That's no Mun, that's a space station!

[ihtoit]

Simple challenge: build the most massive space station you can in an equatorial Kerbin parking orbit (0-30 degrees inclination, 70-200km altitude) and dock two spaceplanes.

THE RULES:

- Your station MUST be modular. No attempting to cover all other requirements with a single launch platform.

- Maximum of TWO additional requirements may be fulfilled and claimed per additional module. This means that your station will be made up of 4 modules minimum (including the core but not including your two spaceplanes)

- ANY structural mod valid.

- NO infinite fuel, hack gravity or unbreakable joints. HOWEVER, part welding of STOCK PARTS ONLY in the VAB phase is permitted.

- NO other exploits, known or unknown.

- The core MUST be manned.

- The spaceplanes MUST be manned.

- ALL additional modules MUST dock directly to the core.

- at least one additional module MUST carry science modules (goo, science jnr., magnetometer etc.)

- at least one additional module MUST carry communications gear.

- at least one additional module MUST carry an electric powerplant of some sort (solar array, nuclear generator, superhuge battery stack, RTG, or anything else that generates and stores electricity).

- at least one additional module MUST consist of accommodation enough for all resident Kerbals and any additional arrivals via spaceplanes (so for a one-man station you must use at least 3 berths to cover two solo planes. It is acceptable to integrate this requirement into the core module).

- at least one additional module MUST carry fuel and monopropellant (for refuelling spaceplanes).

- at least one additional module MUST consist of a specifically tasked escape system capable of retrieving all hands and returning them safely to KSC.

- Your spaceplanes MUST be the last items docked.

Aside from those requirements, this is a free design challenge. Scoring will be based on all requirements being met, and the total mass of the fully assembled station in orbit divided by the total number of parts used (ie, the average mass of each part in the whole. A station that masses 500t and has 500 parts in situ (including docked spaceplanes) will score 1.00 point. One that masses 500t and has 250 parts will score 2.00 points. Densely packed massive fuel tanks will obviously score higher).

Advance warning: for those who love struts, this will test your computer to its absolute limits.

(Challengers' Note: I have screenshots somewhere of supermassive, superdense stations (for which I unfortunately no longer have the craft files) which were flown in one shot, I wanted to shake things up a little by making the modular requirement because frankly, the TWR and efficiency of the Luvodicus nuclear engines make it far too easy to launch two thousand tons to LKO in one go. My entries will appear soon.)

Edited March 23, 2014 by ihtoit
rules edited for practical reasons

[Cmdr. Arn1e]

I shall give this a go... will be a real test of how much space station my PC can handle!

[ihtoit]

Challenger's Entry (so far):

The Core: seats 9.

500+ tons on the pad (that's the fuel/monoprop tanker) being lifted by 24 Luvodicus Super Atomic rockets. And yes, with a pad TWR of barely 1.5, it took about twenty minutes to get into orbit.

Bringing the Core to dock with the tanker.

The power grid. Went for nuclear, it's a lot less of a strain on the CPU than solar.

The science module, with most of the sensors available. Also has a comprehensive communications array and a functional infrared telescope!

The escape system, with its own power generating capability, seating for 7, and full crossrange capability and tail landing ability. Might even be capable of a roundtrip to Mun on one fuel load.

$Random Kerman taking a look outside at the complete structure.

All systems deployed, total mass (without spaceplanes yet, still need to design them) 508t. 174 parts(! with no welding!) and still above 25fps!

$Random Kerman going to give the helium tank a kick.

Ballpark score: 2.92

TBC...

Edited March 23, 2014 by ihtoit