Jump to content

Transporter Erector Launcher (TEL) Challenge


Recommended Posts

Jeb wants to launch from somewhere other than the KSC. However, efforts to establish a second launch site have been unsuccessful. So, Jeb went to his off-roading pals with this challenge:

Carry a Launch Vehicle (LV) on a wheeled Transporter Erector Launcher (TEL) vehicle at least one (1) kilometer, deposit the launch vehicle on the ground in an upright position, and launch to the edge of space (70km), and then return to the surface.

Rules and Regulations:

Required packs: Cart plugin Version 1.34

Reccomended packs: Damned Robotics, MechJeb.

Optional Packs: any Cart-powered pack, NovaPunch.

There will be four classes you canenter into this challenge:

-Monoblock Suborbital: TEL and LV are the same vehicle at the start of the mission, but the LV seperated at the launch site. LV does not make orbit.

-Polyblock Suborbital: TEL and LV are seperate at the start, and the TEL picks up the LV and transports it to the launch site. LV does not make orbit.

-Monoblock Orbital: TEL and LV are the same vehicle at the start of the mission, but the LV seperated at the launch site. LV does make orbit.

-Polyblock Orbital: TEL and LV are seperate at the start, and the TEL picks up the LV and transports it to the launch site. LV does make orbit.

For more inspiration, go to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transporter_erector_launcher

Good Luck, and have fun!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

kamilDrakari: this is not a points-based challenge. This is a challenge to see how people solve the challenge.

Whatshtisthis: Kinda. You have to detatch the rocket, and then fly it at least to 70km altitude. How you do that is up to you.

Martonaut: that's why I suggested Damned Robotics, so you can tip the rocket upright. It's kinda hard to transport a rocket in the upright position without a HUGE base, since it raises the center of mass up very high, making the Transporter prone to tipping.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You know what? I'll build the thing with the rocket upright.

My first prototype just fell on it's back.

EDIT: Second unit drove off the launch pad successfully, destroyed during launch due to staging error.

EDIT2: Third unit drove off the launch pad, destroyed during ascent due to lack of sepratrons.

Edited by Whatshtisthis
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I just made a rocket barely taller than two command pods; it reached a fairly circular 135 km orbit before deorbiting, it looks really easy to transport too.

Is there any restriction to the transporter, or can I just slap some wheels on decouplers?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

SUCCESS! I used a DEMV in place of a truck because I do not have a truck, flown with MechJeb. I don't know whether it's really 1 km away from the launch pad, but considering the slow speed of the DEMV, it's enough.. right?

DUrlu.jpg

IERBYh.png

C2MYx.jpg

rqAoHh.png

TKXoVh.png

edqYWh.png

mG8Ldh.png

oOY67.png

Edited by Whatshtisthis
Link to comment
Share on other sites

There are no restrictions other than the ones in the opening post. This challenge is to see what you folks come up with.

Whatshtisthis, that's a great job! It's far enough in my book. :cool:

DYJ: First video, you were using the NovaPunch fairings at the launch canister? Nice touch. What cart setup did you use? never seen that cart before...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

heh i actually just built one of these a few days ago, i suppose i should enter

Edit here it is, itwas modeled after the CIM-10, however i made a few changes, first made it intercontinental and secondly a single rear mounted engine instead of tao wing mounted ones, it can be done without the boosters but I like them, anyway here it is, mission is to launch a suborbital non nuclear missile to the south pole

<iframe class="imgur-album" width="100%" height="550" frameborder="0" src="http://imgur.com/a/D9OWI/embed"></iframe>

also below is my secondary LV, similar to DJY's with the fairings, but this uses a method that i first saw on sasquatch's Rhino transporter plane, however this vehicle is much less stable, where as the CIM-10 LV turns like a bus, this turns like a bull toad on speed, next up is making the LV for tiberdynes shuttle

Edited by pwnedbyscope
Link to comment
Share on other sites

You can too carry it upright

<iframe class="imgur-album" width="100%" height="550" frameborder="0" src="http://imgur.com/a/ok8JQ/embed"></iframe>

I got an 80-81 km orbit, then deorbited with a little fuel to spare.

Edited by lucidLemon
Link to comment
Share on other sites

i made my futile attempt to do it with all stock parrts so it wasn't the best but it is basically a mobile launchpad on wheels

[ATTACH=CONFIG]34346[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]34347[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]34348[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]34349[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]34350[/ATTACH]

due to my limited knowledge of stock parts i have not made an erector so it transports erected

lol only after posting did i notice jebs unhappy face in the first screenshot, i would be happy either if i was in a missle with a nuke on board either

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I went for the obvious solution to polyblock suborbital. It was tricky driving it up the ramp. The next version needs to be more front heavy, and I want to see if I can make the legs support it properly as it picks up the rocket.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I made a monoblock STOCK mobile launch pad. Initially I played around with RCS for my propulsions, but then Jeb decided that it needed more thrust. So this was born.

http://imgur.com/a/Pahrc#0

There are some people who might say, you can't drive a ground vehicle with 4 jet engines, To them I reply: "I CAN'T HEAR YOU!! THE JETS ARE TOO LOUD!"

http://imgur.com/a/Pahrc#3

It has a max speed around 85 m/s, But you might think, 'oh it can't go anywhere useful, only on flat ground.' NOPE,

http://imgur.com/a/Pahrc#5

I decided that mountains are the best possible place for anything to be launched from.

http://imgur.com/a/Pahrc#6

Here it is in orbit.

http://imgur.com/a/Pahrc#8

I have attached the Craft file because it is quite fun, and easy to drive.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ronox try using another hinge so you can get the rocket at more of a 90° angle to the ground, and perhaps use one of the taller stock style decouplers, itll get the engine assembly a bit further away from the LV so it dosent hit it, which is what im guess the problem you currently having is

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ronox, lucidLemon, infatuatedPP, pwnedbyscope, and dodrian: Excellent work! everyone has come up with different ideas and solutions, which was exactly the point behind the challenge.

Also, CIM-10? not familiar with it. What was the name for it? (i.e. LGM-25=Titan)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This thread is quite old. Please consider starting a new thread rather than reviving this one.

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...