Three Kerbal SNC 'DreamChaser' and Atlas V variant

[Majorjim!]

Hi all,

I have FINALLY finished my three kerbal DreamChaser! Phew.

I am using the Mk3 Cockpit which is very heavy. Making this thing glide was a real headache!

I solved it with lashings of clipped wings and reaction wheels and as the KSP aerodynamic model is so simple This is sadly the only way

to make a lifting body type shape in KSP.

This will exist alongside my much smaller single Kerbal DreamChaser as that one is fun to fly too!

I made a simple Atlas V to launch the DC into orbit. I have seen pictures of the DC atop an Atlas V with and without boosters.

This one is using two SR boosters and cannot lift off without them.

The RCS ports are placed correctly for even translation when docking. Its a fun craft to fly and very satisfying to land!

To the pictures!

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HOW TO FLY

-Throttle up to max, ASAS on, press space

-Stage SRBs as soon as they burn out

-Start a slow turn east @180 m/s **(Due to the number of wing surfaces needed the turn needs a gentle touch)

-Aim to reach 500 m/s at 45 degrees

-Turn towards horizon as speed increases

-Ditch Second stage core when depleted

-Turn just below the horizon for the third stage

-Stay around 130,000 ap

-Keep pe just below pe and ditch third stage (This will result in no debris)

-Use the motors on the DC shuttle to circularize and then for reentry

-As long as you time your reentry correctly it is quite easy to land

Good luck!

Thank you for looking!

Please do let me know if anyone encounters any bugs or problems.

MJ

DOWNLOAD

Edited June 25, 2014 by Majorjim

[Woopert]

Downloaded now, I'll give it a go.

Which pictures did you see with an Atlas V with boosters? They may just have been fuel lines or something. DC uses Atlas V 402. It looks like you made an Atlas V 421. Not that it matters, though -- you got it working in-game so that's all I care about.

Edited June 25, 2014 by Woopert

[Majorjim!]

Downloaded now, I'll give it a go.

Cool, thanks Woopert!

Which pictures did you see with an Atlas V with boosters?

Seeing as no real one has been launched one with boosters is just as likely.

MJ

[Woopert]

Apparently the Dream Chaser has a mass of 11.3 mT (Wikipedia).

I think those are older concepts, possibly. Now that more work has been done on the project I think they can better estimate the mass of the Dream Chaser, which is 11.3 mT as of now. Atlas V 402 can lift 12.5 mT to low Earth orbit.

It looks fine though, I like the boosters since they add cool effects. :-)

[Majorjim!]

Apparently the Dream Chaser has a mass of 11.3 mT (Wikipedia).

I think those are older concepts, possibly. Now that more work has been done on the project I think they can better estimate the mass of the Dream Chaser, which is 11.3 mT as of now. Atlas V 402 can lift 12.5 mT to low Earth orbit.

It looks fine though, I like the boosters since they add cool effects. :-)

Ok, I see. I will see if I can make it like that. I do like the boosters too, they add some drama!

[spaceman1999]

What is the nose made of? And drat! You beat me to it.

[Majorjim!]

What is the nose made of? And drat! You beat me to it.

Hi spaceman1999! The nose is made from the 'Standard NC' nosecones. And are you working on one too?

[Claw]

I will probably download it when I get my computer back, but in the mean time: As always, Nice Job!

Are you able to upload another pic or two of just the lifting body? (Like maybe from the top front.) It's hard to see the details on the spine and belly.

Again, nice work.

[GusTurbo]

Totally awesome! I'll have to give this a try. I've tried (and failed) at making a Dreamchaser in the past, so this is exciting.

[Majorjim!]

Totally awesome! I'll have to give this a try. I've tried (and failed) at making a Dreamchaser in the past, so this is exciting.

Thanks Gus! I'm hoping people wont find the first stage too much of a handful. She will want to rise up or down during the turn so little taps will keep it

on track.

If you test it let me know how you get on.

[Majorjim!]

I will probably download it when I get my computer back, but in the mean time: As always, Nice Job!

Are you able to upload another pic or two of just the lifting body? (Like maybe from the top front.) It's hard to see the details on the spine and belly.

Again, nice work.

Thanks Claw, I will add some more tomorrow and maybe a video too.

Have fun!

[Woopert]

If anyone's interested in seeing it in action I made a little "cinematic" for it.

Cheers for making the design, Majorjim!

[Majorjim!]

Thank you Woopert!

NOTICE: Seeing Wooperts video made me realise I uploaded the wrong one.. It's mission capable but the correct one has better RCS port placement and more fuel.

I will update the link asap.

MJ

[Majorjim!]

Ok, done.

I loved the vid Woopert, a really nice job considering you made it as you flew!

[Woopert]

Ok, done.

I loved the vid Woopert, a really nice job considering you made it as you flew!

Yeah, most of it was me flying through knowing it would fail to grab the footage, then flying through again to get to the next part of the mission.

I also used MechJeb once I was out of the atmosphere (so the rocket wouldn't tumble over) and I used it for docking, though I did set up the rendezvous manually. For the landing, the screen was to obscured by clouds to accurately gauge where to de-orbit, so I came up short. When I wasn't recording I had infinite fuel and RCS on, both for in-orbit operations and for getting the extra boost to land. I also used hacked gravity to get enough distance to land (though I disabled it for the video footage scenes).

Of course it would be much easier to fly without trying to record at the same time.

Edited July 6, 2014 by Woopert

[Majorjim!]

Yeah, most of it was me flying through knowing it would fail to grab the footage, then flying through again to get to the next part of the mission.

I also used MechJeb once I was out of the atmosphere (so the rocket wouldn't tumble over) and I used it for docking, though I did set up the rendezvous manually. For the landing, the screen was to obscured by clouds to accurately gauge where to de-orbit, so I came up short. When I wasn't recording I had infinite fuel and RCS on, both for in-orbit operations and for getting the extra boost to land. I also used hacked gravity to get enough distance to land (though I disabled it for the video footage scenes).

Of course it would be much easier to fly without trying to record at the same time.

I though so about the mechjeb, I remember it making craft wobble like that.

What do you mean by "so the rocket wouldn't tumble over"? During ascent? I found that little taps kept the curve smooth and controllable.

Its all those surfaces..

I noticed you where short of the runway too. It can be so tricky to judge sometimes. Considering the glide path must be perfect.

I'm just glad you made it!

MJ

[Woopert]

I though so about the mechjeb, I remember it making craft wobble like that.

What do you mean by "so the rocket wouldn't tumble over"? During ascent? I found that little taps kept the curve smooth and controllable.

MJ

I tried using MechJeb fully during launch so I could control the camera but MechJeb couldn't control it during the early parts of the launch very well. I waited until it was high enough so the atmosphere wasn't affecting the launch much.

[Majorjim!]

I tried using MechJeb fully during launch so I could control the camera but MechJeb couldn't control it during the early parts of the launch very well. I waited until it was high enough so the atmosphere wasn't affecting the launch much.

Yeah mechJeb is a bit of a noob when it comes to more complex craft.

How did you find the ascent when flown by hand?

[Woopert]

Yeah mechJeb is a bit of a noob when it comes to more complex craft.

How did you find the ascent when flown by hand?

I just had to hold back the pitch controls to keep it steady. Other than that it was pretty good.

[Majorjim!]

I just had to hold back the pitch controls to keep it steady. Other than that it was pretty good.

Ok cool. It is possible to balance it during the gravity turn. Little taps will hold it in a slow turn, no wobble. But after having launched it over 20

times I think that's just because of practice!

Did you see how many reaction wheels I put inside the shuttle? 6..

Anyone know of diminishing returns with reaction wheels?

[TheScareCake!]

Oh my god!!!

Edit: dude, thank you!!! I cant imagine how helpful it will be in the next ksp update.. Im more of a space stations guy..

BIG thanks!

Edited July 13, 2014 by TheScareCake!

[Majorjim!]

Oh my god!!!

Edit: dude, thank you!!! I cant imagine how helpful it will be in the next ksp update.. Im more of a space stations guy..

BIG thanks!

An absolute pleasure!

Let me know how you get on with it. I had to add a LOT of surfaces to make it glide so the launcher is thrown off by this. Its totally controllable, just takes practice.

[TheScareCake!]

Now, im waiting for someone to create a normal mk3 cockpit mod with a normal iva.

[Majorjim!]

Now, im waiting for someone to create a normal mk3 cockpit mod with a normal iva.

I think there are some IVA mods for the capsules.

I don't remember what they are called though..

[montyben101]

Some guy (can't remember his name) made one but got so cross about spaceport getting shutdown and squad moving to curse he never uploaded them again. Shame, I still have it on my copmuter and it's really nice.