Shockwave Launch Challenge

[LittleBlueGaming]

Red Dwarf brought the action-at-a-distance bug/feature to my attention, and it gave me an idea. A challenge to see who can get the best launch of a payload, simply by flying past it as shown in this screenshot.

The key to achieving a launch is to fly very fast, and very close to the payload. 600+ m/s and less than 50 meters seems to be a good base-point.

THE RULES

1: Payload consists of one(1) unmanned Mobile Processing Lab MPL-LG-2, sitting stationary on the launchpad. No other parts may be attached.

2: You can use any design you can come up with, the only requirement is that you launch the lab without coming into contact with it.

3: Please follow the spirit of the challenge, without attempting to use unrelated exploits.

MODS

1: For the stock scoreboard, you can use any mods which do not modify stock parts, add new parts, or change KSP physics.

2: For the modded scoreboard, you can use any public mods, just list what you used.

SCORING

There will be two scoreboards: Highest Altitude and Highest Speed (in surface mode). To substantiate your score, switch vessels using the [ and ] keys. As soon as the lab lifts off, it will allow you to switch. Then take a screenshot as quickly as possible for highest speed, or at the highest point for highest altitude. You can score on both scoreboards with the same launch, but only the numbers shown in your screenshots will be recorded.

Please also include screenshots of your craft, the closer to the launchpad the better. Liberal use of F5 and F9 helps to get screenshots of both your craft, and the pod's stats.

SCOREBOARDS

HIGHEST ALTITUDE - STOCK

- LittleBlueGaming: 82 m

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HIGHEST VELOCITY - STOCK

- LittleBlueGaming: 98.1 m/s

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HIGHEST ALTITUDE - MODDED

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HIGHEST VELOCITY - MODDED

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MY ENTRY

I'll post my more serious attempt later, but this will do for now.

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Edited June 9, 2015 by LittleBlueGaming

[cybersol]

Question, would the F3 screen be an easier way to record both the highest altitude and speed at the same time?

[LittleBlueGaming]

Question, would the F3 screen be an easier way to record both the highest altitude and speed at the same time?

Hmm, I didn't even know about that screen

It doesn't look like it. I just tried and it was showing speed/altitude records for my jet.

[Randazzo]

So what's the trick to making this happen? Do I need to leave physics range? I made about half a dozen passes at over 700 m/s and nothing. I did this one a little slower to get as close as possible (and I couldn't get closer unless I hit it), but it never budged. I can see effects playing on it though.

[LittleBlueGaming]

So what's the trick to making this happen? Do I need to leave physics range? I made about half a dozen passes at over 700 m/s and nothing. I did this one a little slower to get as close as possible (and I couldn't get closer unless I hit it), but it never budged. I can see effects playing on it though.

http://i.imgur.com/Ewmcod7.png

http://i.imgur.com/Yp5H9gJ.png

For me it's worked every time at high speeds, as long as I get within 100m or so. That first one probably would have launched it with another 100-200 m/s.

It also seemed like I could be much further away with my larger craft at 1000m/s than I need to get with this little one at 600m/s.

Another tip is that the payload will tend to follow your prograde vector, so if you're pulling up when you get close to it(hard to time), you'll get more altitude.

Edit: I'll put in a tips section that explains how exactly to do it

Edited June 9, 2015 by LittleBlueGaming

[Randazzo]

For me it's worked every time at high speeds, as long as I get within 100m or so. That first one probably would have launched it with another 100-200 m/s.

It also seemed like I could be much further away with my larger craft at 1000m/s than I need to get with this little one at 600m/s.

Another tip is that the payload will tend to follow your prograde vector, so if you're pulling up when you get close to it(hard to time), you'll get more altitude.

Edit: I'll put in a tips section that explains how exactly to do it

I got within 13 meters, it did not move. I've done this about 30 times now, it never moves. I am disappoint.

[LittleBlueGaming]

I got within 13 meters, it did not move. I've done this about 30 times now, it never moves. I am disappoint.

That's sad. Did you keep reusing the same quicksave? I'm wondering if you have that same downward velocity.

I've also always done it coming in from the sea, I wonder if that could somehow affect it.

[Randazzo]

That's sad. Did you keep reusing the same quicksave? I'm wondering if you have that same downward velocity.

I've also always done it coming in from the sea, I wonder if that could somehow affect it.

Makes no difference. I skimmed across the grass at 20m and popped up before passing it at 70 meters. Didn't move. I'm not using quicksaves either.

[Jakalth]

I think the problem here is that the part is getting locked in place on the laucnh pad. Might want to have the part on a small stack separator and decouple it. This way it isn't being treated as locked to the pad. Not sure if this will help or not.

[LittleBlueGaming]

Yeah, I dunno. It works every time for me, no mods except KER and KAC... I figured it would work for everybody.

[WOLVSAid]

Hey guys, I have seen this issue and it's still there, cause of the physical engine load time & distance, So i thought I got an example craft of how you could do it,

check it out here