[1.8.1-1.12.x] Modular Launch Pads v2.7.0: Launch clamps evolved: Real-style launch bases and towers [04 July 2024]

[AlphaMensae]

Ok, I looked at the new BDB Atlas, and made some changes to the MLP Atlas Launch Stand. I separated the pipes into individual objects, and tweaked the mesh of one, as well as the side umbilicals (lowered the topmost part a few cm as it was just a bit too high). Made deploy limit animations in the X, Y and Z axis for both of the pipes so they can be moved to match the new Atlas skirt's connectors while keeping the stand compatible with the old Atlas.

I've also added an additional attach node to the new 3400 Atlas core tank for use with the stand, and adjusted the stand's attach node to put the clamp arms and side umbilicals at the proper location.

The updated stand will be released as v2.7 of MLP sometime soon.

Edited July 3 by AlphaMensae

[AlphaMensae]

The revised Atlas Launch Stand is almost complete. Little demo of the deploy limit sliders in action with the new BDB Atlas:

Just noticed the repositioned right pipe clips a bit into the umbilical mount, will fix that.

[AlphaMensae]

Fixed:

[AlphaMensae]

v2.7.0 is now out on Spacedock and GitHub.

Changelog:

•     Revised Atlas Launch Stand by tweaking the meshes of the Atlas Pipes and adding deploy limit slider animations to allow the pipes to be used with the new Bluedog Design Bureau Atlas.
•     Updated BDB Compatibility patch with atatch nodes for the new BDB Atlas 3400 and Atlas V 5300 tanks.
•     Renamed RO Example craft files to begin with "MLP RO Example".

So if you really have to have the pipes on the Atlas Stand to line up with the new BDB Atlas, there you go  

I am working on some stuff that was going to be v2.7, but now will be v2.8. It's mainly a remake of the two General Launch Stands, as I've come to dislike what I did with them. I'm also going to remake the deck of the Shuttle Launch Base and the SRB Hold-Downs to accomoate the various shuttle stack mods out there, including the ORANGES-Photon Corp package. Most likely will be various layout switches, and I think I'll integrate the SRB hold-downs into the launch base itself and have deploy limit slider animations to adjust the position and width.

There may be other things I tweak/update, I'll see how it goes. For instance, I might add optional fixed legs to the current wheeled-only launch bases, and maybe get rid of the clamp legs in others. I used to think I had to use clamp legs (the stretchy kind that's part of the launch clamp module), which limited my design options and forced launch bases to be symmetrical so they'd rotate properly. Now I know I don't need the stretchy legs and can just ignore them, and make fixed legs in any style I want, as well as potentially making non-symmetrical bases, since fixed legs will rotate properly.

[AlphaMensae]

Some WIP Wings3D screenshots of the new General Round Launch Stand...though it's really octagonal in shape now.   Aside from the clamp arms and bolts, it's a full remake with some different design ideas.

Has two hole sizes, with the inner ring being a toggleable option. Bolts and clamp arms will have deploy limit sliders to travel the full distance needed to handle 0.625m rockets. The leg structure will have a deploy limit animation to raise it up over a limited range; the legs will not have colliders so they can be underground. The actual launch clamp legs will be minimized like in the new general bases to be almost invisible and be able to be turned off as well.

[AlphaMensae]

The remade General Round Launch Stand is pretty much done, aside from any .cfg tweaking. I'll make a demo video, but here are some screenshots of it in game:

 

 

[AlphaMensae]

Now the new General Round Launch Stand is done. I added adjustable length hold-down support plates; there still are size presets so the adjustment range is limited, so it's for fine-tuning.

Official demo/guide video:

I may put this and the other v2.8 parts on the GitHub master branch as they are completed.

[AlphaMensae]

A nd now the remade General Rectangular Launch Stand.  There's only two center hold-downs, but I added 2 optional outer ones along the sides or Z axis. Both sets are separately adjustable in all aspects. There are no size presets, instead the hold-down support plates are simply moved to where needed.  And the stand is no longer square.

[AlphaMensae]

Demo video for the new General Rectangular Launch Stand. Both the remade general launch stands are now on the GitHub master branch.

 

[AlphaMensae]

So, you like sliders, eh?

The partially revised Shuttle Launcher Base, now with alternate deck variants and integrated SRB holders with multiple deploy limit sliders. Now it can accommodate the SOCK shuttle stack with either reDIRECT or the ORANGES-Photon Corp combo.

Also works with the Photon Corp SRBs in the right orientation  

[AlphaMensae]

Oh, I did a thing....  

I discovered a NASA site with 3D models, and one of them is the SLS Mobile Launcher (with just the crew arm on the tower), and has an .obj format avaialble, which meant I coulod import it into Wings3D.  Now that I've got an actual model to study, I may relent and make the SLS mobile launcher for v3 of Modular Launch Pads. I might even make the bas and tower as separate parts, as while the SLS version shares features with both the Saturn V and Shuttle versions, it's significantly different in other ways that it warrant its own subcategory.

In the meantime as an interim solution. I added an SLS deck variant to the revised Shuttle base. Just had to rerrange the deck meshes and reorient the SRB hold-downs with B9PS, and it works with the existing animation sliders.

[kspbutitscursed]

25 minutes ago, AlphaMensae said:

Oh, I did a thing....  

I discovered a NASA site with 3D models, and one of them is the SLS Mobile Launcher (with just the crew arm on the tower), and has an .obj format avaialble, which meant I coulod import it into Wings3D.  Now that I've got an actual model to study, I may relent and make the SLS mobile launcher for v3 of Modular Launch Pads. I might even make the bas and tower as separate parts, as while the SLS version shares features with both the Saturn V and Shuttle versions, it's significantly different in other ways that it warrant its own subcategory.

In the meantime as an interim solution. I added an SLS deck variant to the revised Shuttle base. Just had to rerrange the deck meshes and reorient the SRB hold-downs with B9PS, and it works with the existing animation sliders.

YIPEEE

[AstroEvada]

HOLY excrements

[AlphaMensae]

The revised shuttle launcher base is now on the GitHub master branch.

I'm now working on a cut-down version for the shuttle only that will kind of recreate the old Vandenberg SLC-6 launch mount for the shuttle (the Enterorise was stacked with an ET and SRBs in a fit test). Something suitable for a Vandy pad or other flat open pad static.

[AlphaMensae]

Oh, I did it....

I'm going to relent and make the Vandenberg tower, utilizing as many of the existing shuttle parts (which should have a red variant already) as possible. It'll be halfnew stuff, half kitbash.  Will probably end up remaking it for v3.

[AlphaMensae]

Now with the tail service masts...

[AlphaMensae]

The bottom half of the mount has no colliders, so there is a fair amount of vertical adjustment that can be done. What used to be the stretchy clamp legs have been reduced to 2 very skinny remnants placed in the middle of the mount, and they can be turned off if desired. The footing colliders remain, as they keep the mount grounded.

I also added an optional 1m-tall extension to the bottom of the shuttle tail service mast, to allow for some vertical adjustment to align with the receptacles on the orbiter aft end if needed.

The new shuttle launch mount and revised TSM are now on the GitHub master branch.

Edited August 7 by AlphaMensae

[kspbutitscursed]

do you still plan on having an SLS ML?

[AlphaMensae]

8 hours ago, kspbutitscursed said:

do you still plan on having an SLS ML?

That will be for v3, which most likely won't be done before the Artemis II mission launches. Maybe by Artemis III  

[AlphaMensae]

Ok, after looking at pictures of the Vandenberg shuttle tower, I'm going to leave the full package of parts for v3.  I'll just make an adjustable height alternate tower that will use the existing shuttle arms and platforms in the same positions. Otherwise I'd have to make several alternate versions, and I don't want to do that right now.

[AmateurAstronaut1969]

Are you planning on making a new shuttle freestanding pad with the new shuttle pad you made? The Freestanding pads are very useful and most people I know use them over the regular ones

[AlphaMensae]

2 hours ago, AmateurAstronaut1969 said:

Are you planning on making a new shuttle freestanding pad with the new shuttle pad you made? The Freestanding pads are very useful and most people I know use them over the regular ones

Yeah, I'll get to that later.

[kspbutitscursed]

33 minutes ago, AlphaMensae said:

Yeah, I'll get to that later.

cool

[CollectingSP]

On 8/7/2024 at 8:35 PM, AlphaMensae said:

Ok, after looking at pictures of the Vandenberg shuttle tower, I'm going to leave the full package of parts for v3.  I'll just make an adjustable height alternate tower that will use the existing shuttle arms and platforms in the same positions. Otherwise I'd have to make several alternate versions, and I don't want to do that right now.

Might go well with something I’ve been working on… (very much a work in progress)

Any chance of the Delta IV tower at Vandy?

[AlphaMensae]

9 hours ago, CollectingSP said:

Might go well with something I’ve been working on… (very much a work in progress)

Any chance of the Delta IV tower at Vandy?

Eh, it's not that much different from the one at the Cape. I could make the panels toggleable, but that's as far as I want to go with it.

I am going to make the Delta IV tower have a modular version, it'll just be splitting the main sections into separate parts; I'll add a panel switch and maybe some other switches then.

Edited August 9 by AlphaMensae