Brute Force Deep Space Network

[Moesly_Armlis]

Brute Force Deep Space Network

The challenge is to build an Antenna Array that allows a first tier Tracking Station using first tier technology to communicate interplanetary.

Build a Deep Space Network that would allow a first level Tracking Station to communicate interplanetary using only the technology from a first level Science Complex.

 

Start Normal Career

Do not upgrade the Science Complex or Tracking Station

Cheat Funds to upgrade the VAB and Launchpad

Cheat Science points and unlock technology

Success when a probe sends back science data interplanetary

 

The 48 HG-5 Arrray   This is a picture of the 96 HG-5 Array just after it lost contact.

Stacking Antenna Formula

Square Root of the Antenna Combined Range multiplied by the Tracking Station DSN range.

The first level Tracking Station DSN range is 2Gm.

For the HG-5 antenna the range is 5Mm.

SQRT(96*5M*2G) = 979Mm

Distance to Eve is 13.3Gm - 9.5Gm = 3.8Gm. 

One thousand four hundred seventy HG-5 antenna would be needed for the 3.8Gm distance on a good day. 

Is there another way?

edit:

Seriously do not try this with 1400 HG-5 it is madness.  This challenge is to find if another way even exists.

Edited October 20, 2016 by MoeslyArmlis

[Sereneti]

I already had my tracking-station upgradet...

( need the nav-points...)

[Moesly_Armlis]

When I said "seriously do not try this with 1400 HG-5 it is madness."  I figured that there should be enough meat on that hook.  Nobody wanted to build a massive antenna array?  What has happened to the kerbal can do spirit around here?

 

So after hearing about how much better KSP 1.2 is I put my ancient potato up to the task and was successful in bringing up the room temperature (it has been a little chilly around here lately).  The first attempt crashed the computer when I tried to copy parts.  Second attempt and manage to launch the vessel and cheat it into orbit.  The vessel load time was about 90 seconds.  Still impressed that my potato could handle this vessel.

Now everything is slide show motion as the 1600 HG-5 antenna array lumbered toward prograde.  Once pointing prograde I triggered the SRBs and the vessels starts to veer out of control.  I return to the SPH and adjust and with a slide show I manged to balance the COM to the COT.  Now relaunch and cheat to orbit and reach prograde.  Time warp helps and Map view offers some solace; I even put some RCS thrusters to help rotate.  Finally the vessel is heading out of the kerbin system and I could not believe how fast the antenna signal was dropping.

Spoiler

I really thought this would make it and now too sad to calculate the distance.  Next time I will target something before launch.

The calculations are wrong and now I have to re exam this thread on Antenna Stacking. 

The diminishing return is real.  Could a chain of orbiting relays that are in an alignment bridge the gap?

This challenge is still up to be conquered if ye are mad enough.

Edited October 23, 2016 by MoeslyArmlis

[wibou7]

@MoeslyArmlis , I'm curious if you have more information / insight on the actual antenna stacking formula?

I'm playing on hard and god-oh-god is that upgrading facility expensive. Upgrading R&D (required for higher power antenna parts) requires ~900K Kredits which will take me a loong grind time.

I'd figured I would just spam antenna HG-5 antenna on Keosynchronous comm sat for the moment but that does not work as expected...16 HG-5 in Keosync barely gives me enough signal to reach probe cores around the Mun. Minmus is completly out of range for now.
I suspect it could be better if I would spam antennas both ways (on the KeoSync sats AND on the craft on its way to Minmus). But sadly, this is rather impossible with basic facilities and the 30parts/18tons limit.

[Moesly_Armlis]

38 minutes ago, wibou7 said:

16 HG-5 in Keosync barely gives me enough signal to reach probe cores around the Mun. Minmus is completly out of range for now.

The adjusted hard settings that I just used for the KCC1.2.

The settings for Range modifier and DSN modifier were not altered.  Check these settings because they affect communication signal greatly.

Probe out by Minmus with an antenna on a stick(HG-5) and was able to call home.

The Comm First Hop distance in the parts menu indicates 42.9 Mm. 

Checking the settings is the only thing I can think of that could cause your loss of signal..

 

I am hoping that in some future update the buildings stats will have upgrades similar to the Parts Upgrades function. 

Taking the DSN network for example and allow a DSM modifier buff added to the first tier tracking station after visiting some of the ground relays and installing some geostationary relay satellites around kerbin.

 

55 minutes ago, wibou7 said:

rather impossible with basic facilities and the 30parts/18tons limit.

Two great game mechanics were added; ability to autostrut and improved fuel flow control.  You should consider assembling vessels in LKO or on the ground.  The latter is preferable when you have boosters made up from 18 tonne/30parts that are added via docking ports to the payload vessel that is 18 tonne/30parts. 

Conglomeration is the key to success.  

[wibou7]

8 hours ago, MoeslyArmlis said:

The adjusted hard settings that I just used for the KCC1.2.

The settings for Range modifier and DSN modifier were not altered.  Check these settings because they affect communication signal greatly.

 

Oh yes, I should have mentionned... I don't have the "Extra Groundstations". So it's basically KSC to KeoSync to Minmus. I guess that's (one of the reason) why the signal is that bad.

I haven't played with the autostrut yet. I kinda assumed anything using Junior Docking Port would still wobble like hell but maybe I should give it a try.