Constellation Space Program - Three Part Challenge

[vincespeedmk2]

Some tense moments there with the rover deployments! I like the outboard engines.. I suspect that improves control and stability considerably.. must try sometime. Progress board updated!

The initial idea was to leave space to tow cargo pods but it does wonders for stability, which helps as the aeros pike engines have no thrust vectoring function

One last mun vid then it's on to Duna

[stupid_chris]

Alright, about four months later, I've managed to put a little more time on this

I've retouched a little my Orion capsules because .23 happened, and I've now made my Ares V launcher

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I believe that makes a big 12 points for design. I didn't perform a high velocity reentry test, so that's ruled out and will be for another day.

[stupid_chris]

Another update: had the time do design the Altair as well as sending a robotic controlled on to the Mun!

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I believe that makes 17 points for the Altair since I haven't proven it can circularize an orbit around the Mun with the Orion, and + 4 mission points

[Death Engineering]

I believe that makes 17 points for the Altair since I haven't proven it can circularize an orbit around the Mun with the Orion, and + 4 mission points

Nice looking equipment you've got there! No points for the resemblance to 'real world' designs, but a GOLD * STAR for the effort!

Progress board updated..

Edited March 6, 2014 by Death Engineering

[stupid_chris]

Nice looking equipment you've got there! No points for the resemblance to 'real world' designs, but a GOLD * STAR for the effort!

Well I'll take that then However during the switch to KSP 0.23, it seems the Kerbals can't "escape" the Mk1-2 pods of the Orion anymore. Oh well.

Progress board updated..

I think you forgot to update design points

[vincespeedmk2]

Finally we are here, the pinnacle of Munar exploration. The KSC has confirmed the successful deployment of a mun outpost on the munar north pole (or there abouts).

Macsey Kerman Brings us the footage.

Points rundown

Mission: (+12)

Science: (+ 3)

Totals

Design : (+55)

Missions: (+33)

Science: (+ 3)

someone please check my maths

[Death Engineering]

I think you forgot to update design points

Oki, I'll have a look..

Totals

Design : (+55)

Missions: (+33)

Science: (+ 3)

someone please check my maths

Took a few days to swing back around and watch the vid, but thanks for posting it! That is quite a tricky place for a polar outpost..

someone please check my maths

"Not-it". See above.

Edit:

One last mun vid then it's on to Duna

Awesome!

Edited April 11, 2014 by Death Engineering

[vincespeedmk2]

Yeah it is an odd place for an outpost, but there's precious little flat ground on the north munar pole. It was Either there or a a slightly flatter hill top further south. But that didn't get sunshine all year round.

Stupid_Chris's program is looking good. That lifter looks awesome.

[vincespeedmk2]

KRBL News can finally reveal that the Kerbal Space Centre has announced plans for a manned expedition to Duna. Director Kerman Himself has released this footage of tests for the Expedition vehicles.

points Rundown

Design

o Lander supports 4 crew (+4)

o Kerbin Return Vehicle capable of Kerbin return with either direct ascent to Kerbin or Duna Orbit Rendezvous with Kerbin return stage (+3)

o Develop a rover that can seat at least two crew in a pressurized pod. This rover can be delivered with either the Kerbin Return Vehicle or the Duna lander (+2)

o Outpost Variant: Develop the Duna lander to remain on Duna as a permanent outpost. The Duna landing mission should include pressurized seats for 1.5 times your crew size (round up). Eg. If your Duna lander seats 4, the Outpost Variant should have pressurized seats for 6. If your Duna lander seats 5, your Outpost Variant should seat 8 (+2)

Missions

o Using an un-Kerballed Duna lander and an EDS on Ares V, perform a high-speed re-entry from at least 15,000km Ap. (+2)

o Launch an un-Kerballed Duna lander on Ares V into low orbit. Perform an orbital test and descent of the lander (crewed or uncrewed) (+3)

Totals

Design: (+66)

Missions: (+38)

Science: (+3)

[Death Engineering]

KRBL News can finally reveal that the Kerbal Space Centre has announced plans for a manned expedition to Duna. Director Kerman Himself has released this footage of tests for the Expedition vehicles.

Great demonstration video! A safe landing on Duna might test that descent system to it's limit.. but looking forward to the next release!

[WH40krules]

Hey guys, I'm still in the process of completing the challenges, but I have created the Orion Crew Vehicle, the Ares I, and the Altair Munar Lander.

http://imgur.com/a/t0u0f?

The Orion Crew Vehicle has a crew capacity of 5 kerbals, and has 1045 Delta V. I have a heat shield and a MechJeb unit on Orion.

The Ares I has 9 ARM srb's clipped together, at 50% thrust, and 8 ASAS units on the tops of the outer 8. It is capable of putting a Orion Crew Capsule into orbit.

The Altair Munar Lander has room for 4 Kerbals. The decent stage has 1104 Delta V, and the accent stage has 1121 Delta V.

I am still working on the mission, I will post when I have completed the some of the missions.

Edited April 30, 2014 by WH40krules

[Death Engineering]

I am still working on the mission, I will post when I have completed the some of the missions.

Welcome to the challenge!

Nice to see the new parts on your lifter and CM

[WH40krules]

I have completed the space station mission, Launch an Orion to the orbiting space station with at least 4 crew. Perform a crew exchange and return four Kerbals from the space station to Kerbin using the Orion. (+2), and Use an Ares I in at least one space station docking mission (+1). Also, possibly this, Launch a boilerplate Orion capsule/EDS on suborbital flight using Ares I (+1). I did Launch and dock an unkerballed Orion Block 1 to the orbiting space station, for use as a lifeboat (+2) off camera, but you can see it in the album. Points: 6

https://imgur.com/a/2htyb

Also, for the spacecraft, Two stage rocket to LKO (+2), Does not jettison any radial stages (solid or liquid tanks/engines) (+2), Uses any solid fuel booster on first stage (+1), Uses only solid fuel on first stage (+3), and possibly Can carry Orion Block 1 to low orbit without using any fuel from the Orion service module (+1) and Can carry Orion Block 2 to low orbit without using any fuel from the Orion service module (+2). For the Orion: Supports at least 4 crew (+4), Each crew over 4, up to 6 crew maximum (+1 each; max +2) (+1), Self-contained multi-purpose spacecraft: Launch Escape System (LES), Power, RCS fuel/thrusters, orbital maneuvering engine/fuel, docking port, probe core (+2), Service module: Before landing, drops orbital maneuvering engine and all it's fuel and at least a portion of RCS fuel (+2), Safely touches down on land and water (+1), Solar/battery electrical only (no RTG) (+2). Points: 23

Thanks Death Engineering for welcoming me

Edited May 1, 2014 by WH40krules

[WH40krules]

Hey, back again. I have finished my Ares V Launch Vehicle.

http://imgur.com/a/cameI

Points: Five or six liquid engines on first stage (+3). Does not jettison any radial liquid tanks/engines (+2). Uses and jettisons at least two solid fuel boosters on first stage (+1). Two stage rocket to LKO: After the first stage is dropped, the second stage (EDS), carries payload to orbit +2). Can carry the Earth Departure Stage (EDS) and Orion BLock 1 to low orbit without using any fuel from the EDS (+1). Total: 9 + 23 = 32.

Thanks

[Death Engineering]

Hey, back again. I have finished my Ares V Launch Vehicle.

Awesome! Leaderboard updated.

Also...

For any prospective newcomers to the challenge, I've updated the optional provided save files to KSP v 0.23.5.

[vincespeedmk2]

After Some Down time at the KSP, KRBL News can now reveal the latest developments in the Konstellation space program.

We now bring you footage of the preparation for the Duna Mission:

There are no points scored in this one, just preparation.

[Death Engineering]

After Some Down time at the KSP, KRBL News can now reveal the latest developments in the Konstellation space program.

This is looking like a very ambitious project! Good luck getting your missions out to Duna.. should make for great video, especially aero-capture.

[vincespeedmk2]

Here is the latest installation of the Vincespeed Konstellation Program:

All three craft have arrived in duna orbit and made a successful rendezvous. fuel transfers are now complete and we are awaiting permission to land.

Points Rundown

Mission:

> Use an Ares I in at least one Duna mission (flyby or landing) (+1)

> Use an Ares V in at least one Duna mission (flyby or landing) (+2)

> At least 4 Kerbals pass withing 5000km of Duna (+2)

Totals:

Design: (+66)

Mission: (+43)

Science: (+3)

[Itoum]

I know i dont meet all the requirement for this challenge but ive start doing my Konstellation mission before i knew about this one well ill post what i have so far im still not done yet still got the Cargo lander, Habitat lander and Altair to built.

My Konstellation mission was based on that video at the begining

So my Orion has only 3 crew on board i know its suppose to have like 6 but there is no 6 crew module in ksp

Mission: Konstellation

1- Launch Kopernicus Module in a 100KM orbit around kerbin using an Ares V rocket

2- Launch LV-N Transfer Stage and rendez-vous with Kopernicus

3- 2 Ares I with Orion on Board Rendez-vous with Kopernicus

This is where i am at the moment

Still have some issues with Orion (service module has a flaw didnt decouple properly on reentry)

https://imgur.com/a/VDSRf#0

[cadaverific]

As i'm preparing and testing various ships for this challenge i have a quick question. What is it that differentiates Orion block 1 from block 2? Is it 2 different variations in size of the Orion? This is all that's really holding me up on kicking things into gear.

EDIT: read further down the designs section and got my answer. Commencing testing of block 1

Edited June 4, 2014 by cadaverific
silly me

[Death Engineering]

Here is the latest installation of the Vincespeed Konstellation Program:

All three craft have arrived in duna orbit and made a successful rendezvous. fuel transfers are now complete and we are awaiting permission to land.

Looks like Ike actually helped you out with inclination change instead of it's usual trolling toss into deep space. Nice!

Your choice for the DOR (Duna Orbit Rendezvous) mission approach certainly adds a level of realism that I didn't account for in the challenge. Bonus points for craft versatility and piloting skills!

I know i dont meet all the requirement for this challenge but ive start doing my Konstellation mission before i knew about this one well ill post what i have so far im still not done yet still got the Cargo lander, Habitat lander and Altair to built.

My Konstellation mission was based on that video at the beginning

Hey thanks for posting that video! I recall seeing it before I found KSP but forgot about it until now. Your imgur looks like it follows that mission profile closely. I think that multiple launches would be well suited to a modded KSP with more realistic planetary scale.

As i'm preparing and testing various ships for this challenge i have a quick question. What is it that differentiates Orion block 1 from block 2? Is it 2 different variations in size of the Orion? This is all that's really holding me up on kicking things into gear.

EDIT: read further down the designs section and got my answer. Commencing testing of block 1

Welcome to the challenge, cadaverific!

[cadaverific]

Here are some shots of my Designs and R&D with the Aries I and Orion

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I believe I snagged all the points on the Aries I design portion so +11 (i didn't show it lifting B2 without using SM fuel, but with the fuel i had left i'm sure you could infer that its feasible)

I also got the majority of the Orion points except for the 6 kerbal capacity (im not going to beat myself up over it) so +13

Finally i got +4 for doing the R&D missions

Edited June 5, 2014 by cadaverific

[vincespeedmk2]

Cheers Death. Looking forward to the landing, though based on my fairly unsuccessful aero capture I think I might use up more fuel than I bargained for..... Sucks to be Macsey Kerman right about now.

[vincespeedmk2]

Breaking News!

We have just received word from the KSC that the Crew of the Duna Explorer has just Touched down on the surface of Duna. Here is some Live (almost) footage of the landing brought to you by KRBL News's own Macsey Kerman.

Points rundown:

Design:

> Rover bonus: Bring at least one rover with seats for at least half (round up) of the lander crew (+3)

> Addition rover: Bring a second rover (same or different than first rover) (+1)

Missions:

> Land an un-Kerballed Kerbin Return Vehicle on Duna. Can be either Duna-Kerbin direct ascent capable or dock with an orbiting Duna-Kerbin return stage (+4)

>Land at least four Kerbals on Duna within 10 km (100 km if by rover) of the above Duna lander. To earn these points, the un-Kerballed lander above must be landed and remain powered. Successful landing must take place before the landing crew has committed to Duna re-entry (+5)

>Duna Outpost: The Duna lander uses the Duna Outpost Variant which stays on the surface and includes a pressurized rover. (+3)

> Each landing crew over 4, up to 6 crew maximum (+2)

Science: (PS I forgot to claim these in the credits)

> Kerbin Return Vehicle: Pre-landed Kerbin return vehicle on the Duna mission contains a science package (+1)

> Duna Lander: Lander on the Duna mission contains a science package (+1)

Totals:

Design: (+70) DONE!!!

Mission: (+55)

Science: (+5)

Next Stop, Science woooo!!!! (by which I mean driving rovers)

Edited June 6, 2014 by vincespeedmk2
keep messing up the embeding of the video

[wasmic]

Here are some shots of my Designs and R&D with the Aries I and Orion

http://imgur.com/a/usLeI

I believe I snagged all the points on the Aries I design portion so +11 (i didn't show it lifting B2 without using SM fuel, but with the fuel i had left i'm sure you could infer that its feasible)

I also got the majority of the Orion points except for the 6 kerbal capacity (im not going to beat myself up over it) so +13

Finally i got +4 for doing the R&D missions

I can see one big problem with all of this: it's called Ares I, not Aries I.