[RSS] To The Moon And Back - RSS Manned Lunar Program Challenge

[Nicholander]

To The Moon And Back - RSS Manned Lunar Program Challenge

It's the height of the space race, the late 1960's and your nation on earth has developed the tools and technology to explore the reaches of space, and now it seems there is only one thing left: Land a man on the moon and return him safely to the earth. Your space agency has the funding, the crew, and the cause to land on the moon. Now you just have to design and fly the ship there and back... This challenge uses, well, obviously, the real solar system mod which can be downloaded here: http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/55145-0-23-5-Real-Solar-System-v6-2-6-1-14

What you're supposed to do is design and fly a space race style manned lunar program to land on the moon and land safely back on earth, sorta like Apollo and the Soviet N1-L3 lunar programs. Basically build a space race style lunar program. And it does not have to be the Lunar Orbit Rendezvous, it can Earth Orbit Rendezvous, Direct Ascent, etc. (I think that is a good explanation, tell me if you're having trouble understanding it)

Rules:

You must use Real Solar System, because that's the whole point of this challenge; to land on the Moon, not the Mun.

No hyperedit or other super cheat mods.

You must post pictures in your entries into this, or put a video. It's just that saying it isn't as trust worthy, and it'd be cool if you could put some craft files for the crafts you used in your entry.

You're allowed to use any mods you want, as long as there not super cheat mod like I said before.

Achievements/Mini-Challenges (I don't really know how to make a good point system, so these are things I'll put in your leader board entry, though you really don't have to achieve them)

Practice makes perfect: Fly some test missions before the actual Lunar landing. (Like Apollo 7,8,9 and 10)

To the moon and back: After you land on the on the moon in one of your missions, due to some way or another (Preferably accidentally) not be able to return to earth.

All on board: (If you're using a separate Lunar lander in your design), have it have all the crew on board during the landing, so everyone gets to walk on the moon!

Here to stay level 1: Leave behind some science experiments on the Lunar surface. (No you don't need career mode, i mean like the Apollo Lunar Surface Experiments Package (ALSEP). If you don't know what that is, then Google it.)

Here to stay level 2: Leave behind some stuff that can be used for a Lunar base in the future. (You can return to it in an Apollo Applications Program like thing... which you're encouraged to do)

It's complicated...: If your Lunar mission is using more then one launch (Like Earth orbit rendezvous), have it have 5 or more launches.

BEEP BEEP!: Bring a Lunar rover to the Lunar surface, and drive 2 or more kilometers.

Just in case...: Have a small little craft that can be detached from the side of the Lunar landing craft (If you have one, i really don't see a point in this if it's direct ascent), and go to the orbiting craft if the Lunar lander can't take off, like the Lunar EScape Systems (LESS).

Just a little visit: Land next to an unmanned Lunar landing probe in your Lunar landing.

Grasshopper: After you land on the Moon, "hop" around the Moon, lifting off and landing on a different location, if you're still confused what this is look at Hattivat's entry.

Apollo Applications Program Style Mini-Challenges/Achievements: These missions are missions to not just land on the Moon, but go much further. You're supposed to use hardware based around the stuff you used to land a man on the Moon, so don't just make an entirely new thing from scratch.

A science lab in SPAAAAACE!!!: Have an orbital space station, like Skylab or Salyut. (Can have a few multiple small modules attached, but it's not supposed to be like Mir or the ISS)

Here to stay level 3: Make a Lunar base, which can have crew regularly changed/swapped. (Optional Lunar Space Station)

Earths evil twin: Send a manned flyby mission to Venus.

Pale Red Dot: Send a manned landing mission to Mars, which can be preceded by manned flybys and orbital missions.

Preventing the apocalypse: redirect and Earth bound asteroid.

The giant of the solar system: Send a manned mission to 1 or more of Jupiter's moons.

Man it's hot in here!: Send a manned mission to Mercury.

The lord of the rings: Send a manned mission to any of Saturn's moons, or you can send crew to all it's moons!

Leader-board: I will rank it by how many achievements/mini-challenges an entry has gotten, and you can update your entry if you want. (Though I really should try to make a point system, and i really think the point of this is to share our awesome manned Lunar programs in RSS)

LEADER-BOARD:

1. Von Ziegendorf: Just a little visit, Earths evil twin, Pale Red Dot, The giant of the solar system (Callisto), All on board, BEEP BEEP, Here to stay Level 1, Here to stay Level 3, Just in case..., The lord of the rings, Man it's hot in here!

2. Genius Evil: Grasshopper, A science lab in SPAAAAACE!!!

3. Hattivat: BEEP BEEP!

4. Vigelius: A science lab in SPAAAAACE!!!, Here to stay level 3 (With space station)

5. Redrobin

6. Sirine

7. Overfloater: Didn't use FAR and got no achievements/mini-challenges, but still good.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

Tell me if you think there is anything wrong or something I could improve about this challenge!

Edited September 21, 2014 by Nicholander
Gave Von Ziegendorf "Man it's hot in here!"

[Overfloater]

Ooh! I have a direct moon lander.

I didn't take pictures of everything, as I was just testing/messing around -

On launch it had 6 solid boosters.

The only mod I used was RSS. No FAR or anything else... I'm okay with stock aerodynamics

Here's it's craft file.

If you don't trust this I could make a video. Sometime... x-D

[Nicholander]

Ooh! I have a direct moon lander.

I didn't take pictures of everything, as I was just testing/messing around -

On launch it had 6 solid boosters.

The only mod I used was RSS. No FAR or anything else... I'm okay with stock aerodynamics

http://i.imgur.com/HYqNhAh.jpg

Here's it's craft file.

If you don't trust this I could make a video. Sometime... x-D

I Like it, but i really think that the entries should have FAR, because that's how RSS is supposed to be. But it's okay, you'll be on the leader board.

[xrayfishx]

The challenge is about a Moon landing, yet you have achievements not related to Moon in any way. Leave those for another challenge. As for me, I might try my Constellation challenge Altair here. Be right back (as long as it doesn't crash again).

[Redrobin]

Here's mine. I did it a while ago with MechJeb, FAR and RSS only. I don't think I did any of the achievements.

Yes, they did make it back, but I had to have them get out and push. Sorry I didn't document the whole thing.

[Nicholander]

Here's mine. I did it a while ago with MechJeb, FAR and RSS only. I don't think I did any of the achievements.

http://i.imgur.com/qeGpBSx.png

http://i.imgur.com/tbeOfYD.png

http://i.imgur.com/Rb579ea.png

http://i.imgur.com/mDpXiOz.png

Yes, they did make it back, but I had to have them get out and push. Sorry I didn't document the whole thing.

Cool! It does not matter if you did not document the whole thing. I like it that the descent stage was flipping around.

[Nicholander]

The challenge is about a Moon landing, yet you have achievements not related to Moon in any way. Leave those for another challenge. As for me, I might try my Constellation challenge Altair here. Be right back (as long as it doesn't crash again).

*Facepalm* do you even see the words: Apollo Applications Program Style Mini-Challenges/Achievements

The achievements above that are Lunar. The ones below that are ones using Manned Lunar Landing derived technology to go to other places. It's that simple.

[Redrobin]

Cool! It does not matter if you did not document the whole thing. I like it that the descent stage was flipping around.

I ran out of fuel about 25 meters above the moon's surface when landing and staged it away.

[von Ziegendorf]

I waited for such a challenge Mods that I'm using are: FAR, JR, DR, TAC LS (since Venus flyby), MechJeb2 and a few others. I have many films and almost no pictures from any of those missions, but here is my entry:

Instead of using always the same hardware I was developing bigger rockets - just like von Braun would do During the whole program I was trying to master the Square Launcher Technology. It was all about how big can I make them. In real life they have budget restrictions. I had part count limit - because my laptop could barely handle >300 part crafts - and that made the game more challenging. I started career mode in 0.23 and some older version of RSS. After a lot of science points grinding I unlocked mainsails and LV-Ns...

First 'heavy' launcher. It was capable of delivering ~32 tons to LEO. Using nuclear engines it was possible to send one kerbal to the Moon with some science equipment and bring him back.

I was even able to do a targetted landing next to an old science probe.

But to get further in the Solar System I needed heavier rockets. Here you see ~55 tons launcher. It was intended to lift mostly low part count payload, like fuel tanks, or transfer stages.

Full (but not so comprehensive) album:RSS career (sort of)

I got bored in career mode so started a sandbox game. I took the biggest rocket and added another stage. More mainsails! More orange tanks! The next rocket lifted 82 tons, which was just right to make Apollo-style Moon landing without nuclear engines.

Then I switched to 0.23.5 and RSS 6.0 and I got even bigger parts! I rebuilt the lunar rocket and it had higher payload capability (~105t). To practice spaceflights before trip to Mars I made manned Venus flyby.

At this point the Square Launcher Technology was mature. Here you see Mars launcher - the reliable rocket capable of lifting up to 200 tons to LEO (although designed originally for ~160t).

Apollo-style manned Mars landing! The actual landing on the surface was extremely fuel-tight but finally I did it.

But I aimed further To be honest all those flights before were made to gather experience and develop that super-lifter. To make this possible:

It's a two part film because of the increased complexity.

I hope you enjoyed my RSS space program summary. I'm looking towards the Saturn system at the moment, but this will take a while

[Nicholander]

I waited for such a challenge Mods that I'm using are: FAR, JR, DR, TAC LS (since Venus flyby), MechJeb2 and a few others. I have many films and almost no pictures from any of those missions, but here is my entry:

Instead of using always the same hardware I was developing bigger rockets - just like von Braun would do During the whole program I was trying to master the Square Launcher Technology. It was all about how big can I make them. In real life they have budget restrictions. I had part count limit - because my laptop could barely handle >300 part crafts - and that made the game more challenging. I started career mode in 0.23 and some older version of RSS. After a lot of science points grinding I unlocked mainsails and LV-Ns...

First 'heavy' launcher. It was capable of delivering ~32 tons to LEO. Using nuclear engines it was possible to send one kerbal to the Moon with some science equipment and bring him back.

http://i.imgur.com/aW9TwtZ.png

I was even able to do a targetted landing next to an old science probe.

http://i.imgur.com/8o0fTsm.png

But to get further in the Solar System I needed heavier rockets. Here you see ~55 tons launcher. It was intended to lift mostly low part count payload, like fuel tanks, or transfer stages.

http://i.imgur.com/jU3GcCS.png

Full (but not so comprehensive) album:RSS career (sort of)

I got bored in career mode so started a sandbox game. I took the biggest rocket and added another stage. More mainsails! More orange tanks! The next rocket lifted 82 tons, which was just right to make Apollo-style Moon landing without nuclear engines.

Then I switched to 0.23.5 and RSS 6.0 and I got even bigger parts! I rebuilt the lunar rocket and it had higher payload capability (~105t). To practice spaceflights before trip to Mars I made manned Venus flyby.

At this point the Square Launcher Technology was mature. Here you see Mars launcher - the reliable rocket capable of lifting up to 200 tons to LEO (although designed originally for ~160t).

http://i.imgur.com/QbOVNwN.png

Apollo-style manned Mars landing! The actual landing on the surface was extremely fuel-tight but finally I did it.

But I aimed further To be honest all those flights before were made to gather experience and develop that super-lifter. To make this possible:

It's a two part film because of the increased complexity.

I hope you enjoyed my RSS space program summary. I'm looking towards the Saturn system at the moment, but this will take a while

Just WOW. What do i say. Your stuff just blew my mind. Man, your good at KSP! So for now you're number 1. on the leader boards. FANTASTIC! (I'm still trying to do this challenge myself, and I've barley managed to get a 2 crew capsule into LEO,and it's rocket handles like rubbish)

EDIT: Also, in your Nuclear Ares Mars video, the Mars seems different then what i do of using texture replacer on Duna. If you're using a special Mars mini-mod for RSS, can you give me a link?

Edited June 20, 2014 by Nicholander

[Hattivat]

Not going to participate myself (haven't yet landed anywhere other than Earth in RSS/RO), but I gotta say, this Callisto mission is some serious orbit pr0n. I mean, watching these elegant maneuvers is already a pleasure in itself, even without taking the mission itself into consideration.

[von Ziegendorf]

Also, in your Nuclear Ares Mars video, the Mars seems different then what i do of using texture replacer on Duna. If you're using a special Mars mini-mod for RSS, can you give me a link?

Hmmm... To be clear, I'm using RSS + Planet Factory config, but I don't use universe replacer. I think I only downloaded RSS with textures and put them into KSP folder. If I did anything more I don't remember it.

[Sirine]

A failure that can be prevent.

(However I'm not expecting a success return from Moon the very 1st times, and, after 4 times of F9, thats the best that it get).

Using following mods.

Javascript is disabled. View full album

[Nicholander]

A failure that can be prevent.

(However I'm not expecting a success return from Moon the very 1st times, and, after 4 times of F9, thats the best that it get).

Using following mods.

http://i.imgur.com/cKZuAo0.jpg

http://imgur.com/a/CXTkO

Nice! You're on the leader board, and it's okay that you didn't get any pictures of the launch.

[Nicholander]

Hmmm... To be clear, I'm using RSS + Planet Factory config, but I don't use universe replacer. I think I only downloaded RSS with textures and put them into KSP folder. If I did anything more I don't remember it.

Can you give me a link to these RSS textures? And i also noticed how Venus looks so good in your Venus flyby video.

[Overfloater]

...i really think that the entries should have FAR, because that's how RSS is supposed to be....

Ah. okay.

4. Overfloater: Didn't use FAR and got no achievements/mini-challenges, but still good.

Good enough! thank you

[von Ziegendorf]

I think this is it: post in RSS thread, also grab the clouds plugin but I don't remember where to look for RSS config

[Nicholander]

Ah. okay.

Good enough! thank you

Yeah, and i do certainly like the clever way you did the landing legs.

[Genius Evil]

This is a two-launch, direct ascent mission that I did a few weeks ago. The first launch is the habitat the astronauts spend most of the mission in, and the second is the lander.

Javascript is disabled. View full album

[Nicholander]

VERY GOOD JOB!!! I'll edit the leader board in the morning, as it's a pain in the neck to use this Kindle Fire to do it.

[Skyler4856]

This is a two-launch, direct ascent mission that I did a few weeks ago. The first launch is the habitat the astronauts spend most of the mission in, and the second is the lander.

If you don't mind me asking, which mods are you using?

[Genius Evil]

If you don't mind me asking, which mods are you using?

The Realism Overhaul package (RSS, RO, FAR, Realfuels, etc)

Procedural Parts

KW Rocketry, Novapunch, and AIES Aerospace (with Reaching for the Stars configs)

FASA Gemini, with Red8vr's realism patches

ECLSS Life Support

Procedural Fairings

Blackheart612's Procedural Parts & Procedural Fairings textures (really great textures)

and Ferram4's Saturn and Nova Textures (also awesome).

Also Infernal Robotics and Kerbal Attachment System.

[Skyler4856]

The Realism Overhaul package (RSS, RO, FAR, Realfuels, etc)

Procedural Parts

KW Rocketry, Novapunch, and AIES Aerospace (with Reaching for the Stars configs)

FASA Gemini, with Red8vr's realism patches

ECLSS Life Support

Procedural Fairings

Blackheart612's Procedural Parts & Procedural Fairings textures (really great textures)

and Ferram4's Saturn and Nova Textures (also awesome).

Also Infernal Robotics and Kerbal Attachment System.

Thank you,

[Vigelius]

Doesn't hit any achievements, but here's my Apollo-style Moon mission from a couple of weeks ago:

Javascript is disabled. View full album

Modlist: * Real Solar System * Real Engines * Real Fuels * Procedural Parts * Procedural Fairings * Ferram Aerospace Research * Deadly Re-Entry * MechJeb * NovaPunch * AIES Aerospace * KW Rocketry * Lazor Docking Cam * SafeChute * Kerbal Alarm Clock * KSPX * B9 Aerospace * Kerbal Attachment System * Final Frontier *

[Nicholander]

Not bad... Not bad indeed. You certainly did a great job!