Kerbal Grasshopper (VTVL)

[Climberfx]

So, i have this two!

The little one originates the big one.

I only have the rec for the MechJeb assisted flight, but is obvious that it can do it without.

But here they go:

The Dragon:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/8z4vavx4rwvu78k/Dragon.craft (MechJeb)

https://www.dropbox.com/s/tqfblowmtt...%20Stock.craft (Stock)

The Falcon:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/k0h6a12nc1sj4eu/Falcon.craft (MechJeb)

https://www.dropbox.com/s/riisfhcaw0...%20Stock.craft (Stock)

[Climberfx]

And those three too, but now is hybrid, Rocket/Jet.

The good thing is that, besides the two up here, they have a lot of dV to expend on orbit. The first one of this list can made the take off/orbit/land almost 3x without refuel, the second, 2x, and the 3rd is the smallest still have 500 m/s dV on orbit.

http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/showthread.php/25204-Kerbal-Grasshopper-%28VTVL%29

Stock https://www.dropbox.com/s/1cqw5ixzkltl5hx/Star.craft

Mechjeb https://www.dropbox.com/s/80naegy95l...tar%20Mj.craft

Mechjeb with node cargo https://www.dropbox.com/s/b7c3glwmzq...j%20Node.craft

Junior Stock https://www.dropbox.com/s/9t6z3xfd5z...20Junior.craft

Junior Mechjeb https://www.dropbox.com/s/dyi7jkqq6g...ior%20Mj.craft

Baby Stock https://www.dropbox.com/s/eo5s3orewo...r%20Baby.craft

Baby MechJeb https://www.dropbox.com/s/x1jzl40qty...aby%20Mj.craft

Edited April 25, 2013 by Climberfx

[Climberfx]

For the fanatics i have this, the no clipping version of STAR

Stock https://www.dropbox.com/s/galk3vpxlg...0Cliping.craft

Mechjeb https://www.dropbox.com/s/fuztbs5c6w...ing%20Mj.craft

[Climberfx]

Here i have the full video for the STAR ICE Baby (MechJeb version).

Landed on the Platform.

[Superluminaut]

Very nice SSTO VTOL, bsalis! I'm so bad at air-breathing flight that I completely gave up on it. Maybe one day when there is a one-button Mechjeb spaceplane to orbit.

Anyway, here is my video! I landed squarely on the pad. Takeoff weight, 54.42 tons.

OMG... insert stuff you don't say with kids around. Congratulations on your most expert flight!

I calculated your payload mass at 0.155 (probe body, 2xpanels, dish). I'm not 100% on if that is accurate, please let me know if not.

It can be done! Do you have any tips to pass on?

Amazing

[Superluminaut]

So, i have this two!

The little one originates the big one.

I only have the rec for the MechJeb assisted flight, but is obvious that it can do it without.

But here they go:

The Dragon:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/8z4vavx4rwvu78k/Dragon.craft (MechJeb)

https://www.dropbox.com/s/tqfblowmtt...%20Stock.craft (Stock)

The Falcon:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/k0h6a12nc1sj4eu/Falcon.craft (MechJeb)

https://www.dropbox.com/s/riisfhcaw0...%20Stock.craft (Stock)

Congratulations, your falcon got the contract!

[Superluminaut]

Here i have the full video for the STAR ICE Baby (MechJeb version).

Landed on the Platform.

Rules say nothing about multiple hops so I'm giving it to you.

However I think this development need a new rule, as to avoid someone from doing 50 hops and refueling in the process.

1 touchdown, and no refueling on the ground seems fair.

But anyways.

Congratulations on thinking outside the box, you are officially an expert!

[Superluminaut]

Finally I did it. A stock VTOL SSTO Spaceplane. Yeah I know it has a mechJeb radial on it, but I have flown without it.

Here we go...

Couple of jets under the wings keeping us aloft.

Ascent

Pe 100Km. MechJeb tells me I have 833 m/s dV.

Does not look bad either...

Landing. Mostly vertical descent... didn't want to risk a straight down landing on this flight.

Ta da. Sorry about the nightness.

Amazing plane, and since it meets the basic requirements, VTVL, and has rockets on it, I'll call it a hybrid rocket, which is totally game. However the challenge does specify landing on the launch pad. My apologies if this is an annoyance, but this challenge does center on that damn pad.

[bsalis]

Amazing plane, and since it meets the basic requirements, VTVL, and has rockets on it, I'll call it a hybrid rocket, which is totally game. However the challenge does specify landing on the launch pad. My apologies if this is an annoyance, but this challenge does center on that damn pad.

Yep - in my haste I did not see that. I will do another run. Good news is that I have the test run craft in orbit still, without a MechJeb. Sadly this craft cannot carry a payload but that is optional. If it wasn't for the no-mod (except MJ) i'd fly the version that has the Sunbeam lasers! .. you never know if the pad needs clearing.

EDIT: ok here it is...

In orbit. No MechJeb.

Overshot, bringing it around.

Landed.

Edited April 25, 2013 by bsalis

[Climberfx]

So, here is an version of the STAR, the STAR ICE Junior with Payload (around 2.2 units).

I think, from the 3 of then, STAR ICE, Junior and Baby, this one got the most balance from power and extra fuel to hold a bigger cargo. And still have enough fuel to expend. In orbit and on atmosphere.

What you think?

https://www.dropbox.com/s/orx3r2e3fwxonte/Star%20Junior%20Payload%20Mj.craft

Edited April 25, 2013 by Climberfx

[Hooligan Labs]

OMG... insert stuff you don't say with kids around. Congratulations on your most expert flight!

I calculated your payload mass at 0.155 (probe body, 2xpanels, dish). I'm not 100% on if that is accurate, please let me know if not.

It can be done! Do you have any tips to pass on?

Amazing

Thanks! I will ask MechJeb tonight what the mass of that probe is (I think you have it right except for a Jr. docking port).

When using the MechJeb landing assistant, be sure to select "Target KSC" instead of clicking the map. While the map click is innaccurate, if you enter specific lat/long it will put you extremely close. I used this technique for colonizing Jool as well.

I would recommend doing a couple quick saves (F5) on the way down, so it is easy to retry. If you have more fuel (like I didn't because of that flip at the beginning!) you can try to hover by turning off the landing button and using the hold vertical function. In my case I had to dead reckon the descent using my canards to steer. This is very fuel efficient, but tough! Be sure to turn on "Land at Target" in between adjustments so you do not drift too far off course.

There is lots of room for improvement in my design. A narrower ship would have an easier time landing on the pad (I toppled off the edge once), and it has way more electricity generation than it needs. A lighter MechJeb unit might work too. Still, it is always better to overbuild and get the job done, in my humble opinion.

Yep - in my haste I did not see that. I will do another run. Good news is that I have the test run craft in orbit still, without a MechJeb. Sadly this craft cannot carry a payload but that is optional.

This is a craft I would love to see in real life. It's so versatile.

So, here is an version of the STAR, the STAR ICE Junior with Payload (around 2.2 units).

I think, from the 3 of then, STAR ICE, Junior and Baby, this one got the most balanced from power, extra fuel to bring a bigger cargo. And still have enough fuel to expend. In orbit and on atmosphere.

What you think?

Very precise landing! It will always bother me that my big fat rocket did not land centered. Also, nice touch with delivering the payload to the space station.

I have to ask, do you have any downward facing air intakes? I know that KSP's aerodynamics are still under development, but I'm not sure how realistic it is for air-breathing engines to work when the air is rushing by in the opposite direction.

[Climberfx]

Well, for the realism, forget to have this jets on space, lol

But yeah, if i put full power on a fast descent it will have burn out, without mechjeb. Even with this compressed air intakes.

But you have this kind of in real life, jets, planes, helis that suck the air...

But for this low power descent is ok. They suck the air. If you use the other types, o don't know exactly.

And don't have intakes facing down, but if the things change for that way in the updates to follow, is easy, just put intakes downwards in the place of those blue cones.

Cheers!

I update the post with the ship with payload.

But if you wanna it without here is:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/nunzk46q3v4yt39/Star%20Junior%20no%20clipping%20Mj.craft

Edited April 25, 2013 by Climberfx

[Hooligan Labs]

Well, for the realism, forget to have this jets on space, lol

Jet engines that will go to space are in development right now.

Good to know that the feasibility of, say, downward facing intakes has been considered.

You should post your ships to kerbalspaceprogram.com!

[Climberfx]

Jet engines that will go to space are in development right now.

Good to know that the feasibility of, say, downward facing intakes has been considered.

You should post your ships to kerbalspaceprogram.com!

Some day...

Man, this is amazing, Jets to space, WOW!

I can have a home in space some day...

[TheGadfly]

Hey guys,

Someone suggested I post in this thread, and I thought I would chime in with something I completed a few days ago. I mainly used mod parts for probe cores, prettier fuel tanks and fairings, and the 600 kN thrust engine from KSPX (which might become a stock part anyway).

Now, it doesn't qualify as an entry, but I'm 100% sure it can be tweaked to use stock parts only. Maybe it can serve as inspiration for anyone else working on the challenge.

Cheers!

[tavert]

Awesome vid! Cool details too, like the octagonal arrangement they're going to use on v1.1, and the landing thrusters on the capsule. I kept thinking "why isn't he starting his gravity turn yet" until I remembered what thread I was in as you switched to the first stage.

[Superluminaut]

Yep - in my haste I did not see that. I will do another run. Good news is that I have the test run craft in orbit still, without a MechJeb. Sadly this craft cannot carry a payload but that is optional. If it wasn't for the no-mod (except MJ) i'd fly the version that has the Sunbeam lasers! .. you never know if the pad needs clearing.

EDIT: ok here it is...

In orbit. No MechJeb.

Overshot, bringing it around.

Landed.

Awesome, you are now amongst the experts.

One of the things I tried for this challenge was a rocket with some wings on the side, thinking I could spiral down form 10km or something, but things didn't quite work out that way.

[Superluminaut]

So, here is an version of the STAR, the STAR ICE Junior with Payload (around 2.2 units).

I think, from the 3 of then, STAR ICE, Junior and Baby, this one got the most balance from power and extra fuel to hold a bigger cargo. And still have enough fuel to expend. In orbit and on atmosphere.

What you think?

https://www.dropbox.com/s/orx3r2e3fwxonte/Star%20Junior%20Payload%20Mj.craft

I've been playing around with jets cause of this thing. And because I'm obsessed with rocket looking rockets, single stage is a layout nightmare.

What is the advantage to multiple intakes per jet?

[tavert]

Multiple intakes per jet = higher throttle at higher altitude before flameout. You can get to orbital speeds (with periapsis still in the atmosphere but apoapsis out past 100 km) on jets alone if you have enough intakes and are careful with the throttle. Having only one jet is better for remaining in control (unless you use MechJeb2 which can avoid flameouts for you), but limits you to around 10 tons total mass.

[Superluminaut]

Hey guys,

Someone suggested I post in this thread, and I thought I would chime in with something I completed a few days ago. I mainly used mod parts for probe cores, prettier fuel tanks and fairings, and the 600 kN thrust engine from KSPX (which might become a stock part anyway).

Now, it doesn't qualify as an entry, but I'm 100% sure it can be tweaked to use stock parts only. Maybe it can serve as inspiration for anyone else working on the challenge.

Cheers!

How did you keep the motor running?

[Climberfx]

I've been playing around with jets cause of this thing. And because I'm obsessed with rocket looking rockets, single stage is a layout nightmare.

What is the advantage to multiple intakes per jet?

I get higher grounds after the flame out occur, this way, you can near the edge of orbit, leaving the nuke just for the final run.

I'm now thinking on a new challenge, the one that need a "plane" SSTO that can land and take of and get orbit from any celestial body (except jool, Kerbol and Eve).

But because of the necessities, i think this plane will be more like a SSTO Rocket only.

This one: http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/showthread.php/26082-Stock-VTOL-SSTO-with-capabilities-to-land-on-any-planet-an-return-to-orbit?p=319317#post319317

Join us!

Edited April 26, 2013 by Climberfx

[TheGadfly]

How did you keep the motor running?

What do you mean? Which part?

[bsalis]

What do you mean? Which part?

The engine on the craft you were not controlling. My experience has been that the engine shuts down when you switch vessel. (however i have only tried this on a couple of aircraft, one still on the runway and the other off it)

[Hooligan Labs]

The engine on the craft you were not controlling. My experience has been that the engine shuts down when you switch vessel. (however i have only tried this on a couple of aircraft, one still on the runway and the other off it)

Just by using a decoupler with the throttle up?

[TheGadfly]

The engine on the craft you were not controlling. My experience has been that the engine shuts down when you switch vessel. (however i have only tried this on a couple of aircraft, one still on the runway and the other off it)

I just press F2 to switch, and the engine stays on. If you want to switch via some other means, you have to turn it off first, yes. The craft was accelerating away and getting into the trajectory you saw later, but the game unfortunately de-spawns uncontrolled craft moving within the atmosphere a certain distance from the player, which is why I made a second launch.

EDIT - just did another test, and it looks like the throttle is cut when you change ships. I didn't realize that before. Still, if the game didn't do that, and if the game didn't de-spawn atmospheric craft, the second stage would still make it to that high apoapsis on its own, as I demonstrated. That part was under SAS control only until the fuel ran out, so it was a "fire and forget" thing once I got the angle right.

Edited April 26, 2013 by TheGadfly