Introducing the Clove Lander and Ascent Module!

[grynspan]

Pictshurs: http://imgur.com/a/Q4zOE/

This lander is capable of reaching the surface of a celestial body with an atmosphere. It is then capable of ascending to orbit around any such body with the exception of Eve (due to excessive drag.)

The lower stages are not included; only the lander is. Once in orbit around a body, you will want a second ship to rendezvous with the C.L.A.M. and ferry its kerbstronaut back home (think Apollo.)

[randyrules711]

Good job. The way you distributed the weight/thrust should keep it steady and stable during descent and landing. My only issue is the ascent module. It doesn't look very stable. If I had to guess, the center of mass is somewhere in the middle. It should be lower if you want a stable flight.

[Thobewill10]

Very Nice. I'd recommend swapping the outer engines with Aerospikes and setting up a rudimentary asparagus staging system to squeeze more dV out of it.

[grynspan]

Good job. The way you distributed the weight/thrust should keep it steady and stable during descent and landing. My only issue is the ascent module. It doesn't look very stable. If I had to guess, the center of mass is somewhere in the middle. It should be lower if you want a stable flight.

The whole thing is the ascent AND descent module. You don't burn any fuel on descent, and rely on parachutes.

[grynspan]

Very Nice. I'd recommend swapping the outer engines with Aerospikes and setting up a rudimentary asparagus staging system to squeeze more dV out of it.

The aerospikes would give you higher thrust but would burn through the fuel more quickly (I believe?) Atmospheric drag would end up killing any benefit.

[Commander Zoom]

"Bodies with atmosphere" is a rather limited set in the Kerbol system, and then you take a big one off the table by adding "but not Eve."

Guess I'll have to keep at it until I can do better.

[grynspan]

"Bodies with atmosphere" is a rather limited set in the Kerbol system, and then you take a big one off the table by adding "but not Eve."

Every body has a different set of requirements. No one lander design will be optimal for all of them.