Laythe Series Infinigliders! [Pic Heavy]

[ledogen]

Whenever I think up an interplanetary mission, I often find myself limited to rovers. This is because rovers can be driven for practically eternity, while planes and rockets have to rely on fuel (I know Kethane exists, that is for when I decide I want to add mods). So. A viably infinite aircraft is an infiniglider, and because it can provide "endless" entertainment, I decided to build a few

These are my infinigliders

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They can fly alone

Or they can fly while all docked together

Of course, infinigliders are fun on Kerbin, but who would deny that they would be even more fun on other celestial bodies? I chose Laythe.

Now, I'm playing a nearly stock game. The only mod I use is Kerbal Engineer, and I really only use that for the DV values. So how am I going to get such a ridiculously awkward payload all the way to Laythe?

The answer is with this unwieldy hunk of rocket

I would like to make it clear that I did not expect it to be this easy. That is not to say that there weren't numerous failed attempts, but surprisingly, no Kerbals were lost throughout this entire project (the crew capsule had a parachute on it).

Now let's take a look at this 500 ton monstrosity on the launchpad.

This is the point where I start to question if I have numerous enough struts.

3

2

1

Liftoff??

Liftoff!

Almost there

And orbit!

Hey, it almost looks like I knew what I was doing.

Let's clear that up

Bloopers

Well, that looks like a catastrophe

Oh, pretty explosions

Guys, you're shooting for the sky, and pro-tip, it's the other way.

Those were only a few of the calamities, but hey, they survived

Aren't I thoughtful for fitting a parachute?

Back to the actual mission

Anyways, half an hour of boring rendezvous shenanigans later...

I get extremely lucky. Seriously, look at how perfect this is.

7 km periapsis? That seems survivable.

Did I mention that these guys are going retrograde. The opposite revolution direction of Laythe? Oops...

Yup, get in your seats, guys... I swear it's the safest place.

I don't think I have ever captured a picture as fine as this. Those are the solar panels in the background, the interplanetary stage in the mid, and our brave Kerbals in the foreground.

They were actually traveling at 8 km/s when I hit. According to Kerbal Engineer, these guys suffered through 28 Gs of force.

Somebody is having fun

Oh my lord. There is so much ocean. I think we arrived at the furthest possible point from land.

Yup, just keep flapping those wings. You'll get somewhere eventually.

It was actually pretty impressive, right over the surface of the water, if I mashed W and S fast enough (sorry W and S) It could get up to about 230 m/s. Doing that was dangerous though, if I messed up, then these brave Kerbals would be going in the drink.

Is that... LAND! Finally!

Sketchy landing is sketchy

But successful!

Smile, guys!

.craft files are available upon request