Interplanetary Lander

[SLAMS]

With .17 on the horizon we need to start developing some uber landers. A Lander that is capable of landing on a large-ish planet, with or without atmosphere, then getting back to orbit.

Objectives

• 
  [li]Take off from Kerbin and establish an orbit (doesn\'t need to be perfect, thats not the point)[/li]
  [li]Deorbit and land the craft on Kerbin[/li]
  [li]Return the same craft to orbit(must not be sub-orbital)[/li]
  [li]Deorbit and land again[/li]
  

Rules

[list type=decimal]

[li]Stock parts only[/li]

[li]Any number of kerbals, any pod[/li]

[li]No mods(They might not work at .17 release)[/li]

Bonuses

[list type=decimal]

[li]Hardmode: No jet engines, no wings (Edit: Canards and fins are ok)[/li]

[li]Ultra-Hardmode: The planet might not have an atmosphere. In addition to hardmode No parachutes allowed until second landing[/li]

[li]OHDEARGODSTOPmode: In addition to Ultra-hardmode After initial Launch move to 2x Kerbin orbit(simulated planetary rendevous), return and complete all other objectives(I\'m skeptical whether this one is possible) [/li]

EDIT: OHDEARGODSTOPmode no need to circularize this, we'll assume you are an orbit ninja and hit it on the first shot.

As usual, pics or it didn\'t happen.

EDIT: Successful landings

Ultra-hardmode:

SLAMS

A Fat Pokemon (no screenshots)

antiquark(2 stages, lightweight award)

bsalis (MOAR BOOSTERS!)

Lastly, I have been attempting this with OHDEARGODSTOP rules, and failing spectacularly. Turns out Ultra-hardmode is easier than expected and OHDEARGODSTOP is damn near impossible.

Also, no space plane fans...?

Edited August 4, 2012 by SLAMS

[illectro]

Yeah I had an interplanetary craft that could do this with .15, but I really need to get this fixed for the new versions.

[A Fat Pokemon]

Just barely did this before. Had my rocket that I mainly use, the thing is a fuel efficient beast, and strapped that on to some of the big rocket parts. I also replaced the rover on top of my main rocket with my one amazing spaceplane, and I sent this monster into orbit. I went on a Kerbin escape trajectory, and later came back to Kerbin\'s SOI after going around Kerbol a few times. I was on my spaceplane stage by then, and glided down to land on Kerbin. Taking off took a few quickloads, but I managed it and got back into orbit, and left Kerbin\'s SOI again. I went around Kerbol again, back to Kerbin, and finnaly used my parachutes. The only bad thing, is that im most likely going to have to remake the damn thing again in .17, but hopefully those new parts will be perfect for this, along with the new vuilding indicators.

[antiquark]

Does the challenge permit multiple stages, or should it be a SSTO - single stage to orbit?

[SLAMS]

Completed on Ultra-hardmode

Single kerbal lander for obvious reasons, screenshots to follow.

Craft file

http://www./?9suivjb7zbdc8q3

Screenshots etc... In album form, sorry I\'m slightly drunk...

http://imgur.com/W8QCI,a6IcH,qbdD3,cDJON,JJd3v,xbU4o,Tm9SO,hH4sY,yBDxh,kf44q,qxSUD,UkrTv#0

It should be trivial to make this a true interplanetary lander, it doesn\'t even lag that bad...

Edit: I started work before I announce a challenge ...

Second edit: Mucho manual control is required to land this thing, Jeb will not save you.

[SLAMS]

Does the challenge permit multiple stages, or should it be a SSTO - single stage to orbit?

This challenge requires two launches to orbit, if you can do even one stable orbit that is SSTO in your first orbit/landing (that can complete the objectives in the end) you will get special (OMGSERIOUSLY) recognition.

EDIT: This challenge is obviously not SSTO, if you can do that (in any fashion or degree) you are a god...

[Colderjake1524]

When the devs add this, the altimeter will need to be adjusted so it adjusts to the altitude of the nearest body, not just Kerbins

[SLAMS]

When the devs add this, the altimeter will need to be adjusted so it adjusts to the altitude of the nearest body, not just Kerbins

Understood, I realize that using the thick atmosphere for a power landing/Chute landing makes things easier, but since there are no kerbal sized objects to perform this landing on(other than Kerbal) I made the challenge easier out of expediency.

Edit: Not sure if I understood...

[maltesh]

When the devs add this, the altimeter will need to be adjusted so it adjusts to the altitude of the nearest body, not just Kerbins

The altimeter already does that.

[Colderjake1524]

oops it seems it does, sometimes I say stuff before I actually test them o.o

[antiquark]

Did it with only two stages! I cheated by using mechjeb, but at least it proves the concept...

http://imgur.com/a/igGQc#0

[bsalis]

Well, I did this. I used Mechjeb to do the ascents, but landed manually. Not really interested doing it all manually. I\'m sure it\'s possible. Note that this is not a vehicle I would take to another planet. I would build something more specific. For this I just quickly modified some other rocket I had for the job.

We have liftoff...

In orbit #1

Nice big flat space to land

Ditching descent stage...

Success - landed!

Return to orbit

In orbit #2

And we are back...

[Cooly568]

It's about time I can start building my superultraawesomemegauberinterplaniterylander!

[Markus Reese]

I might have to try some different designs. At current I have one that lander test worked, and it should have the fuel and propulsion to reach space with the ability to change planetary orbital path, however the coupler problem has grounded a good test flight. Therefore not able to demo a full flight, but it looks cool and I will host it up anyways.

No more kerbal smileys, I am upset. Miss old forums now. Also cannot spoiler hide pictures.

[SLAMS]

Well, I did this. I used Mechjeb to do the ascents, but landed manually. Not really interested doing it all manually. I\'m sure it\'s possible. Note that this is not a vehicle I would take to another planet. I would build something more specific. For this I just quickly modified some other rocket I had for the job.

That looks like a wedding cake... Also I think it needs MOAR BOOSTERS!

[SLAMS]

I might have to try some different designs. At current I have one that lander test worked, and it should have the fuel and propulsion to reach space with the ability to change planetary orbital path, however the coupler problem has grounded a good test flight. Therefore not able to demo a full flight, but it looks cool and I will host it up anyways.

Terrified Kerbals are a sign of a good design in my book.

[A Fat Pokemon]

This challenge is obviously not SSTO, if you can do that (in any fashion or degree) you are a god...

It's quite easy =/ my first stage on most rockets can do that with the speed they build up, but I usually jettison the first stage to lose wait as im still in the atmosphere, and continue from there.