Monstrous Rocket -- Russian N1-esque Lunar Craft

[GusTurbo]

During the space race, the USSR created a gargantuan rocket to compete with the Saturn V in getting to the moon.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N1_%28rocket%29

It was unfortunately a failure, and they all failed. Above all else though, it looked awesome. One of the most notable features is that it had 30(!) engines in the first stage. It was this feature that inspired me to create this absurd contraption.

Full album:

http://imgur.com/a/XSBFo

Note: I made it to the Mun, but when I got there, I noticed that I forgot parachutes. Oops! A rescue mission is underway. The lander should actually have enough fuel to get back into Munar orbit and re-dock with the transfer stage, but that would only get me back to Kerbin orbit.

Craft:

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/6472509/N1.craft

Be warned, it has a huge number of parts. The only reason I didn't fully enclose the first stage is because of the frame rate.

Edited May 15, 2013 by GusTurbo

[ZingidyZongxxx]

I actually really like the look of it. I can never build any sort of fairings like you did, but they look good.

[PLB]

So the Russians did get to the moon! I knew it. You have proof in you album.

[Giggleplex777]

This guy made a really nice N-1 too, but it was lost during the forum implosion. http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/member.php/60043-pa1983

[Mulbin]

This is fantastic! I did think about making an N1 Inspired launcher for Muna-LK... maybe in the future. You lander is great, much more like a rusian LK than Muna-LK... but I was only going for the feel of a soviet lander rather than accuracy. Are you going to make a Block D and Soyuz "Zond" spacecraft?

[Giggleplex777]

Isn't a Zond just a Soyuz without the orbital module?

[Mulbin]

Yes, it was planned for use with the Russian Lunar Missions. 1 crew who had to spacewalk to the lander!

edit - actually I'm wrong, I though it was a zond but the 7K-LOK actually had an orbital module too.

Edited May 20, 2013 by Mulbin

[GusTurbo]

Mulbin, you should definitely try to make your own N1 or N1-inspired craft. It was really fun for me, and I always love your work. You could probably pull it off better than I did.

[GusTurbo]

I hate to bump my own thread, but I have decided to really test the optimization of KSP .20. I'm rebuilding this thing from the ground up.

[MinerEdgar]

Neat, so many rockets!

[GusTurbo]

WIP Second Stage:

[Giggleplex777]

Part count so far?

[GusTurbo]

It is [almost] done!

627 parts(!!!)

[pa1983]

This guy made a really nice N-1 too, but it was lost during the forum implosion. http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/member.php/60043-pa1983

You can download it here.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/27196441/n1.zip

Think I made it in 0.18 so it do not have some new parts that could have been useful. Also the faring makes a gravity turn during stage 1 impossible so stage that first then turn.

[OUScooby]

Quick question, what is the reason people are creating shield with the structural panels? Is it just because they look cool, or to make there creation look similar to something in the real world, or do the serve a practical purpose?

[GusTurbo]

It's because they look cool. As a secondary matter, they also add to the engineering challenge of accomplishing your mission because they add dead weight. It's kind of like handicapping.

Here's a newer thread with a similar goal. You can kind of see the evolution of the craft.

http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/showthread.php/32817-0-20-Munstrosity-I-Russian-N1-LOK-LK-Lander%21

[Mulbin]

Quick question, what is the reason people are creating shield with the structural panels? Is it just because they look cool, or to make there creation look similar to something in the real world, or do the serve a practical purpose?

The N1 was a real rocket built by the Russians to send a man to the moon... about the same size as a Saturn V. Unfortunately they were abandoned. The panels are the only way to get the conical shape in KSP.