Doing it Apollo style

[SpaceK531]

Romain has been added.

@Aparture (Isn't it spelled aperture?) Kerbals stranded on the Mün are considered dead.

@Switchblade Not a big fan of pushing people to my threat. If he wants to enter my challenge, i'm honored - if not, I'm fine with that too. Also, right now the Threat is a sticky - I don't think anyone needs help to find it

thread?

I don't think threat is what you meant

[Xeldrak]

Yes, I've corrected it - sorry, english is not my first language.

And my german orthography (first language) is.....abysmal.

[Alfondoo]

Finally got around to this. No mods used in the challenge however I do have crew manifest, kethane and universe replacer installed as you will see. I hope this doesn't affect the challenge.

All went swimmingly except for my rover which decided to vibrate itself into an explosion just after planting the last MSEP Had to jetpack poor old Gilkin 10km back to the landing site with just enough to transfer to the CM. Hate Rovers -.-

Goals

- 3-man Mission +10

- 2-man Lander +10

- 2-stage Lander (leave the decent-engine on the mün) +20

- Escape tower? +10

- Lander stored behind the CM during ascent +20

- Free return trajectory to the mün +10

- Flawless landing (no parts broke off, Neil Armstrong is watching you!) +10

- Got a Munar Roving Vehicle (MRV) on board? +15

- After succesfull Mün landing docked CM and MM in Orbit (no swapping ships without docking them first) +10

- MM disposed by crashing it into the Mün (remove Kerbal first!) +5

- Plant flag on the Mün (no cumulative, i.e. two flags don't get you 6 points) +3

- Spashing down on Kerbin (land on water) +5

Awesome new goals:

- Deploy münar sub-satellite before returning to Kerbin +10 Points

Landing accuracy (not cumulative)

- Land within 100 meters of the NAM +15

I was roving on the Moon one day... (not cumulative)

- Are we there yet? - 15 points - Drive beyond 10km of the lander

MSEP - Mün Surface Experimental Package (not cumulative)

- Science extravaganza! - 15 points - Deploy four experimental packages 2.5km from the landing site (and at least 2.5km from eachother)

Total = 213 points (please correct if I'm wrong about anything)

I think stock fairings are ugly as sin, I improvised but I suppose it doesn't count? Would like the OP to be the judge of that.

The Rocket:

The Album

Good Challenge! Thanks for posting!

Edited August 9, 2013 by Alfondoo

[John FX]

Just a thought, I know asparagus is frowned upon but are we allowed to used solid fuel boosters like later/heavier apollo designs?

[Xeldrak]

Ah, sorry guys, I've been rather bussy.

@Alfondoo - You've been added. Well, I had in mind that you guys uses structural panels to build the fairings. So I hope you are not angry if I don't give you the five points for them. But other than that, this is a really slick rocket

@Johns FX - Well, I thought about giving negative points for SRBs too, but right now there is no reason not to use them.

Edited August 14, 2013 by Xeldrak

[John FX]

Ah, sorry guys, I've been rather bussy.

@Alfondoo - You've been added. Well, I had in mind that you guys uses structural panels to build the fairings. So I hope you are not angry if I don't give you the five points for them. But other than that, this is a really slick rocket

@Johns FX - Well, I thought about giving negative points for SRBs too, but right now there is no reason not to use them.

I`ve realised I only needed SRBs because I was missing a stage...

It seems I needed 5 engines, 5 engines, 1 engine, lander (with rover),command module.

I was having Dv issues without the last stage, now it`s fairly spot on. Next is fine tune the lander and command module to have less fuel...

EDIT: I`ve halved the fuel in the CM and it seems enough. Obviously this has given me more Dv in the lifter section so I`ll address that later...

Now to reduce the fuel in the MM(LM) (currently about 1700Dv total as far as I can figure)

Edited August 15, 2013 by John FX

[Alfondoo]

@Alfondoo - You've been added. Well, I had in mind that you guys uses structural panels to build the fairings. So I hope you are not angry if I don't give you the five points for them. But other than that, this is a really slick rocket

No problem with that Thought I wouldn't get them.

[KevinTMC]

Many thanks to Xeldrak for this great challenge. I've finally completed my entry--it took a few days to play, and a few more days to write up.

Rather than spam this thread with narrative and screenshots, I created a thread in the Mission Reports subforum to tell the full story instead. It can be found here:

The Apollo K Project (a "Doing it Apollo Style" challenge mission)

Here's a look at my craft on the pad:

Craft file is available here.

Here's the Command Module and Munar Module, orbiting the Mun:

And here's my best-timed screenshot:

The final challenge score for this mission was 143 points (out of a possible 218).

Hope you enjoy the mission report.

Edited August 19, 2013 by KevinTMC
Link to craft file added

[capi3101]

After months of planning, here's my entry, the Castle Romeo 7.

Why Castle Romeo? Well, I usually give my rockets optimistic names that have to do with fire, or pain, or death, or combinations thereof. Nuclear weapons tests were a natural extension of this trend and I already had a Castle Bravo and a Castle Yankee rocket (the Castle Yankee was my Saturn V replica, but it didn't include a dual stage lander or a rover).

Imgur album of my attempt:

Javascript is disabled. View full album

I claim 188 points. Not sure I shouldn't claim 198 since I deployed two Munar sub-satellites, but nothing else is cumulative, so I won't.

No way I was going to get that rover behind a fairing...believe me, I tried. Missed out on all 15 points for accuracy, only deployed two probes and forgot to drive ten-kilometers. The log should explain further.

[Xeldrak]

You two have been added - thanks for the nice documentation, Kevin - it's actually really fun to read

[esinohio]

My attempt is not nearly as well done as the others but I managed to get most of it done.

I give you the SS Minnow.

Base 30 points for initial criteria

3-man mission +10

2-man lander +10

2-stage lander +20

Lander stored behind CM during ascent +20

Flawless landing +10

Rover on board +15

docked CM and LEM in munar orbit +10

MM disposed of on lunar surface crash trajectory +5

Flag Planted at landing site +3

Test drive +2

Splash down +5

Should be 140.

My hats off to those of you who managed to get that landing by the memorial! I need some navigation practice because I didn't come close.

Javascript is disabled. View full album

Edited August 22, 2013 by esinohio

[Xenonclave]

I really want to try this challenge out again, but I haven't played much in a while and my rocket making skills are getting rusty.

It's a lot of fun to look at everybody's attempts at it.

[John FX]

My hats off to those of you who managed to get that landing by the memorial! I need some navigation practice because I didn't come close.

I did a pre-mission and planted a flag at the NAM so there was something to aim for...

[capi3101]

Same here. Ran several rehearsal missions, actually, and several involved dropping rovers. Here's the overview:

1) Hellrider 7 mission - this one landed in the wrong crater and ultimately had to abort. I was using the debug window for navigation instead of KER, and the debug windows lies about longitude.

2) Hellrider 7 mission - this one overshot by 40 kilometers. Again, I was navigating by debug window. This one I was actually able to drive to the NAM eventually and prove the ruggedness of the Hellrider design - it maneuvered 36 kilometers before it sustained tire-popping damage. Fixed it and drove it to the NAM in a subsequent mission.

3) Cerberus 7 mission (later known as the Tranquility mission). Used KER for navigation, landed within six kilometers of the NAM and delivered three baby rovers to the area; this was the first mission in which I spotted the NAM from a distance in 0.21. Unfortunately the baby rovers couldn't handle the ruggedness of the terrain; I lost all three on the downhill headed towards the NAM. Ultimately hopped the lander to a final position about a klick-and-a-half off.

4) Hellhound 7 mission (the Bullseye mission). Using Tranquility as a beacon, I dropped the first deployed Hellhound 7 rover seven kilometers off. Drove it 50 meters away from the NAM on two busted tires (didn't park closer because the NAM fed a rover to the Kraken in 0.20 and I didn't want that to happen again).

5) Fireball 7 mission. Sent Jeb to the area to fix Bullseye's tires and plant a flag. He drove Bullseye up to Tranquility and then back to the Fireball, then took off. Put Bullseye back where it was originally.

6) Tartarus 7 mission. This one was a live test of the lander and science package delivery systems designs; put a lot of crap in the area, including another flag directly on top of the NAM. This one had the most accurate landing, about 200 meters from the NAM. Helped me iron out problems with the lander design, too. Of course, it also convinced me to stop using baby rovers - the CR7 would ultimately come equipped with a modified Hellhound instead.

7) Apocalypse 7 mission. This one was sent to where the second Hellrider had broken down to fix its tires. Jeb rode the Hellrider to the NAM and came back on Bullseye.

8) Castle Romeo 7 - the actual mission.

Having a nav beacon set in place helps tremendously.

Edited August 22, 2013 by capi3101

[esinohio]

I saw that! Brilliant!! Your mission log was just awesome as well. Loved the read.

[BootDisc]

After a month of trying here is my latest attempt.

Javascript is disabled. View full album

Base Points +30

Goals

- 3-man Mission +10

- 2-man Lander +10

- 2-stage Lander (leave the decent-engine on the mün) +20

- Main rocked aspargus'd? -10 (Wernher von Kerman does not like aspargus!)

- Escape tower? +10 Its so light, just small structure pieces which, weigh 0.001 BTW

- Lander stored behind the CM during ascent +20

- Lander tucked away behind some fairing? +5

- Free return trajectory to the mün +10 Not the best picture in my album, it was after I was in the Mun's Gravity

- Flawless landing (no parts broke off, Neil Armstrong is watching you!) +10

- Got a Munar Roving Vehicle (MRV) on board? +15

- After succesfull Mün landing docked CM and MM in Orbit (no swapping ships without docking them first) +10

- MM disposed by crashing it into the Mün (remove Kerbal first!) +5

- Plant flag on the Mün (no cumulative, i.e. two flags don't get you 6 points) +3 Its at the 10K rover spot, I didnt get a picture of planting it, but you can see it as i drive back to the base.

- Spashing down on Kerbin (land on water) +5

- Kerbal dies -20

Awesome new goals:

- Deploy münar sub-satellite before returning to Kerbin +10 Points

Landing accuracy (not cumulative)

- Land within 100 meters of the NAM +15 I saw someone else land on the memorial, I couldn't save when I tried it, under constant acceleration.

I was roving on the Moon one day... (not cumulative)

- Are we there yet? - 15 points - Drive beyond 10km of the lander My gosh, this was the hardest thing. I made my rovers wider, heavier, and put an SAS on it. I got above 48 m/s with this design though. I did later loose control, but no kerbals were harmed.... well, no kerbals were killed. You will see I investigated my crashed rover site from a previous mission.

Might Need Review

MSEP - Mün Surface Experimental Package (not cumulative)

MSEP must have power, probecore and at least one science-thingy

- Science extravaganza! - 15 points - Deploy four experimental packages 2.5km from the landing site (and at least 2.5km from eachother)

So, I had 2 rovers with probes cores, power, coms for science. I brought 3 mini RCS probes with coms to the surface. You will see I crashed one, but I was still able to deploy 4 total 2.5K away using the rovers, if you feel they count.

This is a zero orbital trash mission, all parts have a return to surface trajectory, I used the free return trajectory for my Mun booster engine to return it to the surface of Kerbin.

It was a lot of fun to look through all the other ships. I want to see if I can get into Mun orbit with less fuel.

218, unless you don't like my science stuff.

[Xeldrak]

Actually, I'm not really sure I get what you problem with the MSEPs was - if you got four MSEPs (defined as anything having a probe core, power and a science-thingy), that are at least 2.5km from eachother and from the LM away, you've got your "Science extravaganza". I think the rules are very clear - why do you need a review?

[BootDisc]

Actually, I'm not really sure I get what you problem with the MSEPs was - if you got four MSEPs (defined as anything having a probe core, power and a science-thingy), that are at least 2.5km from eachother and from the LM away, you've got your "Science extravaganza". I think the rules are very clear - why do you need a review?

It was probably related to the fact I crashed one into the surface, and that didn't feel very apollo style to me

[cantorobriar]

I did this before, and I even used Buzz Kerman and a rocket that looked similar to the original Apollo rocket, but they sort of didn't survive because they got attacked by the Kraken on the way back.

[Xeldrak]

@BootDisc Well, did a part survive that could be classified as a MSEP? ^^

[WafflesToo]

I'd like to submit my Mun Shot mission for doing it "Apollo Style"

Part one

Part two

I *believe* I got a score of 140 points... but there is a point or two that might be contestable XD

-Everything has to be started with a single rocket (no building ships in orbit or refueling in orbit)

-You have to fly a LOR mission (you need a Command Module [CM] and a specialized Münar Module [MM])

-No mods! All stock, no Mechjeb. (Did Neil and Buzz land by auto pilot?)

-BYOR (Bring your own rocket) - The rocket must be your own design

Just for fullfilling theese criteria you will get thirty points. (+30)

Goals

- 3-man Mission +10

- 2-man Lander +10

- 2-stage Lander (leave the decent-engine on the mün) +20

- Lander stored behind the CM during ascent +20

- Flawless landing (no parts broke off, Neil Armstrong is watching you!) +10

- Got a Munar Roving Vehicle (MRV) on board? +15

- After succesfull Mün landing docked CM and MM in Orbit (no swapping ships without docking them first) +10

- MM disposed by crashing it into the Mün (remove Kerbal first!) +5

- Plant flag on the Mün (no cumulative, i.e. two flags don't get you 6 points) +3

- Spashing down on Kerbin (land on water) +5

I was roving on the Moon one day... (not cumulative)

- Test drive - drive beyond 100 meters of you lander +2 Points

Edited August 24, 2013 by WafflesToo
Added scoresheet

[BootDisc]

@BootDisc Well, did a part survive that could be classified as a MSEP? ^^

No, but I still had 2 more RCS science probes, plus 2 rovers with the probe core + science. Giving me the 4.

[Xeldrak]

Well, you two have been added.

@WafflesToo I guess you had good intentions when you decided to make videos - but I would really prefer if you guys would sport some screenshots (especially for stuff that gives you points). You are the 33rd entry - if everybody would post 30 minutes of video, I would have spent 16.5 hours watching videos of you guys doing mün-missions by now. So please - screenshots, it makes my job that much easier.

[Bobnova]

This was fun, I'll be returning to it for a more fleshed out attempt (satellites, etc).

Here's my scoring:

- All one rocket, etc. +30

- 3-man Mission +10

- 2-man Lander +10

- 2-stage Lander (leave the decent-engine on the mün) +20

- Flawless landing (no parts broke off, Neil Armstrong is watching you!) +10

- After succesfull Mün landing docked CM and MM in Orbit (no swapping ships without docking them first) +10

- MM disposed by crashing it into the Mün (remove Kerbal first!) +5

- Plant flag on the Mün (no cumulative, i.e. two flags don't get you 6 points) +3

I total that as 98 points, not exactly spectacular, but whatever, it was fun!

Screenshots:

Javascript is disabled. View full album

Edited August 25, 2013 by Bobnova
I can't read.

[KevinTMC]

I was glad to see that Xeldrak and others enjoyed my challenge entry, "Apollo K".

I hope it won't be minded, then, that I just couldn't leave the challenge alone. I made some tweaks to the craft, spent a lot of time practicing landing with the single small descent engine used in my design, and then launched again with another crew.

I've posted the results as a four-part epilogue, The Apollo K-R Mission, added to my original thread in Mission Reports.

As I mention in the thread, I don't know if this entitles me to another, higher score; I'm not much bothered either way. The main thing was, I wanted to do it again, and do it right. (And especially, to learn whether achieving a pinpoint landing using only the one Rockomax 48-7S, with its whopping 20kN of thrust, was at all possible--while leaving enough fuel in the tank for ascent too, of course.)

Thank you again for this excellent challenge, Xeldrak...and I hope that making Thread of the Month hasn't put you to too much work!