Apollo Applications Program Challenge - RSS/RO

[RedCapDan]

So I've decided to kick off a run through of Apollo Applications Program, and for the hell of it figured RSS/RO would add an extra bit of flavor to it. Mod list I will be using is RSS and the RO overhaul suite of mods, procedural parts, and SSTU for the CSM model plus some of the engines. 

First up in the challenge is Apollo 4. All-up test of the Saturn V, bearing an unmanned Command Module, Service Module and a test article simulating the weight of the Lunar Module. Prior to launch, it took some ground testing to get the staging correct, ullage motors firing correctly that sort of thing. 

http://imgur.com/a/E7F1t - Heres my gallery showing some launch high-lights. I'm going to have to take more on orbit pictures, real life got in the way so i exited shortly after getting to orbit. I re-lit the S-IVB on orbit and staged quickly, making sure the petal adapter worked properly. I think I'll  have to clean up my trajectory, and lighten my LM or change out the SSTU service module with a lighter one of my own design, the IVB didnt quite have enough in it for TLI.

Next up will be a quick overview post. on my LM, the rockets, etc.I'm hoping to take this all the way to Mars, towards a "Voyage" style landing.

Let me know what you think guys!

[RedCapDan]

http://imgur.com/gallery/0d4Rj

Apollo 7! Well, the first manned launch of my Saturn IB went well with my custom service module. Slight bit over engineered on what I put in for consumables, extra liquid hydrogen came in handy to keep up the fuel cells. My basic design was an interstage decoupler upside down for the structure, universal storage octocores with fuel cells, consumables ie. water, oxygen, LOX and LH2 for the fuel cells and of course food. Then below that, tankage for the SPS. RCS was mounted on the girders then the interstage fairing went over. All things considered it went well. SSTU has a great SM, but I wanted to have one that I could customize as I took it up to a Block IV or V for eventual Mars missions.

First thing after reaching orbit the crew tested out the SPS with two burns of 150-200 m/s of delta v, raising apoapsis and periapsis to approximately 1000km. A third burn brought Apollo 7 down from orbit to a nice splashdown in the Atlantic. 

Kept the mission in orbit for 11 days, Apollo 8 should have more then enough power and supplies to get to the moon and complete the objectives. 

Scoring, I forgot to add that in on my last post so here goes.

- Saturn Five uses 5 engines on the first stage, 5 engines on the second stage, and one engine on the third stage. +20 (on my Apollo 4 mission)

- Launch Escape System +5

- Fuel cells only for power +10

- Life Support +26 (TAC Life support for the win!)

So 61 points so far. I'll do the whole multiply for my RSS bonus once I have completed the challenge.

 

[Wallygator]

Very Nice, and well done!

[RedCapDan]

Thanks Wallygator!

Well I've gone and completed Apollos 8,9 and 10. 11 to come shortly, real life got in the way, moving sucks! First attempt at Kronal, hopefully it turns out alright.

 

 

 

Full album - http://imgur.com/a/MUuAJ

Edited August 21, 2016 by RedCapDan

[Norcalplanner]

Looks like RSB?