Challenge .16

[wired2thenet]

Okay, I've successfully orbited Kerbin, did an EVA, landed on the Mun, did an EVA there, and returned to a nice splashdown.

But since .14, I have yet to go to the Mun and return via a powered landing to Kerbin at the KSC. I can do a powered landing from launch to Kerbin orbit and back again, but that damnable Mun Kerbalizes everything I try getting back on a powered landing, and .16 has made it even more difficult for me (probably just not enough practice, but oh well). I know a few of you have done so, but I'm beside myself trying to figure out how. I've hit rock bottom ....

Sooooo, the challenge:

Design me a stock rocket (mechjeb allowed, but nothing else; MechJeb allows me to see orbital and surface info without having to resort to the map, which has caused me a few mishaps switching back and forth due to FR lag), that will fly me to the Mun, land safely, do an EVA, and return via a powered landing to KSC.

That's all, nothing else.

If you don't include MechJeb, please include a few tips and tricks for a Powered Kerbin Landing newb like me. The Mun is a no-brainer at this point, so you can skip that part of the journey.

Winner is the person with the easiest craft to complete the challenge (by me).

[BlazingAngel665]

Kay, well, powered landing on Kerbin is easy, just free fall until 2000m and then point straight up and burn till you slow down enough. The atmosphere already cancelled out lateral movement for you. For landing twice, I would put drop tanks on my lander, three or four, attached radially, without engines. Then you can put landing legs on the radial tanks and the inner stage. If you are a GREAT pilot, then you can use a single half tank, but that is incredibly difficult (see optimal descent challenge). After you have your lander, make a TLI stage and an ascent from kerbin stage, then add boosters till it gets of the ground and you have a fairly workable craft! Godspeed Jeb!

[Maxed-Rockets]

Does a glide in count? I have my spaceplane that can go to the mun and return with 20 liters of fuel left.

[Kosmo-not]

Can you give us an idea of your skill level? A rocket I've designed and flown to the Mun and back might not accomplish the mission in the hands of the average KSP player.

[wired2thenet]

Kay, well, powered landing on Kerbin is easy, just free fall until 2000m and then point straight up and burn till you slow down enough. The atmosphere already cancelled out lateral movement for you. For landing twice, I would put drop tanks on my lander, three or four, attached radially, without engines. Then you can put landing legs on the radial tanks and the inner stage. If you are a GREAT pilot, then you can use a single half tank, but that is incredibly difficult (see optimal descent challenge). After you have your lander, make a TLI stage and an ascent from kerbin stage, then add boosters till it gets of the ground and you have a fairly workable craft! Godspeed Jeb!

Hmm, that's usually my lander type (preferred anyway). I've been working with a three-radial design for the lander mostly, but occasionally a four-radial. My biggest problem is that by the time I get close enough to the ground to start the landing burn, one of two things happen: Either I run out of fuel before touchdown, or I don't have enough thrust to come in at a safe speed. Which engine to you typically use for the lander?

Does a glide in count? I have my spaceplane that can go to the mun and return with 20 liters of fuel left.

I can't fly planes to save my life

Can you give us an idea of your skill level? A rocket I've designed and flown to the Mun and back might not accomplish the mission in the hands of the average KSP player.

I'd consider myself "slightly" above average. I can perform most orbital maneuvers without an issue, can land on both the Mun and Minmus with very little effort. Returns to Kerbin are at about a 60% return rate at the moment, mostly due to stupidity.

[Clouds]

If I remember right, this is a design I took to the Mun and back to KSC with a hair of fuel left. I won't bother putting up the .craft because it's so simple to build, but also definitely not easy to fly; having MechJeb pilot it is pretty much essential in order to ensure a very efficient flight, or there won't be enough fuel.

[EvilotionCR2]

Can you please give me your .craft file?Please, i newer landed on mun with stock parts.

[BlazingAngel665]

Well, depending. The engine I use most frequently is a LV909, I just burn low and long. If I am landing Cargo I use the -45but that is much more difficult to return to kerbin. Running out of fuel? Wow, what are you doing!?! I have a 4 stage lander that has 4 3/4 full tanks left on the moon and I can land it with over half fuel left. I have no idea how to help you other than redirect you to the Optimal descent challenge (once again) where we determined the most efficient landing profiles. Lowering your periapsis first will save you gas, then at your new periapsis, start your landing burn and do a reverse gravity turn. Remember if you are bringing more fuel do longer burns sooner, otherwise the mun will have a new crater named after you. . . thats the best I can do for you unless I start posting .CRAFT files, but I would have to wait until I am back home for that. . .

[wired2thenet]

Well, depending. The engine I use most frequently is a LV909, I just burn low and long. If I am landing Cargo I use the -45but that is much more difficult to return to kerbin. Running out of fuel? Wow, what are you doing!?!

Same engine as myself ... probably starting the burn a little too early and not letting the atmosphere take care of the breaking like I should be ... I just panic if I get within 3k or so

[Shadownailshot]

I almost never land with the 45. Of course, I'm not usually hauling cargo... check that, I'm never hauling cargo. I use all stock parts aside from the crewtank. I've landed a munbase made from stock parts, six radial engines attached to 3 radial fuel tanks with crewtanks on top, and a large fuel tank in the middle with the capsule on top, with 4 of the large lander engines as mains. I want to try to figure out a stock rover as a placeholder for when they really implement them though. Should be fun. Can you use the crewtank to control things?