1 launch, 9 module, 2 rover, 42 Kerbal Mun/Minmus Base

[Ojimak]

After the forum mishap, I decided to update the single-launch bases that I had previously made, and what better to add to them than a stock rover, or better yet, two stock rovers (in addition, to four more modules, of course)

Without further ado, the pictures:

On the Mun:

On the launchpad (705 parts, so only a low-quality picture):

Full Mission Album (The image descriptions have tips/useful flight information)

mediafire download link

spaceport link pending

The base and landing stage itself has only around 300 parts, and weighs 67% more than any prior payload I've tried to land, so it was an interesting experience.

The lifter stage is based on images I had seen of Temstar's excellent NOVA SHLLV, but is indigenous in design and therefore much less efficient or elegant. Oh and I like large control surfaces.

I especially like the little probe-controlled four-kerbal rovers I made. They were specifically designed to hold four Kerbals while still being relatively lightweight, having a low center of gravity, and looking at least slightly elegant. Oh and I hate the look of the 4-Kerbal pods on small rovers. They look okay on large rovers, but I have no idea how to make them look good on small rovers.

Action Groups:

1. toggles solar cells

2. toggles lights

3. toggles ladders

4. toggles antennae and sensors

10. undocks all modules/rovers from the scaffolding

The title really is most of the description, and so I'm not gong to bother to go much in depth about it unless anyone specifically asks. Oh and almost any descriptive information can be found in the image descriptions in the album, just scroll past the understood parts.

One of the major characteristics, I guess, is that this base has way more fuel than necessary (I had maybe 1500 m/s delta-V unused upon landing) allowing for poor/unaided fliers like me to easily get this base to its destination, regardless of flight plan.

It may be able to get to Dres. I need to compare its delta-V to the other bases I've landed there.

The crew manifest mod is recommended if one actually wants a full compliment of 42 Kerbals (I personally only flew 34 crew, because I didn't want crew in the rovers before landing)

Oh, and you know why I made this? Because I blatantly refuse to learn how to dock, I enjoy building bases, and my computer lags like crazy every time I try to land modules near each other (more so than if I land all the modules at once).

-Ojimak

Edited May 1, 2013 by Ojimak

[John FX]

Looks great. If you don`t like docking in orbit because of lag then have you thought of putting your base on wheels combined with legs and docking once you have landed? It would open up possibilities for you and your system. You could land over 2km away (less lag) then drive to your base and connect a module then put it on its legs and it will be a proper base module. If you wanted you could even have a mobile kethane mining mun base...

[bacondeity]

Word to the comment above mine, that's what I did with my Mun Base. I also built a large towing vehicle to dock with the landed modules, then they raise up their struts and lower their wheels and I can roll it around anywhere! I also designed my mun base in a way where I can tug the ENTIRE base if I felt like it.

[SecondGuessing]

This is incredible. I have difficulty safely landing a small plane on the Mun and you land an entire base?!

[bacondeity]

Also, once you finally realize that docking is not only necessary for certain things, and also really fun and rewarding imo, check out this video. The first few times I docked it took like an hour or even 2 sometimes, just... frustrating... Then after watching this vid, docking is a joke now.

This is incredible. I have difficulty safely landing a small plane on the Mun and you land an entire base?!

Practice, mate ;D Nav ball and good center of mass are key for any good flight.