Dual Fork (for v9)

[Corona688]

Since my original orbiters don't work in v9, time for me to submit something else.

I wanted to build a rocket on a similar design to them out of stock parts, but dang it was hard. Having to use solid motors instead of the nice inline-three couplers added SO MUCH extra weight, and so much pointless extra thrust when you need it the least. But I made it, because it makes deorbiting much simpler -- two engines on either side of a center core means you can deploy the middle something without leaving your engines in orbit too, and maybe even have fuel left over to deorbit.

You're probably noticing the lack of a satellite. When I say stock parts I mean stock parts It actually deploys a full, unused SRB into orbit. The bottom solids get it high enough above ground that the main engines can actually lift it. Don't let the main engines push it faster than 120m/s until you exceed 12,000m, then accelerate as fast as you can.

The fins are not decorative.

You have to make your gravity turn well inside the atmosphere, 20,000m or so, still burning the main engines. Don't bother being gentle about the turn, you don't have time, thrust at a right-angle to your current path and use all three SASes to hold yourself roughly there. You'll be out of the atmosphere quickly enough anyway.

Once the second stage burns out, reduce the engines a bit, aim a little higher than a perfect right angle, and run until you've achieved orbital velocity (2,300-ish at 42,000-ish.) You'll probably have to adjust the angle of thrust a lot to keep the velocity meter near zero. Once you've reached orbital velocity, kill your thrust. You should have enough fuel left over to make minor adjustments into a near-circular orbit.

Once you've done so, aim yourself opposite the direction of orbit and switch stages once. The full SRB will be deployed into orbit. Then ramp up your engines again to deorbit. Once fuel runs out, switch stages again and the last remaining SRB's will deorbit you something fearsome, from >2000m/s to <900m/s.

[Asaman]

Dear god WHAT DID YOU DO WITH THE GROUND

[Corona688]

My video card is crap.