"Konstellation Space Program" Challenge Submission

[Death Engineering]

Death Engineering's "Konstellation Space Program" Challenge Submission

This post is a compilation of the individual posts which comprised the challenge submission for the "Constellation Space Program - Three Part Challenge"

Death Engineering presents..

Orion Spacecraft

• 6 Kerbal Crew
  
• Water-landing capable
  
• Launch Escape System
  
• Separate Command Module and Service Module
  

Ares I with Orion

• Solid fuel first stage
  
• Liquid fuel second stage
  
• Capable of delivering Orion Block 1 to low orbit without using any of Orion's fuel
  

Ares V and EDS with Orion

• Six engine first stage
  
• Two SRB clusters dropped during ascent
  
• Capable of delivering Orion Block 1 and EDS to low orbit without using any of the EDS fuel
  

Jettison Ares V once in Low Orbit

6 Crew Orion on EDS Preparing for Trans Munar Injection

---

Artist Conception of Altair Munar Lander

---

Konstellation Program Update

The Ares I and V boosters were recently used to test the Orion space capsule's LES and deep-space mission capability. These un-crewed flights completed the development of the Orion 5 crew capsule, which will be used for further Orion missions. A second version of the Orion SM with higher delta-v is also available and may be selected based on mission requirements.

To test deep-space flight and to perform a high-speed re-entry, the Ares V and EDS boosted an Orion 5 on a free-return Munar flyby. The un-crewed capsule passed within 15km of the Munar surface and entered into a steep dive towards Kerbin. The re-entry peaked at 41.7 g's and the Orion capsule was recovered successfully in shallow water.

In space station news, a robotically controlled Orion 5 was launched to the four crew aboard the space station. This capsule will serve as a life-raft/return vehicle for the crew. The next launch to the station will be the first crewed mission on the Orion capsule.

Turning attention to the Mun landing, a prototype Altair lander and Altair Outpost are nearly ready for testing. Early design images suggest a large lander with four seats on the descent stage and four more on the ascent stage. The Outpost has even more seats, with room for 7.

Javascript is disabled. View full album

---

Konstellation Space Program Update

The Orion 5 flew its first official crew exchange mission to the space station. Four new crew arrived and four went home. The Orion performed flawlessly.

In Munar landing news, the production version of the Altair Landing Module (above) is ready for testing. It was launched robotically on an Ares V without the EDS and was joined later by the Landing Module test crew aboard an Orion 5 spacecraft launched on an Ares I. The crew docked to the LM then used the LM's main engine to boost the altitude to 130km. After two crew members transferred to the Altair, it was undocked and flown 104km away from the Orion crew capsule.

The crew then performed several inclination changes with the main engine before dropping the descent stage and sending it into a Kerbin re-entry trajectory. After flying the ascent stage back to the CM and docked with it, the crew transferred back to the CM and jettisoned the ascent stage into a Kerbin re-entry trajectory. This test completes the Kerbin orbital tests of the LM, paving the way for Munar landings!

In the next update, a Munar landing will be attempted with an Outpost Variant of the Altair to be joined later by four crew aboard an Altair lander. These two landings will begin the process of setting up the first of three planned Munar Outposts. Also, an Orion 5 Block II aboard an Ares V/EDS will be launched on a Duna flyby. This mission will take the crew of 5 within 5km of Duna, but will not orbit, and then return to Kerbin.

LM Test:

Javascript is disabled. View full album

---

Konstellation Space Program Update

The first two steps to a Munar Outpost have been made. The Altair Outpost Variant landed in shallow crater near the equator on a robotic launch. Shortly after, an Altair Lander on Ares V/EDS and crew launch on Orion/Ares I performed a crewed landing less than 30m from the Munar outpost.

After having a look about, three of the four landing crew boarded the ascent stage. The fourth kerbal remained at the outpost to watch the temperature gauge. Having completed a Munar docking at 150km with the CM, the crew transferred to the CM and successfully returned to Kerbin.

Looking towards Duna, another Ares V launched an Orion 5 on an EDS bound for Duna. The Duna burn went well and the mission will fly within 5000 km of Duna in 62 days.

Javascript is disabled. View full album

---

Konstellation Space Program Update

Now that a Munar Outpost has been established, proving the Orion spacecraft for deep space missions, a crew of 5 kerbals were launched on a flyby mission to Duna. The crew were launched on an Ares V/EDS with the Orion capsule in a single launch and passed within 5000km of Duna. The crew took a good look at the frozen icecap then ditched the EDS stage before using the Orion SM engine to get into a Kerbin encounter. After their 130 day mission, the crew returned safely to Kerbin. The valuable data acquired on this mission will help finalize the design of the Duna Lander.

In other news, the Munar rover design is almost ready for delivery to the Munar Outpost. This last launch to this outpost will complete the first outpost mission objectives. The next outpost will be delivered to the Mun's large crater at it's northern pole.

Duna Orion Flyby

Javascript is disabled. View full album

---

Konstellation Space Program Update

Having successfully completed a Duna flyby mission and taking lots of good photos for the design team, the Altair Duna Variant and Duna Return Vehicle were completed then sent on high Kerbin orbital tests. Both landers were sent out past 15000 km before heading towards a high speed re-entry on Kerbin. Both vehicles performed as expected and no changes are needed before beginning the Duna stage of the Konstellation space program.

In Munar news, a crew exchange vehicle was launched uncrewed to the first outpost. This variant of the Altair uses the same ascent stage as the main Altair lander but does not have any crew quarters on the descent stage and will be used as a backup ascent vehicle for the next crew coming to the outpost. Also, an Altair Outpost Variant with two rovers was landed on the Mun's south pole. This will soon be joined by an Altair lander with four crew.

Javascript is disabled. View full album

---

Konstellation Space Program Update

After doing remote checks of the Altair Oupost Variant and the rovers which were recently delivered to the Mun's south pole, four crew aboard an Orion 5 docked with an Altair lander in a Kerbin polar orbit. The crew successfully landed their Altair in the crater on the Mun's south pole, 40m from the Outpost variant. The crew checked out the new pressurized rovers and started looking for places where the crater wall isn't too steep to climb, commencing the south pole exploration program.

In Duna news, the Duna Return Vehicle is ready and will be leaving for Duna soon. The crew will depart several days later using an Orion 5 and Altair Duna Lander and will arrive at Duna several weeks after the return vehicle has landed, giving the crew enough time to decide whether a Duna landing mission will be possible. If the Duna Return Vehicle checks out after landing, the crew will alter their course from a Duna flyby to a landing.

In the next update, the Mun program will be expanded in both outpost locations to include backup return vehicles and rovers to the first outpost location. Also, a new space telescope will be launched to Kerbol synchronous orbit. But the biggest news will be the launches of the first crewed Duna landing mission using the Duna Altair Oupost and Duna Return Vehicle.

Javascript is disabled. View full album

---

Konstellation Space Program Update

The Duna landing mission has been successfully completed! The Duna Surface Return Vehicle and the crew of four were launched to Duna on separate Ares V launches. Once the Surface Return Vehicle was successfully landed on Duna and put into a quiescent mode, the landing crew made their final course correction to commit to Duna aerocapture. The landing crew in the Duna Altair variant made several mid-altitude passes through Duna's atmosphere to establish a satisfactory orbit to permit a landing.

Combining a long, low-thrust deorbit burn and staged parachute deployment, the Duna landing crew set down less then 70m from their return vehicle. With pictures taken and pockets full of Duna dirt, the crew lifted off in the return vehicle and headed back to Kerbin. Sixty-four days later, the crew successfully landed on Kerbin. The Duna outpost will remain powered until the next crew arrives aboard a modified Duna return vehicle.

In astronomy news, the space telescope was launched to LKO. Four orbits with short burns have placed the telescope into a Kerbol orbit. The window to use Eve as an aerobrake to Kerbol synchronous orbital altitude comes up in 92 days.

Javascript is disabled. View full album

---

Konstellation Space Program - Final Update

Having completed a crewed Duna landing and return mission, and returning all Munar Outpost crews back to Kerbin, the Konstellation Space Program's primary mission objectives are complete. Further outposts and missions to Duna can be launched to follow those who went before them now that the Ares I/V rockets, Altair landers and Duna mission hardware have all been mission-tested and proven to perform above and beyond their design requirements. Several design, mission and science points were missed, including the 'space telescope' which, even with a pass through Eve's atmosphere, failed to make Kerbol-synchronous orbit.

Compiled scoring from all steps/missions completed:

Design - 59 points:

Crew Launch Vehicle (Ares I)

•Two stage rocket to LKO (+2)

•Does not jettison any radial stages (solid or liquid tanks/engines) (+2)

•Can carry Orion Block 1 to low orbit without using any fuel from the Orion service module (+1)

•Uses any solid fuel booster on first stage (+1)

•Uses only solid fuel on first stage (+3)

Heavy Cargo Lift Vehicle (Ares V)

•Five or six liquid engines on first stage (+3)

•Does not jettison any radial liquid tanks/engines (+2)

•Uses and jettisons at least two solid fuel boosters on first stage (+1)

•Two stage rocket to LKO: After the first stage is dropped, the second stage (EDS), carries payload to orbit +2)

•Can carry the Earth Departure Stage (EDS) and Orion BLock 1 to low orbit without using any fuel from the EDS (+1)

•EDS Bonus: Second stage can put Orion Block 1 into Munar free-return trajectory (+2)

Crew Vehicle (Orion)

•Supports at least 4 crew (+4)

•Each crew over 4, up to 6 crew maximum (+1)

•Self-contained multi-purpose spacecraft: Launch Escape System (LES), Power, RCS fuel/thrusters, orbital maneuvering engine/fuel, docking port, probe core (+2)

•Service module: Before landing, drops orbital maneuvering engine and all it's fuel and at least a portion of RCS fuel (+2)

•Safely touches down on land and water (+1)

•Solar/battery electrical only (no RTG) (+2)

•Block 1/2 bonus: Develop a Block 2 with slightly higher delta-V. Block 1 is intended for low orbit missions and the Block 2 for Munar/deep space missions (+1)

Munar Lander (Altair)

•Supports 4 crew (+4)

•Can perform un-Kerballed landings without the use of an Orion spacecraft (Altair and EDS launched on Ares V) (+1)

•Can perform Munar orbit insertion from Kerbin-Mun trajectory for both an Altair and and Orion capsule (either Block I or II) without using any Orion fuel (+2)

•2 stage lander with separate ascent stage (descent stage stays on Munar surface) (+2)

•Rover bonus: Can deploy at least one rover with seats for at least half (round up) of the lander crew (+3)

•Addition rover: Can deploy a second rover (same or different than first rover) (+1)

•Pressurized rover: Develop a rover that can seat at least two crew in a pressurized pod. This rover can be delivered with a crewed or uncrewed Altair lander, an Outpost Variant lander or a specialized Cargo Altair that brings only the rover (+2)

•Outpost Variant: Develop a version of the Altair that can land robotically and has enough room for 1.5 times your Altair landing crew size (round up). Eg. If your Altair lander seats 4, the Outpost Variant should have pressurized seats for 6. If your Altair lander seats 5, your Outpost Variant should seat 8. The Outpost Variant can have, but does not require, the ability to return from Munar surface. (+2)

Duna Lander (Mars Direct)

•Lander supports 4 crew (+4)

•Kerbin Return Vehicle capable of Kerbin return with either direct ascent to Kerbin or Duna Orbit Rendezvous with Kerbin return stage (+3)

•Outpost Variant: Develop the Duna lander to remain on Duna as a permanent outpost. The Duna landing mission should include pressurized seats for 1.5 times your crew size (round up). Eg. If your Duna lander seats 4, the Outpost Variant should have pressurized seats for 6. If your Duna lander seats 5, your Outpost Variant should seat 8 (+2)

Mission - 53 points:

Research and Development

•Launch a boilerplate Orion capsule/EDS on suborbital flight using Ares I (+1)

•Perform an abort and recovery (LES) of an un-Kerballed Orion capsule using the Launch Escape System, while first stage is firing (+1)

•Launch and dock an unkerballed Orion Block 1 to the orbiting space station, for use as a lifeboat (+2)

•Using an Ares V and EDS, send an un-Kerballed Orion spacecraft into a free-return trajectory orbit to the Mun and perform a high speed re-entry test. Re-entry g-force must exceed 9g's (+2)

•Perform a LKO test of an Altair Munar lander. With at least one Kerbal on board, fly an Altair Munar lander at least 100km away from the Orion spacecraft. Dispose of the descent stage, then fly the ascent stage back to the Orion. Transfer the crew to the Orion then robotically control the ascent stage into a re-entry orbit (+3)

•Using an un-Kerballed Duna lander and an EDS on Ares V, perform a high-speed re-entry from at least 15,000km Ap. (+2)

•Launch an un-Kerballed Duna lander on Ares V into low orbit. Perform an orbital test and descent of the lander (crewed or uncrewed) (+3)

•Use an Ares I in at least one space station docking mission (+1)

•Use an Ares I in at least one Munar mission (flyby, orbital or landing) (+1)

•Use an Ares I in at least one Duna mission (flyby or landing) (+1)

•Use an Ares V in at least one Munar mission (orbital or landing) (+2)

•Use an Ares V in at least one Duna mission (flyby or landing) (+2)

Space Station - Orion/Ares I

•Launch an Orion to the orbiting space station with at least 4 crew. Perform a crew exchange and return four Kerbals from the space station to Kerbin using the Orion. (+2)

•Return at least one Kerbal from the space station to Kerbin in an Orion which was docked robotically. This is a "liferaft" scenario intended to use the Orion left at the space station in "Research and Development" above. (+1)

Mun - Orion/Ares I/Ares V/Altair

•Land an un-Kerballed Altair on the Mun without the use of an Orion spacecraft (EDS and Altair only launched from Ares V) (+2)

•Demonstrate that your Altair can, on its own, brake the Orion and Altair into Mun orbit and perform a polar landing (+2)

•Land at least 4 Kerbals in an Altair on the Mun within 1km of either above Altair (+3)

•Return four Kerbals from a Munar landing to Kerbin (+2)

•Munar Outpost: Using at least one crewed Altair lander, an Outpost Variant and a pressurized rover set up a Munar Outpost. The Outpost Variant can join a crewed Altair already on the Mun or can be part of a separate Altair/Outpost Variant mission to another location. The Altair and Outpost Variant need to be within 100m of each other. (+5)

Duna - Orion/Ares I/Ares V/Duna Lander

•Land an un-Kerballed Kerbin Return Vehicle on Duna. Can be either Duna-Kerbin direct ascent capable or dock with an orbiting Duna-Kerbin return stage (+4)

•At least 4 Kerbals pass withing 5000km of Duna (+2)

•Land at least four Kerbals on Duna within 10 km (100 km if by rover) of the above Duna lander. To earn these points, the un-Kerballed lander above must be landed and remain powered. Successful landing must take place before the landing crew has committed to Duna re-entry (+5)

•Return the Duna landing crew and any remaining Duna orbiting crew to Kerbin (+4)

Science Points - 3 points:

•Altair descent stage science: +1 for each science-equipped Altair landed on Mun (+2)

•Duna Lander: Lander on the Duna mission contains a science package (+1)

---

Photo Albums

• Ares I/Orion Flight Tests
  
• Altair Tests
  
• Munar Equatorial Outpost/Crewed Altair Landing
  
• Duna Flyby
  
• Duna Lander test/Munar Polar Outpost/Rover Landing
  
• Munar Polar Crewed Landing
  
• Duna Crewed Landing and Return
  

Mission Hardware Catalog

Javascript is disabled. View full album

Highlight Album

Javascript is disabled. View full album

[borisperrons]

Well, nice crafts, and congratulations for having used only stock parts!

Sigh... This makes me desiring to have accepted this challenge when you first posted it...

[Death Engineering]

Death Engineeering's Konstellation Space Program Redux

The new SLS components introduced into KSP with version 0.23.5 are too cool to ignore, so doing a re-submission on the "Constellation Space Program" challenge. This time, I'll be aiming for maximum points in all categories which means taking another run at the ATLAST telescope... ugh.

Plugs-out test of Ares I and Orion 6

Boilerplate launch into LKO Orion 6

Uncrewed Orion 6 LES test

Fully crewed launch and recovery

Robotic launch to Kerbin 1 station (lifeboat)

Progress to date:

Design Points:

Crew Launch Vehicle (Ares I)

• Two stage rocket to LKO (+2)
  
• Does not jettison any radial stages (solid or liquid tanks/engines) (+2)
  
• Can carry Orion Block 1 to low orbit without using any fuel from the Orion service module (+1)
  
• Can carry Orion Block 2 to low orbit without using any fuel from the Orion service module (+2)
  
• Uses any solid fuel booster on first stage (+1)
  
• Uses only solid fuel on first stage (+3)
  

Crew Vehicle (Orion)

• Supports at least 4 crew (+4)
  
• Each crew over 4, up to 6 crew maximum (max +2)
  
• Self-contained multi-purpose spacecraft: Launch Escape System (LES), Power, RCS fuel/thrusters, orbital maneuvering engine/fuel, docking port, probe core (+2)
  
• Service module: Before landing, drops orbital maneuvering engine and all it's fuel and at least a portion of RCS fuel (+2)
  
• Safely touches down on land and water (+1)
  
• Solar/battery electrical only (no RTG) (+2)
  
• Block 1/2 bonus: Develop a Block 2 with slightly higher delta-V. Block 1 is intended for low orbit missions and the Block 2 for Munar/deep space missions (+1)
  

Mission Points:

Crew Vehicle (Orion)

• Launch a boilerplate Orion capsule/EDS on suborbital flight using Ares I (+1)
  
• Perform an abort and recovery (LES) of an un-Kerballed Orion capsule using the Launch Escape System, while first stage is firing (+1)
  
• Launch and dock an unkerballed Orion Block 1 to the orbiting space station, for use as a lifeboat (+2)
  
• Use an Ares I in at least one space station docking mission (+1)
  

Design Points: 25

Mission Points: 5

Javascript is disabled. View full album

Edited June 17, 2014 by Death Engineering

[Death Engineering]

Konstellation Space Program with SLS Components -- Program Update Two

Design Points

Heavy Cargo Lift Vehicle (Ares V)

• Five or six liquid engines on first stage (+3)
  
• Does not jettison any radial liquid tanks/engines (+2)
  
• Uses and jettisons at least two solid fuel boosters on first stage (+1)
  
• Two stage rocket to LKO: After the first stage is dropped, the second stage (EDS), carries payload to orbit (+2)
  
• Can carry the Earth Departure Stage (EDS) and Orion BLock 1 to low orbit without using any fuel from the EDS (+1)
  
• EDS Bonus: Second stage can put Orion Block 1 into Munar free-return trajectory (+2)
  

11 points on this update + 25 = 36

Mission Points

• Using an Ares V and EDS, send an un-Kerballed Orion spacecraft into a free-return trajectory orbit to the Mun and perform a high speed re-entry test. Re-entry g-force must exceed 9g's (+2)
  
• Use an Ares I in at least one Munar mission (flyby, orbital or landing) (+1)
  
• Use an Ares V in at least one Munar mission (orbital or landing) (+2)
  

5 points on this update + 5 = 10

Ares V carrying EDS and Orion 6 Block I to LKO

Program Update Album

Javascript is disabled. View full album

[Death Engineering]

Konstellation Space Program Redux Update

With a crew of 6 Kerbals on Duna, we've determined that Duna is both red and dusty! Duna landing mission completed by using a three launch mission profile:

1. Ares V with Duna surface return vehicle. Includes two-seat pressurized rover, launched uncrewed ahead of the landing team.
   
2. Ares V with Duna Outpost. Launched uncrewed.
   
3. Ares I with Orion 6 Block II. Launched with 6 crew and docked to Duna Outpost prior to departing Kerbin orbit.
   

No changes to the challenge 'points' tally, just a quick note to make a step closer to wrapping up this maximum points attempt.

Javascript is disabled. View full album

- - - Updated - - -

Konstellation Space Program Redux Mission Complete

After resorting to Ion-drive for the ATLAST mission and recovering the Duna 6-Kerbal landing crew, this final challenge submission is wrapped up.

Being a child of the Apollo age and watching that space program end before its time, unexplored space programs always fascinate me. A common theme of Kerbal Space Program playing styles reflect emulating real-world space program initiatives, and building on that kind of imaginative expression is what real world SCIENCE! is all about.

Thanks to all who have and continue to participate in this challenge.

Javascript is disabled. View full album

[Needing Reheating]

There's a new challenge posted using AAP hardware.