[0.17] Nova MCA (Size 2 Mun-capable rocket)

[Jetman123]

I set out to create a craft that could land on the moon and return with three kerbals. I created a monstrosity.

Name: Nova MCA (Munar Capable Atomic)

Mass: 604.3 tons

Thrust: (first stage) 11900 kN

Crew: 3 kerbals

Mission capability: Kerbin orbital, munar direct ascent, mun/minmus "hopscotch" direct ascent

Parts: 388

Primary Mission Stages: 5 (Not counting SRBs, radials or individual substages)

Direct ascent requires insane levels of mass to orbit and a perilously unstable craft to match. I know this thing isn't optimized, but it WORKS, dammit. Feel free to post any revised versions you come up with. Play with it - anything you do with the damned thing will make it safer by statistical probability!

This requires the latest version of MechJeb, which is packaged with the .rar file. Install it if you don't have it already. You will need it. Godspeed. Also included is a flight manual written by yours truly for procedures that work to get this quirky beast into LEO. I would suggest RTFM.

Edit: New version. QRF and ship updated slightly. Better stability, landing legs on the nuclear stage are in the proper position. I have also confirmed that it is capable - just barely - of hopscotch, landing on the mun, minmus, and then going home. Have fun.

Download link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/yryx63ta5v1pdv4/Nova%20MCA.rar

Image gallery: http://imgur.com/a/ctXPi

Edited September 27, 2012 by Jetman123

[Giggleplex777]

Holy poop your rocket is HUGE!

[AmpsterMan]

KSP, where inefficiency is the law of the land. Congrats on your rocket

[Raticon]

Holy cow! I'd imagine this beast to be Duna-capable! In all other respects i agree with AmpsterMan.

[Jetman123]

It's capable of a Duna flyby and possibly even a Dunar landing on the ascent stage, but it ain't getting back. Then again, maybe I've been planning my attempts inefficiently. If anyone manages to land on Duna and return, I'd love to hear about it.

[AmpsterMan]

The only thing I can see holding this back from being Duna Capable is that it doesn't have enough parachutes to make landing easy. Furthermore, it seems like it might be too heavy and not have enough thrust to take back off.

[Jetman123]

The only thing I can see holding this back from being Duna Capable is that it doesn't have enough parachutes to make landing easy. Furthermore, it seems like it might be too heavy and not have enough thrust to take back off.

And now you've got me pondering ways to put more chutes on this thing without sacrificing too much mass or stability. D: WHY MUST YOU MAKE ME CONTINUALLY TINKER WITH MY OWN DESIGN-wait, I'm the one that does that. Nevermind. To the VAB!