(series) HELPr lifters

[KwirkyJ]

KwirkyJ Flailing Industries

is here again with another shiny lineup of lifting vehicles for your daily needs! With this new series of High-Effeciency Lifting Prrobes, you'll question your sanity wonder why you ever did things the old way!

The magnificent HELPr series is derived from a simple premise: Just how efficient can a lift vehicle be? With the traditional asparagus rocket deisgns, a payload percentage of gross liftoff mass of 10-15% was considered average to very good. We at KwirkyJ Flailing Industries say, "This is pathetic!" With the HELPrs, and their payload fractions exceeding 55% (indeed, some approaching 70%) and perfect lift vehicle reuse, you're mad to put anything into orbit ever again using the old-fashioned way!

The unfortunate side-effects of the HELPr approach are twofold: first, there is copious "airhogging," with twelve intakes per engine; second, these rockets will not circularize to a stable orbit -- they will come close, with something along the lines of 80km : 35km (Ap : Pe), but the responsibilities of circularization and maneuvering are deferred to the payload.

All designs have been tested with MechJeb(1.9.x), and, indeed, the precision of ascent may necessitate its use in many some cases.

UPDATE: As of MechJeb 2.x, 'prevent jet flameout' is highly recommended.

Recommended ascent profile: vertical ascent to 8km, acceleration plateau (nearly level flight) near 31-33km; nose up to vertical ascent speed of +30m/s; nose prograde when velocity exceeds roughly 2.2km/s; ride throttle at engine flame-out threshold to at least 50km altitude; close intakes after engine shutdown to mitigate drag. (Note, with MJ preventing flamout, this last step becomes somewhat irrelevant.)

HELPr vehicles

• the number in the name denotes approximate max payload tonnage
  
• 0.20 Compatible
  • the terminal letter denotes command module type
    
  • HELPr_06k (Post) (Download Now)
    
  • HELPr_14k (Post) (Download Now)
    
  • HELPr_20k (Post) (Download Now)
    
  • HELPr_55m (Post) (Download Now)

  [*] 0.22 Compatible

  • HELPr_07 (Post) (Download Now)
    
  • HELPr_NACELLE (Post) (Download Now)

Edited December 7, 2013 by KwirkyJ

[KwirkyJ]

HELPr_06k (Download here)

The smallest of the HELPr series, this one-engined lifter will just eke out 6 tonnes to the lip of space if piloted exquisitely. 5-5.5 tonnes payload is more practical. One may replace the SAS with an ASAS, but this may upset the action groups, so be careful.

Edited June 26, 2013 by KwirkyJ

[KwirkyJ]

HELPr_14k (Download here)

With two jet engines, this lifter can sling 14 tonnes reliably to the edge of space. Those so interested can trade out the SAS for an ASAS module without undue incident. Please remember to strut responsibly.

Edited June 26, 2013 by KwirkyJ

[KwirkyJ]

HELPr_20k (Download here)

The largest of the simple towers, this lifter uses its three turbojet engines to hurl up to 20 tonnes beyond the atmosphere. The provided ASAS can be exchanged for an SAS, should one be so inclined. Please strut responsibly.

Edited June 26, 2013 by KwirkyJ

[KwirkyJ]

HELPr_55m (Download here)

A radical departure, itself, from the preceding 'tower' designs, this is the largest form allowed without further radical departure from conventional approaches. With eight engines to its name, this lifter can drag 55 tonnes to the fringe of space. (For those keeping track, that's three Rockomax-16 tanks, with some extra allowance for additional hardware.) The ASAS is somewhat integral, so, unfortunately, pilots are stuck with it. Failure to strut properly is likely to be punished with great justice.

Edited June 26, 2013 by KwirkyJ

[JaySmoka]

Image! Image! Please! Curious to see them!

[UmbralRaptor]

<3

I'm still leaning towards expendable (or semi-expendable) designs for ease of flying, though.

[KwirkyJ]

Posts updated with {posInfinity}% more images, text, and download links!

[KwirkyJ]

HELPr_07 (Download here)

Equipped with both the sleek elegance of KSP v0.21/22 technology and the the chiseled resolve you have come to expect, this is the rebuild of the HELPr series' initial entry. Through the power of enslaved gnomes and the bonds of friendship the forge between each other, you can use this entity to place up to 7 tonnes of payload into near-Low Kerbin Orbit*. Following launch operations, this stage can then be piloted remotely to a soft landing for reuse. KwirkyJ Flailing Industries, doing our part to combat Global Warming, Kessler syndrome, and deforestation all at once!

* "Near-Low Kerbin Orbit" equates to ∆V of approx. ≥100m/s for circularization burn above atmosphere, frequently between 75km and 125km, depending on configuration.

[KwirkyJ]

HELPr_NACELLE (Download here)

KwirkyJ Flailing Industries' answer to the slap-on booster, this unusual entry in the HELPr series gives you the extensibility to lift anything into orbit on a LiquidFuel shoestring. You are intensely encouraged to use this prefab as a subassembly.

Nacelle configuration for lifting refueling core:

Nacelle itself:

[Tortoise]

This guy is the boss right here, he has the best crafts.