Now that I've built this, what should I do with it...

[Project Pluto]

After learning how to build a thrust plate (thanks to:

), and having a bit of a dull evening, I've managed to create this - 55 mainsails, onion staged

It launches well.

Reaches 1900m/s at 70000 km altitude.

And 7000m/s at 740km altitude at fuel-out.

I call it "The Flower":

.

How would I go about attaching massive payloads to this? I must be able to shoot a multitude of orange tanks on a direct ascent to, what, Dres?

Sorry if this should be in "Questions", but it's not really a technical question, more of a discussion on what to do with massive things!

[Whackjob]

I'm not entirely sure how those orange tanks aren't striking each other and exploding. They're clipping ever so slightly.

[SkyHook]

Me? I would kill it with fire! But it's only natural that you would launch something huge from it to test its payload capacity.

Edited March 6, 2014 by SkyHook

[RSwordsman]

Put an irresponsibly large lander on top and make an extraterrestrial skyscraper.

[Xacktar]

Build a Kerbal house, then send it to orbit.

[Accelerando]

Build something pyramid-shaped to land on somewhere, a Laythe base! Wide base, low profile, keep stuff easily struttable.

[The Destroyer]

Make it launch something that usually gets 50 tons to lko.

[problemecium]

Launch an Eve launcher to launch a ship back to Kerbin. Which can then go back into space.

[TheScareCake!]

Can you give the .craft file? I would go to kmp server, upgrade it so it could destroy other spacecraft and then i would annoy my friend with it!

[AllenM3]

Launch the stock Z-Map satellite craft into orbit...

...A Moho orbit. That's polar! To map the depth of the north and south deep Holes.

[SpaceSphereOfDeath]

Launch the stock Z-Map satellite craft into orbit...

...A Moho orbit. That's polar! To map the depth of the north and south deep Holes.

They're about 5.5km deep.

Anyway, I would put another launcher on top of it, and attach a kraken drive on top of that, and then do a grand tour.

[nekogod]

Try and deorbit Gilly with it!

[KSK]

Attach Gigantors to each of those beams, so that the solar panels project above and below the plane of the 'Flower'. Presto - one orbital solar power plant. No good for anything other than roleplaying of course.

[LordQ]

Build yourself a flagship!

[blizzy78]

Reaches 1900m/s at 70000 km altitude.

And 7000m/s at 740km altitude at fuel-out.

Statistics more interesting than these would be liftoff TWR and liftoff delta-v.

[cantab]

Interstellar ark mission.

[Scotius]

Attach Gigantors to each of those beams, so that the solar panels project above and below the plane of the 'Flower'. Presto - one orbital solar power plant. No good for anything other than roleplaying of course.

Actually it's a good idea...for KSP Interstellar users We do have uses for solar power plants. So, if OP would be so kind to post this file, i would be grateful.

[Project Pluto]

So, if OP would be so kind to post this file, i would be grateful.

Not sure how to post files. Advice and I'll happily do so! Although there are some issues with your plans! The "flower" wobbles upon flame out quite drastically!

Edited March 6, 2014 by Project Pluto

[Project Pluto]

I'm not entirely sure how those orange tanks aren't striking each other and exploding. They're clipping ever so slightly.

I actually experience a different type of clipping. This is the only photo I have, but it happens occasionally with no payload strapped on top. The decouplers sometimes clip through the square plate. No problem until separation time. They then don't fully separate and, due to the sepratrons, dance around throwing the whole thing into disarray. I'm thinking of either inverting the decouplers (I know, you carry the extra weight, but small price to pay), or adding stack separators between for redundancy sake.

I'll test soon...

This was an older design (hence the slight differences in layout), but it happens with the "new improved" design as well.

Edited March 6, 2014 by Project Pluto

[Wooks]

Build something pyramid-shaped to land on somewhere, a Laythe base! Wide base, low profile, keep stuff easily struttable.

I´m working on that one

[Jank]

Looks more like a snowflake than a flower.

[Project Pluto]

Statistics more interesting than these would be liftoff TWR and liftoff delta-v.

Can I get those stats without mods?

[cantab]

You can calculate it yourself, though it might be a bit tricky with the staging. TWR at least is easy. Thrust is 55 x 1500 kN. Weight is 9.8 x mass. Mass you can get by sitting it on the pad then going into the tracking station, selecting the rocket, and clicking the i icon on the right.

[Padishar]

Only approximately by looking at the G meter on launch or timing (by the MET clock) how long it takes to ascend a certain distance (e.g. 100m) and working out the acceleration (should be fairly constant over the first short distance) from that...

Alternatively just install KER and load the vessel in the VAB and attach the build engineer part for a screenshot and then remove KER again if you want to stay stock...

Edit: Duh! Yeah you could do that too, he did say how many engines it had...

[Pecan]

You're off to a good start. Now make 8 stacks with those at the base, joined by girders ...

... sorry, I seem to be channeling Whackjob