SSTO using only SRBs for propulsion

[joshudson]

Challenge: Build and launch a SSTO that uses only SRBs to provide propulsion.

Bone stock challenge: Informative and decorative mods only. (OK I don't care if you have mods installed you don't use)

Known acceptable mods:

* DMP

* Kerbal Engineer

* Planetshine

* Protractor (useless)

* TAC life support (only adds difficulty)

Known unacceptable mods:

* Mechjeb

* Mechjeb for all

* FAR (I don't want to figure out how to adjust the score and stock aero is fixed in 1.0.4)

* KW Rocketry

* Infernal Robotics

* Any mod that adds non-stock SRBs

We define SSTO as follows: You may not drop parts after launch and before achieving orbit, nor break them, nor burn them up. All parts not going into orbit must be detached at launch with any launch clamps used.

No kraken drives. No ladder drives, no RCS, no get-out-and-push, no fuel pumping dumbbell, no anything else I haven't thought of (thankfully they fixed infiniglide as you need fins). You may use gravity assist if you can somehow reach the Mun's SOI (but if you can do that you've already won, it's only for score at this point). Reaction wheels are allowed (and probably required). If you need reaction mass for steering, you must use sepratrons.

You may enable the part clipping cheat, but only for placing nose cones. If parts clip w/o using the cheat, go ahead and fly them that way.

If you fly a kerbal, you must provision for getting him (or her as the case may be) down again (this doesn't have to be SSTO). If you claim you can use the jetpack, you have to actually DO it. Stranding kerbals for showing off is not cool. [i used a probe core for my successful attempt.]

I'm lazy. Your score is your PE altitude. My score is 77,098. If you can somehow pull off a Kerbin escape, even with a gravity assist, your score is infinite.

Hint: use tweakables and read the definitions very carefully.

[xiej]

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Edited November 15, 2024 by xiej

[joshudson]

If you fly a kerbal, you must provision for getting him (or her as the case may be) down again (this doesn't have to be SSTO)

​wow... makes this so much easier

Does this mean that I can just leave my propulsion in orbit, and use the jetpack to get the Kerbal down again?

Or can I detach the living module for the Kerbal, and bring that down to Kerbin?

The first is acceptable if you can fly the jetpack re-entry (I can't). The second is obviously acceptable.