Jeb's Playland. Simple NovaPunch orbiters.

[SRV Ron]

As the title suggest, I was testing a simple Nova Punch two stage launch design to orbit satellites and Jeb with sufficient fuel for some maneuvering such as a Mun flyby.

In the first design, I started with the NovaPunch probe can but scrapped it due to its inability to hold the launch vehicle on course. That was replaced with a stock controller with sucuessful results.

In the next payload, a Stayputnik was used giving even better performance due to its lighter weight. This is something that can be landed on Duna. An extra Reaction Wheel is added on the second stage since the Stayputnik on board SAS is too weak to safely control launch.

The third test involved placing Jeb in orbit having the same maneuvering capability as the probes. Due to that payload being the heavist, some of the fuel on the payload was needed to achieve orbit.

Modifying the rocket with three small SRBs that dropped off at burnout allowed the payload goal to be achieved.

I'll continue researching small efficient launchers given the two challenges for how far a Kerbal can go on 5 parts, and cheapest probe to orbit. That turned out to be possible with a single FL-T200 fuel can with SSTO completed easily

Edited December 30, 2013 by SRV Ron

[Woopert]

These look really nice and sleek!