The Bright Future-Class Survey Ship

[NGTOne]

This vessel represents the Ministry of Improbable Spacecraft's first foray into large-vessel design and construction, and implements a number of new and novel techniques. It was designed to serve as a testbed for future large-vessel design principles, as well as the effects of long-term space habitation on large groups of Kerbals.

The Ministry is very proud to present:

The KES New Worlds, the first of the Bright Future-class planetary scientific survey vessels.

Specifications:

Payload:

12x Planetary probe drop pod - each pod contains one probe, with a full suite of scientific instruments. The pod itself is used as a deorbit motor, then discarded once the probe is on course to its target.

Propulsion:

24x SM-FFR, for nearly infinite endurance, even on the longest of missions.

Crew:

Regular complement of 48 Kerbals. Occasionally used for deep-space rescue or retrieval due to its large capacity and extended range.

4 science labs, for analyzing the data sent back by the probes.

Power:

1 onboard nuclear reactor, for producing as much power as a group of Kerbals could ever want.

Design Goal:

A large spacecraft capable of indefinite presence (and subsequent return to Kerbin from) anywhere in the Kerbol system, as well as detailed scientific analysis of any body it is orbiting. Also, a testbed for the long-term effects of space travel on large groups of Kerbals (for further development in colonization vessels), and for large-vessel construction techniques in general.

Album:

KES New Worlds in low Jool orbit to retrieve Jebediah and co. from their 7-year-mission aboard the Jool Orbital Science Station.

And here, seen leaving Jool orbit, with all internal and running lights on.

Downloads for this craft and other fine Ministry of Improbable Spacecraft products can be found here.

Edited July 16, 2013 by NGTOne

[Lazurkri]

Good god, how big was the LAUNCHER?!

[tom1499]

: That's HUGE!

[Henri von Braun]

Oh my goodness! Your computer is a warrior!

[NGTOne]

Good god, how big was the LAUNCHER?!

The launcher consisted of 9 Griffon XX 3.75m engines from KW Rocketry, in two asparagus stages.

That's HUGE!

The ship itself clocks in at 287 tons. Can't remember how much the launcher comes in at.

Oh my goodness! Your computer is a warrior!

I used MechJeb in this thing specifically because I didn't have the patience to do maneuvers through the lag, especially since this thing is a bear to turn (does 180 degrees in almost exactly 60 seconds). My machine still performed reasonably well with it, though.