Minmus with Ion engines (and now other moons!!)

[Captain Sierra]

I like those. I will go ahead and update. And the altitude thing was because gravity is scalar to the semi-major axis and having a 5km terrain head start reduces the dV needed to make orbit.

[WafflesToo]

I like those. I will go ahead and update. And the altitude thing was because gravity is scalar to the semi-major axis and having a 5km terrain head start reduces the dV needed to make orbit.

Oh I knew that, but I personally don't feel that dV budgeting is such a big deal for this. My lawn-chair lander has over 2k of dV on board. I probably could have left the CSM in Kerbin orbit and successfully flown the mission (hmmm, maybe I'll try that XD)

[Captain Sierra]

Oh I knew that, but I personally don't feel that dV budgeting is such a big deal for this. My lawn-chair lander has over 2k of dV on board. I probably could have left the CSM in Kerbin orbit and successfully flown the mission (hmmm, maybe I'll try that XD)

I think it might surprise you that 2k of dV can in fact fail you if you try to over-extend it. I nearly did on 1 run. I had to actually skip landing and make a return trajectory since circularization took way more than planned.

[boolybooly]

Does lithobraking with this count?

[Captain Sierra]

Was the craft able to return to Kerbin? If yes, then yeah. If not, no.

[boolybooly]

Check the second screeny

[WafflesToo]

I think it might surprise you that 2k of dV can in fact fail you if you try to over-extend it. I nearly did on 1 run. I had to actually skip landing and make a return trajectory since circularization took way more than planned.

4k can fail if you're sloppy enough

I'm just saying I don't feel it's significant compared to dealing with the dreadful TWR of ion engines.

[WafflesToo]

Hahahaha! Just checked out the new scoring system. I have a feeling I'm going to be kept quite occupied with ion engined craft for a long while.

[Captain Sierra]

4k can fail if you're sloppy enough

I'm just saying I don't feel it's significant compared to dealing with the dreadful TWR of ion engines.

The other big reason is starting on the plateau means you don't have to do any vertical ascent to avoid terrain, just go straight to gravity turn.

Replying to your other post:

yes, fun. Mine can fit a 1.25m expanded. I'll actually be rebuilding it and running it now since my first one got corrupted.

[Captain Sierra]

Check the second screeny

I'll need more pics and some info to actually score you. Go ahead and do a self-score and see if you can give any more 'screenies' for us to drool over verify your score with.

[WafflesToo]

Finally got the video of my first attempt uploaded. Was having some tech issues but got them sorted.

[hawkinator]

Is MechJeb allowed? Will probably do it anyway if it is not.

[Captain Sierra]

Mechjeb lands you in the mod category but I see no problem with MJ. If I ever ban it, you have my full encouragement to accuse me of being a hypocrite because I use it a lot. The execute next node feature is my fav, saves me from tedious burns.

[AceofPengwins]

Finally got the video of my first attempt uploaded. Was having some tech issues but got them sorted.

nice! Very aesthetic design... I can see one of these being placed on a low minmus orbit station, to allow for affordable tourist transport to the surface because of the low fuel usage and scenic descent!

[valarauca]

All stock landing minus mech jeb

http://imgur.com/a/90Bgq