Constellation Mission Packs Discussion Thread!

[pTrevTrevs]

1 hour ago, Majorjim said:

How's everyone getting on with the Constellation stuff?

All the Lunar stuff is done, both of my landers are in EDL and Surface Activity Testing. Ares V needs something to improve control during launch, and Ares I and Orion are awaiting overhauls of almost every system on board. SPR works well (as proven on the Mun and Kerbin), but the DIPS and radiators still have trouble exiting their storage bay on the Cargo Lander.

Does anyone know if the Face changed locations on Duna in 1.1.3. I've heard they polished up the Easter Eggs, and I've seen that the KSC monolith has almost tripled in size and the Magic Boulder is *sort of* back, but I have no idea what else was done.

[Majorjim!]

Just now, pTrevTrevs said:

All the Lunar stuff is done, both of my landers are in EDL and Surface Activity Testing. Ares V needs something to improve control during launch, and Ares I and Orion are awaiting overhauls of almost every system on board. SPR works well (as proven on the Mun and Kerbin), but the DIPS and radiators still have trouble exiting their storage bay on the Cargo Lander.

Does anyone know if the Face changed locations on Duna in 1.1.3. I've heard they polished up the Easter Eggs, and I've seen that the KSC monolith has almost tripled in size and the Magic Boulder is *sort of* back, but I have no idea what else was done.

It was fine before I think man, I visited it after the surface changes on planets. I have not seen it for a while though.

 Is your Ares V using SRB bundles? Vernor engines really help fight the touque of the SRBs.

[pTrevTrevs]

2 hours ago, Majorjim said:

It was fine before I think man, I visited it after the surface changes on planets. I have not seen it for a while though.

 Is your Ares V using SRB bundles? Vernor engines really help fight the touque of the SRBs.

Yeah, the Ares V SRBs are copies of the one on Ares I, except they're a little longer and have nosecones. Right now any pitch maneuvers have to be done slowly and fairly late in the ascent, or the rocket will flip over and lose control. Fortunately, it can usually afford to wait because it's so grossly overpowered, but I would rather have it barely be able to push 70tons to orbit than be a superlifter that eats 100t payloads for breakfast.

Edited July 1, 2016 by pTrevTrevs

[Majorjim!]

30 minutes ago, pTrevTrevs said:

Yeah, the Ares V SRBs are copies of the one on Ares I, except they're a little longer and have nosecones. Right now any pitch maneuvers have to be done slowly and fairly late in the ascent, or the rocket will flip over and lose control. Fortunately, it can usually afford to wait because it's so grossly overpowered, but I would rather have it barely be able to push 70tons to orbit than be a superlifter that eats 100t payloads for breakfast.

I know what you mean. Try using four clusters of four vernors near the top below the payload it really does help and real rockets use them too.

[Mad Rocket Scientist]

5 hours ago, Majorjim said:

How's everyone getting on with the Constellation stuff?

 I have finished the two aeroshells, each one is tailored for each lander, that took some time.. I improved my Ares 1 and is now the best example I have seen of one. Very happy about that!

 I realised I have been working on this pack for over a year now.. Mostly due to the number of times I rebuilt things. I prefer to perfect something behind the scenes rather than releasing something and then improving it like some builders do. At least you get the absolute best straight off the bat!

 The part counts have gone up a bit but with good reason. Nothing is superfluous and you need the detail in a replica of this scale! Performance for me is still perfect and the timer stays fully 'in the green'. I have some more testing on the landers to fully certify them 'majorjim quality' then all I have to do is make the Ares V. Having said that there always seems like there are things to do or test or improve but I am inching towards completion!

 

I'm not going very quickly, since I've been playing space engineers a lot recently, but I do have a picture of my Ares V:

I'm using the five engine design of Ares V for this.

 

[Majorjim!]

Just now, Mad Rocket Scientist said:

I'm using the five engine design of Ares V for this.

Are those legs I see on the SRBs?

[Mad Rocket Scientist]

3 minutes ago, Majorjim said:

Are those legs I see on the SRBs?

No, they're seperatrons.  Still not working, the SRBs explode when they decouple.

[Majorjim!]

Just now, Mad Rocket Scientist said:

the SRBs explode when they decouple.

Swizz.. Is the fairing hitting the SRBs inside maybe?

[Mad Rocket Scientist]

3 minutes ago, Majorjim said:

Swizz.. Is the fairing hitting the SRBs inside maybe?

I think the decoupler just need its force tweaked.  I'm not too worried about it right now, because I'm just tweaking the thrust limiters and fuel percents on the SRBs to get a nice, even acceleration during launch.

[Majorjim!]

Just now, Mad Rocket Scientist said:

I think the decoupler just need its force tweaked.  I'm not too worried about it right now, because I'm just tweaking the thrust limiters and fuel percents on the SRBs to get a nice, even acceleration during launch.

Cool, yeah they burn out super fast at full power huh. Good luck with it mate!

[NSEP]

5 hours ago, Majorjim said:

How's everyone getting on with the Constellation stuff?

 I have finished the two aeroshells, each one is tailored for each lander, that took some time.. I improved my Ares 1 and is now the best example I have seen of one. Very happy about that!

 I realised I have been working on this pack for over a year now.. Mostly due to the number of times I rebuilt things. I prefer to perfect something behind the scenes rather than releasing something and then improving it like some builders do. At least you get the absolute best straight off the bat!

 The part counts have gone up a bit but with good reason. Nothing is superfluous and you need the detail in a replica of this scale! Performance for me is still perfect and the timer stays fully 'in the green'. I have some more testing on the landers to fully certify them 'majorjim quality' then all I have to do is make the Ares V. Having said that there always seems like there are things to do or test or improve but I am inching towards completion!

 

Im working on a Lunar / Munar lander now. I will maybe make a direct lander. (a lander that doesnt dock with a SM or anything). Or maybe just a normal Apollo style LEM. I dont know yet. But the Benelux space program got funding isseus. So the Floris and Brabantium wont be flying again anytime soon. RIP Benelux Space Program. Doggerland will have to work with Ruskiland now. BTW your doing good Majorjim! 

[Majorjim!]

Just now, NSEP said:

Im working on a Lunar / Munar lander now. I will maybe make a direct lander. (a lander that doesnt dock with a SM or anything). Or maybe just a normal Apollo style LEM. I dont know yet. But the Benelux space program got funding isseus. So the Floris and Brabantium wont be flying again anytime soon. RIP Benelux Space Program. Doggerland will have to work with Ruskiland now. BTW your doing good Majorjim! 

Cheers dude, I'm getting there slowly. I look forward to seeing what else you come up with!

[pTrevTrevs]

1 hour ago, Majorjim said:

I know what you mean. Try using four clusters of four vernors near the top below the payload it really does help and real rockets use them too.

About how much fuel would that cost, assuming how unruly my Ares V can be? If it's at the top it will be taking fuel from the Earth Departure Stage, which is already a bit short on DeltaV.

[Majorjim!]

Just now, pTrevTrevs said:

About how much fuel would that cost, assuming how unruly my Ares V can be? If it's at the top it will be taking fuel from the Earth Departure Stage, which is already a bit short on DeltaV.

It shouldn't take much fuel during launch. Have a go and see if it reduces that stages dv much.

[pTrevTrevs]

55 minutes ago, Majorjim said:

It shouldn't take much fuel during launch. Have a go and see if it reduces that stages dv much.

I'm going to try it after I finish my Sikorsky H-5. Building it is honestly much more fun than Constellation right now

[Majorjim!]

Just now, pTrevTrevs said:

I'm going to try it after I finish my Sikorsky H-5. Building it is honestly much more fun than Constellation right now

I know what you mean man. Take your time, building a constellation pack is climbing a mountain it cannot be done quickly! I mean I made that Duna Direct mission pack as an easy distraction from my pack!!

[pTrevTrevs]

27 minutes ago, Majorjim said:

I know what you mean man. Take your time, building a constellation pack is climbing a mountain it cannot be done quickly! I mean I made that Duna Direct mission pack as an easy distraction from my pack!!

Yep, the Korean War aircraft I'm doing now are really fun, especially the carrier rated ones and helicopters.

[Majorjim!]

Just now, pTrevTrevs said:

Yep, the Korean War aircraft I'm doing now are really fun, especially the carrier rated ones and helicopters.

yeah dont get burnt out. Thats how things get left unfinished,

[pTrevTrevs]

44 minutes ago, Majorjim said:

yeah dont get burnt out. Thats how things get left unfinished,

I think with 1.1.3 out I'll work on it some more. Remember, I'm working on this not just for the forums, it's for myself too, because as you surely know by now, IMve never sent Kerbals beyond Minmus.

I have everything built, which is to me the hardest part. Modifying and improving the designs is (marginally) easier.

[Spartwo]

Badb transfer vehicle is away. Sacrificing accuracy for effectiveness. The Transfer, Cargo, and Habitation modules are all below 100 parts and use the same launcher. Engine assembly is the same for all 3. The crew land, ascend, and return to Kerbin surface in the CTV rather than just push a hab module out of orbit.

[Majorjim!]

3 hours ago, Spartwo said:

 

Badb transfer vehicle is away. Sacrificing accuracy for effectiveness. The Transfer, Cargo, and Habitation modules are all below 100 parts and use the same launcher. Engine assembly is the same for all 3. The crew land, ascend, and return to Kerbin surface in the CTV rather than just push a hab module out of orbit.

Looks great man! Do you have any other vehicles made?

[Spartwo]

All of them, currently recording the mission and probably rebuilding the launcher to look prettier.

[Majorjim!]

Ok so I made a small aesthetic change to the aero-shells that has caused them to flip on EDL. So I have added vernier engines to the top and bottom of the shell which stops the flipping flipping. I think the real aero-shell would have had attitude adjustment motors so I am happy to add them.

 In fact the Habitation lander that aero-brakes into an eccentric orbit before the arrival of the crew would have de-orbited by use of those attitude adjustment motors as seen in the NASA animation. It would have used them to lower it's Pe into an EDL trajectory.

Edited July 4, 2016 by Majorjim

[Raptor9]

5 hours ago, Majorjim said:

I have added vernier engines to the top and bottom of the shell which stops the flipping flipping.

I upgraded my landers to "Vernors" as well, but only on the landers themselves inside the aeroshell.  The first reason is because they're much more powerful than the monopropellant RCS thrusters, which is needed when controlling the attitude of such a huge lander during the EDL sequence.  The second reason is I wanted to have a single propellant type for orbital maneuvers, and another for EDL.  My aeroshell uses mono-powered RCS thrusters and O-10 "Puff" engines for orbital adjustments/deorbit.  This ensures the fuel reserves needed for landing aren't touched. 

The caveat is that my aeroshells are jettisoned prior to atmo entry, allowing the 'Vernors' to maintain lander attitude during EDL.  Meanwhile, my test mission is complete.  I've identified a list of tweaks and refinements to be made to the landers and my EV-4 'Longship' (pictured below) to ensure design deficiencies are corrected.  I've even identified some aerocapture guidelines for my landers to ensure nobody melts the aeroshell (If using a fairing-based aeroshell of course).

Edited July 4, 2016 by Raptor9

[Majorjim!]

Just now, Raptor9 said:

I upgraded my landers to "Vernors" as well

They work a treat huh. My lander craft also have them for small maneuvers although it is designed mainly to just 'fall'.

 I have run into a major aesthetics issue. I spent a huge amount of time making an awesome custom fairing that is just too big and will negatively effect the Ares V build.. The proc faring I have looks better at the moment as its smaller and fits the Ares V better. I think I will just have to make the custom fairing again except I dont think its possible to make it as cleanly as I have now and have it as small as I want it. I could use the smaller radiator panels but they don't look as good and it will be double the parts.. Nuts.. I hate these situations.

 I am going to fiddle with the custom one I have now and see if I can make it smaller and keep it as clean as the larger one. So. Much. Time. To. Make... Losing.. Mind.. slowly..