SM-65B Atlas-K missile!

[molo]

So, with the current parts available it's a bit hard to make a proper Atlas Mercury launcher, but I think I've come close, at least conceptually. It's a stage-and-a-half launcher, with the two larger engines being jettisoned when a tank to a half-tank remains (about 350-400 m/s). As is appropriate for a Kerbal design, it'll get into orbit— barely!

I present... the Atlas-K!

Atlas-K.craft, requires the Wobbly parts pack.

[DoctorEvo]

SWEET

Atlas (the original, balloon-tanked one) is one of my favorite rockets. You know, they say it COULD have done SSTO if they gave it a light enough payload?

[molo]

Yeah, it's pretty sweet. I wish I had some lighter (maybe more fragile?) tanks to really complete the model. I've added a third fuel tank and a simple manned stage and approximated the Atlas-D Mercury launcher as well, and it easily lobs a capsule with a full orange minitank and engine into a 75km orbit.

[DoctorEvo]

Yeah, it's pretty sweet. I wish I had some lighter (maybe more fragile?) tanks to really complete the model. I've added a third fuel tank and a simple manned stage and approximated the Atlas-D Mercury launcher as well, and it easily lobs a capsule with a full orange minitank and engine into a 75km orbit.

You COULD tweak the .cfg files to do that. Reducing empty weight is easy enough... and making them more fragile I think is pretty straightforward, though I'm unfamiliar with how much the CrashTolerance, BreakingForce and BreakingTorque affect the part's resilience.

[molo]

Yeah, I just got an educational license for 3ds max so I might just start playing around with making my own parts. Who knows!

Of course, at this point I can't even get the game to launch with a custom part, so it could be a while.

[duke_luke_em]

Jettisoning extra engines is briljant!

I need to experiment with this on some of my rockets.

[Andras]

My version of the Mercury Atlas. I have a small tank and small LFR for minor orbital maneuvering, but the main rocket is SSTO. The side mounted LFRs are dropped whent hey overheat or when I have 1 full tank left.

[Tim_Barrett]

Doesnt look liek it will get into orbit, 12% of it's fuel was depleted when it reached 4km, in OVER one minute....

Pretty ineffective

[molo]

Are you running at 100% thrust? Because that's going to waste a lot of fuel, especially in the lower atmosphere.

I fixed my download, in case people have tried and failed to get my original.

- Atlas K (original)

- Atlas K Mercury Launcher (requires Wobbly & SDIDR packs)

[foamyesque]

Doesnt look liek it will get into orbit, 12% of it's fuel was depleted when it reached 4km, in OVER one minute....

Pretty ineffective

I have a SSTO that takes twenty seconds to clear the tower. If he's only chewed up 12% of his fuel by 4km, he's got SSTO in the bag.