[0.20] Mammoth Rocket Family

[PolecatEZ]

General instructions:

* If using mechjeb: 12km start, 70km finish, 0 inclination, 30% turn.

* Tap "0" until outer gimbles toggle off as soon as you take off.

* EVA the kerbal before launch if you love him.

* On custom payloads, strut as evenly across the flat surfaces as possible on the inner core when bolting down your load. Failure to do so will make ker-blooeys.

* Most of these will spin in the first stages. This is actually somewhat helpful when dropping stages.

* Complaining about part count will get you sent to Airfield Island for "re-education". If you want 300+ tons in one go, be prepared to test your CPU cooling system. It actually is not bad at all with the new patch, though elaborate payloads will tank your framerate. My comp (i7 2.8 w/GTX470) will do the Mammoth VII at 22 fps.

* RCS is also a silly thing to have with loads this heavy, pod torque is the way to go.

* If you need help strutting up a wonky payload, post the craft file and I'll try to help out. With these compact payloads, random failures have been completely ironed out.

* Have fun hauling up your entire space program in one go

Downloads:

Kerbalife Elephant (252 tons)

Kerbalife Mammoth V (255 tons)

Kerbalife Mammoth VI (285 tons)

Kerbalife Mammoth VII (315 tons)

[KinkyFerrets]

Your most efficient craft is your largest o.O "Ever want to put 116 AM General HMMWV's, or alternatively, 5 M1A Abrams MBT's into orbit?"

[drakesdoom]

Your most efficient craft is your largest o.O "Ever want to put 116 AM General HMMWV's, or alternatively, 5 M1A Abrams MBT's into orbit?"

I don't see much use of them in orbit but can you make a drop pod for the Abrams and still fit 4?

[Temstar]

>17% payload fraction? That seems too good to be true, you're not counting the dry weight of the final stage are you?

[Francesco]

17% payload fraction? using mainsails?

- whoa, ninja'd.

[PolecatEZ]

I divided delivered payload by full stock weight of the launch vehicle without the payload.

[firerider521]

What.

Is.

This.

Oh my gosh, this is ridiculously awesome

[Francesco]

I divided delivered payload by full stock weight of the launch vehicle without the payload.

indeed. I've tested the 252t model, and it's true: it delivered the payload to a 75km orbit, with enough fuel left to deorbit itself.

really impressive, sir. especially considering that you've used quite a number of structural elements and eight command pods in building the core booster.

I can only imagine that high payload fractions become more easily achievable with heavier and heavier payloads, the higher the fuel mass becomes in respect to the total weight of the rocket.

[Merinsan]

So...how much did your super computer cost??

I once launched something that looked about half the size of smallest one, and my computer (which is pretty decent) had trouble.

I will admit though, getting those to hold together while launching is impressive.

[Commander Zoom]

My reaction can be adequately summarized as "holy ****."

[Tommy_walsh]

This is one Manmoth launcher (Pun intended)

[John FX]

This is the sort of thing I like, stretching the limits of what is possible. I am currently using a lifter that can lift 300T to 75Km (just) and deorbit the final stage.

My current lifter is this one I got from another posting. Comes in at 791 parts including payload. The lifter is stock but my payload is not. Total mass 2252T giving a 13% efficiency or so.

I will try these out for sure.

[breakthrough]

It works as advertised, but I notice you use Rockomax adapters and Tail Connectors. Is that just for looks, or do they function better than uglier and lighter structural parts that could have been used to mount the engines instead?

[pedorsf]

the mammoht VII work as intended.w i put a 315.21 ton playload in a 70x71km orbit.

[Sirine]

Thanks. It inspired me.

[Runboy]

I don't see much use of them in orbit but can you make a drop pod for the Abrams and still fit 4?

You can fire the tank retrograde,making the tank a weapon mounted in space.

[Runboy]

One of the best and most useful community made creations so far