SLS

[frenchie16]

So yesterday (I think?) NASA announced the SLS, which looks like basically an Ares V IV, but they claim it's new. Anyway, I built one in KSP and was surprised to find that, though I built it purely for aesthetics, it flies really quite well, and might even be capable of flights to the Mun, whenever that's added.

Image:

Requires Sunday Punch 1.09 and SIDR&SD 1.3, and KSP 0.10.1. May work with older versions of any of those, as well.

[Volt]

Hmm, did you have to fight any ... oscillation ... issues with those SRBs? They may slightly affect your performance. Suggest the drained-out SRBs (around the same amount of dV) from SIDR&SD with the same configuration.

Otherwise that's a pretty sweet ship and even better that it actually flies. I really need to get back into rocket building - all I've done for yonks is spaceplanes.

[your mom]

nice ship

i like it....

[frenchie16]

Hmm, did you have to fight any ... oscillation ... issues with those SRBs? They may slightly affect your performance. Suggest the drained-out SRBs (around the same amount of dV) from SIDR&SD with the same configuration.

Otherwise that's a pretty sweet ship and even better that it actually flies. I really need to get back into rocket building - all I've done for yonks is spaceplanes.

A bit, but struts quickly fixed that.

Unfortunately, though my use of RCS modules to make the SRBs a more realistic length makes the rocket more maneuverable immediately after launch, it also kills your crew a few minutes after ejecting the SRBs. Fortunately, as of 0.10.1 this no longer actually ends your flight, but it's a bit annoying... 0.11 should fix it with dedicated RCS parts, hopefully!

After further testing, it can easily make circular orbit at about 80km with half a tank left in the K2-X upper stage, not to mention the full command pod tank. I'd imagine it'll be able to send Kerbals to orbit the mun and return them safely to Kerbin. Not so sure if it could send an entire lander, though.

[Brovine]

RCS module don't need a lot of parachute to survive landing - a couple of radial chutes on each should do the job, if dead crew bothers you!

[Bigred2989]

Why does the crew suddenly die after a few seconds of flight in the second stage?

[Feragorn]

RCS modules crash. They're treated as command modules so they kill your crew.

[frenchie16]

Just made a version based on the proposed 'Evolved Lift Capability' SLS. It uses the same mods as the regular one plus NovaSilisko\'s lander parts and Captain Slug\'s PLF parts (for the 3m fairing). It can fairly easily get Nova\'s lander to escape velocity. I\'m too lazy to take pictures, but .craft is attached.