Project Seagull

[Redrobin]

This is my project to get a kerbal to the moon. In RSS. All stock except for some non part mods.

Seagull 1:

Just a basic flight to test out the Seagull rocket and CSM.

The rocket:

It is amazing that you have to build something like what MoarBoosters would just to get a 15 ton CSM into orbit.

Liftoff:

'

Staging:

And problems:

Some of the first stage hit the core stage.

But any crash you can walk away form...:

[Taki117]

Might I suggest adding seprotrons to your outer stages? Also, a dedicated LES would be most useful.

[Redrobin]

Might I suggest adding seprotrons to your outer stages? Also, a dedicated LES would be most useful.

Yea, I am testing speratrons for Seagull 2 and a LES might come later.

[von Ziegendorf]

Can't see on pictures, is this rocket asparagus? I was considering parallel staging useless in RSS

[Redrobin]

Can't see on pictures, is this rocket asparagus? I was considering parallel staging useless in RSS

No, it is more onion if that is the term where fuel is flowed inward.

[von Ziegendorf]

How much this rocket weights at liftoff? Are you using stock aerodynamics model or FAR?

[Redrobin]

How much this rocket weights at liftoff? Are you using stock aerodynamics model or FAR?

Stock aerodynamics and it weighs 2043 tons. It produces 28.3 mega-newtons of thrust at liftoff.

[von Ziegendorf]

So hardcore mode Well, good luck

[Redrobin]

Seagull 2:

This Seagull launch was to test the separatrons to blow the first stage boosters away.

Liftoff:

Ready to stage:

Staging:

Sorry about the pad...:

[Redrobin]

Seagull 3:

This flight was to do what Seagull 1 failed. To go to space.

Liftoff:

First stage separation:

Problems, center engine out of fuel:

Abort:

[Redrobin]

Seagull 4:

The first Seagull flight to go to space and to have a LES.

Liftoff:

Staging:

It is a long way back home...:

Almost orbit:

Orbit!:

De-orbit burn:

Goodbye service module:

Hot!:

Chutes out:

Splashdown:

I need more boosters if I want to go to the moon...

[von Ziegendorf]

Have you measured how much delta-v does it take to achieve orbit?

[The Jedi Master]

I was going to call it way overpowered, then I remembered what RSS stands for. Actually, with RSS, that's completely underpowered.

That's why I don't use the realism mods, folks!

[Redrobin]

Have you measured how much delta-v does it take to achieve orbit?

Yes, roughly.

Seagull 5:

Mission: To use a more powerful Seagull rocket to power the CSM fully fueled into orbit.

Outcome: Failure. First deaths of the series.

Liftoff:

I put a new first stage on, and with intense clustering, I got 300 new engines.

Look at those engine clusters:

Oops:

Don't accidentally hit space-bar...

Abort!

We need a new pad... again:

And RIP:

They got hit by a piece of falling debris, knocking the chute off at 200m.

[von Ziegendorf]

Yes, roughly.

So, how much? I'm scared by the part count of this monster, do you use Ferram Joint Reinforcement? If not, I'm out. I never managed to build (and fly!) succesfully such a big ship in stock KSP

[Redrobin]

So, how much? I'm scared by the part count of this monster, do you use Ferram Joint Reinforcement? If not, I'm out. I never managed to build (and fly!) succesfully such a big ship in stock KSP

It is the range of 10-12 km/s of delta-v, depending on your piloting skills. The rocket has just shy of 1000 parts. I do use Kerbal Joint Reinforcement. I need new engines. The old ones give me too much lag.

[von Ziegendorf]

I had a RSS launch rocket (~3000t at liftoff) with 55t payload capability and 240 parts, but with FAR. If you say 12km/s it drops to about 20t without FAR

[Redrobin]

I had a RSS launch rocket (~3000t at liftoff) with 55t payload capability and 240 parts, but with FAR. If you say 12km/s it drops to about 20t without FAR

So FAR reduces the delta-v requirement?

[von Ziegendorf]

Actually it's KSP drag model that increases delta-v, FAR gives you the real one - smaller Tall, slim rockets are then favoured

[Redrobin]

Seagull 6:

Mission: Get a fully filled CSM into orbit.

Outcome: Partial failure. No crew losses this time.

Liftoff:

I used again a different rocket.

Staging SRB's

Abort!

The rocket wobbled way too much for my likes.

I may need an entirely new rocket.

[Redrobin]

Seagull 7:

Mission: Full CSM into orbit

Outcome: Success. Launcher can get 33 tons into orbit.

Liftoff:

CSM in orbit:

I really cut down on my pictures as most of them are of the same thing.

[NathanKell]

Yeah, between not using FAR and not using Real Fuels you're looking at probably 3-4x the rocket you'd need in real life. I know that intellectually, but it's still pretty crazy to see just *how* much rocket it takes. You're certainly putting in yeoman work!

[Redrobin]

Alright, I am going to install FAR and see how my ships cope.