To Ike and Back - Kethane Retrieval Program

[telfari]

The Challenge - Using the provided craft, add on any additional parts, travel to IKE, fill the empty Kethane container with Kethane, and return to Kerbin.

The stock craft - Space Race Core.craft

http://www./view/db3u2mww84qgye7/Space_Race_Core.craft

This is a 9 part craft. It should land alone near the spaceport at the completion of your mission.

Allowed Mods -

Kethane 0.7.7

B9 Aerospace Pack / R3.3

Mechjeb 2.0.9

NovaPunch 2.02

Rules:

No other mods or cheats can be used. Build any craft but do not change the Space Race Core ship. When you return to Kerbin the Kethane container on the CORE should be full.

Take a screenshot of your vehicle before launch showing starting weight.

Take a screenshot on IKE.

Take a screenshot on landing at Kerbin showing spaceport and filled Kethane container.

How do we win this anyway?

Winners will be judged in three categories.

1. Lowest initial part count.

2. Lowest initial weight.

3. Lowest total travel time.

How to submit your entry:

Reply to this forum.

Post your screenshots and your craft file.

Also list the following items.

1. Total initial part count -

2. Initial craft weight -

3. Total flight time -

Is this challenge new?

Searching the forum I cannot find one.

Is this challenge possible?

Yes

Is this challenge fun?

It involves Kethane and Kerbal so yes.

Edited September 5, 2013 by telfari
Added Mod - NovaPunch 2.02

[telfari]

Mission Completed

Total Initial Weight - 296.58 tons

Total Initial Parts - 52 parts

Total Travel Time - 454 Days, 14 hours

Craft file: http://www./?g8zl5f5zrrh0zzg

Screenshots http://imgur.com/a/3oXxV

The Challenge - Using the provided craft, add on any additional parts, travel to IKE, fill the empty Kethane container with Kethane, and return to Kerbin.

The stock craft - Space Race Core.craft

http://www./view/db3u2mww84qgye7/Space_Race_Core.craft

This is a 9 part craft. It should land alone near the spaceport at the completion of your mission.

Allowed Mods -

Kethane 0.7.7

B9 Aerospace Pack / R3.3

Mechjeb 2.0.9

NovaPunch 2.02

Rules:

No other mods or cheats can be used. Build any craft but do not change the Space Race Core ship. When you return to Kerbin the Kethane container on the CORE should be full.

Take a screenshot of your vehicle before launch showing starting weight.

Take a screenshot on IKE.

Take a screenshot on landing at Kerbin showing spaceport and filled Kethane container.

How do we win this anyway?

Winners will be judged in three categories.

1. Lowest initial part count.

2. Lowest initial weight.

3. Lowest total travel time.

How to submit your entry:

Reply to this forum.

Post your screenshots and your craft file.

Also list the following items.

1. Total initial part count -

2. Initial craft weight -

3. Total flight time -

Is this challenge new?

Searching the forum I cannot find one.

Is this challenge possible?

Yes

Is this challenge fun?

It involves Kethane and Kerbal so yes.

[loceur]

Mission Completed

Total Initial Weight - 221 tons

Total Initial Parts - 49 parts (think I could have been successful with around 40)

Total Travel Time - 413 days

I really could have done it with about 8-10 part less, but after a couple of dumb crashes(ok more like 8-10), including a direct crash into Mun (was trying to catapult), I got annoyed and made sure I was going to be successful.

http://i.imgur.com/bRuSfyL.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/PkoDj8U.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/pPAIf7Q.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/5rt9cfb.jpg

[telfari]

Great job! Way to beat me in every category!

[Mesklin]

There is my mission

Total Initial Weight - 113.8 tons

Total Initial Parts - 31 parts

Total Travel Time - 292 Days, 11 hours

Craft file is here: http://www./view/x8dhxy7h80s2q6l/Space_Race_Core_1.craft

Mission report:

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[Captain Sierra]

That little ship is all we need to land? How to in a nutshell (i'll be actually executing this next time I get a Duna window):

Build small IP return stage for core ship (needs about 1200dV0). Strap that on a bigger IP stage that tows a ketholander out there (needs almost 2000dV to be safe and preferably a TWR of about 0.5). Assemble and launch.

Land ketholander on Ike, tank up, return to orbit, fill keth tanks. Disconnect main IP drive and ketholander, return home. screw establishing an orbit, go straight in for landing! Land. Done.

Now gimmie till my next window and I can put this in practice.