Kerbal Shuttle Mission: Kerbin observation

[deltaflyer_19]

Greetings, Fellow Kerbinauts! Here's a challenge that should tickle ur fancy. Create a very close replica of our late space shuttles (god rest their metal-like souls). I highly recommend the C7A Aviation Package for this challenge to work. U may use any method for a boost-assisted launch (yes, u must use a booster of some sort, not just ur shuttle). Launch azimuth can be any direction u wish. Ur orbital altitude however must be a 155km by 165km orbit (155000 meter by 165000 meter orbit) for ideal "Kerbin photography". Flight time shouldn't exceed an hour and a half. Perform a de-orbit burn to return to KSC. If u still have fuel left, you can perform a powered descent; MAKE SURE U LAND ON THE RUNWAY!!! Also, u CAN NOT use MechJeb for this mission, prove to the KSP community that u r a true commander who uses their own skill instead of an autopilot. U can still use an Advanced SAS module if u wish.

Do u have what it takes? Godspeed, Kerbins!

screenshots or video upload requested, thx and accomplish my mission!

[-Gamah]

It looks kind of like the shuttle... right?

As close to 155x165 as I could get

Setting up:

Hitting the atmosphere backwards:

Dropping dead weight and facing the right way:

KSC on the horizon:

In plain sight:

Cutting it pretty close on the 1:30 mission time:

Erm... "touchdown":

I think with some more practice I could get a real landing with a few minutes to spare.. my issue is that when I crossed below 4KM i had a massive lag that disabled my ASAS and caused my craft to abruptly pitch up and stall...

[deltaflyer_19]

Nice shuttle design Gamah, kinda looks like a starfighter. Im very impressed with ur orbital altitude and how close u came to a great landing. Great choice on the avionics nose cone. Good job on those wingtip boosters. Great launch azimuth, 90* or 270* are great headings to fly. Here's a quick success tip: give ur shuttle greater wing area without compromising weight, u may glide much long and at lower speeds, u might not stall as much. Nice touch with that jet engine for powered descent; very fuel smart. Well done Kerbinaut! Tell ya friends to try this mission and maybe I can tally ur scores. Impressive job!!

[-Gamah]

I suppose my pictures were a bit misleading.. I never showed it on the "runway". That little thing could not have gotten into orbit itself I don't think.

On the "pad"

http://i.imgur.com/MnKEn.jpg

The thing will glide for days, the stall speed is about 43 m/s which is perfectly reasonable to land with... I was just rushing myself to land within the mission timer and mucked it up

[deltaflyer_19]

Thx 4 ur honesty and the pic of ur launch booster. Don't feel bad about the mishap or misleading info. It's still legitimate enough 4 a 90% mission success; if u want 2, upload me a video of ur flight. If not, no sweat! At least u tried.

[AmpsterMan]

Nice Shuttle design. In KSP we can't have the traditional shuttle. It is nice to see how people get around the limitations of KSP to make great designs. Good Job!

[-Gamah]

I'm convinced I can make one that takes off piggyback, it would be SO much easier if I could put a decoupler on the jet engine. I'll work on this later today and if I get a working design I'll stream the mission.

Edit:

Proof of concept:

http://i.imgur.com/xYu8m.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/pxERO.jpg

The issue is getting enough fuel to get to orbit on the thing...

Edited September 16, 2012 by -Gamah

[deltaflyer_19]

If anyone has a shuttle design they can show me, im all eyes n ears for it. Can someone tell how 2 post my own pic of a vessel in KSP? I'd greatly appreciate it.

[whatisthisidonteven]

Working on it.

Some of the debris around Kerbin is from my previous failed mission, the Titanic Shuttle. (Bad naming I guess

)

EDIT**

Something strange happened and my shuttle suddenly warped to 65km/s and smashed into the Sun. This must be the Kraken's revenge for me going for two runs around the Sun at 35km/s without getting caught by it.

But never fear, an improved design is ready for liftoff sometime later!

Edited September 16, 2012 by whatisthisidonteven

[fetusthebard]

But never fear, an improved design is ready for liftoff sometime later!

Dat Shuttle design... I'm liking it.

[Kui_]

Where can i find the C7A Aviation Pack? And also KW Challenger Pack?

[christheman200]

Did this, but not with the orbit hight limit restrictions.

[AncientAstronaut]

-Gamah, what's up with the little smiley faces in the top right?

[-Gamah]

-Gamah, what's up with the little smiley faces in the top right?

mumble overlay

http://www.mumble.com/