SRB only rocket challenge!

[megaprime13]

THIS is the challenge for you! Build a rocket that can get into kerbin orbit using nothing but SRBs! if you feel special, you can go for other planets or moons.

RULES:

Any mods are allowed; mechjeb, NovaPunch, even modifying the regular SRB fuel quantities and such.

RCS is allowed for control. However, the only means of propulsion you are allowed to use is the SRB thrust. Not RCS!

NO SRB/RCS LIMIT. (no infinite fuels for RCS though. EDIT: You can edit the fuel quantity up to 3000 because im nice)

Show pictures or else no points for you!

Extra points:

minimal parts

planets landed/crashed on

---extra extra if crew survives

style

aero braking to circularize orbits

not using any mods!

I tried this, but it was a huge failure

1.taloton

2.jqhullekes

3.UmbralRaptor

4.

5.

Good luck!

Edited September 25, 2012 by megaprime13

[megaprime13]

It's been a few hours, isn't anyone gonna take up this challenge?

[taloton]

I'll try this.

[taloton]

Okay, Hopefully this counts.

[UmbralRaptor]

Given that the RT-10 got nerfed down to worse than it was in 0.7.3-0.15.2, the RT-B20's thoroughly unspectacular Isp even post-buff, and the Sepratron not being useful for actual propulsion, SRBs just aren't as fun any more.

Burn the lower "stages" straight up, then the upper booster horizontally at apoapsis.

This one needs to fly with a pseudo-conventional pitchover.

I wouldn't be surprised if one can make an SSTO that safely lands on Kerbin, like r4m0n did in 0.16. And if someone puts some effort into launch times and maneuvers, one could likely recreate Abyssal Lurker's Kerbin -> Minmus -> Mün -> Kerbin mission from that time.

[lucidLemon]

I hosted a SRB Lander challenge a while ago. A few people manage to take off, transfer to the moon, and land using only SRB's. I was massively impressed.

EDIT: Tracked it down, http://kerbalspaceprogram.com/forum/showthread.php/19925-SRB-Lander

Hopefully, some of the ideas people had/implemented might prove useful here.

Edited September 25, 2012 by lucidLemon

[KAO]

I'll give this a shot tomorrow, I actually often use this method to launch certain lunar orbiters and telescopes.

[jqhullekes]

I've accepted this challenge!

After trying many designs, and having many failures, I reached orbit using only 6 parts!!

This is the design:

Here is the video:

I first did it with 7 parts, and thought 6 wasn't possible.

But it is! Without mods. And it looks so simple.

Edited September 26, 2012 by jqhullekes

[jqhullekes]

I had a crazy idea which I had to try...

And it worked! With 5 parts to orbit!!

Here is the design:

Here is the video:

As you can see, the last stage is put up side down. That way it will thrust from start to finish, and it can even get out of orbit that way. As you can see in the video I prevented that this time (by rotating the rocket when orbit was reached) so I get a nice orbit around kerbin.

Very nice.

I don't think 4 parts is possible though... or is it?

[megaprime13]

awesome! now if you can do something regarding navigation to other planets...