Most delta-v to Solar Escape

[SunJumper]

Your challenge is to build a craft with the most delta-v you can muster, and simply deliver it to solar escape.

Rules:

• All parts allowed
  
• Mechjeb allowed
  
• Final craft must be placed in an 'orbit' of eccentricity 1 or more with respect to the Sun
  
• Craft using ion engines must have a sufficient power source. (Power supply sufficuent to operate at full throttle pointing retrograde at Kerbin's height or less).
  

Notes:

• Entries will be ranked on delta-v remaining in solar Escape Orbit
  
• Entries must include a pic of the craft on the launchpad and (any point) in solar escape. Mechjeb is recommended, at least to tell you how much delta-v is remaining.
  
• Dv to LKO is about 4.5km/s.
  
• Dv to Solar Escape from LKO is about 2.9km/s.
  

Leaderboard:

Istas - 23.3 km/s

I have completed this, with a final craft having a delta-v of 13.5km/s. For me to best this, I would need to use either Mainsails to haul a bigger payload, or use an 'Ion-Sparagus' design.

Edited April 27, 2013 by SunJumper

[Istas]

What constitutes "sufficient" power source for ion engines? Enough to power it at full throttle?

[UmbralRaptor]

What constitutes "sufficient" power source for ion engines? Enough to power it at full throttle?

Also, if photovoltaic, how is distance scaling handled? Panels beyond ~2.5 AU generate 0 E/s.

[Istas]

Also, if photovoltaic, how is distance scaling handled? Panels beyond ~2.5 AU generate 0 E/s.

I was just going to amend my post to clarify on that as well. Thank you.

[Istas]

Until then; Submission.

23,317 m/s dV to solar escape.

Takeoff mass: ~920 tons

Probe: Lonely

Jeb: Really getting tired of being left behind

On launchpad:

http://s78.photobucket.com/user/IstasPuma/media/screenshot150_zps60a0e737.png.html?sort=6&o=3

Having reached escape velocity:

http://s78.photobucket.com/user/IstasPuma/media/screenshot184_zps3c992bc9.png.html

[SunJumper]

Also, if photovoltaic, how is distance scaling handled? Panels beyond ~2.5 AU generate 0 E/s.

You need sufficient power to operate your ion engines at full throttle pointing retrograde (or NML +/-, just not out of that plane), at Kerbin's height or less. So, a total of at least 15 units per second.

Edited April 27, 2013 by SunJumper

[UmbralRaptor]

You need sufficient power to operate your ion engines at full throttle pointing retrograde (or NML +/-, just not out of that plane), at Kerbin's height or less. So, a total of at least 12 units per second.

Er, an ion at full throttle uses 14.55 E/s.