Alternatives for atomic interplanetary travel?

[AletzN1]

So most of us use the LV-N Atomic Rocket Motor for interplanetary travel however, there has to be alternatives for the engine!

maybe the LV-909? or the LV-T45? what is the best alternative in your opinion and what do you usually use?

[Skorpychan]

It'd be either that, or the Skipper. For my tug designs, I'd probably just use the -45 engine, or the little orange radials.

[Pixel of Life]

Depends on the mass of the payload. I use the 909 for light and medium weight things and the Skipper for the really heavy stuff.

[Kinglet]

It'd be either that, or the Skipper. For my tug designs, I'd probably just use the -45 engine, or the little orange radials.

Radials are stupid to use if you can use the little stack mounted ones. The stack mounted ones are superior.

[regex]

I've used a -45 to get to Duna before, it's a pretty good alternative.

[DisarmingBaton5]

LV-N. Easy mode!

[Stargate525]

If it's not the atomics, it's the 909s. In deep space, ISP is king.

[Rainbow-Dashie]

Depends on how my rocket works out. Sometimes i don't put enough fuel in the stages, and the Munar Decent stage ends up being burned to get in a Kerbin Orbit. Or sometimes they work a lot better then expected and the lifter stage lasts all the way to the Duna insertion burn

So whatever happens to be on the stage that makes it to orbit

[Mr.Rocket]

I use the aerospikes. Good ISP in and out of atmosphere. Plus, they look really cool when on full throttle.

[Anton P. Nym]

LV-Ns for the big stuff, often in multiples. Everything else so far uses LV-909s or (for the very light probes) ions. Now some of my probes do use the Skipper-powered ascent stage that got them to LKO to start their ejection burn... but the Skipper stages barely make it out of Kerbin's SOI, so I didn't count them in the poll.

-- Steve

[NovaSilisko]

Are we talking about stock parts only? I usually use the KW upper stage engines for my interplanetary stuff, especially the twin-nozzle J2 based engine (forget its name)

[chuangatronic]

Nukes or 48-7S. I rarely make any crafts in the middle size range where the 909 would be most beneficial that aren't designed to scream through space with 8+ LV-T30s at max throttle.

(Just to be clear, my career save is titled Jeb's Performance Lab. He likes to get there and back as fast as possible.)

[GusTurbo]

I've used a -45 to get to Duna before, it's a pretty good alternative.

LV-T45 to Laythe!

[FlamedSteak]

LV-N; "Because you can't get to where you want to be, without that wonderful ISP."

[I_Killed_Jeb]

Skipper, can't stand loooooooooong burns

[Kasuha]

LV-N in KSP is perfectly safe, even if you crash it into the ground, there is no pollution, no contamination.

Even in reality, while I am in no way suggesting that radioactive contamination is laughing matter, its danger is often grossly overestimated. Whenever it's about anything nuclear people turn completely irrational nuts.

[Commissioner Tadpole]

Nukes, LV-909 or Poodle.

[6.forty]

LV-N; "Because you can't get to where you want to be, without that wonderful ISP."

This made me start experimenting with the PB-ION.

My patience made me stop.

[Aragosnat]

This made me start experimenting with the PB-ION.

My patience made me stop.

Don't blame you one bit. Even with forced 4x it takes a long time for a lot of burns.

The only Time I think PB-Ions would be useful for going from Moho anywhere inbetween Kerbin. As then you can run it on full power with small solar panels till you make it past Eve.

LV-N's should stay space bound. Which then levels the LV-909 or Rockomax 48-7S.

[jheriko]

I never use the nuclear engines... I know they are popular and they are the sensible choice, but it just feels like cheating. 909 all the way...

[The Jedi Master]

Even with forced 4x it takes a long time for a lot of burns.

I have never been able to time warp with an engine on outside the atmosphere. What is this magic everyone seems to have?

On topic: Nuclear engines or Poodle. I totally think the Poodle is underrated!

[regex]

LV-T45 to Laythe!

Cripes, now I've got to do a -45 to Moho...

Nice looking craft there, BTW.

[Chrisd857]

I have never been able to time warp with an engine on outside the atmosphere. What is this magic everyone seems to have?

ALT + < and ALT + >? (note, don't hit the shift key)

That should get you physics warp, which should make that happen (I think).

[JiWint]

it's "weird",not wierd ._.

anyway,lv-n all the way

[Aragosnat]

I have never been able to time warp with an engine on outside the atmosphere. What is this magic everyone seems to have?

On topic: Nuclear engines or Poodle. I totally think the Poodle is underrated!

hold the ALT key before hitting the accellerate key