[0.16][MechJeb] Lander capable of swimming and achieving orbit.

[ForumHelper]

Since I've shared this vehicle in the 0.17 discussion thread, I might as well post it here.

Full story behind the design: http://kerbalspaceprogram.com/forum/showthread.php/19911-Post-mission-report-interplanetary-travel-to-Kerbin-2

Pictures here:

http://imgur.com/a/nYOrF#0 (Older version of this lander, still landing/launching is exactly the same)

http://imgur.com/a/XqrU5#0

It's a vessel that I made for one of Jool's moons which is 100% water.

Therefore it had to achieve certain goals:

-Land on water

-Float and be capable of moving

-Be capable of launching again and achieving orbit

-Have enough fuel to do a space meeting for crew extraction.

Not only can this lander land(thank you captain obvious:P) on water but it is also capable of moving around and launching(again) into orbit(in Kerbin's case it's 75km circular orbit).

Landing should proceed as follows:

-Enter atmosphere and slow down to ~100m/s

-Open parachutes and wait until ~30m above surface

-Do a short burn in order to slow down to ~3m/s and land

-Disable all liquid fuel tanks' fuel flow

-Enable engines of choice to move around in water

Launching:

-Disable atmospheric engines

-Enable liquid fuel tanks' fuel flow

-Detach parachutes

-Start the burn and detach the platform

-Fly, detaching used parts as you go

No launcher attached - experiment on your own:) And yes - it is possible to get it into orbit, though it is really CPU-heavy(just like my other 170t vessel).

Edited September 9, 2012 by ForumHelper