H.E.C.S II Science satellite (Hexagonal Electronic for Cheap Science II)

[Jeb x Valentina]

Hello, kerbonauts. As some of you may already know, my space program is not doing very well. So, a few days ago I was just messing around with cheap sattelite designs to get more profits from contracts, and I eventually got a thing that barely cost 26k funds (with a 6% discount strategy, also, it costed around 19k without the accelerometer that was requred for the contract), so I was very happy with it and launched it. Sadly, when it reached its desired orbit and I had completed the contract, I was disappointed. The transfer stage still had 1k m/s remaining, and the propulsion stage I added was still full, with 1.4k m/s. And, since the thing was never designed to return, I left it there, with hopes of recuing it someday.

However, I still had another contract left, in a similar orbit. I obviously didn't want to leave 2.4k m/s of delta in space again, so I had to redesign the probe. I ended up completly scrapping the propulsion stage and a spare battery pack the original had. It was perfect. So perfect, that I've decided to share it with you guys. 

It also features a renewable 2nd stage!

 

Stats:

• 62 parts
• 30 tons
• 24k funds
• Width and lenght: 4 meters
• Height: 14m

 

KerbalX link:  KerbalX - HECS II (Yes, I came up with the acronym after publishing)

 

Pics:

The rocket at launch

 

Launch pics:

Spoiler

1st stage sep.

 

Main engine ignition

 

Orbital ins. burn

 

MECO and 3rd stage ignition

The thing after entering LKO

 

The booster about the re-enter

 

Re-entry and splashdown pics:

Spoiler

Re-entry; the fins help it to stay sideways and generate more drag, along with spreading the heat evenly and avoiding explosions

 

We survived

 

Drogue chutes prtially deploy

 

Main chutes part. deploy

 

Drogues deploy

 

Mains deploy

Splashdown!

 

Transfer (and eclipse, which, believe it or not, is my first in KSP)

 

Nice!

 

Circularizing

 

And after a very short anti-normal burn, we made it!

 

Goodbye transfer stage. It's sad we still had 600 m/s...

 

Done!

 

Notes: 

• I send it to KEO, but you should be able to send it further
• If you want to do a kerbin orbit mission, I suggest removing at least 500 m/s from the transfer stage
• The booster should also be able to handle other payloads
• You can obviously swap the mag. boom for other radial experiments, or add them along with it

Edited November 9, 2023 by Jeb x Valentina
added stats :v