T-9 Lifter from Zokesia Skunkworks! (.22 compatible T-9-II!)

[zekes]

It's called the T-9. It has launched over 100 missions for me and has an impeccable safety record (when payload is attached properly). Use throttle conservatively, 90% on ascent and 75% after 20K and above. Guaranteed to get 140 tonnes to LKO, or 80 to Kerbin Escape.

This is the literal sense of the term "brute force"

The T-9-II is the latest version, which has more 2nd stage power and more reliable strutting.

First stage: 9 Mainsails, each with four X200-32 tanks, and 4 BACC SRBs, which decouple first (when spent).

Second Stage: 1 Mainsail, with four X200-32 tanks on outside feed, and one X200-32 inboard. The outboard drain first, jettison when empty, and then the inboard feeds.

Above this any type of interplanetary stage or LKO Payload can be attached.

http://www./?f9wxdk09r4kzbm3

Edited October 30, 2013 by zekes

[firerider521]

This is the literal sense of the term "brute force"

You could say that again.

[GusTurbo]

Looks very effective. What's the most interesting thing you've launched with it?

[andrew123]

Oh, you'll see it soon enough...

[zekes]

I realize the second stage is very underpowered, even with a Mainsail. it's easy to add four radial engines they help thrust on the second stage a lot!

[cantorobriar]

This has worked very well for me, considering how many refueling outposts I like to have. Nice work! Can't wait to see more from an amazing spacecraft designer.

[Giggleplex777]

I think there'a problem with the struts, because when I loaded the rocket, most of the struts were disconnected.

[zekes]

I think there'a problem with the struts, because when I loaded the rocket, most of the struts were disconnected.

Im not sure why this happens. Just take off the disconnected ones and restring them in an X-box formation (a rectangle and an x) between the outer four engines. And make sure the outer and inner engines are strutted together, it helps keep them from wobbling.

[Giggleplex777]

Im not sure why this happens. Just take off the disconnected ones and restring them in an X-box formation (a rectangle and an x) between the outer four engines. And make sure the outer and inner engines are strutted together, it helps keep them from wobbling.

Yeah... I tried to fly it without the struts connected and boom.

[zekes]

Yeah... I tried to fly it without the struts connected and boom.

yeah, but when it does have struts it never breaks... i get 98% launch success.

[BigDog]

I think there'a problem with the struts, because when I loaded the rocket, most of the struts were disconnected.

I have seen this with my own designs, it seems to be tied to part count, but I cant put my finger on the exact number. What I have found is that after a certain point in the "tree" of the rocket the struts are not connecting. Finding this point in the tree and disconnecting and reconnecting causes the struts to connect again properly. Also note there may be more than one point in the "tree" where this behavior is present.

[zekes]

Looks very effective. What's the most interesting thing you've launched with it?

Oh, you just opened a can of feels....

I've launched:

-both my LKO space stations

-4 apollo missions

-10 Duna Tripper flights

-A Duna resupply station

-the entire Laythe Expedition (in four seperate launches)

-the light cruiser Ward

-Countless Jool system probes

-Moho probes

-Orbiter Mk IVs (Laythe orbit capable 3-man ships)

-Cruiser Mk Vs (older version of Orbiter)

-Duna colonies I, II, and IV

-Fuel stations

....and probably lots more. But the best was the Laythe Expedition. Took four T-9s to put up. Carried 6 men to Laythe, landed two of them on it, then got them back with two Orbiters (launched by, you guessed it, T-9s). And i have never had a serious problem with Launch. It's actually gotten so boring launching i hyperedit a lot, it's that good of a launcher.

[zekes]

also a tip for heavy Payloads: Add four large Radial LFEs to the upper stage, on the center fuel tank. Provides about 500N more thrust, to get even the heaviest stiff into orbit.

EDIT: see pic.

Edited September 28, 2013 by zekes

[Giggleplex777]

Is the max payload to orbit still 150 tons?

[zekes]

Is the max payload to orbit still 150 tons?

I think so, that's at least what it can do reliably. I don't think ive put more than three orange tanks on it. The LFE radials are really just for an extra kick to get payloads at the upper end of the scale into orbit relabily.

[zekes]

The T-9 Works in .22! So far I've launched it 2 times, with 150 ton payloads. Both got to their destinations; no hiccups with the T-9 launcher.

[Giggleplex777]

I finally built something that will rival your T-9 and Temstar's Supernova:

165 Tons to orbit

190 parts

Edited October 27, 2013 by Giggleplex777

[zekes]

How many tons is the launcher itself?

[TechnicalK3rbal]

Oh, you just opened a can of feels....

I've launched:

-both my LKO space stations

-4 apollo missions

-10 Duna Tripper flights

-A Duna resupply station

-the entire Laythe Expedition (in four seperate launches)

-the light cruiser Ward

-Countless Jool system probes

-Moho probes

-Orbiter Mk IVs (Laythe orbit capable 3-man ships)

-Cruiser Mk Vs (older version of Orbiter)

-Duna colonies I, II, and IV

-Fuel stations

....and probably lots more. But the best was the Laythe Expedition. Took four T-9s to put up. Carried 6 men to Laythe, landed two of them on it, then got them back with two Orbiters (launched by, you guessed it, T-9s). And i have never had a serious problem with Launch. It's actually gotten so boring launching i hyperedit a lot, it's that good of a launcher.

What happened to duna colony III?

[Giggleplex777]

How many tons is the launcher itself?

1240 tons.

But it can lift 170 tons to LKO

Edited October 27, 2013 by Giggleplex777

[zekes]

1240 tons.

But it can lift 170 tons to LKO

T-9 is 900 tons

What happened to duna colony III?

it crashed, due to an experimental Lifter. T-9 had to save them

[Giggleplex777]

Its advertised max capacity doesn't seen right to me. According to my rough calculations, It shouldn't be able to lift 150 tons to orbit.

[zekes]

ATTENTION!

The New T-9-II is now being released! I also updated the first post, so it has the current version!

CHANGES:

-4 Radial engines to boost second stage

-Struts should work right

http://www./?f9wxdk09r4kzbm3

@giggleplex777: 150 tons to LKO is probably a little too much... but I can reliably get 137-140 to orbit. And with the T-9-II, heavier payloads can be carried more efficiently to oribt.

Edited October 30, 2013 by zekes

[Spartwo]

Its advertised max capacity doesn't seen right to me. According to my rough calculations, It shouldn't be able to lift 150 tons to orbit.

150,not bad.

[zekes]

For SURE she can get 30 tons to Duna. Easy. And I know FOR A FACT It can put 137 tons up, barely, because each arm of my Duna Fuel Station weighed 137 tons seperately.

And then there's the Duna Tripper, 127 to LKO, 30-35 tons to Duna Surface, 10 back: