New build going... "Instant Space Station".

[Whackjob]

Thanks to an interesting technical challenge I ran into on another thread, I've finally designed a superpowerful engine cluster that can lift very heavy loads. One the Kraken doesn't instantly shred on the launch pad. Yes, using all stock parts and some creative non-debug-menu clipping.

I'm a little shocked with how powerful these are. Those stacks are just under two times the internal height of the VAB. And, good lord! As you can see, it'd be the first I'd have to throttle down during launch for the sake of fuel conservation.

In the end there will be more than just these three stacks, and it will feature vegetable.

#EDIT: I still can't get over how absurd this all is.

#EDIT2: Another fun technical challenge, also solved: With such large stacks, I cannot simply let them go. They have to be shoved aside. They're too long and they always strike the central column. So I'll need seperatrons. I've made custom seperatrons before, but the nature of this build demands they be on the inside portion, not stick out a lot, and absolutely NOT destroy other stacks with their thrust. So... this:

Made a mock-up of a stack, gave it the same proximity, and gave it a whirl. Worked like a charm. Build continues!

Edited June 22, 2014 by Whackjob

[uui8457]

How many tones does it lift to LKO?

[Duxwing]

O_O Dang it, whackjob, you're going to have to start paying for the holes in my floor: I doggone dropped my jaw again! Are you using eight LV-T30s as sepratrons?

-Duxwing

[Whackjob]

Are you using eight LV-T30s as sepratrons?

... maybe.

How many tones does it lift to LKO?

Not gonna have any idea until the build is done. The idea mostly is that this will be a one-launch fuel depot or starship fuel and engine module. There's a docking point senior up top centre. I figure people can either build a starship with it or a space station. Or Munar lander or whatever.

#EDIT: Moved to spacecraft exchange? There's no spacecraft to exchange yet! I figured the point of this thread was to share the building tricks I'm coming up with. =\

Edited June 22, 2014 by Whackjob

[Javster]

"You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Whackjob again"

[Redshift OTF]

Can we see this engine cluster? It sounds intriguing.

[Whackjob]

Can we see this engine cluster? It sounds intriguing.

Yessir.

Here's how I made it. First I took the tiny strut cube. I put one on the tank. Then I place that engine on it where it has two nozzles and is also a fuel tank. Then I grab the cube, and make it a subcomponent. Then I change symmetry to x8, grab that subcomponent, place it on the engine, then rotate it so it's inside the tank. I lower it until the nozzles protrude. Purely for aesthetics, really. I then do this two more times at slightly different angles, for a total of twenty four of those engines for 48,000 thrust. The last and hard part is connecting fuel lines. Three times at 8x symmetry, I connect a hose outside the tank, then peek inside via creative camera work, and attach it to a tank.

End result? Vroom vroom.

#EDIT: Those end trusses are just a kickstand. Not using launch clamps.

#EDIT2: Ignore the fuel lines outside connecting to those truss boxes. That part was scrapped. Found out it didn't work and made the fuel flow break.

[Javster]

Whack, your rockets will get so big your sepatrons could get to orbit by themselves one day...

[cpast]

What engine is also a fuel tank?

[problemecium]

^ Kerbodyne Liquid Booster.

[ScriptKitt3h]

Words cannot describe how awesome this is.... now send an entire (smaller) rocket (as the payload) to orbit using a launcher with this!

*And yes, that is a direct challenge.

[Whackjob]

*And yes, that is a direct challenge.

Brother, with this I could send a rocket on a rocket on a rocket on a rocket on a munar rover on a munar lander.

[Kerbayashi Maru]

Next up : Relocating the Kerbal Space Center to LKO?

[ScriptKitt3h]

Brother, with this I could send a rocket on a rocket on a rocket on a rocket on a munar rover on a munar lander.

DO IT. Heck, you might even be able to launch a mini-Grand Tour ship with landers and other goodies preattached!

[kmMango]

Holy mother of kraken. WHY!!!? Why do you need that much thrust? What could you possibly need that much lifting power for?!

[Whackjob]

I haven't even begun on that build haha. But will be shortly.

Challenge 2 of the Kerbal Cup is up. One I don't have interest in. So! No distractions. Back to this build!

[ZeObsidianKraken]

im currentley too shocked by that engine cluster to say much (partly because ive also dropped my jaw) so i will say this:

that is perhaps the greatest engine ive ever seen.

[problemecium]

With that I'm tempted to think you could get a class E that you've landed at KSC back into space.

[Whackjob]

im currentley too shocked by that engine cluster to say much (partly because ive also dropped my jaw) so i will say this:

that is perhaps the greatest engine ive ever seen.

Cooked this up and am considering releasing it as a subassembly launcher for folks. 136,000 thrust.

#EDIT: Apparently I'm an idiot who can't math. Those at the bottom are three WJMx24 motors, each with 48,000 thrust. So that's 144,000 thrust.

Edited June 23, 2014 by Whackjob

[Whackjob]

Ok, think I got curse figured out. Uploaded the Whackjob fun pack #1. Has a bunch of cluster engines, two launch systems, and my custom seperatron. Will link if they don't shoot that one down also.

[Needles_10]

Whackjob, I don't know how you're doing this, but you have all of my support in doing it.

[Whackjob]

Wait, upload actually worked... so here's files.

http://kerbal.curseforge.com/shareables/221701-whackjob-fun-pack-1

[kmMango]

Now the important question: what are you going to do with that behemoth?