Apollo in Real Solar System using stock components: A celebration of excess!

[maccollo]

I initially thought I would never do this cuz every launcher I built disintegrated upon launch, but then I came upon the structural pylon, which appears to have really good sheer tolerance, and with that I was able to build my Saturn V equivalent.

Altough my Saturn V has 7 stages and can only lift 50 tons to LEO, cuz KSP components suck.

I initially wanted to forego nuclear engines completely, but that would have required 80 tons to LEO and another stage, so I settled with nuclear engines on the transfer stage.

The video is very similar to the other one I made cuz I'm lazy.

[11of10]

Impressive! I remember how hard it was to launch just a Sputnik core into orbit with only RSS and all stock parts, without real fuels and all that...

Btw, music is absolutely epic, what did you use? I got goosebumps all over my body watching the launch... reminded me of the real thing for a bit!

Also, the rocket looks more like the Soviet failed N-1 than Saturn V.

N-1 is more like a lady in the skirt...

Saturn V is more ... ahem... manly

[maccollo]

I only looks like the N1 cuz KSP engines have really crappy TWR, so rockets become wider faster than real rockets =P Alhto I suppose it is much more like the N1, what with 19 mainsails and 24 boosters on the first stage.

The music is the soundtrack from the documentary "When We Left Earth", which is a fantastic documentary, and you should watch it if you haven't. The part with the Apollo 8 launch is so awe inspiring it's like a religious experience.

Edited January 18, 2014 by maccollo

[11of10]

You mean that one?

Well, I'd say religious feeling is a weak description. Those man are incredibly brave!

Thanks for pointing out that documentary for me!