Horizon Aeronautics - Development Thread

[stubbles]

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Horizon's introductory project is a 2m, low orbit payload delivery vehicle based on the Zenit-3SLB "Land Launch" rocket system.

Upon project completion, further expansion on the Zenit-3SLB system will be made to increase travel distance as well as include a Munar landing module, among other things.

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WORK IN PROGRESS:

- Energia rocket system

- Heavy Payload Assist Solid Rocket Boosters (Zenit-3SLB)

COMPLETED ADDONS:

- Zenit-3SLB lifter

DOWNLOADS:

Spaceport Download

-= ZENIT-3SLB LAND LAUNCH [v1.2] =-

Mirror 1

-= ZENIT-3SLB LAND LAUNCH [v1.2] =-

requires 7zip to open archive

Mirror 2

-= ZENIT-3SLB LAND LAUNCH [v1.2] =-

regular winzip archive

Notes on the Zenit: It's been configured for heavier loads, between 10-15 tons (maybe a smidge heavier as well) and delivering them to high geo-synchronous orbit. The included VAB file has a basic Mk2 pod in the payload bay. The entire system is VASTLY overpowered if you're lifting simply small things like satellites or pods, however. So bear that in mind. It's been tested for compatibility with FAR, KW, MechJeb and DeadlyReEntry. The included VAB file requires heavy KW struts, so if you do not have KW installed, you will have to re-strut the rocket in order for it to be stable!

Edited March 9, 2014 by stubbles

[CAPFlyer]

Looks like a worthy project. Now, you just have to start work on the SeaLaunch platform when you're done with the rocket so we can float out onto the sea and launch there. (BTW, the CARTS plugin and MuMech would make this possible for "mounting" the rocket and having it rotate into launch position)

[stubbles]

Looks like I have some reading up to do

Didn't know any of that was possible to be honest. Hooray for plugin developers. I'll probably just get the whole rocket completed first, then worry about the sea platform later.

[stubbles]

Launch time!

[MrMadGameplay]

Looks like a nice useful mod, can't wait to see the finished result.

[stubbles]

Another quick update with a collage, showing the stages so far. I got everything blocked out except the payload satellite. Meshes are not final of course and I'll be leaving more detailing for the normal map. The configs are also working, but need some tweaking for sure.

[AncientAstronaut]

This is going to be great. I can't wait!

[CAPFlyer]

Don't get to overly bogged down with the satellite too much. There's several satellite/probe/rover packs out there and in the process of being released that this will be perfect for.

[stubbles]

Ah true that. I'll skip it for now then and concentrate on the rest

Maybe someone here can help, but I'm having a strange issue with the payload hull covering. When I decouple them, they spin in a strange fashion, along the collision "spine" I put on them, sort of like a spinning cylinder. I set it up the same way I've seen other covers set up but mine are not responding the same. Is there any trick to getting them to decouple straight out to the left/right? I'll post a pic in a bit of the issue.

Collision setup in 3dsmax, matching what other cargo covers have done:

And this is what happens in the game:

Edited August 14, 2012 by stubbles

[Lazurkri]

well, so long as they don't hit the ship, I'd just consider it a funny side effect!

[stubbles]

Alrighty, so I got the spinning issue resolved, but I still haven't fixed the second part of the issue. When the covers decouple, then seem to have a downward force (if shot on launchpad) rather than a horizontal jettison, like most covers have. I can't figure out why that is.

[Lazurkri]

Hmmn. may be related to the physics engine; perhaps its not using the right.... behavior, for lack of a better word?

[stubbles]

I'm a bonehead, figured it out. It was set as a normal decoupler, not a radial decoupler. Oh the joys of a first project, heh. Works perfectly now. On to UV's and textures

[stubbles]

Quick shot to show you all what payload size is available. I'll probably make variants to allow for larger payloads as well.

[stubbles]

I've been able to get payloads into geosync orbit without the use or RCS so I haven't given thought to making them. Is that something you all would like? If not, I'll leave them out of the initial release.

[stubbles]

On second thought, I'll probably make an RCS thruster of some kind. Will have to mess with that some more, find a place to squeeze it in. In the meantime, I just started working on the textures.

[Cepheus]

Egads, this is beautiful. My hat tips to you, sir.

[stubbles]

Alrighty, finished up the fairing textures (diff/spec/norm). Still some tweaks to come on the spec map but aren't important right now. Props to NovaSilisko for the KSP logo

Textures right now are 1024x1024, will likely release at 512x512.

Edited August 26, 2012 by stubbles

[stubbles]

Just wondering if there's a known issue with the bump specular shader? I'm getting abnormal results from the specular in-game, even though it looks correct in 3dsmax/Unity.

Edited August 26, 2012 by stubbles

[Shadowsun]

Those fairings have some of the most impressive and pretty looking textures I've ever seen in KSP.

[stubbles]

Thanks for the kind words, shadow! Long ways to go, heh.

Here's a shot of the fairing and ASAS module (gold mesh inset with the 3rd stage tank)

Edited August 25, 2012 by stubbles

[stubbles]

Update on the payload decoupler. It's just the normal map, no real diffuse or spec so it's not so purdy yet.

Edited August 25, 2012 by stubbles

[Hyratel]

so it's not so purdy yet.

I call hogfeathers on that claim

[ spoiler=name]

[stubbles]

Hah, thanks Hyratel! Hopefully this looks a bit better

Edited August 27, 2012 by stubbles

[stubbles]

Just finished up the retro rocket. Tiny texture, 128x128