RFC: Dummy Payload for a Payload Fraction Challenge

[Laie]

We haven't had a payload fraction challenge in a long time. Three years, if I'm not mistaken. How about another?

Last time, we were allowed to assemble our own payloads. Quite naturally, these tended to be dense, tight, and aerodynamic without a fairing. Now I don't know about you, but my payloads tend to be rather bulky. So I wonder if it would be alright to provide a dummy payload? And if so, which?

Here's two suggestions. One tries to look like a halfways sensible module to start a space station with. The other happens to mass exactly 14t at a cost of 10,000 funds, which I think would come in handy.

What do you think? Would *you* even take part in a that challenge if you're supposed to launch a prefab payload?

And, given that I'm willing to run at most two size classes: what sizes do you believe to be sensible?

 

[Lt_Duckweed]

I feel like both example payloads are too small.  The smallest SSTO I fly is an orange tank lifter, with most of my designs clustered around 115-145 tons payload.  I find that below 36 tons it's just not worth it to try and build to payload size as 36 tons of payload is already down at a 2+2 rapier/nerv config and going any lower runs into issues of either having way more trust than needed, or having to figure out how to balance the craft and still be able to deploy the payload easily when you have one of each engine.

[Spricigo]

I'd rather ban the worse ofenders (ore tanks, beams,panels,some engines) or even create a list of allowed payload parts (e.g.1.payload must consist of a number of fully loaded fuel tanks).Thus allowing for a wide range of dummy payloads without need of previously designed payloads.

In any case, the prefabs payload would not be a problem for me. (But designing for mass fraction not really my cup of tea)