non-crumbling munar lander

[Zephram Kerman]

I've designed a munar lander with an interesting feature: when the ascent module separates, the descent module does not crumble. It's hard to do, but by aligning everything without using symmetry, it is all one piece.

Messenger III has these features:

• descent module does not fall apart when separated;

• action group 1 undocks and toggles the ascent engine;

• two of each science instrument, divided into action groups 2 and 3;

• munar module has plenty of fuel... it could probably fly home complete;

• .craft file includes a simple asparagus launcher, which neatly deposits stages in destructive orbits, so no lingering debris;

• the two parachutes fire at 500m and 550m, "just in case" ™;

• just make sure you collect all data into the capsule before leaving!

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/78157466/forum%20posts/MessengerIII.craft

The ascent module has four docking ports underneath the big rockomax adapter. Of the four descent module docking ports, only the one under the hatch is connected during construction. This is the root part for the rest of the descent module. The other three docking ports were tediously aligned so that they quickly dock on the launch pad.

[SofusRud]

Bit hard to make out, but aren't you leaving behind your materials science pod?

[Zephram Kerman]

Bit hard to make out, but aren't you leaving behind your materials science pod?

Yes, that's the idea. By collecting all data into the command pod, we can leave behind a lot of dead weight.

Sorry about the night time photo though. I couldn't advance the time of day.

[togfox]

Very efficient and its compact enough to not cause any CoM issues when attached to a launcher.

[Benjpalmer]

I may have had a slight brush with the boosters.