A Hodgepodge of Whatever I Think of: The Madness of Manatee Aerospace.

[Rutabaga22]

How do you get this inspiration? I love these builds!

[Blufor878]

3 hours ago, Rutabaga22 said:

How do you get this inspiration? I love these builds!

A wise man once said
"Don't ask questions you don't want answers to"

Oh, you wanted an actual answer. Hold on a sec...

First off, I'm technically a Florida Man. Not only that, I'm an ASIAN Florida Man, which means not only am I nuts, but I have a mathematically sound justification for it. Therefore, I cannot be stopped!

Also I'm a huge fan of spaceflight, especially the concepts that never were. KSP allows me to express this in the most way possible (I know what I typed). It actually goes back to an old obscure game called Skybase. It was a game that allowed you to build your own space station using (planned) ISS components. You could even tour the inside. Sadly I can't imagine that the game works now. That said, KSP is a worthy successor. I don't think any game scratches my spaceflight itch like KSP does. And I suck at it (as far as actual flight is concerned)! Can't say I'm at the level of big guys like Matt Lowne or Scott Manley, nor would I ever compare myself to the likes of @Beccab, @CobaltWolf, or @pTrevTrevs with their insane content. But I have fun. The game offers a level of sandbox creativity that no other game provides (at least in my opinion).

But mostly the Florida Man thing.

Also, if you have any medication, take it now.





Don't tell the KSC Budget Office, they wouldn't understand. And don't tell Jeb, he'd make it worse.

Edited November 8, 2022 by Blufor878

[tilliepops]

ok i will wont.

Spoiler

Spoiler

Spoiler

Spoiler

@Jebediah Kerman

 

 

 

 

[Blufor878]

The T01, now with a launch pad!

I'm (slowly) getting around to making launch pads for my rockets.

Edited November 11, 2022 by Blufor878

[Blufor878]

When KSP allows you to have the blank check space programs you could only dream about.

Edited November 15, 2022 by Blufor878

[Blufor878]

Nobody tell @GoldForest I did this. My take on the Saturn C8/Nova. I felt like the direct ascent lander I made awhile back deserved a rocket as well.

 

[Blufor878]

So, here me out guys. What if Rocketlab's Neutron, but with Saturn components?





Now downloadable for your use, whatever that is!
https://kerbalx.com/ManateeAerospace/Muon

Edited November 24, 2022 by Blufor878

[Blufor878]

I'm testing out a manned variant of Muon as well. It acts as an LKO capable SSTO orbiter.

[Blufor878]

There might be some minor possible issues, but I think my Saturn C7 (not C8, couldn't fit all 8 engines without it looking odd) is ready!
https://kerbalx.com/ManateeAerospace/C7-DI-761-Pad




The DI-761 designation is inspired by the direct ascent design that inspired the lander here, specifically a July 1961 proposal. (middle top row).

The rocket and lander are by no means exact replicas, but I'm happy with the end result.

[Blufor878]

I feel like I've been pressured into using conformal decals...

...and I don't hate the results.

Oh, say hi to the Maru smallsat launcher. A methane rocket capable of lifting 1 ton to LKO.
https://kerbalx.com/ManateeAerospace/Maru-CDL
It's based on the Zero rocket being designed by Interstellar Technologies in Japan. What can I say, I was in the mood for Japanese.

Edited December 1, 2022 by Blufor878

[Probird_23]

On 11/1/2022 at 12:19 AM, Blufor878 said:

If anyone can guess the significance of that name, you deserve the finest POB's (that's pats on the back).

A tad bit late to this, but I assume the name is derived from Chiang Kai-shek?

[Blufor878]

9 hours ago, Probird_23 said:

A tad bit late to this, but I assume the name is derived from Chiang Kai-shek?

No, but I like your guess. It’s named after Kai Tak, Hong Kong’s former international airport. 101 Rocketry has the Taiwan/ROC theming.

[Blufor878]

H-II Tangent
So, I was on a bit of an H-II tangent tonight. I have both @Beale's Gemstone mod and @mcdouble's H-IIA/H-IIB mod. Both are awesome mods. But sadly based on my understanding we haven't heard from mcdouble recently. And while the H-IIA/B mod is amazing, as near as I can tell the engines don't have sound. However, I found that the BDB Herakles engine mount looks similar when in the 2-engine configuration. So I used it with some help via the move tool, and it fits well, like really well. So I put the gemstone engines on there...

Doesn't look bad at all I think!

But what about 3 engines, and eliminating the SRB's?

Works just fine! And it lifts over 10 tons to LKO and then some.

Then I thought "what about the KS-25 hydrolox engines from @benjee10's Redirect mod?

Also works!

Of course that led to the obligatory F-1 LF/O variant. However the tank didn't have an option to switch to LF/O, so I used one of the appropriate Herakles tanks from BDB and set it to SOFI mode. Ended being a lot shorter, but it definitely can get stuff to LKO (little guy's doing his darned best)!


Bonus monstrosity with shuttle style SRB's


I have more where this came from. A while ago I combined Gemstone with @Well's Fuji spacecraft. Stay tuned.

Edited December 8, 2022 by Blufor878

[Blufor878]

So, I goofed a little bit with my post last night. I credited the modders who made the awesome parts mods, but I didn't credit the original inspiration. That would be BSS_SNAG on KerbalX.

BSS_SNAG has used a few parts mods like BDB, Gemstone, and H-IIA/B to recreate modern and vintage NASDA/JAXA launch vehicles. The basis for the rockets from last night's post was the H-IIB craft file from his/her KerbalX. That in turn used parts from Gemstone, H-IIA/B, and ORANGES. I highly recommend looking up BSS_SNAG's stuff:
https://kerbalx.com/BSS_SNAG

On the plus side, this has also given me an idea. In addition to messing around with rockets on my own I think I want to showcase rockets from other KerbalX users. A lot of those guys deserve more attention, unless they already have it, in which case I'm sending more on their way!

[Royalswissarmyknife]

16 hours ago, Blufor878 said:

H-II Tangent
So, I was on a bit of an H-II tangent tonight. I have both @Beale's Gemstone mod and @mcdouble's H-IIA/H-IIB mod. Both are awesome mods. But sadly based on my understanding we haven't heard from mcdouble recently. And while the H-IIA/B mod is amazing, as near as I can tell the engines don't have sound. However, I found that the BDB Herakles engine mount looks similar when in the 2-engine configuration. So I used it with some help via the move tool, and it fits well, like really well. So I put the gemstone engines on there...

Doesn't look bad at all I think!

But what about 3 engines, and eliminating the SRB's?

Works just fine! And it lifts over 10 tons to LKO and then some.

Then I thought "what about the KS-25 hydrolox engines from @benjee10's Redirect mod?

Also works!

Of course that led to the obligatory F-1 LF/O variant. However the tank didn't have an option to switch to LF/O, so I used one of the appropriate Herakles tanks from BDB and set it to SOFI mode. Ended being a lot shorter, but it definitely can get stuff to LKO (little guy's doing his darned best)!


Bonus monstrosity with shuttle style SRB's


I have more where this came from. A while ago I combined Gemstone with @Well's Fuji spacecraft. Stay tuned.

At first I though this thing was going to be normal

I was very wrong

[Blufor878]

49 minutes ago, Royalswissarmyknife said:

At first I though this thing was going to be normal

I was very wrong

" You chose...poorly..."

I wanted to say "Mr. Harry" at the end of that but I think both fandoms would be ruthless about it even though it was on purpose...

Also I'm a Florida man, what were your expectations?

[Royalswissarmyknife]

On 12/8/2022 at 6:00 PM, Blufor878 said:

" You chose...poorly..."

I wanted to say "Mr. Harry" at the end of that but I think both fandoms would be ruthless about it even though it was on purpose...

Also I'm a Florida man, what were your expectations?

True but I would at least expect you to make the H-II Heavy. Also here it is for inspiration

Edited December 10, 2022 by Royalswissarmyknife

[Blufor878]

11 hours ago, Royalswissarmyknife said:

True but I would at least expect you to make the H-II Heavy. Also here it is for inspiration

I actually would love to make more asymmetrical rockets but I'm terrible at it. I made one successful design but it's really only useful for a specific task. Even that required a lot of finagling with the engine on the side stage. In all other cases my attempts have resulted in unwanted flips and HUGE levels of flight instability. Any suggestions?

[Blufor878]

Today I'm gonna showcase two different things.
First, I want to make a visual shoutout to The_Black_Badger on KerbalX.
This is the Pleiades family of rockets. Now, there are multiple versions of this rocket, but I'm just gonna do some highlights today. I should also preface that I had to make some adjustments due to my use of Restock. Otherwise, all credit goes to The_Black_Badger.
First we have the Pleiades-I ILV. I love the idea of an Ares I style rocket but for cargo use.

Next we have the Pleiades-III ELV. This rocket represents the mid-tier of the family.

Finally, the king (or queen given the namesake) of them all, the Pleiades V EC.


I had to include booster seperation as well. Such a spectacular visual.

As a bonus I have a modified Pleiades-I designed to carry crew. The_Black_Badger has a crew variant on KerbalX. However, Restock ends up making it look kinda funky. So I had to make some modifications on my end.
Oh, and I made a pad.


Black Badger, if you are on this forum, your stuff is fantastic! I look forward to what you're gonna make next.
For everyone else, I highly recommend checking these rockets out!:
https://kerbalx.com/The_Black_Badger

Second order of business. Something that's dawned on me is that I haven't shown any of my rockets putting payloads into space recently. I'm gonna fix that today.
Today the Kerstler Star will launch the main module of a new station, Summit 1, into orbit.
Kerstlar Star lifts from its weird launch pad.

Nominal MECO and stage separation.

And fairings gone. Summit 1 shows itself to the vacuum of space. This is also the debut of @benjee10's Habtech2 in the Manatee Aerospace Universe.

Finally we have payload separation. The upper stage will soon make a deorbit burn and burn up in Kerbin's atmosphere.

As a bonus, we have picture of Summit 1 in orbit, ready to receive visitors and future modules.

If the design looks somewhat familiar, I took some cues from Axiom's planned space station.

Edited December 10, 2022 by Blufor878

[Rutabaga22]

On 11/8/2022 at 12:31 AM, Blufor878 said:

A wise man once said
"Don't ask questions you don't want answers to"

Oh, you wanted an actual answer. Hold on a sec...

First off, I'm technically a Florida Man. Not only that, I'm an ASIAN Florida Man, which means not only am I nuts, but I have a mathematically sound justification for it. Therefore, I cannot be stopped!

Also I'm a huge fan of spaceflight, especially the concepts that never were. KSP allows me to express this in the most way possible (I know what I typed). It actually goes back to an old obscure game called Skybase. It was a game that allowed you to build your own space station using (planned) ISS components. You could even tour the inside. Sadly I can't imagine that the game works now. That said, KSP is a worthy successor. I don't think any game scratches my spaceflight itch like KSP does. And I suck at it (as far as actual flight is concerned)! Can't say I'm at the level of big guys like Matt Lowne or Scott Manley, nor would I ever compare myself to the likes of @Beccab, @CobaltWolf, or @pTrevTrevs with their insane content. But I have fun. The game offers a level of sandbox creativity that no other game provides (at least in my opinion).

But mostly the Florida Man thing.

Also, if you have any medication, take it now.





Don't tell the KSC Budget Office, they wouldn't understand. And don't tell Jeb, he'd make it worse.

I really wish I had medication to take before that thing.

[Blufor878]

Today I decided to give the Block I Falcon 9 Shuttle SRB's.


Also installed @DylanSemrau's Photon Corp in full for the SRB's. On that note I also apologize to DylanSemrau and @Damon for what has transpired here.

[Davi SDF]

2 hours ago, Blufor878 said:

Today I decided to give the Block I Falcon 9 Shuttle SRB's.


Also installed @DylanSemrau's Photon Corp in full for the SRB's. On that note I also apologize to DylanSemrau and @Damon for what has transpired here.

You know, that doesn't look like the worst idea for a heavy launcher (in KSP at least)

[Blufor878]

You ever wanted to launch Gemini on top of a shuttle era SRB? No? Too bad, we're doing it anyway.



I also gave the Gemini spacecraft some upgrades.



As a bonus we have a cargo variant.


KerbalX Downloads:
https://kerbalx.com/ManateeAerospace/SRB-1-GLV
https://kerbalx.com/ManateeAerospace/SRB-1T

[Blufor878]

I don't know, do you guys thing posting these right before Jesus Day is a bad idea?

And the home additions:
https://kerbalx.com/ManateeAerospace/NOTRAG
https://kerbalx.com/ManateeAerospace/NOTRAG-Charlie
https://kerbalx.com/ManateeAerospace/NOTRAG-Lambda

Edited December 22, 2022 by Blufor878

[Blufor878]

Trying out a little bit of video editing, let me know what y'all think!