Land on Kerbin, but without parachutes or engines!

[MaverickSawyer]

Did it using the Firespitter airbrakes and the stock 3-man pod. Helpful hint: aim for a landing speed of no more than 36 m/s. Otherwise, the pod tends to go boom.

EDIT: another helpful hint: the 1 man stock pod is much more touchy than the 3 man. It needs to land softer.

Edited May 21, 2013 by MaverickSawyer

[Nalin_Airheart]

This challenge was already done, the record was 1-man + I-beam, can someone close this thread?

[sgt_flyer]

Here is my attempt with my kliper (100% stock) (ok, i designed it specifically for a gliding reentry ) the reentry section of the Kliper is 48 parts. clic on the images for larger versions

here it is on the launch pad, atop temstar's supernova SHLLV (not that the kliper is heavy, it's just that he make a lighter rocket tumble during ascent - still working on this part:p)

in orbit (after deorbiting the supernova's core stage):

deorbited (just after deorbit burn and separation from the orbital manoeuver module, that you can see in the rear - the orbital module contain the engines, liquid fuel / oxy for the engines and the rcs fuel - so full glider after deorbit)

Reentry:

KSC runway approach (Overshot KSC at approx 15000m altitude, turned around with the Kliper, and lined up for final approach)

Landed on runway

Jebediah and doodny thanks you for watching !

some specifications on the kliper : i made it so it's a excellent glider under 200m/s, landing speed under 50 m/s - can land anywhere on kerbin (except on water ) it's sturdy enough with a low landing speed.

the kliper has room for 2 pilots and 4 more kerbals

it's orbital manoeuvering module gives it 1266m/s of delta V in orbit, at a TWR of 0.81. (weights approx 20tons with it's orbital manoeuver module - the glider itself is a little under 7 tons)

by using only linear RCS ports, the pod's torque is largely enough to compensate for a change in the center of mass without the RCS overcorrecting under ASAS during docking manoeuvers.

here's the file, if you want to try

http://www./download/biio8wikes7l448/Kliper.craft

ascent profile :

use ASAS for ascent - else the wing lift will veer the rocket off course

start a gentle G-turn after releasing the second set of boosters (generally around 12000m)

the escape tower will separate at the same time than the third set of boosters - then circularize in orbit (if your a little patient, the command pod's torque is enough to rotate the supernova's core stage not too slowly, so no need for RCS a this stage)

note for the escape tower : disable ASAS before aborting - else the ASAS will mess with the kliper flight while escaping and make it uncontrollable - you can reactivate the ASAS after the escape sequence

after deorbiting : separate from the orbital module.

reentry : the craft is stable on reentry, with or without ASAS, just make sure your heading in the good direction - you will not be able to steer much while over 200m/s during reentry, the kliper will want to follow a point a few degrees above the prograde marker.

gliding : aim for a gentle touchdown, with a prograde marker less than 5 degrees under the horizon, under 60m/s (the kliper is sturdy to whistand rougher landings, but this works wonders )

Edited May 23, 2013 by sgt_flyer

[sparty48]

I did it in two parts.

Hint: WHEELS

[Markus Reese]

Love glider entries, they are very fun! Is how I land on duna

[1096bimu]

All mods that don't produce thrust are allowed? do I really have to do a run with 1 part? (an indestructable command pod with infinite fuel and thrust of itself).

[coyote47713]

What else is there? Is this basically the challenge to land on RCS? I am totally going to try that.

rule 6 says no RCS

[awsomejwags]

I accidentally forgot my chutes and used my de-orbit engine

[OTehNoes]

Here's my entry! Made a basic glider without any control surfaces with just one SAS wheel to control it, no parachutes, only thrusters were used to attain orbit, then remove it again!

Part count is pretty poor at 122 though I'm sure I could shave quite a lot off of that, but I can't be bothered right now, just did this for fun really!

Javascript is disabled. View full album

EDIT: Just made a second one with 55 parts which I'll upload pictures of later if I can be bothered!

Edited March 7, 2014 by OTehNoes

[MarkoeZ]

I accidentally forgot my chutes and used my de-orbit engine

This thread is almost a year old. The starter will probably not update the main page with scores anymore, so no use pulling it up again.

I do like the challenge though, might be fun with all the new parts since then, maybe with some adjustments to the rules.

Anyone up for creating a new thread/challenge?

[cantab]

If it is redone I think it would want splitting into three categories: Gliders, impactors, and "other".

[MarkoeZ]

yup, just what i was thinking.

And maybe even to avoid infiniglide abuse, a max control surface usage per tonnage or something for the glider part (thats what im interested in )

Edit: p.s. would like to host the challenge, but my work schedule changes too often to be a good host atm...

Edited March 8, 2014 by MarkoeZ

[Aghanim]

yup, just what i was thinking.

And maybe even to avoid infiniglide abuse, a max control surface usage per tonnage or something for the glider part (thats what im interested in )

Edit: p.s. would like to host the challenge, but my work schedule changes too often to be a good host atm...

Or by using FAR