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Perun Launch Vehicles v1.7 - now with Ariane & Proton workalikes!

Ravenchant
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Ravenchant

Ravenchant

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Gryphon Interplanetary presents:

The Perun launch vehicles!

aKshnhS.png

Current features:

  • ten launcher variants, 3-27 tons payload capacity (several aren't pictured here; scroll down)
  • available as both crafts and subassemblies
  • fairings! Now with slightly reduced chances of setting your payload on fire!
  • reasonably simple launch profiles
  • Payloads (coming soon*) may or may not actually be soon

What they are not:

  • efficient
  • low in part count
  • neccessary

DOWNLOAD V1.7

Hope you like them! :)

What purpose do these serve? There are plenty of launch vehicles to choose from already- and they are more efficient, able to launch heavier payloads and are easier on the CPU. Well, the Peruns are designed to be fun to launch. There are the obvious fairings, and some bits and bobs like ullage motors and separate interstages that should slightly reduce the boredom of launching bog-standard stuff to orbit. Additionally, all upper stages can deorbit themselves to reduce debris count.

Why are they inefficient? No fuel lines, for a start, and form didn't neccessarily follow function this time around. Consider your options wisely before using them in career mode :wink:

Now, here's some more detailed info about the crafts:

Perun SB - Opp-opp-oppan Dnepr style! Minus the most impressive part of the launch, sadly. It could probably be done using sepratron spamming. Anyway, it's able to deliver 3.5 tons to an equatorial and about 3 to a polar orbit. You can clip your view inside and select the second probe core once it's time to flip the 3rd stage around.

Perun S-I - sends between 4.5 and 5 tons to LKO, depending on pilot skills. Not really that exciting.

Perun S-II - same as S-I, with 2 additional (fixed) radial boosters. 6-6.5 tons capacity.

Perun S-III - radial boosters are detachable. ~8 tons capacity.

Perun S-EC - 11 tons, a wider fairing, more powerful upper stage and two sets of detachable boosters.

Perun M-I - This one started out as a Proton lookalike. Its payload capacity is similar to the real deal -22 tons- and it has the same general staging, only with MOAR engines (18 in the first stage...Jeb would be proud)

Perun M-II - Intended as FAR-friendly (or at the very least not too antagonistic) alternative to S-EC. Roughly 12-13 tons to orbit.

Perun M-III - Same as above, with two sets of boosters and enlarged fairing. Brings 15 tons to orbit.

Perun M-IV - a M-III with four sets of boosters instead of two. 18 tons capacity.

Perun M-SA /Block 3 - Ariane 5 replica that doesn't actually look like an Ariane. Oh well- its part count is high enough as it is. There are two versions - one has a lengthened fairing which easily fits an orange tank, but it also adds another 24 parts to the ~350 count. Both versions can put 30 tons into a low orbit with enough fuel to perform rendezvous maneuvers.

Edit: Or right, I forgot. You can use the Abort action group to release fairings independently of staging. Action group 1 decouples the payload in models using docking ports

Some inside shots for good measure:

kdVqEpz.png

0X2fk8X.png

screenshot0_zpscfc49c62.png

WIP Rosetta

GYS37Kc.png

Fairing sep on the old M-SA Block 1

screenshot46_zps907e9311.png

...and on the old M-I

screenshot18_zpsdc82f6ab.png

Edited by Ravenchant
updated description and file link
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Ravenchant

Ravenchant

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Do they work with FAR?

No idea- guess I'll have to install it and find out.

Edit: tested with FAR. All parts inside the fairings show isShielded=False, which I guess means drag still affects them, but there wasn't any problem even with a Cupola- except for the S-EC, which keeps on flipping over even when empty (probably because of the widened front). On all the others, payload capacity is greatly improved.

So, bottom line- Four work just fine, one is broken.

Edited by Ravenchant
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KvickFlygarn87

KvickFlygarn87

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No idea- guess I'll have to install it and find out.

Edit: tested with FAR. All parts inside the fairings show isShielded=False, which I guess means drag still affects them, but there wasn't any problem even with a Cupola- except for the S-EC, which keeps on flipping over even when empty (probably because of the widened front). On all the others, payload capacity is greatly improved.

So, bottom line- Four work just fine, one is broken.

Alright, thanks! They look really good!

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Ravenchant

Ravenchant

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Thanks for your feedback :)

An update- I added the M-II, which only has 12 tons capacity, but functions well both with and without FAR- more or less an alternative to the S-EC, it even uses the same fairing. I tried to make it look similar to Ariane 1.

DOWNLOAD V1.4 (updated link)

screenshot38_zps94132e48.png

Edited by Ravenchant
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Ravenchant

Ravenchant

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@Woopert- Thanks! No, Long march are one of the few rockets I didn't look up while searching for inspiration :P

Anyway, this is probably the last one for a while, M-III. It's identical to the last, only with additional solid boosters and a new fairing. If you fly it right, it should be able to bring 18 tons to low orbit :)

DOWNLOAD V1.4 (updated link)

screenshot41_zps9674f0ab.png

Edited by Ravenchant
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Ravenchant

Ravenchant

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Small update! But there will be more interesting stuff available soon :)

Changes:

  • changed the designation of M-III to M-IV and added a new M-III with only two booster sets (payload capacity is 15 tons)
  • ullage motors on the final stage of M-II, M-III and M-IV are now part of interstage and fall away with it
  • gave the M-II a new 3-part fairing (narrower, but longer; 9 panels give about 2.8m width, which is enough for 2.5m parts with mounted RCS)

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  • 2 weeks later...
Ravenchant

Ravenchant

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Welp, that took a while longer than planned. Nevertheless...

Changes:

  • Added M-V and M-SA Block 1 variants
  • S-II had an unsightly gap in its fairing. This has been fixed.

M-SA Block 1 (solid-assisted) [experimental for now! Not my fault if you explode!]

screenshot48_zps4e6bfe4d.png

This is currently the largest available variant, with a rating for 24 tons to low orbit -if you drop the fairing at 30 km and fly it well, you can push 25 tons, but just about. I based it off Ariane 5, but unfortunately there are no 2.5m solid boosters so this setup will have to be enough for now :P

As always, the upper stage can be controlled and deorbited after use, and please let me know if fairing release is problematic so I can improve it. There have been... some issues in the past. Warning: almost 340 parts!

M-V

I don't have any pictures of it at the moment, but it's an alternative for M-I for when you really want to keep your rockets slim, as there are no side-mounted boosters. Just one stack, classy and prone to breakage :D

Edited by Ravenchant
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Ravenchant

Ravenchant

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Good news, everyone!

...well, I guess that depends on your definition of "good". I've taken a short break from KSP the past ten days or so, got back today and began work on a M-SA Block II. The main improvement will be a better insertion stage, and more reliable fairing release.

Also- there will be payloads for it, to show that one doesn't need a huge rocket for most missions! Aside from the obvious ATV choice, what would you like to see or use? Probes? Station parts? Apollo style lander/CM? Comment away! :)

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Giggleplex777

Giggleplex777

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Good news, everyone!

...well, I guess that depends on your definition of "good". I've taken a short break from KSP the past ten days or so, got back today and began work on a M-SA Block II. The main improvement will be a better insertion stage, and more reliable fairing release.

Also- there will be payloads for it, to show that one doesn't need a huge rocket for most missions! Aside from the obvious ATV choice, what would you like to see or use? Probes? Station parts? Apollo style lander/CM? Comment away! :)

How about a Rosetta replica?

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  • 2 weeks later...
Ravenchant

Ravenchant

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So! It's been a while, hasn't it? :)

Therefore, without further ado, I give you...this link!

DOWNLOAD V1.6 (OUTDATED!)

Changes

  • M-V is no more. If you liked it, feel free to download the earlier versions, but I found it to be completely redundant and lacking in "charme" :rolleyes:
  • instead, I added the S-III; a halfway point between S-II and S-EC
  • the other "larger" addition is the second block of M-SA. More space in the fairing, max capacity raised by 3 tons and better release mechanism! (looks the same, though)
  • fixed the naming and descriptions of M-II, M-III and M-IV
  • some minor fixes on other craft

S-III in action. It can bring 8 tons to 80x80 orbit, a bit more it you fly carefully.

screenshot63_zps9c2b8485.png

screenshot62_zps39c828ae.png

Korolev cross! Well...-ish, in any case. But wait, why is there a LES bolted on? That's for you to find out! (I included a manned version) Further payloads will probably follow :)

Happy launching!

Edited by Ravenchant
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  • 2 months later...
Ravenchant

Ravenchant

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Erm. I came back to KSP again after a short pause, and noticed something disturbing: in 0.24, the M-SA explodes upon separating the upper stage. Not just "disintegrates" either, it just goes up in a cloud of smoke and debris.

So any payloads in the works have been put on hiatus until I resolve the issue :)

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Ravenchant

Ravenchant

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Okay, almost done. The subassemblies seem to work as intended, and I'll post the updated files tomorrow :P

Here's an exploded view:

screenshot0_zpscfc49c62.png

Changes to M-SA (Block 2 -> Block 3):

  • New SRBs! They are 25% heavier now (made from 4 large boosters each instead of 3), have redone caps and an optional parachute recovery system.
  • Entirely redone upper stage; widened to a 3.75m tank and powered by a Skipper; as before with integrated probe core, batteries and SAS.
  • The upper stage now has a RCS system as well, allowing for precise orbital adjustments without drawing monopropellant from the payload
  • Raised lifting capacity; manages about 30 tons to a 150x150 orbit.
  • Elongated the fairing by about 2 panels. An orange tank now fits easily.

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