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The K Prize - 100% reusable spaceplane to orbit and back

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boolybooly

boolybooly

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The K-Prize Party Thread.

7wkAPlH.png

K-Prize badge by WafflesToo (sig badges).

 

The K Prize challenge is to make the obvious craft, a spaceplane, and make it work. All those who succeed will be included on the roll of honour and get a free back stage pass to hang with Kay Kool and the Kerbettes after their next live performance at the Dog and Booster (where free beer will be available). To enter report relevant accomplishments on a mission which actually flew, your word is good enough but images and videos are welcome.

Rules

1. The craft must launch and land intact using only the amount of fuel on board at launch, may not lose stages or parts in flight, no refuelling for thrust, see provisos below.

2. The craft must launch horizontally, reach orbit (PE > 70,000m) and land intact (on Kerbin) ready for 'refuelling'.

3. All fuel tanks, wings (ie lift generators & aerodynamic environments) and engine parts must be stock, for fairness.

Provisos to rule 1.

A. Payloads may decouple from the craft providing all payload tanks are as full on decoupling as at launch and any thrust (or lift) generators on the payload were not used prior to decoupling. Excursion vehicles may decouple and redock but only achievements of the entire craft count towards K-Prize kudos.

B. Docking is permitted providing no fuel is transferred (net per fuel type) into the K-Prize craft and then used for propulsion (it can be transferred out or in as payload). Likewise no propulsion assist is permitted from the target craft fuel or engines. Crew transfers are permitted.

C. Mining and refining are permitted providing none of the resulting fuel product is used to drive the craft i.e. mined fuel is treated as payload only.

D. Pilots wishing to try the challenge with mod equipment may do so in the sister challenge thread "The K Prize - 100% reusable spaceplane to orbit and back (Modded Version)".

 

+Kudos

1. Smallest ship (by weight, weight info required). Minimalist record.

2. Largest ship (by weight, weight info required). Maximalist record.

3. Highest orbit beyond Eeloo. Altitudinalist record.

4. Landing on any space center terrain. Pilot proficiency medal.

5. Landing on any space center runway or docking in orbit. Advanced pilot precision award (1stClass for both).

6. Visiting other SOIs. Kosmokerbal Commendation.

7. Planetoid landings. Astrokerbal Distinction.

8. Payload to orbit, including fuel delivery also ore, fuel or salvage to Kerbin from asteroid or orbit. Utilitarial Commendation.

9. Payload to distant planet surface including fuel delivery also ore, fuel or salvage to Kerbin from planet. Utilitarial Distinction.

Prefixes: Exploratory applies to planetoid missions and Expeditionary applies to planetary lander missions outside Kerbin's sphere of influence. (Planets are defined as the central body in their own SOI with a boundary adjacent to Kerbol's SOI or gravity exceeding 0.75 of Kerbins.)

 

Guest List

(Roll of Honour.)

 

Version 1.2 +

Kertech Advanced Pilot Precision Award with with Laythe Dragon 3.
- Utilitarial Commendation, Advanced Pilot Precision Award with Sickle mk 2.

Workable Goblin Advanced Pilot Precision Award with QS-1 Needletail light SSTO.

ChaoticPhoenix Utilitarial Commendation, Advanced Pilot Precision Award with Tanto.

n.b.z. Advanced Pilot Precision Award with Bonkers Bonsai.

cikho Utilitarial Commendation, Advanced Pilot Precision Award 1st Class with SSTO_Perrier.

RCgothic Advanced Pilot Precision Award with SSTO.
- Utilitarial Commendation, Advanced Pilot Precision Award 1st Class with SSTO.

NoobTool Utilitarial Commendation (236.8t), Advanced Pilot Precision Award with Czar Galactica MK 3 EX.
- Utilitarial Commendation (301.8t), Advanced Pilot Precision Award with Czar Galactica MK 4.
- (1325t), Utilitarial Commendation (476.8t), Advanced Pilot Precision Award with Czar Galactica MK 5.

EliteGuy3 Utilitarial Commendation, Pilot Proficiency Medal with Jeremiah (5.996t).
- with Binoree I (1.910t).
- with Corinthians I.

something Advanced Pilot Precision Award 1st Class with Heimdal.
- Advanced Pilot Precision Award with Erwin.

boolybooly Advanced Pilot Precision Award with Whiplash PT.
- Utilitarial Commendation, Advanced Pilot Precision Award with Hefty.
- Advanced Pilot Precision Award with Gogitem.

Kergarin  Utilitarial Commendation (Duna Train : video), Advanced Pilot Precision Award with Crossbow SSTO.

RAINCRAFTER with Billy-Bobdock.

W. Kerman Advanced Pilot Precision Award with \(*)/Bird, (cyclopean bird).

rkarmark Advanced Pilot Precision Award with SSTO.

Eidahlil Advanced Pilot Precision Award with Reed.

Cherubiel Advanced Pilot Precision Award with Spaceplane Alpha One.

tseitsei89 with Kolibri (5.200t).
- with Kolibri II (4.277t).
- with Kärbä III (1.295t).
- with SpecialSpeckofDust (0.836t)

Eidahlil Advanced Pilot Precision Award with Bulbous (0.920t).

Hodari Advanced Pilot Precision Award 1st Class with X-1.

Major Tom Advanced Pilot Precision Award with Full-of-Stars Mk1.

Harry Seaward Advanced Pilot Precision Award x2 (east and west) with SSTO.

Speeding Mullet Advanced Pilot Precision Award 1st Class, Utilitarial Commendation (Mün), Kosmokerbal Commendation (Mün & Minmus) with Mullet Dyne Crosswing (Variant 5).

tosha Advanced Pilot Precision Award with Pheonix 1.4.
- Advanced Pilot Precision Award, Astrokerbal Distinction (Minmus) with Comet-L.
- Advanced Pilot Precision Award, Utilitarial Commendation with Comet-LP.
- Advanced Pilot Precision Award, Utilitarial Distinction (ore from Minmus) with Comet-Nickel. 
- Advanced Pilot Precision Award with SRSTO
- Advanced Pilot Precision Award with Jack of No Trades
- Advanced Pilot Precision Award with Mk2 SSTO for Passengers 
- Pilot Proficiency Medal with Silver Bullet

Samniss Arandeen Advanced Pilot Precision Award 1st Class with Project Crossbow.

qzgy Pilot Proficiency Medal, Utilitarial Commendation with Swedish Fish.

Suicidal Insanity Advanced Pilot Precision Award, Utilitarial Commendation with Atlas.
- Advanced Pilot Precision Award 1st Class with Flamespear Mk2.

Thor Wotansen Utilitarial Commendation with craft with no name.
- Advanced Pilot Precision Award, Utilitarial Commendation (36t) with Róta.

Space Yorkie with X-13 Greyhound II Spaceplane.

Numerlor Utilitarial Commendation with SSTO2.

Ozelui Advanced Pilot Precision Award 1st Class, Utilitarial Commendation with Beluga mk5.

Luizopiloto Advanced Pilot Precision Award, Utilitarial Commendation (Mün) with X-98L BlueJay (video). Special homemade IVA dashboard award.

Mjp1050 Utilitarial Commendation with Excelsior.

overkill13 Advanced Pilot Precision Award 1st Class, Utilitarial Commendation with Panther II cargo SSTO.

voicey99 Expeditionary Utilitarial Distinction (Duna) with Yate Haugan.

Mr. Me Advanced Pilot Precision Award with Freebird SSTO.

ForScience6686 Pilot proficiency meda with Convertible.

Scarecrow Advanced Pilot Precision Award 1st Class with Jeb's Limo.
- Utilitarial Commendation, Advanced Pilot Precision Award with Blackbird SSTO.
- Advanced Pilot Precision Award with X-Wing (video).

JoeNapalm Advanced Pilot Precision Award with Vampire Mk1 SSTO.

JYNg Advanced Pilot Precision Award 1st Class with Kaiser 4.

Skylon Advanced Pilot Precision Award with STP-2 'Javelin' Trainer Spaceplane.

Fulgora with Minimalist SSTO 5.

JacobJHC Advanced Pilot Precision Award, Expeditionary Astrokerbal Distinction with Dres SSTO.
- Advanced Pilot Precision Award, Expeditionary Kosmokerbal Commendation (Duna++) with the I don't know if this SSTO has enough fuel.
- Exploratory Astrokerbal Distinction with Gilly SSTO (12.203t).
- Expeditionary Astrokerbal Distinction, Advanced Pilot Precision Award with Christmas Laythe SSTO. (discretionary festive cheer award)
- Expeditionary Astrokerbal Distinction (Eeloo) with Rei III SSTO.
- Utilitarial Commendation (324t), Advanced Pilot Precision Award with Heavy Cargo SSTO.
- Expeditionary Astrokerbal Distinctions (Laythe and Minmus), Advanced Pilot Precision Award with THICC BOI. (video) (discretionary that's entertainment award)

Invisifly2 Utilitarial Commendation with Sparrow.

53miner53 Kosmokerbal Commendation (Mün) with SSTO 1.

Joseph Kerman  Advanced Pilot Precision Award with SF-01 Falcon.

zanie420 Exploratory Astrokerbal Distinction, Utilitarial  Distinction (Gilly) with Klementine.

Spaceception Advanced Pilot Precision Award with SSTO.

herbal space program Advanced Pilot Precision Award, Expeditionary Astrokerbal Distinction (Duna) with Duna Moth.

Skystorm Advanced Pilot Precision Award, Utilitarial Commendation with the spaceplane with no name.

paneledberry with Dove.

Laie Advanced Pilot Precision Award 1st Class with Clipper.
- Expeditionary Astrokerbal Distinction (Duna), Advanced Pilot Precision Award with Flying Wing Kind of Thing.

g00bd0g Advanced Pilot Precision Award with Mk2 SSTO.
- Utilitarial Commendation (72t), Advanced Pilot Precision Award with Mk3 Cargo.

Yatsykon with YCC Dimetrus.

panelledberry Kosmokerbal Commendation (Mün & Minus) with Fang V4.
- Expeditionary Astrokerbal Distinction (Duna) with Farscape V2.
- Advanced Pilot Precision Award with Aegis V6.

panzerkneof Pilot Proficiency Medal with Adrenal-S.

Secuas Utilitarial Commendation (36t), Advanced Pilot Precision Award with Magical Trailblazer.

HamnavoePer Advanced Pilot Precision Award with My First SSTO.

Edax Advanced Pilot Precision Award with Thunderbolt II.

TheFlyingKerman Advanced Pilot Precision Award with the HKA-3A.
- Advanced Pilot Precision Award, Utilitarial Commendation with HKA-4B.
- Advanced Pilot Precision Award 1st Class, Utilitarial Commendation with HKA-6B.
- Advanced Pilot Precision Award, Utilitarial Commendation (Minmus) with HKA-6B.
- Advanced Pilot Precision Award x14, Utilitarial Commendation with HKA-6C.
- Advanced Pilot Precision Award 1st Class, Utilitarial Commendation with HKA-6C.

Geonovast Advanced Pilot Precision Award 1st Class with Astrid SSTO. (Discretionary right stuff award.)

danielboro with LR-PMK6.

sh1pman Advanced Pilot Precision Award, Utilitarial Commendation (144t) with Atlas XXL-144 K-Prize.

McBalsam Expeditionary Astrokerbal Distinction (Eeloo & Minmus), Advanced Pilot Precision Award with, 136 seat space liner Ahti II.

DunnoAnyThing with CrapToOrbit 1.0.

Steel Starling Utilitarial Commendation, Advanced Pilot Precision Award with SI-SSTO-4 "The Sky's the Limit Cargo Edition".

Magzimum Advanced Pilot Precision Award with Spacebus.

XB-70A Advanced Pilot Precision Award 1st Class with Pallas.

Dark Lion Advanced Pilot Precision Award with Storm.

HamnavoePer Advanced Pilot Precision Award with Kerbero V.

dvader High orbit AP 4753 Gm, Advanced Pilot Precision Award with SSTO Nuclear. (Discretionary Slingshot Supremo award.)

The Moose In Your House with Sepia Siren.

Freshmeat Utilitarial Commendation, Advanced Pilot Precision Award 1st Class with Grey Goose.

Andetch Pilot Proficiency Medal with Cave SSTO.
- Kosmokerbal Commendation (Mün), Advanced Pilot Precision Award with Skydart (video).

alex50caliber Advanced Pilot Precision Award with Ampsk-1S.

XLjedi Advanced Pilot Precision Award with SR-13 Venom.

Box of Stardust Advanced Pilot Precision Award with AS-3A Skystreak.

Bitrefresh Utilitarial Commendation, Advanced Pilot Precision Award with Griffon Mark II.
- Utilitarial Commendation, Advanced Pilot Precision Award 1st Class with Condor Mark VII.
- Advanced Pilot Precision Award with Merlin Mark VII.

hoioh Utilitarial Commendation, Advanced Pilot Precision Award with By_The_Book.

beomagi  Advanced Pilot Precision Award with SP-4800.
- Astrokerbal Distinction (Minmus), Advanced Pilot Precision Award 1st Class with SP-6000.

doggonemess Advanced Pilot Precision Award with Mk2 SSTO Quad.

Kerbal Design Bureau Advanced Pilot Precision Award with KDB-SSTO-I.

Loompar Advanced Pilot Precision Award with The Challenger (video).

Kerbolitto Utilitarial Distinction (Mün), Advanced Pilot Precision Award with Cheval mk4-3.

SpaceAdmiral Advanced Pilot Precision Award with SSTO Prototype 2.

sturmhauke Advanced Pilot Precision Award 1st Class with the Flying Vee.

BigFatStupidHead Advanced Pilot Precision Award with The Bump and Grind.

ValCab33 Utilitarial Commendation, Advanced Pilot Precision Award 1st Class with Pegasus VI.

PrvDancer85 Exploratory Astrokerbal Distinction (Ike), Advanced Pilot Precision Award with LfoOnly3.

Hydrothermalventclam Advanced Pilot Precision Award 1st Class with the OV-01 Kestrel.

Mjp1050 Advanced Pilot Precision Award with Moustache.

AVeryNiceSpacePenguin Advanced Pilot Precision Award with X-20 Dynasoar SSTO.

JacobTheFoxx  Pilot Proficiency Medal with SpeedyBoi V1.

Aquaticfantastic Advanced Pilot Precision Award 1st Class with the R8-ZR.
- Utilitarial Commendation, Advanced Pilot Precision Award 1st Class with the R8-ZR.

Tallinu Utilitarial Commendation, Advanced Pilot Precision Award 1st Class with Prometheus Low Tech SSTO (video).

purpleivan Utilitarial Commendation, Advanced Pilot Precision Award 1st Class with Space Plane K.

GRS Advanced Pilot Precision Award with Proto Taxis 2.

KerbalRocket with Untitled Space Craft.

Aeroboi maximalist record holder (2,797.278 t), Utilitarial Commendation (1,485.8 t), Advanced Pilot Precision Award with Hearts Chevron 96 Cargo Lifter.

HyperDraco with Draconic Infernal II.

Dman Revolution discretionary HyperCycle award for extraordinary services to reusability with logs.
- Advanced Pilot Precision Award x12, 1st Class x6, Utilitarial Commendation x12 with Explorer.
- Advanced Pilot Precision Award, Kosmokerbal Commendation (Mün) with Explorer EHM.
- Advanced Pilot Precision Award with Skylon-KerbalArm.

Dale Christopher Advanced Pilot Precision Award with Ascent from Chaos.

Reinhart Mk.1 Expeditionary Astrokerbal Distinction (Duna), Advanced Pilot Precision Award with Javelin Mk.1
Expeditionary Astrokerbal Distinction (Duna & Ike), Advanced Pilot Precision Award with Gloria Mk.IIc

Lokachop with SSOrbiter MK1.

arctangent Utilitarial Commendation, Advanced Pilot Precision Award with Aleph III.
- Advanced Pilot Precision Award with Johnny Five.

Robdjee Utilitarial Commendation, Advanced Pilot Precision Award with Syrvania (video).

banjaminlamont with Liquidescent.

BeanThruster Utilitarial Commendation, Advanced Pilot Precision Award 1st Class with Godzilla II.

έķ νίĻĻάίή  Advanced Pilot Precision Award with the MEV1.

Mars-Bound Hokie with The Mun Hopper.
- Advanced Pilot Precision Award 1st Class with Hermes.
- Advanced Pilot Precision Award with Laythe Speeder.
- Advanced Pilot Precision Award, Utilitarial Distinction, Astrokerbal Distinction (ore from Minmus) with Laythe Speeder.
- Advanced Pilot Precision Award 1st Class with Martian.
- Advanced Pilot Precision Award, Utilitarial Commendation with Relay Carrier.

fulgur Pilot Proficiency Medal with Ilion.
- Astrokerbal Distinction (Minmus) with Ilion SSTO.

AHHans Advanced Pilot Precision Award 1st Class, Astrokerbal Distinction (Minmus) with Person Shuttle 2.
+ Advanced Pilot Precision Award, Astrokerbal Distinction (Mün) with Person Shuttle 2.

Space Nerd with SSTO-Mk1d.
- Kosmokerbal commendation with SSTO-Mk1b.

ralanboyle Advanced Pilot Precision Award with Airline SSTO (video).

minerbat with ikran 1.

Ksp Slingshooter Advanced Pilot Precision Award with Phoenix mk-3.

Chequers Advanced Pilot Precision Award with SP-I 'Peregrine'.

sevenperforce Pilot Proficiency Medal, Utilitarial Commendation with Apollo Style Redux v3.

RoninFrog Advanced Pilot Precision Award, Astrokerbal Distinction (Mün) with Pandemonium I.
- Advanced Pilot Precision Award, Astrokerbal Distinction (Mün) with Pandemonium II.

QF9E Advanced Pilot Precision Award with Queen Amidala.
- Advanced Pilot Precision Award with Avenger.
- Exploratory Kosmokerbal Commendation with Hornet.
- Advanced Pilot Precision Award, Exploratory Astrokerbal Distinction (Ike) with Hornet.
- Advanced Pilot Precision Award, Expeditionary Astrokerbal Distinction (Dres) with Wasp.
- Kosmokerbal Commendation with Nuclear Beast.
- with Nuclear Beast (discretionary crisis management award).
- Advanced Pilot Precision Award, Utilitarial Commendation (40t) with The Beast.
- Advanced Pilot Precision Award 1st Class, Utilitarial Commendation (40t recovery) with The Beast.
- Altitudinalist Record Holder 1005 Tm, Advanced Pilot Precision Award with Nuclear Beast.

The Doodling Astronaut with K-Prize.

KingDominoIII Astrokerbal Distinction (Mün), Advanced Pilot Precision Award with Archer 1C.

Gaming Kraken Advanced Pilot Precision Award, Astrokerbal Distinction (Minmus) with the Long-Range Prototype Spaceplane (video).

DRAGONmon Advanced Pilot Precision Award with the ExSpace Vegas 2.

Nantares Kosmokerbal Commendation (Mün), Advanced Pilot Precision Award with NA-SP 31A (video).

AllenLi Pilot Proficiency Medal with Tiny SSTO.

Prat4545 Advanced Pilot Precision Award, Astrokerbal Distinction (Minmus) with Sacure VII.

OutInSpace Advanced Pilot Precision Award, Utilitarial Commendation with Hope-class SSTO (video).

CalmLlama Advanced Pilot Precision Award with Strix.

Krazy1  Advanced Pilot Precision Award, Utilitarial Commendation (salvage from orbit) with Klaw Plane 8.
- Advanced Pilot Precision Award 1st Class, Utilitarial Commendation (salvage from orbit x2) with Bactrian Salvager.

Lt_Duckweed with Tiny SSTO. (minimalist record holder 0.835t)

camacju Advanced Pilot Precision Award, Astrokerbal Distinction (Minmus) with Tern.
-  (AP 242,000 Gm) with Tern.
- Advanced Pilot Precision Award, Utilitarial Commendation with cheap mun (video).
- Advanced Pilot Precision Award x5 with Relay Race (video).
- Advanced Pilot Precision Award x8 with Relay Race 2.
- Pilot Proficiency Medal, Astrokerbal Distinction (Moho) with 13.6 ton Moho SSTO (video). (Discretionary Slingshot Supremo award.)
- Advanced Pilot Precision Award x3, Astrokerbal Distinction (Laythe) x3 with Laythe Star (video). (Discretionary Slingshot Supremo award.) (Discretionary Stelicious award.)
- Advanced Pilot Precision Award, Expeditionary Astrokerbal Distinction (Moho & Minmus) with Orange Tank (video).  

dawg Pilot Proficiency Medal, Advanced Pilot Precision Award with Indefinite SSTO.

A Nicheling with Goldfish.

OJT  Advanced Pilot Precision Award, Utilitarial Commendation with Concorde SSTO.
- Advanced Pilot Precision Award with X-29.
- Advanced Pilot Precision Award with X-24.
- Advanced Pilot Precision Award with Lightweight Manned SSTO.
- Advanced Pilot Precision Award with AntiAltitudinalist . (Discretionary Goldilocks award.)
- Advanced Pilot Precision Award,  Astrokerbal Distinction (Minmus) with PLEN GO UP.
- Advanced Pilot Precision Award,  Expeditionary Astrokerbal Distinction (Duna) with PLEN GO DUN.
- Advanced Pilot Precision Award with XB70 Valkyrie SSTO.

NyetiArts Advanced Pilot Precision Award 1st Class with Gazelle.
- Advanced Pilot Precision Award, Utilitarial Commendation with Sittang.

snkiz Advanced Pilot Precision Award, Kosmokerbal Commendation, Utilitarial Commendation with Stubby Joe SK.

Admiral Fluffy Pilot Proficiency Medal with Lurker.

Poppa Wheelie Advanced Pilot Precision Award 1st Class,  Utilitarial Commendation with the Jackie Cochran.

SkyFall2489 Advanced Pilot Precision Award with Mini SSRT.

the_wizard Advanced Pilot Precision Award 1st Class, Kosmokerbal Commendation (Minmus), Utilitarial Commendation with BoxWing SSTO.

Foxworthgames Advanced Pilot Precision Award, Kosmokerbal Commendation (Minmus), Utilitarial Commendation with TechnoPlane, a tribute to Technoblade.
 

Version 1.1 +

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Version 1.0.5

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Guest Lists from previous versions.

 

 

Gate Crashers

(Dodged the bouncers.)

hjqFTeT.png

K-Prize Gatecrasher's badge by WafflesToo (sig badges).

 

 Hall of infamy.

Previous gatecrashers.

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Temstar insisted that upstaging Elon Musk was not against the K-Prize rules.

Kokanee declared the runway to be disruptive technology.

ihtoit quoted in kerbin Gazette "trial and error isn't so expensive if you leave insurance claims until after the next launch".

Gojira1000 didn't mention the drilling equipment and fuel converter to the K-Prize adjudication panel since it was a minor detail.

manni01 was adamant that refueling was essential for returning to Kerbin, supplied video evidence. Didnt read proviso C because it was "just the small print".

micr0wave forgot which side the wheels were on, may have lost a wing... or two.

JebsDead said whatever exploded wasn't very important... probably. (Presented a couple of mining videos to show how rarely explosions matter.)

n.b.z. wasnt sure how to get Mirgy and her flying saucer back from Duna but was OK with that.

Spartwo beat the odds but lost quite a lot of spaceship.

cy4n argued that a spaceplane was a rocket with wings, suggested the K-Prize panel should try not to worry about the "drop tanks".

luizopiloto considered the mission a democratic success, since a majority of parts didnt explode on touchdown.

Jebediah Klerman brought a rocket to a spaceplane challenge. Felt rules were biased against vertical take off, which they are.

Spaceception came back down to Kerbin with a bit of a bump... and an explosion...  or two...

Marschig glossed over refining-refuelling at Laythe, denied being a rulebreaker saying, "the rules were like that when I found them".

hoioh suggested there was no such thing as bad publicity. 

HyperDraco confirmed that extensive research had shown its best to put wheels on the outside. 

Rhomphaia retorted to a Kerbopolis Times reporter that detachable engines were all part of the plan, or at least half of them were.

xendelaar announced on YouKube the Honey bee had broken the mold for conventional helirocketry. Replied to comments that reading the K-Prize rules was on the to do list. 

camacju when asked why crash the K-Prize party with perfectly good tickets replied, "because it was there".

tosha told reporters  that hacking the KASA mainframe was only to assist a refuelling maneuver, was very sorry it broke a rule but felt its easier to ask forgiveness than to get permission.

Admiral Fluffy switched off altimeter to get better publicity shots, told This Week In Rocketry podcast "sometimes less is more".

4D4850  accidentally parachuted into the goat paddock of the petting zoo next to The Dog & Booster. Told police "I would've gotten away with it too, if it weren't for those meddling kids."

OJT took upstaging to a whole new level. Announced on Kerbal Radio, the Pyramid at Klastonbury was eclipsed by the Cuboid at KSC ... about 16 times a day now it was in orbit. 
- Was flying high until pilot Jebediah Kerman fell off the map, entered the twilight zone and was eaten by a cyber dragon. We salute your sacrifice but no admittance without a bonafide ticket.

... can you do better :P

tvL98oT.png?1

Edited by boolybooly
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hebdomad

hebdomad

Posted
Posted

Craft files would be nice by the end of this challenge. Making space planes is hard! making SSTO space plane is extra hard.

Can\'t wait to see what people come up with...

One question. Vertical launches are perfectly ok right?

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sal_vager

sal_vager

Posted
Posted

Woot! I have an SSTO spaceplane in orbit at 230km, I\'ll land at the KSC and upload the pics, watch this post!

Update: Aircraft failed to return to Kerbin, the weight distribution was such that the engine flew through the airframe and the craft disintegrated, I have another more stable plane but I need to get out in this sun, it\'s been cold for so long here.

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boolybooly

boolybooly

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)

Edit : adapting the post to carry honour rolls from the previous versions.

FYI all links in Version 1.0 and previously are broken because Squad "fixed" the forum.

Version 1.0

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Version 0.90

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Version 0.25

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Version 0.24

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Version 0.23

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Version 0.22

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Version 0.21

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Link to guest lists for versions 0.16 - 0.20.

 

Gate Crashers (early days)

(Dodged the bouncers.)

Stevenator1, borrowed someone else's spaceship...

sss, the public inquiry blamed a computer malfunction...

keptin, wings fell off...

dogon11, denies ever using black market engines...

Baneblade, engines dropped off at an inconvenient moment...

Phoenix Aerospace, confessed to using counterfeit rockets...

Shazi, advertising situations vacant in 'KSP Piloting News' jobs section...

Suzaku, still refusing to pay airport tax...

a7i20ci7y, insists that using uncertified boosters is perfectly safe...

Hooligan Labs, acquitted on all charges...

Maxed Rockets, didnt want to come back anyway.

evilC, denied accusations of short measures saying "I found it like that."

Climberfx parts did not conform with KU common market standards policy.

pinolallo, confessed to using experimental technology. Quoted in Kerbin Gazette, "gate crashing is kind of a hobby for me, my FatBob modified lifter for example." Presented "Theory of STOL Craft Design" to the press, available at all good book stores. Publicised secret crew shuttle test flight.

cpt_nosh accidental fuel pump activation was accident.

Kappa73, on returning from Laythe told reporters that mid-flight ship disintegration is perfectly normal, nothing to worry about. Complained about Kerman Bros plumbing.

Psycho529 prefers the Mun to Kerbin anyway.

Lazer Cut landed on the wrong planet, claimed it was deliberate.

Rosarium blamed saboteurs.

PotatoOverdose made no secret of refuelling on Laythe... many times over.

japa what goes up doesnt always come down.

Cupcake opined that gentlemen prefer VTOL, supplied some most funkadelic demonstration videos.

Auriga exploring the universe in a Spaceballs Camper Van (video).

ihtoit inadvertantly supercharged nuclear engine, landing strip no longer needs lights. (video)

- claimed "the force made me do it!" (Xwing video) (TIE fighter).

Technical Ben told all who would listen "Kraken is more than a mere rocket!" supplied promotional video at no extra charge!

VincentS having some technical difficulties with the "not crashing" bit. Claimed losing a fuel tank on Duna was no accident.

WafflesToo blatantly attempted to distract the K-Prize judges with a one act play (and video).

Spartwo admitted creative interpretation of altimeter readings. Made persistent attempts to distract the bouncers.

Cinocal likes to swing baby yeah (wings that is) !

- felt that altering Kerbin's atmosphere was a price worth paying.

zekes insisted that shuttles are spaceships too.

Rhomphaia took the view that any landing Jebediah could walk away from was a good landing.

El wonso quoted in Kerbin Gazette "In fact you can change the laws of physics."

British_Rover said distributed landing technique was experimental.

RTK admitted enjoying rulebreaking.

 

 

Previous post content...

I'm a watchin' sal_vager, I'm a watchin'.

 

  hebdomad said:

Craft files would be nice by the end of this challenge. Making space planes is hard! making SSTO space plane is extra hard.

Can't wait to see what people come up with...

One question. Vertical launches are perfectly ok right?

 

Expand  

I welcome your enthusiasm hebdomad. Did you see rule #2?

Rule #2, the launch has to be horizontal by which I mean has to happen on the runway and begin with horizontal movement, after which you can fly it any way you want. 8)

Edited by boolybooly
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UmbralRaptor

UmbralRaptor

Posted
Posted

Looks like my glorified rocket approach is... iffy.

screenshot38.png

screenshot39.png

screenshot40.png

It needs the drop at the end of the runway to get airborne, is barely capable of a 70 km orbit, and has a L/D of ~2 with empty tanks and below ~2 km altitude. It cannot safely ditch on water. Land capability is currently unknown. =/

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spike8760

spike8760

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When the rocket fuel tanks finally get separated from jet fuel ones (0.16 i think), I\'m sure this challenge would be much more challenging. The Rocket fuel tanks simply carry so much more for their weight.

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Salda007

Salda007

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Posted

Heh, looks like I need to step up my spaceplane game. The one spaceplane I\'ve gotten into orbit ran out of fuel doing so, partially due to mis-routed fuel lines, and ditched a pair of lower-atmosphere engines, an SRB, and the landing gear (attached to the engines and SRB) on the way up. (The pod decouples and lands via parachute. I\'m not that mean.)

First, though, I need to build something that can rendezvous with my stranded spaceplane and nudge it back into the atmosphere.

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Stevenator1

Stevenator1

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  Salda007 said:

Heh, looks like I need to step up my spaceplane game. The one spaceplane I\'ve gotten into orbit ran out of fuel doing so, partially due to mis-routed fuel lines, and ditched a pair of lower-atmosphere engines, an SRB, and the landing gear (attached to the engines and SRB) on the way up. (The pod decouples and lands via parachute. I\'m not that mean.)

First, though, I need to build something that can rendezvous with my stranded spaceplane and nudge it back into the atmosphere.

You have no idea how much I have tried to do that. Try and try, space is huge. I still haven\'t had a plane or ship that can do that.

  zombiphylax said:

Made this over the weekend,

The Wespe:

N7OFv.png

1Hh92.png

Gets to at least 70km, all one piece, 2 stages, enough RCS fuel for orbital maneuvering, and enough jet fuel to do a controlled landing. All 0.15 vanilla parts.

Tested your design out, I really like it :) Worked fantastically, got a stable 150km orbit, and brought it back down on the pad :)

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Rascal Nag

Rascal Nag

Posted
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  spike8760 said:

When the rocket fuel tanks finally get separated from jet fuel ones (0.16 i think), I\'m sure this challenge would be much more challenging. The Rocket fuel tanks simply carry so much more for their weight.

Not really, I\'ve already done it this way by using structural pylons to separate the fuels:

http://kerbalspaceprogram.com/forum/index.php?topic=12730.0

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Guest GroundHOG-2010

Guest GroundHOG-2010

Posted
Posted

With the current state of attachment, impossible. If I had access to vertical launches and detachment, it would be done in a min.

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boolybooly

boolybooly

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Version 0.20

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Version 0.19

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Version 0.18.0

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Version 0.17.0

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Version 0.16.0

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Previous content.

Good looking spaceplane zombiphylax, I trust I am right to conclude from the above and this that you have actually completed the challenge in accordance with the rules? :D Can I put you on the Roll of Honour ?

Edited by boolybooly
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sal_vager

sal_vager

Posted
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Phew I finally made a plane that works, and flew it, and finally finished making the gallery, the gallery took as long as the flight :)

Here is the flight of the StarSpark SSTO Rocketplane.

Teaser pic.

  Reveal hidden contents

It has only 19 parts, no ASAS or aids other than the cockpit stabilizer, is extremely well balanced and completely reusable. and I think it qualifies me for the smallest ship, highest orbit and closest landing to the KSC so far.

That was a real challenge to build and a lot of fun to fly, my earlier models were similar but the balance was always just rearward enough for the planes to keep trying to tumble and eventually to disintegrate in mid air, there was one point where I though that was going to happen to this plane but it stopped just as quickly as it started.

Updated the StarSpark for 0.15.1

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zombiphylax

zombiphylax

Posted
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  boolybooly said:

Good looking spaceplane zombiphylax, I trust I am right to conclude from the above and this that you have actually completed the challenge in accordance with the rules? :D Can I put you on the Roll of Honour ?

Thank you! And I\'d be honored to be listed. Honestly, I\'ve only had about a 33% successful landing-rate with it though, still need to tinker with wing placement.

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DeadlyPear

DeadlyPear

Posted
Posted

Alright guys, I need some help.

This is my craft, it can reliably get into orbit with about 3/8th\'s of a tank left, which is used to de-orbit.

hRzlO.jpg

That\'s the problem though, when it de-orbits. It tumbles out of control until it hits the ground.

Any tips for making it back through the atmosphere safely?

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zombiphylax

zombiphylax

Posted
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DeadlyPear: I\'d be willing to bet you could take off about half of your wings, which will help balance the weight distribution of your craft. Here is a shot of the original prototype in space with the fuel level, altitude, speed, and periapsis.

J617b.png

ra1IN.png

  sal_vager said:

Phew I finally made a plane that works, and flew it, and finally finished making the gallery, the gallery took as long as the flight :)

Here is the flight of the StarSpark SSTO Rocketplane.

That\'s fantastic! I\'ll have to play around with that to see if I can cram some RCS on there.

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silent_prtoagonist

silent_prtoagonist

Posted
Posted

The Daedalus:

kywYh.jpg

7t35N.jpg

zSYe8.png

1h0QN.jpg

YnuQ5.jpg

R7ipA.jpg

5 normal tanks, 2 turbojets (with intakes), one aerospike, ASAS, and RCS for on-orbit maneuvering. She handles decently well, although she can be a bit squirrely during reentry if you don\'t balance the tanks; likes to go into a flat spin around 9000m. She\'s still manageable, though, as long as you\'re gentle with her.

About feeding jets off of rocket tanks: I figure that, because they have to endure more lateral loads, the space plane parts need a bit more structure than the 'flying bear can' rocket parts, hence being heavier and carrying less fuel. In this case, however, the full low wing (see pic #2) provides a structural back for the fuselage, so the extra reinforcement in the tanks isn\'t needed. Either that, or I got tired of trying to balance two fuel systems and took the quick and dirty route, take your pick. :P

As you can see, there\'s quite a large fuel margin left over, this baby should be able to handle a decent amount of payload (if I could figure out a good way to mount it, a radial decoupler on the back puts it too far off the CG) and she can reach quit high orbits.

Jdys3.png

1TeJg.jpg

Hmmm...I wonder if I could squeak out a free return...

@sal_vager: No jets, I like it. Very elegant design. :thumbup:

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DeadlyPear

DeadlyPear

Posted
Posted

Alright, I\'ve done it! I present, the Lunacy SSTO!

SYfJA.jpg

It\'s a simple craft (kinda) with two jet engines and a radial spike engine attached to 4 tanks of liquid fuel.

It can get into an orbit of 100kmx100km easily with enough fuel to de-orbit in the desired continent.

(Not a 100km by 100km, but close enough)

KaVeu.png

When you deorbit, you are left about half a tank of jet fuel to each engine, allowing for the ability to go a short distance if you are near KSC.

Here\'s somemoar pictures.

dFxpa.png

a5jjL.png

N1BcQ.png

HXMqI.png

J95Xa.png

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Tarmenius

Tarmenius

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Posted

I finally managed to pull this off while trying to successfully convert my favorite spaceplane from .14. Even managed an unpowered landing on the KCS runway. 8)

Immediately after wheels-up, I set my nose to +60deg and held it there until around 15,000m. By 35,000m I was at +30deg and +20 by MECO

PeregrineMk15bTakeoff.png

Only 225m difference between Pe and Ap, without the use of RCS.

PeregrineMk15bOrbit.png

Just before de-orbit burn, I still had enough fuel to work with in case I undershot KCS

PostDe-OrbitBurn.png

On Final Approach and everything looks good.

FinalApproach.png

Rolled to a comfortable stop near the end of the runway. Touchdown was somewhere near the middle.

AllStop.png

It\'s a simple design, but it works well for me.

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zombiphylax

zombiphylax

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  sal_vager said:

Phew I finally made a plane that works, and flew it, and finally finished making the gallery, the gallery took as long as the flight :)

Here is the flight of the StarSpark SSTO Rocketplane.

Alright, so tweaked it just a bit for RCS controls while in orbit. Wonderful design! Very simple, and was easy to balance when recreating, just had to trim some weight so it could lift to extra tank.

zvHew.png

1LCyk.png

Had to switch to joystick at this point...

hcf1U.png

Ajzh5.png

Thanks for the layout!

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UmbralRaptor

UmbralRaptor

Posted
Posted

So, I ran through some design iterations:

SPM_RH.png

SPM_RH3.png

SPM_RH4.png

SPM_RH5.png

SPM_RF0.png

SPM_RF1.png

SPM_RF2.png

SPM_RF3.png

SPM_RF4.png

SPM_RF5.png

SPM_RF6.png

SPM_RF7.png

SPM_RF8.png

SPM_RF9.png

SPM_RF10.png

SPM_RF11.png

I now have a submission in the I hate myself (er, minmalist) category:

SPM2_R6_0.png

SPM2_R6_1.png

SPM2_R6_2.png

SPM2_R6_2.png

17 parts, takeoff weight as equipped is 8.78.* Flying it to orbit is remarkably unfun. It does at least have an incredible TWR, and handles nicely once empty. Remember to throttle down during ascent. There\'s not enough fuel for much maneuvering, but it can glide a fairly long ways.

*It would be 10.78, but landing gear are massless.

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boolybooly

boolybooly

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Congratulations to all spaceplane pilots, you are the right stuff, its gonna be quite a party (I hope, mine\'s still crashing!)

UmbralRaptor, thats a great little ship, you deserve a place on the roll of honour and to be added to Kay Kool\'s bouncer\'s guest list, he is quite big for a Kerbal. However, did you notice the PE is below 70,000? It just wouldn\'t be fair to take mager42s minimalist title away without a more persuasive screeny!

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