Icarus Next-gen Crew Vehicle (and Artemis booster rocket.)

[ScriptKitt3h]

After seeing the SpaceX Dragon V2, I knew I needed to build a custom multi-seat crew vehicle in KSP.

After lots of tinkering, I finally settled on a decent design, and (after seeing some technical models of the old Saturn 1) decided to build a specialty lifter stage to accompany the new craft.

The Icarus NCV features internal LF/O storage, RTG power generators, and a set of 24-77 rocket engines for surface landings and orbital maneuvering.

Carrying 4 crew, the pod also comes with hidden landing gear for soft touchdowns.

The Icarus carries 4, and comes in 2 packages: one uses a simple 2-stage 3.75 meter rocket to acheive orbit, while the other uses the Artemis booster stage to do the same.

(The Artemis is slightly more efficient.)

Both packages lift the NCV and its twin LVT-45 engine-equipped transfer module into a 100x100 km orbit with ease, and the transfer module allows for placement into higher orbits.

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Instructions:

To launch, right-click the probe core at the base of the pod, and select "control from here". Then, throttle up to max and stage once to engage the rocket's 1st stage. Once you've burnt out the 1st stage, stage again and use the trunk module for any further burns. Once the trunk is empty, stage once more to eject it and activate the landing/maneuvering engines on the NCV itself. (These can be switched on/off with action group 1.) To land, deorbit using a trunk module or the NCV's engines, and then use the parachutes and engines to slow descent. Deploy the gear once within 100 meters of the ground.

Downloads:

Icarus NCV: https://www.dropbox.com/s/quuf0e039wa11n9/MU%20Icarus%20NCV.craft?dl=0

Icarus NCV with Artemis Booster Rocket: https://www.dropbox.com/s/v7r2glgvjvur3yt/MU%20Icarus%20NCV%20w%20Artemis%20Booster.craft?dl=0

Artemis Booster Rocket (subassembly): https://www.dropbox.com/s/wia94yxpfh2zsiu/%28Gen.%201%29%20Artemis-Class%201st%20stage.craft?dl=0

Warranty void if used as a boat or Eve/Tylo descent craft.

[Zucal]

Very nice! I've been meaning to do something like this for a while.

[ScriptKitt3h]

Very nice! I've been meaning to do something like this for a while.

Thanks! I'm leaning a lot more towards turning my aesthetics OCD towards more... peaceful craft for a long while, and I'm glad I finally took the time to make something like this.

[Mad Rocket Scientist]

That looks very nice!