...going open source.

[Cupcake...]

Hog Roast Fuel Dump - Coming soon!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-f8-5_AU7s&feature=player_detailpage

Built on the proven chassis of the Sherpa, the Cavalier is designed for hauling cargo and equipment down from orbit. It's powered by two nuke engines and has enough grunt to ferry another fully fueled Cavalier down to the Munar surface. It really is the Swiss Army Knife of the fleet and can be adapted to do just about anything from base building to search and rescue.

With this release I'd like to try something new and turn it into a little community project, that is I'm inviting everyone from KSP to build and upload modules, upgrades, and launch vehicles for the Cavalier. That's right, all you probe mechanics, rover enthusiasts, launch vehicle engineers, Munar base architects and weapon developers, we need you! I've realized for some time that while I can put together a half decent drop ship, my launch vehicles pale in comparison to some of the beautifully engineered works of art on the forum, the same goes for rovers, probes, bases, aircraft and well, most things in KSP really! If you'd like to be involved, and I hope you will, I'll go into more detail after the instructions.

CRAFT FILE

http://snk.to/f-c7h9wi3u

CONTROLS

1 - Toggle Nuke Engines

3 - Wire Up Docking Port Lamp

9 - Put Gear Box In D

0 - Put Gear Box In R

ABORT - Drop cargo/Decouple

INSTRUCTIONS

The Caviler is happiest hauling cargo down to the Munar surface (or equivalent gravity) from orbit. It'll give out 15 mins of burn time at full gas and has a very healthy T/W ratio that will let you haul some surprisingly big loads, if you've got something stupidly big in theory (I've never done it) you can dock two or more Cavaliers and use them in tandem. It comes with two vertical axis docking ports allowing you to flip cargo between them (see video). It also comes with plenty of RCS fuel for docking, although unfortunately the RCS operates in line with the cockpit not the docking ports, the only way round it is to re-map the controls I'm afraid. The Cavalier can operate on Duna but the T/W ratio isn't great and the atmosphere kills the efficiency of the engines making it lose lose.

For anyone not familiar with my previous efforts the Cavalier has a horizontal cockpit for landings while the top docking port can be used for navigation, or, well, docking. Just make sure you swap command over before doing any maneuvers otherwise you might find yourself on Eve when you wanted to go to Minmus. I set a very bad example in the video when I landed the Cavalier back on Kerbin as it's defiantly not recommended, and should only be done in emergency's (plus landing with 15 units of fuel to spare is not good for ones blood pressure). If you do need to touch down on Kerbin you'll need to shed a lot of weight, if you are carrying any modules, ditch them and burn off most of your fuel until the tanks are about a 1/4 full. Unlike the Sherpa the Cavalier is not at home in the atmosphere, so make sure you've got some RCS fuel left to help guide it onto the ground in one piece!

COMMUNITY SECTION

So you're interested, brilliant, okay. Well you're free to design pretty much anything you want, the only requirements are that you set the abort key to decouple or disconnect your module and that if you're using action groups you only use the numbers 2 to 8 otherwise this will clash with the Cavalier's setup, you'd also do well to tailor the file name to something other then Cavalier.craft, as it'll stop the original vessel being overwritten. I guess some pictures, or even better a video of your creation would be great, and of course a download link is a must! If you can post your creations on this thread that'll be fantastic, I'll then do little links to them in this post. To get the ball rolling we've got a lovely launch vehicle courtesy of Rune and from myself; The Jet Mule that featured in the video.

LAUNCH VEHICLES

Light LV - By Rune

http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/showthread.php/33564-going-open-source?p=416647#post416647

http://snk.to/f-cdzc0jnx

JET ASSIST

The Jet Mule - By Cupcake

http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/showthread.php/33564-going-open-source?p=416670#post416670

http://snk.to/f-cdksoas9

BASE MODULES

Rosetta Stone - By Cupcake

http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/showthread.php/33564-going-open-source?p=427497#post427497

http://snk.to/f-ch954kk7

ROVERS

Charabanc - By Sal_Vager

http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/showthread.php/33564-going-open-source?p=466576#post466576

Thundersley Invacar - By Sal_Vager

http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/showthread.php/33564-going-open-source?p=466621#post466621

WMDS

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PROBES

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MINI LANDERS

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PICNIC TABLES & BADMINTON SETS

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Enjoy!

Cupcake...

Edited July 10, 2013 by Cupcake...

[Cupcake...]

LIGHT LV - By Rune

FILE http://snk.to/f-cdzc0jnx

A big big big thank you to Rune for putting this together for me and be sure to check out Rune's Slightly Used Vehicles (http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/showthread.php/26106-Rocket-builder-Rune-s-Slightly-Used-Vehicles) for all sorts of KSP goodness! As for the craft it's an easy to use, efficient and very elegant launch system with more then enough puff for those Munar excursions.

What's really amazed me is that he's managed to put all this together with NO STRUTS, that's quite an achievement in itself!

Cupcake...

[Cupcake...]

JET MULE - By Cupcake

FILE: http://snk.to/f-cdksoas9

Has everything you need to get your Cavalier into orbit, all in one convenient, portable package.

Using part Clipping like it's going out of fashion I've stuffed 4 turbo jet engines between two jet fuel tanks both of which are mounted on a detachable wheeled base. The Jet Mule features a remote operations pod or if you fancy a more personal touch you can get one of your Kerbal's to drive it and pretend you work at Heathrow airport.

INSTRUCTIONS

Load up the Jet Mule and drive if off the runway to make room for the Cavalier. Once the Cavalier's on the runway select its bottom docking port and drive up to it. The docking itself is pretty easy but the unit's a bit on the wide side, so will probably need a bit of a shov to get it between the Cavalier's fuel tanks. Once docked, press space to dismantle the base unit and 2 to fire up the jets. From here the Cavalier operates like a standard SSTO, I usually take it up to 10,000 feet then pitch over on a 45`angle until I've cleared the atmosphere although the Jet Mule's got more then enough fuel if you want to try a bit of air hogging. Once the unit runs out of air press the abort key to ditch it. The Jet Mule will get the Cavalier to the Mun and (just about) back carrying a small payload. So yeah, it's pretty straight forward really but if you have any questions just ask. Oh, and most importantly, never, ever let Jebedia near the controls, this thing is not designed to fly on it's own!

Edited June 2, 2013 by Cupcake...

[Rune]

A big big big thank you to Rune for putting this together... [snip]

A big big big you are welcome then! It was fun, and I was inspired. I feel (even though it's pretty simple) that I should provide a bit of an explanation on the flight path/characteristics:

It's 100% throttle all the way, no need to pull back on account of air resistance, so SAS on, pedal to the metal, and up we go. The SRB's get you to a decent speed fast and drop soon, and the liquid fuel boosters are detached just after you get to 45º when you go over 10,000m and start the gravity turn. After that, the core will let you at not quite orbital velocity, and the (probed) upper stage has a lowish T/W, so it'll take a while, but you'll get there easily. On your way, keep an eye out for a couple of drop tanks you should get rid off just before circularization. As you can see from the screenshot cupcake gave, you end up in a 100x100km orbit with about enough on the upper stage to do a munar transfer, and you can comply with the clean space act afterwards since the upper stage is probed and has an electric supply. In fact, if you substitute the decoupler with a docking port, you could refuel and reuse the upper stage. And of course flight engineer is only there to provide numerical results, the download is 100% stock.

What's really amazed me is that he's managed to put all this together with NO STRUTS, that's quite an achievement in itself!

I think that surprised me even more. I was about to do the stability test, to see which areas needed reinforcing (standard practice for me), and lo and behold, I got to orbit in the first try. The topmost decoupler is a bit springy, but the vehicle doesn't seem to mind.

Rune. Let's collaborate! I might try my hand at some payloads/a bigger launcher. Or perhaps a reusable SSTO launcher...

[Procyon]

Really nice looking systems. the orientation on the navball is offset 90 deg out?

[Cupcake...]

Well, sort of. You've got two options really, you can fly using the cockpit which sets the navball up like a plane, or if you want you can switch command over to the top docking port and fly the thing like a regular rocket. Personally I use a combination of the two, that is I use the cockpit orientation for take offs and landings, and the docking port for navigation. When you're navigating you have to use the docking port anyway as it's inline with the engines. Hope this helps...

Cupcake...

Really nice looking systems. the orientation on the navball is offset 90 deg out?

[Cupcake...]

ROSETTA STONE - By Cupcake

http://snk.to/f-ch954kk7

It may not look like much...

...but the Rosetta Stone is a vital part of the Cavalier's eco system. It will let you construct base modules that can then be hauled down to the Munar Surface.

The only thing you really have to watch is that the weight distribution is evenly spaced either side of the docking port. The easiest way to do this is just to have both ends symmetrical, more advanced players may want to have a go at building unsymmetrical shapes and balancing them using part placement. Due to the Cavaliers modular nature I highly recommend using the Subassembly Saver http://kerbalspaceprogram.com/subassembly-saver-loader/ plugin and of course Undeadfish's fantastic 0.20 patch. http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/showthread.php/30696-0-20-Subassembly-Loader-0-20-Compatibility-Patch?highlight=subassembly+0.20+patch Apart from that work is progressing steadily on the Cavalier's fuel dumps, and Rune's hard at work creating a mother ship that can haul them into orbit. So yes, exciting times ahead.

Cupcake...

Here's a little sneak peek of the fuel dumps, enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-f8-5_AU7s

[Francesco]

wait, so what does the rosetta stone do, exactly? blow things up?

[Cupcake...]

Hopefully not! No, the Rosetta stone is kind of like the initial building block for creating modules. It has a docking port at the top for hooking up to a Cavalier drop ship, and a pylon at the bottom where you can mount a de-coupler and stack the module on top of your launch vehicle. The blowing up thing is the self destruct mechanism that I've built into the fuel dumps, the idea being that you can destroy them once they're empty. It's something I first played around with, with the Sherpa, the drop ship that preceded this one. http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/showthread.php/29151-Every-Spaceport-should-have-one-of-these-does-yours

Cupcake...

wait, so what does the rosetta stone do, exactly? blow things up?

Edited June 5, 2013 by Cupcake...

[Cupcake...]

CHARABANC ROVER

FILE:

http://snk.to/f-cdniquuv

CONTROLS:

2 - Toggle Skippy Engines (Will let you turn the stage into a super long range drop tank.)

Lovingly crafted by the expert hands of Sal_Vager the Charabanc is the latest, must have accessory for the Cavalier.

It can comfortably seat 8 Kerbals and a driver making it perfect for sightseeing tours, hen nights, or away matches at Anfield.

Solidly built and impeccably balanced, the Charabanc can also act a wheeled base allowing you to drive your Cavalier along the dusty plains. Great for cutting down on those fuel bills, or as part of the Cavalier's comprehensive road side assistance program.

As part of Cupcake Landers commitment to the environment you can dock and un-dock the Charabanc to your hearts content, allowing it to be transported to new and exotic lands. A remote control unit on the Cavaler's top docking port will let you call the ship in from wherever you parked it..

The Charabanc also comes with a free Heavy LV, what fabulous value!

I would of course like to express my gratitude to Sal for his wonderful contributions and if anyone else would like to get involved just drop me a line...

Cupcake...

Edited June 20, 2013 by Cupcake...

[Cupcake...]

THUNDERSLEY INVACAR - Sal_Vager

FILE:

http://snk.to/f-ctis4jj1

CONTROLS:

2 - Toggle Skippy Engines (Will let you turn the stage into a super long range drop tank.)

If you'd rather not transport the more vile of your in-laws to/from auntie Val's Christmas lunch then perhaps you'd like to invest in a Thundersley Invacar an adorable little one man rover created by our resident expert Sal-Vager.

Powered by a 48cc two stroke motorbike engine the Invacar is surprisingly nippy with a top speed of 34 miles per hour. It also comes with an tape deck, air conditioning and fluffy dice as standard.

Operation is much the same as it's bigger cousin the Charabanc. Enjoy, and remember speeding while drive drinking kills stuff. Thankyous to Sal for creating this and I hope you have as much with it as I have.

Cupcake...

Edited June 20, 2013 by Cupcake...