Reliable and simple 115 ton launcher (197 parts)

[nhnifong]

I'd like you to have my tried and tested heavy launcher. It can put 115 tons in LKO (circular 70 km orbit) with a TWR between 1.5 and 2.0 the whole way at full throttle. No fancy piloting needed, just basic knowledge of a gravity turn.

The upper stage is an independent vessel so you can turn it around and deorbit it. It should have enough fuel remaining even with sloppy piloting.

Just for reference, 115 tons is a little over three orange tanks.

struts and fuel lines are confirmed to work

Download subassembly

[Giggleplex777]

That's a lot of parts for 115 tons! This rocket can lift 180 tons and has 192 parts (including clamps):

[nhnifong]

It's pretty solid and has a bunch of sepatrons. Also, the center stack is reinforced at every joint with 6-way vertical struts to keep the TWR capability high.

But that's a nice looking rocket you've got there Giggleplex!

[Giggleplex777]

Originally, the rocket had 220 parts and was very unreliable. There were many design techniques that I discovered were used to make more reliable and have a lower part count.

[700NitroXpress]

My Leviathan lifter can lift over 200 tons easily into orbit and still have fuel left over. 375 parts, one size fits all. I'm currently working on the new lightweight design that has 312 parts, but can lift the same payload.

http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/57409-Leviathan-Heavy-Lifter

Guys, I highly recommend changing your designs to use drop tanks and never stack the orange tanks on top of each other. Your carrying a huge amount of excess weight for long periods of time and it's slowing your craft down and making them less efficient.

Edited November 20, 2013 by 700NitroXpress

[nhnifong]

Originally, the rocket had 220 parts and was very unreliable. There were many design techniques that I discovered were used to make more reliable and have a lower part count.

Mind sharing it? I'd like to learn said techniques.