Probe Retrieval

[SasquatchM]

Our MechJeb controlled LKO Probe has had a landing computer failure and plashed down in the middle of the ocean.

We need you to build a retrieval craft and get the probe back to KSC as quickly as possible.

Rules:

Any mods you want to use are allowed, other than the blatant 'cheat' type mods. You must have at least MechJeb for the target probe itself.

You can make any type of vehicle you want. Rockets, planes, helicopters, boats... whatever.

The probe must be brought to at least the beach east of the KSC, you will receive a 5% time bonus if you bring the probe all the way to the launch tower, or a 2.5% bonus if you get it to the runway.

Only the MechJeb unit has to survive out of the probe craft; however, all of your pilot kerbals must survive.

You must use the attached persistence file, MAKE SURE TO BACK YOURS UP FIRST!

The fastest modified time wins. Screenshots required.

The most creative ship will receive the coveted 'Nifty' award based on my discretion.

1) superD, modified time of 0:37:41:01

2) SasquatchM, modified time of 0:56:57

3) Semo, modified time of 3:04:56

4)

5)

NIFTY! ---->

[SasquatchM]

My first failed attempt

[Tim_Barrett]

That was hilarious... lol...

Maybe if I attach a boom to my Yamato? It should be heavy enough to counterweight the craft.

[Monkthespy]

That was hilarious... lol...

Maybe if I attach a boom to my Yamato? It should be heavy enough to counterweight the craft.

'Should'

IT WILL BE.

[colmo]

Had a go at making an amphibious Truck (Tosh\'s Cart mod) with pontoons and a claw and turbofan pusher prop.

It falls apart at about 2/3 throttle, killing the crew and spreading debris all over the harbour.

Having real trouble getting the pontoons to stick to the skids from the same mod, for some reason.

[NIN3]

Had a go at making an amphibious Truck (Tosh\'s Cart mod) with pontoons and a claw and turbofan pusher prop.

It falls apart at about 2/3 throttle, killing the crew and spreading debris all over the harbour.

Having real trouble getting the pontoons to stick to the skids from the same mod, for some reason.

Moar ducktape and boosters?

(atually, why not use the sub mod? once you get in the water everything would be a cake walk....)

[SteevyT]

This is taking forever. Maybe I should have made something that could fly to the probe. I have a top speed of about 70m/s in the water.

Edit: Well I modified my craft. Has a top speed of 100 m/s in the air. I haven\'t even made it to the probe.

[Joshmo]

Well, that\'s enough for tonight. More failing tomorrow.

[SasquatchM]

What can I say? I want a challenge to be challenging.

[Semo]

Here is my first fail.

Actually it\'s my second fail. The first time i broke of one of the engine from the probe and it turned waird. I had to redesign my ship.

http://youtu.be/evoFX0dVklo

Sry for the blackbars.. i need to get rid of moviemaker.. sugestions?

[sss]

I suggest you try to raise the probe out of the water first. other than that, good job!

[colmo]

(atually, why not use the sub mod? once you get in the water everything would be a cake walk....)

Now that\'s an idea - get underneath the probe, release a boat platform which will float up taking the probe with it, then sail home. Trying to fly home carrying a load is dangerous, so the boat option is safer.

I so cannot afford the time to crack this one. I have a similar retreival problem in the works, except it\'s a Mk1 crew capsule...and it\'s on the Mun!

[Joshmo]

I just want you to know, SasquatchM, you are evil.

[TheKerbinator]

I tried retrieving it by going into orbit. Needless to say: I failed.

Ascending to my orbit.

Moving from orbit to return trajectory towards the probe.

Coming within an inch of the probe...

...only to run out of fuel and splash into the ocean.

[Semo]

Succes!

Total mission time

3h 9m 41s (-2.5%)

Total distance

276.780m

Highest speed land

45m/s

Highest speed water

+/- 28m/s

Damaged Probe at the runway

Video

Yeah that was an awesome challenge that i\'m never doing again

Its hard as balls and it took me a LONG LONG time to get it right.

But i did it! 8)

[Joshmo]

Nicely done Semo. I don\'t think I\'m going to get this done with my current part loadout.

[colmo]

Grats, Semo!

I\'ve designed a vehicle to do this but I cannot spare the time to actually do the challenge. The pics below are of a Bigtrak I fished out of the harbour near the KSC

Controls are rotors only for flight, prop only for water and land, normal directional controls work on all surfaces, and to reverse the claw towards the probe, blip the main rotors with S pressed. Plan is to fly out to the probe (with an aggressive pitch forward and full throttle, it can do 170m/s), land, manoeuvre, grab, lift clear of water (I don\'t know how heavy it is, hope my vehicle can manage it without tipping - if not, just take it easy on the return) and sail back, then drag it to the tower.

Last 8 images in my Kerbal gallery:

https://picasaweb.google.com/109249657211261643752/KerbalSpaceProgram?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCK6Ggenh7_2RtQE&feat=directlink

If someone else wants to use the vehicle, the .craft file is attached - needs HSTW pontoons and landing struts, Damned Aerospace and Damned Robotics. The MkII is identical to the MkI aside from a miniscule centring of the grab arm and the addition of winglets to aid control.

[SteevyT]

This is hard.

Third or fourth attempt.

Coming up to the probe for the second or third time.

Well how did I knock that off? The arm can\'t even rotate.

I think this is my fifth attempt, I\'ve kind of lost count.

YES!!! GOT IT!!!! FINALLY!!!!

Wait, what? How?

[SasquatchM]

Very nice, Semo! I really like your lift device as well. more like a sieve in operation than a claw.

[sss]

Moar ducktape and boosters?

(atually, why not use the sub mod? once you get in the water everything would be a cake walk....)

Link?

[Joshmo]

First attempt - nailed it. Ran out of fuel on the way back though, back to the drawing board.

[SasquatchM]

I am currently on my sixth or seventh attempt, but I think I can do it with my latest one. More updates tomorrow after I sleep.

[Semo]

Thanks everyone! Worked all day on that ship.

You know... we should all be able to do this. I mean we shoot rockets up in the air with no problem but getting them back? Noooo =P

Good luck everyone!

[SasquatchM]

[SasquatchM]

Success!!