Physically Smallest Lander

[antiquark]

How small can you get to the Mun and back? This one is pretty small, but not stock -- it\'s using some Thor and Odin parts. Actually it has me wondering if the Thor/Odin parts are too powerful. This little thing can go to the Mun, return to KSC with a powered landing, then take off again and make a 100km orbit! Hmmmm...

[Tiberion]

Well if you\'re gonna abuse the tiny parts needed for those craft in weird, non-intended ways, then of course its going to perform in strange ways.

I can\'t even look at what you really did since you included Mechjeb in the craft

The construction of Odin is changing anyway, so enjoy it while you can

[dogon11]

Didn\'t someone fly to Minmus and back with a capsule, three RCS tanks, and six linear RCS ports?

[antiquark]

Here\'s a mechjeb-less one for the mechjebally challenged. Note that this is using the NovaPunch 1.2 beta package. Actually I was running some tests, comparing to other engines and fuel tanks... the Thor/Odin parts are similar, just in a smaller package.

[Tiberion]

Actually, after digging.. you have discovered a rather large bug (with Odin\'s config, compounded by undocumented new fuel flow features)

Its related to the new 'nodecrosskey' restrictions on fuel flow; things like tri-couplers or other parts that had fuel flowing 'out' through multiple nodes were affected and required a new config parameter, otherwise only one of their 'nodes' used fuel. For instance, a tri-coupler will only use 1/3rd of the expected fuel without the adjustment.

I fixed the nomral multi-adapters in Novapunch, but failed to realize that the fuel tank that holds the engines (in 4x symmetry) is also one, and it was unmodified. So only one of the engines was using fuel. It was also letting it pull fuel 'up' through the bottom node from that bottom tank. That will not work any more without a fuel line.

Open NP_OdinFuelTank and then part.cfg in that folder.

Find:

// --- node definitions ---

node_stack_top = 0.0, 0.0809, 0.0, 0.0, 1.0, 0.0

node_stack_bottom = 0.0, -0.11, 0.0, 0.0, 1.0, 0.0, 0

node_stack_tankL = 0.2664, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0

node_stack_tankR = -0.2664, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0

node_stack_tankU = 0, 0, 0.2664, 0, 1, 0, 0

node_stack_tankD = 0, 0, -0.2664, 0, 1, 0, 0

Replace with:

// --- node definitions ---

node_stack_top = 0.0, 0.0809, 0.0, 0.0, 1.0, 0.0

node_stack_bottom = 0.0, -0.11, 0.0, 0.0, 1.0, 0.0, 0

node_stack_bottomL = 0.2664, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0

node_stack_bottomR = -0.2664, 0, 0, 0, 1, 0, 0

node_stack_bottomU = 0, 0, 0.2664, 0, 1, 0, 0

node_stack_bottomD = 0, 0, -0.2664, 0, 1, 0, 0

and then add:

// keeps fuel from flowing FROM the bottom nodes (prevents stack imbalances and such)

NoCrossFeedNodeKey = bottom

at the bottom of the cfg file. Save it and try it again. The 1st stage will no longer even reach initial orbit (it prob. will if you move the lone bottom tank 'above' the engine+tank set, but that is probably okay for now since Odin is getting a rework when I have time)

the new fuel system is highly confusing and possibly still broken, but I *think* the above config settings will make it work as intended. Try it out and see.

[antiquark]

Thanks, I\'ll give that a try!

[SunJumper]

Smallest stock lander is a command module + SRB. Point down, and fire at the exact perfect time.

Smallest mod lander is the MechJeb Unmanned module part only.

[Apotheosist]

The smallest stock craft that can get to the Mun and back and does not use any of the unbalanced C7 parts is my ship, 'The Bare Minimun II'.

[SunJumper]

This topic is about the smallest LANDER, the part that actually lands on the Mun. As such, your lander is four parts, less than the two of the true Bare Minimum lander. Yes, it is highly difficult to land on the moon with a SRB, but this does not make it impossible.

Although using a small tank and small engine may be lighter than this setup.

[Apotheosist]

This topic is about the smallest LANDER, the part that actually lands on the Mun. As such, your lander is four parts, less than the two of the true Bare Minimum lander. Yes, it is highly difficult to land on the moon with a SRB, but this does not make it impossible.

Although using a small tank and small engine may be lighter than this setup.

Forgive me, my interpretation of the Opening post, 'How small can you get to the Mun and back', was for the craft for a whole mission from liftoff to the Mun and re-entry and landing on kerbin. I was further led to believe this because the opening post stated that the craft used had the ability to 'go to the Mun, return to KSC with a powered landing, then take off again and make a 100km orbit!' But eh, gave me a chance to advertise my ship

If the challenge was by your interpreted definition, then you are of course correct.