Shuttle Challenge v5 - The STS thread [Stock and Mod Friendly] - MAJOR CHALLENGE ANNOUNCEMENT! - 30.3.2020

[Kerbolitto]

1 minute ago, 4x4cheesecake said:

A station with room for 5 kerbals, antenna and docking port can be build with 4 parts but I wouldn't name the result a 'station'

Of course but that's why the challenge is about landing different modules in my opinion :p Alone they're just okay but together it's a functionning outpost !

[4x4cheesecake]

5 minutes ago, Kerbolitto said:

Of course but that's why the challenge is about landing different modules in my opinion :p Alone they're just okay but together it's a functionning outpost !

I guess it depends on how you define a module. In my eyes, a rover and an EEV are no modules...they are just a rover and an EEV^^

[Kerbolitto]

4 minutes ago, 4x4cheesecake said:

I guess it depends on how you define a module. In my eyes, a rover and an EEV are no modules...they are just a rover and an EEV^^

I agree I meant that in a sense they are different semi-autonomous parts which once combined form the requested outpost. But to me a hab module is just that, a simple hab module which need other parts to fullfill its mission :p

Maybe I'm just used to design small complementary modules, because of those various challenges about lighter mass and modularity :p

Edited September 12, 2018 by Kerbolitto

[4x4cheesecake]

1 minute ago, Kerbolitto said:

I agree I meant that in a sense they are different semi-autonomous parts which once combined form the requested outpost. But to me a hab module is just that, a simple hab module which need other parts to fullfill its mission :p

Right, that's why I've build a second module so the hab module will contain the crew, a lab and a service module (fuel cells, batteries, fuel tanks) and the science module contains the experiments, a drill, ore tank, ISRU etc...

Actually, I should add some more functionallity to the rover, right now, it is just a toy^^

[Kerbolitto]

Just now, 4x4cheesecake said:

Right, that's why I've build a second module so the hab module will contain the crew, a lab and a service module (fuel cells, batteries, fuel tanks) and the science module contains the experiments, a drill, ore tank, ISRU etc...

Actually, I should add some more functionallity to the rover, right now, it is just a toy^^

Wow you got a bigger cargo bay than me xD !

How do you dock your modules on the ground ?

[4x4cheesecake]

3 minutes ago, Kerbolitto said:

How do you dock your modules on the ground ?

Both modules are delivered with a skycrane to lift them out of the cargo bay and a really, really flat rover

[Kerbolitto]

1 minute ago, 4x4cheesecake said:

Both modules are delivered with a skycrane to lift them out of the cargo bay and a really, really flat rover

So you land the shuttle then use a skycrane ?

[4x4cheesecake]

Just now, Kerbolitto said:

So you land the shuttle then use a skycrane ?

Correct. I've tried to turn around the cargo bays and just drop the modules but it doesn't fit.

Since I used up some fuel stored in the module, the whole thing became inbalanced but you get the idea:

 

[Kerbolitto]

7 minutes ago, 4x4cheesecake said:

Correct. I've tried to turn around the cargo bays and just drop the modules but it doesn't fit.

Since I used up some fuel stored in the module, the whole thing became inbalanced but you get the idea:

Oh yeah so that's a tiny skycrane, I thought of a big X structure with an engine at each end. Did you try to modulate thrust on the fly to level your module ?

[4x4cheesecake]

2 minutes ago, Kerbolitto said:

Oh yeah so that's a tiny skycrane, I thought of a big X structure with an engine at each end. Did you try to modulate thrust on the fly to level your module ?

No more space left in the cargo bay for a full size skycrane

Actually, I did some adjustments (took me 4 or 5 tries) but at this time, I already  declared the try as invalid so I didn't care much about it and just tried to get the module out of the cargo bay so I can go for the return trip.

[Kerbolitto]

STS Mun 2

 

I finally finished STS Mun 2 3 & 4. Here's what happenned during STS Mun2 mission

 

Part 1 : Take off, Mun injection, landing

 

Spoiler

Mun maneuver : The final landing site is a bit more inclined

Landing : I had to use Bobcats to slow down a bit

 

Part 2 : Deployment, Take off and return maneuver

 

Spoiler

After deploying the hab module using an inverted cargo bay, the shuttle is ready to take off ! I lighted Bobcats again to pitch up and gain speed, this was not much needed because there's a tiny bump south of the outpost which I used for all 3 missions to bounce the shuttle .

Return maneuver : quite simple, Ap was put around 1.5x Kerbin-Mun distanceand I planned a retrograde up here

 

Part 3 : Aerobraking, landing on Kerbin

 

Spoiler

Aerobraking : I almost deorbited on the first pass, the shuttle is very heat-resistand and I managed to pull 2G at 40 000m, Ap after exiting the atmosphere was down to 90 000m !

Circularization burn :

Deorbit procedure 7 minutes later ..

Getting down on KSC, deorbiting sequence is almost done at this point :

Flare before landing, flight speed is very low which is really enjoyable compared to the first iteration of this Artisan shuttle ..!

 

I'll post Mun 3 & 4 once I landed both shuttles

Edited September 12, 2018 by Kerbolitto

[Kerbolitto]

STS Mun 3

 

This time, Hadsy and Jorhan deliver a cool rover to the Mun outpost !

I messed up with this one as I launched the shuttle with maximum fuel load which was a lot of dead weight .. But I managed to complete the mission with even lower TWR than usual.

 

Part 1 : Take off, Mun injection, landing

 

 

Spoiler

Stage 2 :

Mun maneuver :

Capture around Mun, had to wait 1 day before deorbiting above the outpost :

Deorbit maneuver :

Slowly putting the landing zone next to the outpost, had to burn almost vertical during the whole deorbit because of extremly low TWR :

Again, had to light Bobcats to wipe something like 100m/s before touchdown :

 

Part 2 : Deployment, Take off and return maneuver

 

STS Mun 4 deorbited almost at the same time so both shuttles were sitting next to each other during deployement

Spoiler

Take-off :

Return maneuver : Quite complicated due to the high inclination, I used a Mun slingshot to push Ap and lower inclination as I feared that the ship might be low on dV. I also included a change of plan later to zeroing on KSC (at least that was the plan)

 

Part 3 : Aerobraking, landing on Kerbin

 

 

Spoiler

First aerobraking : At this point, STS Mun 4 has landed since more than 10 days !

Second aerobraking needed :

I saw an opportunity to directly land on KSC during second aerobraking by just gliding really high :

I finally decided to land on the desert runway because I had enough speed to change direction and point south to try that, first time I land on this thing !

After the south turn, speed is quite low but there's still enough altitude to gently glide on the airfield :

Flare before touch down, I did not expect the runway to be that short :p

 

Bonus pic : Rover ops !

 

 

 

Edited September 12, 2018 by Kerbolitto

[Kerbolitto]

STS Mun 4

 

This time, Erivis and Wilwell are bringing an ascent vehicle which will allow all 6 Kerbonauts at the outpost to return on Kerbin surface safely !

 

Part 1 : Take off, Mun injection, landing

 

 

Spoiler

Mun injection maneuver :

Mun capture :

Deorbit procedure :

A bit more finess during deorbiting : : I'm using a node to estimate how long I need to burn to kill all velocity

 

Part 2 : Deployment, Take off and return maneuver

 

 

Spoiler

Take off :

STS Mun 4 took off just after 3 :

Return maneuver : Quite simple this time, escape Mun gravity and retroburn above Kerbin

 

 

Part 3 : Aerobraking, landing on Kerbin

 

 

Spoiler

Aerobraking :

Post aerobraking maneuver, Pe above atmosphere :

Re-entry : The orbit being elliptical, I just set an agressive deorbiting maneuver next to KSC

The angle being quite steep, I had to wipe a lot of velocity in a short period of time :

After threatening the stick, I was too slow in front of KSC so I just touched the runway after rolling a bit downhill

 

Part 4 : Returning all 6 Kerbals !

 

 

The design is a bit unusual but it had to fit inside the cargobay, obviously I put the pylon in the wrong way so it stuck to the ship ! Also, you might spot the second capsule on the picture above, just on the left lower corner !

Spoiler

Take off :

Return maneuver : Again I used a Mun flyby to lower Pe a bit

Final retroburn : Almost out of fuel O_o

Both capsules on Kerbin surface : I managed to break the heatshield and fuel tank because I just warped of boredom once the main chute deployed ..!

 

Edited September 12, 2018 by Kerbolitto

[michal.don]

11 hours ago, Kerbolitto said:

This time, Erivis and Wilwell are bringing an ascent vehicle which will allow all 6 Kerbonauts at the outpost to return on Kerbin surface safely !

Well executed series of missions, and a great out-of-the-box thinking on the EEV design  I like the compact designs, and using two separate capsules looks great in the screenshots! So, you're cleared to continue on the LOP-G, here's your badge:

Michal.don

[michal.don]

Also.... testing a new mission, It's sure about time I released a new one. I just have to check a thing or two, to make sure it's not too complicated

What could it be?

 

 

Edited September 13, 2018 by michal.don

[Artienia]

1 hour ago, michal.don said:

Also.... testing a new mission, It's sure about time I released a new one. I just have to check a thing or two, to make sure it's not too complicated

What could it be?

 

 

EVE

I KNEW IT

[4x4cheesecake]

1 hour ago, michal.don said:

Also.... testing a new mission, It's sure about time I released a new one. I just have to check a thing or two, to make sure it's not too complicated

What could it be?

 

 

We are going to visit a blueberry pie factory?

[Ozelui]

2 hours ago, michal.don said:

Also.... testing a new mission, It's sure about time I released a new one. I just have to check a thing or two, to make sure it's not too complicated

What could it be?

[Kerbolitto]

6 hours ago, michal.don said:

Well executed series of missions, and a great out-of-the-box thinking on the EEV design  I like the compact designs, and using two separate capsules looks great in the screenshots! So, you're cleared to continue on the LOP-G, here's your badge:

Michal.don

Glad you liked it ! I wanted something simple and easy to deploy.. I feel like I cheated a bit using Soyouz capsules but I'm sure another design using regular command pod would be possible

 

4 hours ago, michal.don said:

Also.... testing a new mission, It's sure about time I released a new one. I just have to check a thing or two, to make sure it's not too complicated

What could it be?

Surface outpost on Gilly, space station + relays around Eve, maybe an Eve ascent vehicle with 1 or 2 seats at the top so the lifter could be light enough to fit a cargo bay ?

Not sure about how many missions you can conduct on Eve's surface, heat shield / parachutes weights a lot and take lots of room ..!

Edited September 13, 2018 by Kerbolitto

[Artienia]

On the Space station , i am sturuggling to get all the stuff in the bay. can you not use the cargo bay?

[4x4cheesecake]

2 hours ago, Kerbolitto said:

I feel like I cheated a bit using Soyouz capsules

If it makes you feel better: My EEV also contains a soyouz capsule (+ one mk1-2 pod) ;) 

Typing an english text in a mobile which uses german autocorrection is just a pain 

[michal.don]

15 hours ago, Kerbolitto said:

Surface outpost on Gilly, space station + relays around Eve, maybe an Eve ascent vehicle with 1 or 2 seats at the top so the lifter could be light enough to fit a cargo bay ?

Not sure about how many missions you can conduct on Eve's surface, heat shield / parachutes weights a lot and take lots of room ..!

These things might come later, expect something along the lines of "Duna STS-1", with a small twist

 

15 hours ago, Artienia said:

On the Space station , i am sturuggling to get all the stuff in the bay. can you not use the cargo bay?

Could you be a bit more specific please? I might allow some creative use of "fairing payload bay", but no slapping huge payloads on the LV, that's a no-go.

 

15 hours ago, Kerbolitto said:

I feel like I cheated a bit using Soyouz capsules

Not cheating at all, Soyuz capsules are fair game in my view

[Artienia]

3 hours ago, michal.don said:

These things might come later, expect something along the lines of "Duna STS-1", with a small twist

 

Could you be a bit more specific please? I might allow some creative use of "fairing payload bay", but no slapping huge payloads on the LV, that's a no-go.

 

Not cheating at all, Soyuz capsules are fair game in my view

Well i mean slapping itt inside a fairing and either put it on the LV or the shuttle. Both would be fine for me

[Ozelui]

1 hour ago, Artienia said:

Well i mean slapping itt inside a fairing and either put it on the LV or the shuttle. Both would be fine for me

Sounds like we both had a similar idea...  

I've done this for the STS-Test 4 to lift the station to orbit without using a rocket (because this is the shuttle challenge and using rockets feels out of place  ).  It's not part of the actual mission, which is still in progress, therefore the "launch 0" name, but I plan to reuse the design in future missions if it's allowed.

 

[Kerbolitto]

21 minutes ago, Ozelui said:

Sounds like we both had a similar idea...  

I've done this for the STS-Test 4 to lift the station to orbit without using a rocket (because this is the shuttle challenge and using rockets feels out of place  ).  It's not part of the actual mission, which is still in progress, therefore the "launch 0" name, but I plan to reuse the design in future missions if it's allowed.

 

Rofl what kind of monstrosity is that ?

 

5 hours ago, michal.don said:

Could you be a bit more specific please? I might allow some creative use of "fairing payload bay", but no slapping huge payloads on the LV, that's a no-go.

 

What about using a split shuttle with a fairing between the cockpit and engines, and redocking both modules after unloading ?