Two Idiot Torpedo System (v1.0.5 2000m/s Mun Lander)

[Turd]

I built this since my normal lander is about 20t and 80 parts. Wanted something about 5t, really short, under 40 parts. It had to be roughly cylindrical to fit an opening on its mother craft. I consider it a failure since it didn't meet any of those goals completely but hey, maybe it'll give someone else an idea. The quest continues for me.

The VTOL capability was abandoned in the last version. RCS is powerful enough to take care of that by itself. Carries two idiots, and all the science gear except a lab or the scanners. It is narrow enough in profile to stow on my large  exploratory vessel, but too long for it to be comfortable so I really have no  use for it.

"Final" version:

screenshot59 by Kris Flory, on Flickr

screenshot55 by Kris Flory, on Flickr

Previous version. Landed it in the worst possible position to test take off capability, didn't even need the extra engines.

screenshot47 by Kris Flory, on Flickr

screenshot50 by Kris Flory, on Flickr

screenshot52 by Kris Flory, on Flickr

screenshot53 by Kris Flory, on Flickr

screenshot54 by Kris Flory, on Flickr

Edited December 12, 2015 by Turd

[Mikki]

Good to know you won`t put any Judges, lawyers or other non-idiots in this craft... looks hell-a-cool! We can put it up with small SSTO's, and capture again and land!

Great!

You have a lot lateral RCS authority, maybe put the half of it more front/after in lenght axe... its cool anyway

Edited December 12, 2015 by Mikki
Spell...:D

[Kerbart]

Interesting concept. Not the most comfortable crew quarters, but hey, for science!

You could leave the Science Jr bay out. That will likely cut the need for one fuel tank and gets you something much shorter. Of course now you have no science bay but perhaps a second probe without the service bays and the Science Jr only would do the trick. One large lander pod might be too long but perhaps two shorter ones could do?

[Turd]

I made a shorter version, but there's no way it will fit where I need it. Lots of lateral and vertical RCS so I can nail landings. I could remove a few but I like the control. I did build it so it can be refueled and reused, none of my stuff is single use besides launchers which recover via chute and Stage Recovery, and the giant tanks I use for refueling. The previous pre-1.0 version I had DID launch inside an SSTO but they are no longer cost effective and all the Mk3 parts have changed. The little cargo modules do make up for that loss in my mind.

Its tough, I can land it upside down at 12m/s and it survives and is capable of self recovery due to the extra RCS. But it's useless to me unless I do some cheaty clipping. Looks more like a little spider than a torpedo at this point and is still too big to use.

screenshot66 by Kris Flory, on Flickr

Edited December 12, 2015 by Turd