Kerbal Dynamics: The Photostory

[ihtoit]

Mode: Sandbox.

Addons/Plugins: MechJeb, KAS, Firespitter, HL Partystarter, Kethane, Remotetech, Bobcat Industries H.O.M.E., Kosmos, Luvodicus OP Engines, B9, KWRocketry, Interplanetary, Texture Reduction.

All craft files available on request!

1. First up, we need to overcome the RT limitations by installing a system-spanning comms network. Here it is, an entire six satellites which should have coverage of all but the far sides of any body that isn't Kerbin:

OK, set up for a 5-hour orbit of the mainstage with apoapse at 2868.75km (not really worrying about setting up kerbostationary orbit at this time, I just want a good starting altitude for the final insertion burns to take place one orbit apart), and now we have all 6 satellites in equidistant Keosync orbits, and sending Bill, Bob and Jebediah off on an 80,000km holding orbit - because I feel like it:

Next up, a kethane scanner in a polar orbit around Kerbin, to sniff out that green goodness:

...which gives me confirmation that all six comsats function (at least within KSI) as intended - at the same time as the kethane scanner passes over the North Pole:

Thought I'd try something a little different with extraction: this puppy is, as you might have guessed, a helicopter. 1 ton kethane tank, 1,000 fuel (four 100l drop tanks), otherwise pretty minimal. Dry weight (less drop tanks) about 8.2 tons. Range (not including kethane): about 450-475km:

Beelining for the nearest kethane deposit to the North:

...and 57 minutes later, I'm extracting kethane on site:

One thing I did forget was to pack the smallest methane, xenon, oxidiser and other consumables tanks available just to give the refinery a buffer to fill. I might send out another helicopter with the requisite parts attached (can't pack them in a crate - d'oh!) and return this one for retirement.

Edited March 12, 2014 by ihtoit