Mulling over a new project. AEIA Mk7?

[Whackjob]

I'm considering returning to the "An Exercise in Absurdity" series of craft. I've learned a not inconsiderable amount since the last of these fabrications, and I think I wish to do another one. Only this time, have it accomplish something other than merely attaining orbit.

But, I need some ideas. I want to put one or more twists into this technical exercise. I'm thinking of giving it a diameter of about twenty to thirty long girders, with a height of three or four orange tanks. It will take off as one large cohesive piece. Assembly in orbit expressly prohibited.

This I feel I can do fairly easily. What I need is a twist or two in there to make it interesting.

So, I turn to you good folks, in the hopes someone can give me a really interesting idea.

Picture is of its predecessor.

#EDIT: One twist I will be doing is making it moon landable and kethane refining equipped.

Edited September 29, 2013 by Whackjob

[DisarmingBaton5]

It needs a large array of nukes.

[adinfinitum]

You could make it a giant buckyball instead of a giant cylinder, I bet that would add some new challenges to the build.

Something shaped like this

[Moar Boosters]

Put wings on it and launch it from the runway.

[Whackjob]

It needs a large array of nukes.

It will have nuke drives. I plan on at least going to Duna. Not many, though. Weight will already be astronomical. I will patience more than push.

You could make it a giant buckyball instead of a giant cylinder, I bet that would add some new challenges to the build.

Something shaped like this

The system doesn't currently allow closed loop structures. No torus for the Whackers. But it is a great suggestion, and I'll try to figure out a way to kentucky-windage the same effect. But that'll be another project for another time.

Put wings on it and launch it from the runway.

The wings this thing would require would probably eclipse the whole of the Mun.

[Scotius]

Cover entire thing with solar panels

[Clouds]

Launch it at 30fps without physics delta-time antilag kicking in.

Or, something more interesting (that I have tried): build it with no struts, instead using pre-docked clampotrons for supporting joins.

[Whackjob]

Cover entire thing with solar panels

I don't doubt there will be quite a few. I'll probably have 8 or 9 kethane refineries as it is. They'll be needed.

Launch it at 30fps without physics delta-time antilag kicking in.

No chance of that. I'll probably wind up with a part count of about 2,500.

Or, something more interesting (that I have tried): build it with no struts, instead using pre-docked clampotrons for supporting joins.

That could be interesting with something else. But yeah, no chance here. This thing will be wider than the VAB is.

[Moar Boosters]

How about making this thing transport a stupid number of kerbals?

Say....50, or 100?

Then give it as much range as possible, so you can set one up as a base on whatever target you choose.

[Monkeh]

Make it a rover that can move on the surface as well as a kethane refinery and massive beast. A massive trundling beast to strike fear into even the Kracken!