smallest rocket to take hitchhiker module into orbit? (early career mode)

[mrklaw]

Hi,

I've only unlocked all the 45 science layer of the tech tree, along with one 90. So I don't have a huge amount of materials. But I have the hitchhiker module and the rockomax brand adapter/decoupler. Those are the only things I have that are wide (2.5m?). I also still have a 30 piece limit on my assembly building as I don't have the funds yet to expand it.

Is it possible to get that safely up into orbit for tourist missions? Would be handy to check off a bunch at once.

[Skorpychan]

Check the contracts. You may not need ORBIT, just suborbital hops.

[mrklaw]

These tourists wanted both, so by doing an orbit I kill two birds with one stone.

Also so I have now upgraded the VAB so am not limited to 30 pieces (but I still don't have any 2.5m wide parts except the hitchhiker and coupler)

[Beowolf]

Never tried using a hitchhiker for that, but have done it both with multiple one-man capsules in tandem, or a one-man capsule followed by one or two inline cockpits. I'm playing on the 550-science tiers, but still use a 1.25m rocket like that if I just need Kerbals in low orbit, or a low-orbit rescue. You can even do Mun and Minmus with only 1.25m parts, though the rockets get pretty silly looking.

Sounds like you have the fuel line unlocked, so google "KSP asparagus staging". Building that way buys you considerable delta-v.

[cybersol]

Here is one that gets to LKO with plenty dV to spare. This trades part count for more tonnage, assuming you have the tier 2 launchpad:

There is no part room for niceties such as SRB nosecones. Also, don't try turning until you drop the first stage.

Edited May 11, 2015 by cybersol

[mrklaw]

Thanks, will take a closer look at that later. What mods are you using to show TWR etc? I've not started looking into those yet (potential bottomless pit..)

[Trenchfoot]

Pretty much right along Cybersol's line of thought. This is what I used for suborbital. I had a hard enough time getting it through the <20k atmo though at least 15 err simulations before I made it. got 4 contracts completed in one shot though.

[Cardano]

Tourists - just stuff em in MK1 command pods stacked on top of each other. I put 6 on a swivel with 2 outboard SRB's and made the orbit contract like that. drags a ......

Cardano.