previous response. Ignore me.

No worries. Glad to hear others are able to fly it though. I'm guessing he might have FAR? Either or, I recommend anyone having difficulty getting the empty shuttle up, to try instead filling all tanks and installing the STS Fuel Pod cargo and lift that up.

- - - Updated - - -

Indy's STS Shuttle Flight 1: Astronaut and Specialist Qualifications

Made several orbits at roughly 200km, actually still up in the air. I realize the qualifications asked for a minimum of 70km but my philosophy is "go big or go home". Planning on lining up the shuttle for a landing run near the KSC, never piloted spaceplanes before but hey.

This mission was run using the STS-Class shuttle, no additions.

Max Altitude: 2040,00m

Max Orbits : 3

http://i.imgur.com/alN62Qh.png

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

http://i.imgur.com/35D11SH.png

Sorry for this post's massiveness, could someone tell me what the Spoiler code for these forums is? xD

No worries on the spoiler, but you can do (spoiler=name) some text here (/spoiler) and use brackets instead of ().

Congratulations Mission Specialist! These are yours:

You need to give your shuttle a name though (or you can use an existing name) in order for me to install your name and post in the Astronaut Corps. Do you have Space Shuttle name?

[Indy]

No worries. Glad to hear others are able to fly it though. I'm guessing he might have FAR? Either or, I recommend anyone having difficulty getting the empty shuttle up, to try instead filling all tanks and installing the STS Fuel Pod cargo and lift that up.

- - - Updated - - -

No worries on the spoiler, but you can do (spoiler=name) some text here (/spoiler) and use brackets instead of ().

Congratulations Mission Specialist! These are yours:

http://i.imgur.com/fagZP7S.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/JfuP7ZU.jpg

You need to give your shuttle a name though (or you can use an existing name) in order for me to install your name and post in the Astronaut Corps. Do you have Space Shuttle name?

Yes sir I do. Shuttle name is the Rodger Young​.

[inigma]

Yes sir I do. Shuttle name is the Rodger Young​.

Congrats! I've added you and your ship to the Astronaut Corps roster!

Btw, everyone your Commander III qualification just got easier.

The all new STS Service Module now comes with KAS winches and magnets for MMU capture scenarios! Check out the all new Xoknight Class MMU in action:

Javascript is disabled. View full album

[Nansuchao]

Hello, here's my try with FAR & DRE

[inigma]

Hello, here's my try with FAR & DRE

Great job!

What's your Space Shuttle name? Also I couldn't read how high your orbit was. Can you confirm that too and I'll get you added to the Astronaut Corps!

[Nansuchao]

The orbit wasn't circular, I just cared to reentry ASAP, so it was 370 Apoapsis, 95 Periapsis.

STS 135 Challenge

Edited April 1, 2015 by Nansuchao
Mistake

[inigma]

The orbit wasn't circular, I just cared to reentry ASAP, so it was 370 Apoapsis, 95 Periapsis.

STS 135 Challenge

Great Job! These are yours, Mission Specialist Nansuchao!

Feel free to do more missions and award yourself additional ratings!

[Angelo Kerman]

This looks interesting and potentially a .90 replacement for KSOS. I'll have to void my warranty and add a name plate part and a monopropellant power unit part. Definitely going to give this bird a shot.

[Nansuchao]

Great Job! These are yours, Mission Specialist Nansuchao!

http://i.imgur.com/fagZP7S.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/JfuP7ZU.jpg

Feel free to do more missions and award yourself additional ratings!

Thank you very much!!!

[FlipNascar]

So first up, that's quite a nice shuttle. I think I'm going to use it more often now that I have it.

Secondly: My entry to this challenge. Took three shuttles before we had a successful completion.

Inexorable got creamed in orbit when I separated from the main booster tank and didn't really think before doing any sort of manoeuvring leading to a collision between orbiter and booster tank, RUD swiftly followed, but the crew capsule was still intact! And it probably had the best launch profile of my two exoatmospheric attempts. Was on course for a 230[ish] AP with only around 130dv to circularize on the OMS.

Implaccable (inadvertently misspelt), was looking good. Until during booster separation and staging for their parachutes... When I got back to Implacable, I hit space bar again and staged my booster tank, I was in that staging blood lust fury frenzy zone. I wasn't even going to attempt the abort portion so I didn't read the rules for that. I got it back in one piece onto KSC Island, but I did dump the fuel tank by decoupling and rolling her inverted to throw the damn thing out, not realising I could use its contents to return. I guess I'll have to revisit this and then get it above 300km for the Commander bage.

Third time's the charm with Indefatigable. Fuel Pod delivered to 211,489m x 211,589m orbit in Kerbin. It actually got closer than that, but I only have a screen shot of it with the 100m error. Returned to KSC Island - overshot so had to fly a downwind and a baseintofinal approach.

So as I understand it, I have met all requirements for Maiden Mission and have a valid entry for Fuel Pod delivery completing Mission Specialist and Pilot I.

Javascript is disabled. View full album

[boostme]

This is not much of a challenge, but wow: what a shuttle. It practically flies itself. Having tried to build a shuttle of my own that never flew very well, I was amazed at how well this STS-4 handles. I tried it in stock KSP, and it remained nicely balanced all the way to delivering the fuel pod to a perfectly circular 150x150 orbit. I ditched the tank with fuel to spare, so could easily have gone higher. I like the way the fuel tank empties from the bottom and the boosters empty from the top - keeping everything nicely balanced. Why didn't I think of that?

Reentry and landing was also a breeze. I was a bit short of the runway, but as I still had half my monoprop left I used that to push me through. The empty craft glides amazingly well with a nice 10:1 glideslope at an insanely slow 32m/s. It literally lands itself.

The STS-4 Dauntless is now definitely part of my fleet.

Thanks.

P.S. Sorry, but I didn't take any pictures.