The Kerbal Dakar 2017 entry vehicles thread

[DarkOwl57]

1 minute ago, DrunkenKerbalnaut said:

inb4 NERV rover. 

?

[0111narwhalz]

I abhor the use of RTG's. I mean, you bunch can use them if you like, but they feel like cheating to me. In space, solar panels make more power, and batteries are usually enough to hold you over as you go through the planet's shadow. On the surface, solar panels would break off or cover the entire surface of the vessel. That's what fuel cells are for. At most, I'll put a singular RTG to keep the probe core online when I forget to turn the fuel cells on or deploy the solar panels. Free energy is too easy to exploit, and offends my thermodynamic sensibilities.

[DrunkenKerbalnaut]

3 minutes ago, DarkOwl57 said:

?

Sorry. I spent wasted time on 4chan some years ago. Picked up bad habits haha. 

http://www.internetslang.com/INB4-meaning-definition.asp

EDIT: in other words, I was getting a word "in b4" someone countered you with a nuke-powered go-cart. 

Edited December 26, 2016 by DrunkenKerbalnaut

[DarkOwl57]

1 minute ago, 0111narwhalz said:

I abhor the use of RTG's. I mean, you bunch can use them if you like, but they feel like cheating to me. In space, solar panels make more power, and batteries are usually enough to hold you over as you go through the planet's shadow. On the surface, solar panels would break off or cover the entire surface of the vessel. That's what fuel cells are for. At most, I'll put a singular RTG to keep the probe core online when I forget to turn the fuel cells on or deploy the solar panels. Free energy is too easy to exploit, and offends my thermodynamic sensibilities.

Well I will admit that using THAT many RTGs are damaging to the health and weight of the craft. Maybe I'll add some fuel cells and remove those generators.

[0111narwhalz]

Although the LV-N has an alternator, and it uses only liquid fuel, I don't think it's a very good idea to use it as a powerplant. It uses about 20 times the LF as a small fuel cell, and has none of the automatic throttling. However, it does produce thrust comparable to a Juno, and has instant throttle response and a bit of gimbal. Could be...interesting to see a craft use it.

On the subject of deathtraps, let me present to you my fastest, most dangerous craft so far.



Two Junos, two kerbals, four wheels. It has a srimech, though it's not the most reliable and utterly useless after the kind of crash that this monster does. Twenty some-odd electric on the flat, more than 120 with the jets on full. Most of the time, the jets are at about one-third throttle; they're only firewalled on the lawn. Beachrunning is not viable with its narrow wheelbase and less-than-optimal downforce. The rollcage does not protect the kerbals, and hardly any of the craft itself. The fuel cells are far too numerous. All in all, I'm probably not entering it into the rally.

On the other hand, this craft (codenamed Thingamaflop) is pretty good. Made leg 1 in ~8 minutes, no damage.


And yes, it is just as minimal as it looks. Four engines, a pair of fuel cells, and a little spoiler. It makes good use of the boost flaps; it's pretty jump-happy. If it lands a bit hard on the front, the front subframe twists to absorb the energy. Since it's so lightweight, that flexion does not expose anything vital to the ground. It even made it through the second leg on the one tank of fuel in about the same time (just under 8 minutes).


Just ran out of fuel as it crested the last hill. Couldn't have done better if I'd planned it.
Happy with the efficacy of the Thingamaflop, I strapped some fuel tanks to it. This is the Thingamaflop Supply.


First leg in approximately 12 minutes. I broke off a tank mere meters from the flag via pilot error, but I think it's still laying about. I should really put some lights on these things, since it's inevitable that I'll be racing in the night.

[Slam_Jones]

Completed a timed attempt of the rally in the 2-seater Outlaw, and came up with a total time of 1:14:43 (feel free to check my math).  I'll try to record a video next time if I am able.

Details in spoiler.

 

Feel free to check my math:

Start:   1:00 - 12:00 = 11:00
Stage 1: 12:00 - 23:25 = 11:25
Stage 2: 24:00 - 35:18 = 11:18
Stage 3: 3:58:00 - 4:08:55 = 10:55
Stage 4: 4:09:00 - 4:19:13 = 10:13
Stage 5: 4:20:00 - 4:30:33 = 10:13
Finish:  1:00 - 10:39 = 9:39

72 minutes + 163 seconds

74 minutes, 43 second

1 hour, 14 minutes, 43 seconds

1:14:43

 

And now, the pictures.

Start Time:  1:00

I did sorta mess up the pictures here, but I came to a complete stop by the flag at exactly 12:00, so I used this as both the finish time and the start time.  When the real rally rolls around, I'll do it properly.
Stage 1 Flag Reached At: 12:00
Next Stage Started At: 12:00

Stage 2 Flag Reached At: 23:25

Next Stage Started At: 24:00

Stage 3 Flag Reached At: 35:18

Next Stage Started At: 3:58:00 (Overnight rest stop)

Stage 4 Flag Reached At: 4:08:55

Next Stage Started At: 4:09:00

Stage 5 Flag Reached At: 4:19:15

Next Stage Started At: 4:20:00

Stage 6 Flag Reached At: 4:30:33

Final Stage Started At: 1:00 (Mission Timer reset due to re-fueling)

Final Stage Finished At: 10:39  (Did have a minor accident and lost a wheel bout 8km from the finish line, but drove the rest of the way regardless)

Imgur shuffled my pictures, so hopefully I put em all in the right order...
 

 

Edited December 27, 2016 by Slam_Jones

[DarkOwl57]

So you know how I said that it was too late to change my car around? Yeah; I lied. Big-time. Like politician levels of lying.

Pics soon!

[DarkOwl57]

INTRODUCING.....

The ODR-5, with more electricity, more speed, and less weight.

With just 5 days left until the start of the rally, Everyone wonders the same question: Will OART's gamble pay off?

(Find out next episode)

[DarkOwl57]

First test run:

Stage 1 (Started at 0:01:00): 0:17:18 (Stage) 0:17:18 (Total Time)

Stage 2 (Started at 0:20:00): (Take 1): DNF  (Take 2): DNF After a massive crash, the test driver attempted to finish, but the car finally succumbed to it's injuries and broke down on the side of the hill.

 

Test over; Back to the KSC

Edited December 27, 2016 by DarkOwl57

[Triop]

[DarkOwl57]

2 minutes ago, Triop said:

Another happy landing

[0111narwhalz]

Alright, a new prototype vehicle with a new prototype gimmick. Mobile wheel repair!

The ship possesses no command seats. Instead, it has an armored box. To load the vehicle, follow the simple steps below.
1: Open the door.

2. Insert kerbal and close door.

The kerbal can now reach every wheel, and you don't have to stop to repair a blowout! Although, with as many wheels as it has, I haven't blown any tires. But that's sure to change soon. After all, Stage 1 was a nice nine minutes.

I think I'm beginning to have too many parts at the stage flag.

Perhaps it is time for a new vehicle. One with lots of hangar space (allista be praised). I'll get back to you on that one.

[Majorjim!]

1 hour ago, 0111narwhalz said:

Alright, a new prototype vehicle with a new prototype gimmick. Mobile wheel repair!

Is there any reason why you only take screenshots at night? 

Edited December 27, 2016 by Majorjim!

[0111narwhalz]

1 hour ago, Majorjim! said:

Is there any reason why you only take screenshots at night? 

Not really. Just like sending all my craft along one after another. Which wouldn't be a problem if somebody had distributed the save at dawn instead of dusk.
I'll warp to day after I deliver the latest monstrosity to the Stage 1 checkpoint.

[Triop]

5 hours ago, 0111narwhalz said:

 Which wouldn't be a problem if somebody had distributed the save at dawn instead of dusk.
 

Sure, kick me some more....

 

 

[hidude398]

19 hours ago, 0111narwhalz said:

I abhor the use of RTG's. I mean, you bunch can use them if you like, but they feel like cheating to me. In space, solar panels make more power, and batteries are usually enough to hold you over as you go through the planet's shadow. On the surface, solar panels would break off or cover the entire surface of the vessel. That's what fuel cells are for. At most, I'll put a singular RTG to keep the probe core online when I forget to turn the fuel cells on or deploy the solar panels. Free energy is too easy to exploit, and offends my thermodynamic sensibilities.

Man oh man are you gonna hate my tank. I have maybe 30-40 strapped on to power 8 motors. And yet she still doesn't do slopes well. I'll probably add more power w/ a .cfg file edit at the cost of moar rtg's. Bill, Job, and Val are gonna glow by the end of this.

[DarkOwl57]

In memory of Carrie Fisher, I am now re-naming the car the ODR Carrie.

And if anyone can give me a link for that flags mod that allows you to put those flags on your craft, I would really love it.

 

RIP Carrie

[Triop]

39 minutes ago, DarkOwl57 said:

In memory of Carrie Fisher, I am now re-naming the car the ODR Carrie.

RIP Carrie

OMK !

Didn't know yet , good idea, but I allready named my car WHAM!

And Disney killed Han Solo...weird.

Edited December 27, 2016 by Triop

[DarkOwl57]

1 minute ago, Triop said:

OMK !

Didn't know yet , good idea, but I allready named my car WHAM!

If I get that mod that allows you to make your own flags and put it on your car I'm going to put "In Loving Memory" on the hood and "RIP Carrie" on the side of the bumpers.

[Triop]

OT, Testing R2K2:

Not very succesfull I must say...

 

[DrunkenKerbalnaut]

RIP

Spoiler

 

[DarkOwl57]

1 minute ago, Triop said:

OT, Testing R2K2:

Not very succesfull I must say...

 

That looks like it would love to fall down

5 minutes ago, Triop said:

And Disney killed Han Solo...weird.

SCREW YOU DISNEY!!!!!

[Triop]

Just now, DarkOwl57 said:

That looks like it would love to fall down

Yes, It's a real head banger.

[DarkOwl57]

and nose, and side, and lower body and upper body and feet and legs and arms and hands and...

[DoctorDavinci]

So yet another teaser .... and here is the craft file if you want to check her out: https://kerbalx.com/DoctorDavinci/DCM1-Mad-Moose---KerbalX

NOTE: the Mad Moose will NOT be camoed out when you load it as I edited the textures of the stock parts in this KSP install to be CADPat ... Also, the flag decals have been removed