Highly Detailed Pioneer 10 and 11 with the Atlas-Centaur

[SaturnianBlue]

This is my 2nd modded replica, and chronologically the first in my Exploring The Gas Giants series, which will take a while to produce.

Mods Required: Dmagic Orbital Science, Infernal Robotics, Procedural Fairings, Procedural Parts, and tweakscale, and Stock Clamshell Fairings greatly improves the quality.

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Stats: Probe weight is about 700 Kg, 165 parts, rocket is about 314 total including probe. Scale is about 77% vs real life. TWR is about 1.38. Default Centaur thrust is about 130, full thrust recommended.

The Probe is highly detailed, and in fact, the scaling tweak scale can do was actually a problem when trying to simulate science experiments. Sadly, I wasn't able to simulate the classical half stage in the technique I built the probe. Also, at 10-100X warp, some parts may get very hot, a stock game bug caused by clipping.

Also, the parts may be offset due to a procedural parts bug, so you will have to move the insulation panel base, sustainer engine, the Centaur top cover, and the probe core on the antennae.

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Here is the highly detailed KSP recreation which is aided with IRL images.

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Flight Tips:

The Sustainer Engine has low TWR, so you should pitch up to 30 or so degrees above the horizon. The rocket launches 90 degrees to the side, so I recommend you turn it 90 degrees too. The sustainer *might* explode during half stage jettison. Also, you should add batteries to Pioneer 10/11, as the original doesn't have even have 100 Electric charge.

​If you download this replica, post your experiences below, and if you have some subassemblies for the Atlas-Centaur, feel free to post.

Thanks for reading, leave some rep if you enjoy!

Edited August 1, 2015 by SaturnianBlue

[clivman]

I have to spread rep around ):

[SaturnianBlue]

Here's some KVV pictures:

Edited August 2, 2015 by SaturnianBlue

[Majorjim!]

Good stuff mate! It really has a 'real' feel to it.

[Yukon0009]

Wow man your stuff is reall good.