Speeding Mullet Posted April 25, 2016 Share Posted April 25, 2016 (edited) SHUTTLE CHALLENGE v3 - THE 1.1.X STS THREAD Good artists copy, great artists steal - Pablo Picasso This heritage challenge is a revised and updated version of @FCISuperGuy's STS challenge, which was in turn derived from @inigma's original STS challenge The series of challenges below represent a sliding scale of difficulty ranging from relatively simple to highly complex. All the required sub-assemblies are made available below with permission for free use, and are stock. I've taken this opportunity to open up the challenge further to modded craft with the introduction of a new set of badges for each mission. RULES - PLEASE READ THESE BEFORE ATTEMPTING THE CHALLENGES Official definition of a shuttle for this challenge: A "reusable" winged Orbiter which carries Kerbals and cargo to orbit and back and is capable of a horizontal landing. It should have OMS engine(s) for trajectory changes as well as an RCS system for maneuvering. The Orbiter must be lifted into space by a Launch System that decouples or un-docks once expended, allowing the Orbiter to land entirely under it's own power. 1. You must declare any and all mods used so I can place you into the relevant category / award the relevant badge. 2. You may not use autopilot mods (except "MechJeb" and "Pilot Assistant") when flying the shuttle 3. All atmosphere-altering mods (except FAR) are disallowed 4. You may not cheat in any way, whether it be by using plugins like HyperEdit or by using the Debug Menu for infinite fuel/RCS (you may, however, use the Debug Menu for part clipping). 5. You are required to use your own shuttle when completing any of the missions below. 6. All missions require either an Imgur album showing each stage of the flight, or a continuous (1 take only) video showing all stages of the flight. 7. Once you have completed a mission, please post your proof in this thread for my review. 8. SSTO's are not eligable for entry to the challenge 9. Missions must be completed in the logical order unless you are certified from either STS v1 or v2 challenges to the relevant level MISSIONS STS-1a: Getting the Basics Right This is the simplest mission - all you need to do is build a space shuttle, fly it, and land it. Badges Available STS Pilot - Rank 1 Build a shuttle complying to the above space shuttle definition and fly it to orbit, then de-orbit and land wherever you like! STS Commander - Rank 1 Build a shuttle complying to the above space shuttle definition and fly it to orbit, then de-orbit and land. Land either at the KSC, the island airfield just off of the KSC, or at any Kerbal Konstructs airport STS-1b: Bonus Fuel Pod Mission (Can You Carry Me?) Inigma Industries has contracted you to take their 42t fuel pod up to the highest possible Kerbin orbit. Since it requires special on-orbit activation procedures, unmanned expendable launch vehicles are out of the question; it's up to you to take this behemoth to orbit and then return to land. Not only that, but they require a very precise orbit: You must adhere to the tolerances (Maximum difference between periapsis and apoapsis below). Can you do it? Tolerances: 70-1999km - 100m 2000-4999km - 500m 4000-5999km - 1km 6000-8000km - 10km 8000km+ - 50km STS Fuel Pod Available HERE STOCK ALTITUDE LEADER-BOARD (Top 5 ONLY) 1. @zolotiyeruki - Shuttle Untitled Space Craft - 83647.70km 2. @Cipher_077 - Shuttle Force of Nature - 82173.00km 3. @Alchemist - Shuttle HRO-M - 19963.00km 4. @FCISuperGuy - Shuttle STV-1 Valkryie - 8532.00km 5. @Naito - Shuttle Rev 2.1 - 2000.03km MODDED ALTITUDE LEADER-BOARD (Top 5 ONLY) 1. @michal.don - Shuttle Kolumbia - 83000.00km 2. @algeo - Shuttle Ablator - 1094.00km 3. @String Witch - Shuttle TOLV-1 Hornet - 1032.69km 4. @Paranoid Shark - Shuttle Atlantis - 199.50km 5. @Daelkyr - Sarnus Sierra Nevada (Booster plane Colorado) - 175.35km If you have successfully taken the Fuel Pod to orbit (70+km), you get the special Flight Director badge, the ultimate display of piloting and engineering prowess and skill. STS-2a: Can You Hear Me? This mission is slightly harder - your goal is to deploy 2 comsats to geostationary orbits from your Shuttle and to return to Kerbin. Additional goals are required for higher-ranking badges. Note: This mission requires the use of an Mk3 Fuselage-based shuttle. Sub-assemblies Suggested (feel free to design your own) STS Comsats - by inigma Badges Available STS Pilot - Rank 2 Reach an orbit of 200+km and deploy your two comsats without spin stabilization to geostationary orbits. De-orbit and land anywhere you want. STS Commander - Rank 2 Reach an orbit of 350+km and deploy your two comsats with spin stabilization (using the provided Sepratrons if using the suggested sub-assemby) to geostationary orbits. De-orbit and land at either at the KSC, the Island Airfield just off of KSC, or at any Kerbal Konstructs airport. STS-2b: Bonus Ore Pod Mission (Do You Even Lift?) Mullet Dyne has contracted you to take their 168t ore pod up to the highest possible Kerbin orbit. Since it requires special on-orbit activation procedures, unmanned expendable launch vehicles are out of the question; it's up to you to take this behemoth to orbit and then return to land. Not only that, but they require a very precise orbit: You must adhere to the tolerances (Maximum difference between periapsis and apoapsis below). Can you do it? Tolerances: 70-1999km - 100m 2000-4999km - 500m 4000-5999km - 1km 6000-8000km - 10km 8000km+ - 50km Speeding Mullet 168t Ore Pod Available HERE STOCK ALTITUDE LEADER-BOARD (Top 5 ONLY) 1. @Cipher_077 - Shuttle Pulse - 82810.54km 2. @Alchemist - Shuttle HRO-H8 - 10145.78km 3. 4. 5. MODDED ALTITUDE LEADER-BOARD (Top 5 ONLY) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. If you have successfully taken the Ore Pod to orbit (70+km), you get the special Flight Director - Rank 2 badge, the ultimate display of piloting and engineering prowess and skill. STS-3: Can You See Me? Your mission here involves some orbital construction - you are to launch the Hubble Space Telescope into orbit and deploy it. This will require assembly with the 2 MMUs provided, as the solar panels need to be attached on-orbit with Kerbals. Note: This mission requires the use of a shuttle with at least a CRG-100 cargo bay. Sub-assemblies Required (feel free to use Cacteye or other telescope mod to make a working space telescope) Hubble Space Telescope - by xoknight (updated by @Alchemist with full credit to xoknight (Thanks Alchemist )) Hint: You will need to find a way to pack this into the Mk3 Cargo bay and mount it securely so it requires a bit of thought. Badges Available STS Pilot - Rank 3 Launch the HST to an orbit of your choice and deploy and assemble it; afterwards, deorbit and land. Land anywhere you want. STS Commander - Rank 3 Launch the HST to a 550+km circular orbit inclined at 25-30 degrees and assemble it. After deployment, land at either at the KSC, the Island Airfield just off of KSC, or at any Kerbal Konstructs airport. STS-4/4R: Can You Rescue Me? This'll be the most daring mission so far - first, you must launch a single shuttle to orbit, then send another shuttle to rescue it. See this article for technical details of the IRL proposed STS-107 rescue. Note: It is recommended to use an Mk3 Fuselage-based shuttle for this mission. Subassemblies Required (OPTIONAL - Requires CRG-100 Cargo Bay) STS-107 SpaceHab Module - by inigma (Used on the first shuttle) (Recommended - Requires at least a CRG-50 Cargo Bay) STS Operations Module - by inigma (Provides 4 extra seats) Badges Available STS Pilot - Rank 4 Launch your first space shuttle into a 200+km orbit with a minimum of 4 crew, then send up your second shuttle to rendezvous with it and rescue its crew before coming in to land anywhere you wish. STS Commander - Rank 4 Launch your first space shuttle into an 350+km orbit with 6 crew at an inclination of 25-30 degrees, then send your second shuttle to rendezvous with it and rescue its crew. Land at either at the KSC, the Island Airfield just off of KSC, or at any Kerbal Konstructs airport. STS-5-8: Can You Build Me? Your mission here is to build a 4 module space station with your space shuttle. Your space station must have: A service module with RCS, engines, and reaction wheels A habitation module 2 scientific modules Badges Avaliable STS Pilot - Rank 5 Assemble your space station above 150km. After each mission, you may land anywhere you want. STS Commander - Rank 5 Assemble your space station above 300km. After each mission, land at either at the KSC, the Island Airfield just off of KSC, or at any Kerbal Konstructs airport. STS-9: Can You Land Me??? This mission is significantly more difficult than those before it. You must develop your own unique sub-assembly and fly a daring mission in order to capture a space potato and return it to Kerbin for study. This will test the balance and re-entry capability of your shuttle to the limits and is not for the feint of heart! Also It's not mandatory for a kerbal to ride the asteroid in on top of the shuttle, but serious respect if you manage it. Example mission here if you need inspiration. Badges Avaliable STS Pilot - Rank 6 Launch your shuttle and capture an asteroid, then de-orbit and land wherever you like! STS Commander - Rank 6 Launch your shuttle and capture an asteroid, then de-orbit and land. Land either at the KSC, the island airfield just off of the KSC, or at any Kerbal Konstructs airport STOCK ASTEROID WEIGHT LEADER-BOARD (Top 5 ONLY) 1. @Alchemist - Shuttle HRO - 35.01t 2. 3. 4. 5. MODDED ASTEROID WEIGHT LEADERBOARD (Top 5 ONLY) 1. @Paranoid Shark - Shuttle Atlantis - 69.99t 2. @michal.don - Shuttle Kolumbia - 27.00t 3. 4. 5. STS-10: Can You Visit Me? This mission is significantly more challenging than those before it and may require extensive shuttle modifications, or even a new shuttle design for some. You must develop your own unique sub-assembly and fly an epic interplanetary mission to Duna in order to deploy a small orbital outpost. This will test the range, aero-capture, and re-entry capability of your shuttle to the limits and is not for the feint of heart! The orbital outpost must have: Room for 4 or more kerbals, Electricity generation and storage Antenna for communication Probe core with SAS NOTE: You may launch 1 support package for your shuttle using a traditional rocket or shuttle launch for this mission. Badges Avaliable STS Pilot - Rank 7 Launch your shuttle to Duna, capture how ever you like, deploy an orbital outpost at your chosen altitude, and return home, capturing however you like and landing where you want. STS Commander - Rank 7 Launch your shuttle to Duna, aero-brake/capture at Duna, deploy an orbital outpost below 70km, and return home, aero-brake/capture at Kerbin, land at either at the KSC, the Island Airfield just off of KSC, or at any Kerbal Konstructs airport. STS-11: Can You Land on me? This mission requires not only a Shuttle capable of getting to Duna, but also one capable of landing on the red planet and successfully returning to Kerbin. You may require extensive shuttle modifications, or even a new shuttle design for this mission. NOTE: You may launch 1 support package for your shuttle using a traditional rocket or shuttle launch for this mission, and feel free to use the mission to add another module to your outpost (this is not a requirement for the challenge) Badges Avaliable STS Pilot - Rank 8 Launch your shuttle to Duna, capture how ever you like and visit your orbital outpost from STS-10 before or after your Duna landing. Return home, capturing however you like and landing where you want. STS Commander - Rank 8 Launch your shuttle to Duna. Aero-brake/capture at Duna and visit your orbital outpost from STS-10 in Low Duna Orbit before or after your Duna landing. Return home, aero-brake/capture at Kerbin, land at either at the KSC, the Island Airfield just off of KSC, or at any Kerbal Konstructs airport. STS-12: Can You Breathe here? First successful mission completion - @michal.donThis mission is hideously challenging and will no doubt require extensive shuttle modifications, or even a totally new shuttle design. You must develop your own unique sub-assemblies and fly an epic interplanetary mission to Laythe in order to deploy a small ground outpost capable of refining Ore (for Pilot level) with the addition of an atmospheric exploration aircraft (for Commander level). This mission is designed to test your shuttle in the extreme, and also your payload construction and deployment methods. The ground outpost must have: Ore refinery and fuel storage with docking port Room for 4 or more kerbalsThe Atmospheric Exploration Aircraft must have: Room for 1 or more kerbals Docking port NOTE: You may launch 1 support package for your shuttle using a traditional rocket or shuttle launch for this mission. Badges Avaliable STS Pilot - Rank 9 Launch your shuttle to Laythe, and land on Laythe before deploying an outpost capable of refining Ore. Return home, capturing however you like and landing where you want. STS Commander - Rank 9 Launch your shuttle to Laythe, and land on Laythe before deploying an outpost capable of refining Ore and before or after deploying an atmospheric exploration aircraft. Return home, capturing however you like and landing where you want. HONORARY BADGES STS Engineer Award Given by an STS Architect for developing a sub-assembly that ends up being a core part of this challenge, or for assisting heavily in the development of a Shuttle. If you have a sub-assembly you'd like to be reviewed, please post a detailed analysis and example mission report in the challenge thread. @inigma - Creator of the STS Fuel Pod and STS ComSats sub-assemblies @xoknight - Creator of the Hubble Space Telescope sub-assembly @FCISuperGuy - Expert advice giver @Alchemist - Patron of multiple shuttle challenges, consistent advice giver and developer, And updater of the HST sub-assembly Astronaut Badge This badge is given to anyone who has completed any of the above missions with a shuttle built by another person. Skunkworks Badge This badge is given to people who have submitted especially unique and outstanding designs which abide by the given definition of a space shuttle. Skunkworks badge holders are still eligible for the above mission badges. The full list of Skunkworks badge holders is as follows: @Foxster - From STS Challenge Version 2 - It was the first inline shuttle in the challenge but the badge was always missing.@ZooNamedGames - For building a replica Saturn Shuttle. Very useful and highly unusual design worthy of the Skunkworks badge.@AffreuxLex - Seriously just watch the video for an amazing example of re-usable infrastructure thoroughly deserving of the Skunkworks nomination.@sdj64 - Brilliant inline shuttle with a hilariously dangerous ET separation Architect Badge The full list of Architect badge holders is as follows: Speeding Mullet - Version 3 Challenge Creator, temporary admin of Version 2 Challenge @inigma - Original Challenge Creator/Manager, Builder of highly-capable STS Space Shuttle and numerous STS-related subassemblies @FCISuperGuy - Version 2 Challenge Creator/Manager, builder of a highly capable shuttle, and excellent giver of advice @xoknight - Creator and maintainer of the venerable Hubble Space Telescope across 3 versions, requiring consistent updates To receive the Architect Badge is a rare honor. To be awarded at my discretion, or through nomination of FCISuperGuy or Inigma for my consideration, and given for acts of invaluable contribution to the challenge above and beyond the call of duty. Edited October 11, 2016 by Speeding Mullet Closed challenge for rennovations Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inigma Posted April 25, 2016 Share Posted April 25, 2016 Lookin' forward to new entries! Thanks for picking this up mate! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speeding Mullet Posted April 25, 2016 Author Share Posted April 25, 2016 4 hours ago, inigma said: Lookin' forward to new entries! Thanks for picking this up mate! It's a pleasure. Hopefully this one will be as successful as the first two! SM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RA3236 Posted April 25, 2016 Share Posted April 25, 2016 I'm going with a simple shuttle, If I can build it Cancel that, my KSP decided to constantly crash... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speeding Mullet Posted April 25, 2016 Author Share Posted April 25, 2016 2 hours ago, RA3236 said: I'm going with a simple shuttle, If I can build it Cancel that, my KSP decided to constantly crash... Mine too, although I'm pretty sure that it's due to just installing a quadrillion mods . Look forward to seeing your "simple shuttle" once you get a stable KSP going! SM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace Warbringer Posted April 25, 2016 Share Posted April 25, 2016 on it! :] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luizopiloto Posted April 25, 2016 Share Posted April 25, 2016 (edited) On the rescue mission... what happens if I bring the damaged shuttle back to KSC? Edited April 25, 2016 by luizopiloto Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norcurion Posted April 25, 2016 Share Posted April 25, 2016 (edited) Ill join the challenge with my new standard Orbiter. Level Goal: STS Commander Lvl 1 Mods&Clarifications: Mods USED: -Mechjeb (start was flown by hand aimed loosely after the Ascend Node); Orbital Changes by Maneuver Planner: Could have done everything vanilla, The shuttle has plenty reserves, but im lazy concerning LKO orbital maneuvers. -Kerbal Engineer Redux: HUD Mods Installed and NOT Used: X Science; Hyperedit (<- It's installed but not used during the challenge flight) Specifications: Payload: >18t to 300x300 LKO Orbiter(Dry): Weight 32.8t; Price: 108.800 Funds Weight on Launchpad incl. Payload : 434,6t Price (Full Assembly - Dry Orbiter) w/o Payload : ~64100 ---> ~3.5 Funds per Kilogram Detailed report under the Images in the Imgur Album Edited April 25, 2016 by Norcurion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RA3236 Posted April 25, 2016 Share Posted April 25, 2016 Well, an unstable Orbital insertion shuttle: The shuttle goes crazy after orbital insertion, but I got it into orbit It also has plenty DV. Oh, and my shuttle didn't have the monopropellent storage that I emptied by accident. Gonna test that tonight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaarst Posted April 26, 2016 Share Posted April 26, 2016 (edited) Started working on a stock shuttle. It puts 55t to a 100x100km orbit (with losses during ascent and some fuel left), still needs tweaking though (what is the point of having 10° gimbal if SAS can't fly your shuttle straight ?). And as it was built for maximum payload, I don't know if it flies with a lighter one... Pics and missions report coming soon™. Edited April 26, 2016 by Gaarst Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mythic_fci Posted April 26, 2016 Share Posted April 26, 2016 Great ideas and challenge! This is certainly a worthy successor to the previous challenge... I will definitely be participating soon! (Real life decided to give me a small break) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RA3236 Posted April 26, 2016 Share Posted April 26, 2016 4 hours ago, FCISuperGuy said: Great ideas and challenge! This is certainly a worthy successor to the previous challenge... I will definitely be participating soon! (Real life decided to give me a small break) My backstory on these challenges: 1. Failed and blew up VAB. 2. Came up an absurd design 3. It worked... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speeding Mullet Posted April 26, 2016 Author Share Posted April 26, 2016 15 hours ago, luizopiloto said: On the rescue mission... what happens if I bring the damaged shuttle back to KSC? Wow now that picture I like! In regards to the challenge technically the shuttles don't have to be the same (on the assumption that they both fit within the given definition of a shuttle above) and there is precedent in @Alchemist using two different shuttles to complete his mission (Great video - give it a watch ). Now we come to the topic of you using a different shuttle to bring your damaged shuttle back to KSC. Hmm.....Let me think about that....HELL YES I WANT TO SEE THAT! 9 hours ago, Norcurion said: Ill join the challenge with my new standard Orbiter. Level Goal: STS Commander Lvl 1 @Norcurion congratulations on developing what is clearly going to be a very capable shuttle. I like the balance tanks that's a good idea. It shouldn't be too much hassle to go from there to boosting inigma's 42t payload to orbit! It was unfortunate that a lot of your mission was flown at night as I would have liked to have seen more visual detail of the shuttle itself which is hard with night screenies, but the report itself I must congratulate you on - highly detailed and easy to understand so well done! I am pleased to be able to award you the first badge of this renewed challenge. You may wear your STS Commander - Rank 1 badge with pride. Please collect it here: 9 hours ago, RA3236 said: Well, an unstable Orbital insertion shuttle: Nice your definitely getting there. Looks to me you just need a little bit of work in balancing the staging and you will be there. Handy tip - Unless running a huge payload my shuttles boosters and main tank don't necessarily run full. You don't want to be hitting orbit with the strap-ons still going ideally. 13 minutes ago, RA3236 said: My backstory on these challenges: 1. Failed and blew up VAB. 2. Came up an absurd design 3. It worked.. and I predict soon enough: 4. You will post the mission report to gain Pilot or Commander level 1 6 hours ago, Gaarst said: Started working on a stock shuttle. It puts 55t to a 100x100km orbit (with losses during ascent and some fuel left), still needs tweaking though (what is the point of having 10° gimbal if SAS can't fly your shuttle straight ?). And as it was built for maximum payload, I don't know if it flies with a lighter one... Pics and missions report coming soon™. Sounds like it puts an absolute lump to LKO so you shouldn't have a problem with boosting the 42t payload when you come to that mission. In my experience designing something for the max capability or ideally mid range capability is the way to go. My Buran was designed with a 20-30t payload in mind, but can stretch to 42t up to 1000km altitude, or return from orbit on no fuel. I think you'll surprise yourself with the capability if you have designed it well. Look forward to seeing your results! 4 hours ago, FCISuperGuy said: Great ideas and challenge! This is certainly a worthy successor to the previous challenge... I will definitely be participating soon! (Real life decided to give me a small break) Hey good to see you here FCI thanks for checking in , and your approval of the new (but basically your) challenge format. To be fair when I went through I couldn't fault your format at all so I just dragged it up to date and opened it up to modding more (I suspect that will be a bigger thing with 1.1). Are you going to design a new shuttle or run the KTS-3 Discovery updated for 1.1? I'm shortly to re-release the Buran 11F35 for 1.1 it's gone through another design iteration and is nearly ready to go. Great to see so much interest at the early stage of this new challenge release. Keep it coming everyone and spread the word! SM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RA3236 Posted April 26, 2016 Share Posted April 26, 2016 1 minute ago, Speeding Mullet said: Nice your definitely getting there. Looks to me you just need a little bit of work in balancing the staging and you will be there. Handy tip - Unless running a huge payload my shuttles boosters and main tank don't necessarily run full. You don't want to be hitting orbit with the strap-ons still going ideally. and I predict soon enough: 4. You will post the mission report to gain Pilot or Commander level 1 I am looking into the problem. Ideally I want it to have a good amount of delta v, which at the moment is about 5400 before the jets come on. I'm also having some problems with landing spots (HarderSolarSystem sucks sometimes) but I'll test with orange tank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speeding Mullet Posted April 26, 2016 Author Share Posted April 26, 2016 15 minutes ago, RA3236 said: I am looking into the problem. Just read up on HarderSolarSystem - looks like an interesting package. My experience with high inclination re-entries has been, well, challenging. It certainly takes something extra to a normal re-entry and you have to be well planned above and beyond normal so good on you for trying to develop a shuttle to cope! FYI I will have to award you the modded category badges rather than stock when the time comes as you are effectively running an altered planetary system, I hope that's OK for you! SM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RA3236 Posted April 26, 2016 Share Posted April 26, 2016 58 minutes ago, Speeding Mullet said: Just read up on HarderSolarSystem - looks like an interesting package. My experience with high inclination re-entries has been, well, challenging. It certainly takes something extra to a normal re-entry and you have to be well planned above and beyond normal so good on you for trying to develop a shuttle to cope! FYI I will have to award you the modded category badges rather than stock when the time comes as you are effectively running an altered planetary system, I hope that's OK for you! SM So true. My shuttle has decided to flip out at 1t payload, but a bit of booster reorientation never hurts HarderSolarSystem might be a good extra challenge. Maybe put it as an optional challenge for using it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norcurion Posted April 26, 2016 Share Posted April 26, 2016 (edited) 10 hours ago, Speeding Mullet said: @Norcurion congratulations on developing what is clearly going to be a very capable shuttle. I like the balance tanks that's a good idea. It shouldn't be too much hassle to go from there to boosting inigma's 42t payload to orbit! It was unfortunate that a lot of your mission was flown at night as I would have liked to have seen more visual detail of the shuttle itself which is hard with night screenies, but the report itself I must congratulate you on - highly detailed and easy to understand so well done! Your wish is my command! Never thought that my Orbiter could do that, but i've lifted the 42t into a 300x300 Orbit. With a Apo/Peri-difference of about 2.3 meters. Done it on a day and have got a lot of nice sunshine pictures and a detailled documentation of the whole final aproach on the KSC Runway icl Pull up/Flare and wheel touchdowns. Ill put some instructions in the Imgur album, may help people who have problems with the landing of shuttles. Problem: Imgur is buggy and i can't access my new Album right now. Ill post the challenge as soon as imgur fixed the bug. Will provide a craftfile too. Edited April 26, 2016 by Norcurion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaarst Posted April 26, 2016 Share Posted April 26, 2016 (edited) Here is my attempt at the first mission of the challenge. It was supposed to land at the KSC but it doesn't like flying at high AoA so reentry was not as "linear" as I expected it to be. Still, the shuttle came with jet engines in the box, so we used them. Boring numbers: Total cost of the vehicle: √311,000 (expensive, like the real one) Cost of the orbiter (dry): √116,000 Cost per ton with orbiter recovery: √3,500 (more expensive than a rocket without refurbishing costs taken into account, like the real one) Total mass at liftoff: 513t (ridiculously heavy, like the real one) Mass of the orbiter (dry): 42t (more mass you can't leave in orbit, like the real one) Maximum payload mass: 55t 142 parts (awfully complex, like the real one) Uses two liquid fueled boosters, each powered by 3 Vector engines. Orbiter is powered by 3 Vector engines, 2 jet engines for atmospheric flight, 6 Monopropellant engines for OMS, and RCS for docking. Only 400 m/s of dV on the orbiter (empty) so circularisation has to be done with the main engines. Annoying to fly, with the rocket pitching all over the place and SAS not helping at all; still, will make it to orbit if you watch your trajectory carefully. Haven't found a name for it yet, will think about it. I will make other attempts for a landing at the KSC, and for the other missions of the challenge. Edited April 26, 2016 by Gaarst Typos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norcurion Posted April 26, 2016 Share Posted April 26, 2016 (edited) 1 hour ago, Gaarst said: .It was supposed to land at the KSC but it doesn't like flying at high AoA so reentry was not as "linear" as I expected it to be. Still, the shuttle came with jet engines in the box, so we used them. Took me 1 Week to figure that out: At those transsonic speeds in the high atmosphere the control surfaces don't work properly due to lack of pressure and Airflow (at the AoA needed to break over Kerbin, your Shuttle is basically stalled) and it starts tumbling without a proper control. Too much for the small reaction wheel in the MKIII cockpit -> a good amount of RCS is very helpful (i use Vernors) Maybe in RSS most of the orbital velocity is eaten in even higher altitude and the reaction wheels are able to cope with that. Nice Wingtips by the way Edited April 26, 2016 by Norcurion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Speeding Mullet Posted April 27, 2016 Author Share Posted April 27, 2016 23 hours ago, RA3236 said: Maybe put it as an optional challenge for using it? I won't - but only as I'll have to consider adding a challenge and badge every time someone is using a different mod but thanks for the idea I'll keep it under advisement 15 hours ago, Gaarst said: Here is my attempt at the first mission of the challenge. It was supposed to land at the KSC but it doesn't like flying at high AoA so reentry was not as "linear" as I expected it to be. Still, the shuttle came with jet engines in the box, so we used them. *Gallery snipped* Boring numbers: Total cost of the vehicle: √311,000 (expensive, like the real one) Cost of the orbiter (dry): √116,000 Cost per ton with orbiter recovery: √3,500 (more expensive than a rocket without refurbishing costs taken into account, like the real one) Total mass at liftoff: 513t (ridiculously heavy, like the real one) Mass of the orbiter (dry): 42t (more mass you can't leave in orbit, like the real one) Maximum payload mass: 55t 142 parts (awfully complex, like the real one) Uses two liquid fueled boosters, each powered by 3 Vector engines. Orbiter is powered by 3 Vector engines, 2 jet engines for atmospheric flight, 6 Monopropellant engines for OMS, and RCS for docking. Only 400 m/s of dV on the orbiter (empty) so circularisation has to be done with the main engines. Annoying to fly, with the rocket pitching all over the place and SAS not helping at all; still, will make it to orbit if you watch your trajectory carefully. Haven't found a name for it yet, will think about it. I will make other attempts for a landing at the KSC, and for the other missions of the challenge. Wow CRG 100 and CRG 50 Cargo bay makes for a lot of room. Looks like a large shuttle with plenty of wing area! Nice clean booster separation on the way up despite your comments on the rocket pitching all over the place it looks like you had a high quality ascent curve to meco too! All in all a great introduction to the challenge, and proof that you can make an awfully complex, not really re-usable, expensive, heavy flying brick a thing of beauty . I guess you've almost hybridized STS and Buran with that set up. Pilot Gaarst I award you Pilot - Rank 1. Wear it with pride and look forward to seeing you compete in more challenges with Pitchy McPitchface, I mean whatever you decide to call it! 14 hours ago, Norcurion said: Nice Wingtips by the way I concur! Good news everyone! All being well the Hubble Space Telescope mission should be updated and ready to roll very shortly. Just waiting for a couple of things and then it's good to go. Also working on a mission profile for the STS-8 "Can you land me" jaunt which should also be ready soon, but it's so late game for this challenge that I'm not expecting anyone to have reached it before its release. Thanks all SM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaarst Posted April 27, 2016 Share Posted April 27, 2016 2 hours ago, Speeding Mullet said: Pilot Gaarst I award you Pilot - Rank 1. Wear it with pride and look forward to seeing you compete in more challenges with Pitchy McPitchface, I mean whatever you decide to call it! I'm so calling this model SRMC-Pitchface (Somewhat Reusable Manned Carrier) ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
commonnerfer Posted April 27, 2016 Share Posted April 27, 2016 i have been waiting for this challenge here is a video Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaarst Posted April 27, 2016 Share Posted April 27, 2016 (edited) Second entry here: Doing the STS-1 mission Commander rank with the bonus fuel pod inside, using the SRMC-Mulish (Somewhat Reusable Manned Carrier) shuttle. Went better than last time: I lost control later during reentry and ended up closer to the KSC. Did slight modifications to the orbiter, essentially moved wings backwards a bit, wasn't really useful. BTW, I don't know how KSP calculates the CoL position, but when your plane/shuttle/rocket/bird/rock/whatever-you-throw-into-the-air wants to fly backwards, it is NOT behind the CoM. Overshot the KSC by a good quarter of Kerbin, so I tried to do S-turns to lose velocity not to end up too far from the KSC, and that is when I lost control; so no S-turns next time, just better aiming. Flying for 15-20mins is annoying, your stupid laptop deciding it can't handle 84 parts and giving physics lag while running at 770MHz is even more annoying. I really have to aim better. Blew up the runway when landing; just add this to the SRMC program's cost, they won't even notice the difference. EDIT: craft file here for anyone interested EDIT2: @Speeding Mullet, you mention no autopilot in the rules, is Pilot Assistant considered as an autopilot ? (I wish to use it to keep constant pitch during reentry) Edited April 27, 2016 by Gaarst Added craft file Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norcurion Posted April 27, 2016 Share Posted April 27, 2016 (edited) MY: STS-1: Bonus Fuel Pod Mission (Can You Carry Me?) - Entry basically its the same Orbiter as in the First Challenge. Mods USED: -Mechjeb (start was flown by hand aimed loosely after the Ascend Node); -Orbital Changes by Maneuver Planner: only without the payload. The 300x300 Orbit is done by hand -Kerbal Engineer Redux: HUD Mods Installed and NOT Used: X Science; Hyperedit Specifications: Payload: >42t to 300x300 LKO Orbiter(Dry): Weight 32.8t; Price: 108.800 Funds Weight on Launchpad incl. Payload : 459.7 Price (Full Assembly - Dry Orbiter) w/o Payload : ~65300 ---> ~1.6 Funds per Kilogram Craft File (Mod Free and without Payload - for the purists): http://kerbalx.com/Norcurion/Space-Shuttle-by-Norcurion Detailed report of the ascend + payload delivery + lowering of the orbit in the Album Reached Payload Orbit: APO(m): Peri(m): Apo-Peri(m): Inclination(°): 299,983.8 299,981.5 2.3 0,45 Detailed report of the landing fashioned as a Landing Guide Edited April 27, 2016 by Norcurion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n.b.z. Posted April 27, 2016 Share Posted April 27, 2016 I have a question about the mission "STS-5-7: Can You Build Me?" Since the numbering runs from 5 to 7, can i assume that three flights are enough to qualify, and that it's allowed to carry both of the "2 scientific modules" on the same flight? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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