Push/Pull Nuclear Space Tug

[Soda Popinski]

Designing some space tugs. Both have medium docking ports up front for pushing, and small docking ports in the rear for pulling.

Aluminum Vulture on the Right for planetary (Minmus/Mun) missions has 5544 m/s unladen and can carry 3 kerbals, while Aluminum Condor on the Left for interplanetary missions has 11,073 m/s, and can carry 7 kerbals.

I was inspired by the offset cockpit of the Millenium Falcon, and how I always thought it would work as a freighter / tug (pushing cargo in front of it, hence the offset cockpit).

Now I need to design a rocket to put them in orbit. In KSP1, I'd usually launch them in 3 parts, and assemble on orbit, but without Navyfish Docking Port Alignment Indicator, I don't trust eyeballing it to align them properly. I don't know if KSP2 has post docking rotation.
 

Blueprint of and image craft

After docking a Duna descent/ascent ship and rover, and starting a trans-Dunal injection burn, I may need to rethink the design.

 

Edited March 2, 2023 by Soda Popinski

[FlazeTheDragon]

Really interesting idea, tho id try and design it to be disposable. Ive dabbled with the idea of having space tugs in orbit in ksp1 and reusable ones arent efficient since you need to expend a lot of delta v. to recapture them in to a stable orbit rather then do atmospheric braking on re-entry/recapture of kerbin.

Alternatively, you could design them with an inflatable heat shield at the front and go pro-grade to slow down in the atmosphere for re-capture... maybe that would work.

[Soda Popinski]

1 hour ago, FlazeTheDragon said:

Really interesting idea, tho id try and design it to be disposable. Ive dabbled with the idea of having space tugs in orbit in ksp1 and reusable ones arent efficient since you need to expend a lot of delta v. to recapture them in to a stable orbit rather then do atmospheric braking on re-entry/recapture of kerbin.

Alternatively, you could design them with an inflatable heat shield at the front and go pro-grade to slow down in the atmosphere for re-capture... maybe that would work.

I've used them efficiently in KSP1 by refueling then with SSTO tankers.  I also setup an ISRU base on Mun and send up tankers from there.  Minmus would get better.   I also play using Kerbal Construction Time, so reusable craft really help.

https://youtu.be/U4cFbX9zxhw

https://youtu.be/sMj4c-mKlMw

Note, the tug unloaded has about 11,000 m/s delta-V.  With the payload, about 7500 m/s.  Plenty for most uses.  Not a bad idea to use an inflatable heat shield.  First and only time I did a Jool tour used a nuclear powered mother ship with an inflatable heat shield.

 

 

 

Edited March 2, 2023 by Soda Popinski

[FlazeTheDragon]

13 minutes ago, Soda Popinski said:

I've used them efficiently in KSP1 by refueling then with SSTO tankers.  I also setup an ISRU base on Mun and send up tankers from there.  Minmus would get better.   I also play using Kerbal Construction Time, so reusable craft really help.

https://youtu.be/U4cFbX9zxhw

https://youtu.be/sMj4c-mKlMw

 

 

 

 

 

average ssto gigachad vs rocket virgin

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Thats extremely sick man, i didnt know you could automate to this degree in ksp1.

The main issue with reusable space tugs is that they waste a lot of fuel re-orbiting around kerbin or other bodies (tho maybe re-orbiting around minmus would be cheap?). So maybe my inflatable heat shield idea to basically re-orbit for free is still relevant :p

Tho you seem to have your s**t together when it comes to ksp so i doubt you need my help xD

Would be curious to see your ksp2 ssto designs, maybe get some design ideas from them

Edited March 2, 2023 by FlazeTheDragon

[Soda Popinski]

5 minutes ago, FlazeTheDragon said:

average ssto gigachad vs rocket virgin

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Thats extremely sick man, i didnt know you could automate to this degree in ksp1.

The main issue with reusable space tugs is that they waste a lot of fuel re-orbiting around kerbin or other bodies (tho maybe re-orbiting around minmus would be cheap?). So maybe my inflatable heat shield idea to basically re-orbit for free is still relevant :p

Tho you seem to have your excrements together when it comes to ksp so i doubt you need my help xD

I'm happy to take any constructive criticism.  I like the inflatable heat shield idea.  The craft has a medium docking port up front, which I could attach one to.

 

Case in point, I was used to KSP1's unrealistic exhaust, which would miss the payload behind.  Not the case in KSP2.  Live and learn.

Edited March 2, 2023 by Soda Popinski

[FlazeTheDragon]

3 minutes ago, Soda Popinski said:

I'm happy to take any constructive criticism.  I like the inflatable heat shield idea.  The craft has a medium docking port up front, which I could attach one to.

 

Case in point, I was used to KSP1's unrealistic exhaust, which would miss the payload behind.  Not the case in KSP2.  Live and learn.

personally ive been really enjoying the challenges of building ssto's in ksp2. (Outside of bugs, like every auxiliary part creating insane amounts of drag, including payload bays lol.) but having to actually optimize wing angles, wing spans, account for trans sonic drag, fuel mixing etc etc has been really fun.

Currently working on an eve ssto (with out refueling, round trip), tho cargo bay bug, and abysmal performance with 6 rapiers is kinda of preventing me from testing it much.

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