Kerbodyne Launch Systems

[Salda007]

Hey all! Thought I\'d put up some of my stock designs here. These first two are .14x4 craft files, which should still be entirely compatible.

To start, the Faraway-1. Originally built for Kerbol-escape missions, it has been readily adapted as heavy Mun-transit lifter, delivering the Munpod-1 with capability to spare. It is presented here in this configuration (known as the Faraway-Munpod-1).

Faraway-Munpod-1 on the pad.

Liftoff!

Munpod-1 delivered to its destination with almost a full tank remaining.

Recent concerns have been raised about potential debris issues, as trans-Munar launches tend to leave the six inner boosters in a highly elliptical orbit that does not naturally decay. KLS researchers have put 'develop updated launcher that doesn\'t leave spare bits in orbit' on their to-do list. No, seriously, it\'s on there.

To use the Faraway-1 component with your own upper stages, detach at the stack decoupler just above the ASAS. Make sure staging is preserved; all LFEs should be firing from launch, and the radials should dump stages from the outside in as tanks are emptied. I have thoughts on how to optimize the design for boosting large/heavy objects to LKO; if they pan out I\'ll put it up.

The Faraway-1\'s primary payload has been the Munpod-1. Built due to increasing complaints by Jeb about having to land 'dinky little things' on the Mun, our designers went on a bender and slapped this five-tank, five-engine, 33.8 ton monster together. The new LV-909s were held up due to development delays when the Munpod-1 was being developed, so it uses the well-tested, reliable (heh) LV-T45 instead. Surprisingly, it handles remarkably well, with the five gimballing engines providing excellent control in the absence of RCS or ASAS.

Shown above riding the Faraway-1, below are some shots of just the Munpod-1.

Munpod-1 on the pad for development tests.

As mentioned, it handles extremely well on landing, although throttle should be used sparingly.

A safe landing and a happy crew!

Melwise was extremely proud of this photograph. Philford was just mad he wouldn\'t let him be in it.

The Munpod-1 also has an excellent survivability. The eight lander legs provide excellent redundancy, should some be lost on a rough or uneven landing. The pictured mission even saw all four of the outer LV-T45s destroyed (due to the terrain collision bug when I resumed the flight). The remaining central engine was handily able to return our noble Kerbalnauts safely.

More ships will go up as I get designs finalized and screen-shotted. Cheers!

[Salda007]

As promised, the modified Faraway-Heavy heavy-lifter. In a test flight, it boosted over 55T of payload to LKO.

Also attached is the standalone Faraway-1 Mun launcher .craft, for anyone looking for it.