Kerbodyne SSTO Division: Omnibus Thread

[KerBlam]

Or instead of monoprop engines, sepratrons. Because who doesn't love RATOL?

That's some of the loosest shtuff I've seen. Whoever piloted that was a lunatic.

[eddiew]

What's better: building, flying, or building then flying?

Build then fly is good. I liked your prograde mistake too, that's such a trap since 0.90 Be fun to see you trying out the MKIV spaceplanes, SXT or B9 components as well, just for variety ^^

And since you mention it in your flight vid, any chance of using some time during the next one to discuss how to configure SAS PID? I have Pilot Assistant (presumably the same mod) installed, but the raw numbers mean nothing to me, and it doesn't seem as good at controlling the plane as I am... I tell it to give me a vertical speed of 30 m/s, and it'll lose altitude, but if I take over I can easily pull the nose up to ascend. Probably user error, but really annoying x(

[WhiteKnuckle]

Video criticism/suggestions:

First off, they're very good for someone just starting out. It's tough to be clear, coherent, and not completely boring. And for the most part you've got that down. I think the only real problems are technical ones, editing, sound quality and the like. And it sounds like you're already addressing these.

As for what would be cool to see: You've done a vid on how you design a ship, and that's great, but a lot of people design their own ships and then wonder why they don't work right. So maybe a video showing some common problems (lawn darting, backfliping, ect) then go back to the SPH and show what those problems look like in the FAR menu and the CoM/CoL display, and how to go about fixing them.

Other than that, maybe a video (series?) on doing a large interplanetary mission using only spaceplanes, go to Duna, Eve or Laythe.

Keep up the good work!

[Behemoth1702]

Mr. Wanderfound - still waiting for a response to this:

Wanderfound, any chance you could make yourself (and for some keen customers) a space shuttle? I know you're the plane guy but someone with so much knowledge about aerodynamics could probably produce a very amazing space shuttle!

I know FAR has one but I wonder what you would come up with!

Would be great material for a YT vid as well I believe, since space shuttles are so fascinating to the KSP community it seems.

Thanks in advance!

[Wanderfound]

A new build video, shorter this time:

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The shuttle is on the list. I might do one on symmetrical vertical SSTOs first, though.

I've already started a Duna run; the first leg's video is on the laptop, awaiting commentary.

[KerBlam]

Here ya go Wanderfound, my first ever spaceplane voyage, and I survived! In the Alkahest. Good pick it was very nice and easy to fly after the Kerbotrainer!

Unfortunately, I have a flag on my runway but for whatever reason in map view it was blacked out and I couldn't target it, and I missed KSC by a whole continent, but still managed to land undamaged on the side of a mountain..

Very satisfied... Thanks for the help.

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[WhiteKnuckle]

I've already started a Duna run; the first leg's video is on the laptop, awaiting commentary.

Cool.

Watched the latest vid, getting better.

[FleshJeb]

Yeah, I realise they run on a bit. The ones I'm doing today are getting edited down; I recorded an hour-long commentary, then realised that it sucked, so I cut the vid down to 30 minutes and I'm about to redo the voiceover.

I'm new to the whole DIY video thing; the last time I recorded video involved a TV crew.

Glad y'all are liking them, though.

What's better: building, flying, or building then flying?

No sweat. Gotta start somewhere, and they're quite good.

Build & Fly, but use time acceleration liberally.

Or instead of monoprop engines, sepratrons. Because who doesn't love RATOL?

Manley did it:

[Behemoth1702]

Thanks for the shuttle in advance, Wander! Glad you noted it down. I'm patient.

Liking your videos, subbed! It's true that not everyone enjoys watching videos over 15min but sometimes there is a place and time for that. For example - boring evening, grab some food and drinks and watch all the long videos I have pushed aside during the week.

God damn nerdism of my generation.

[Wanderfound]

For trivia value: Wanderfound's (AKA Dr Motbey) previous video appearance:

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BTW: I have lots of people who pop in to this thread to say that they like my designs, and that's really awesome. Thank you all for dropping by to say nice things.

What I don't have, however, is a lot of people to fly against. When I put up a challenge, I usually get a lot of stock flyers, but barely any of the FARisti. I'm more of a designer than a pilot; my times aren't that hard to beat. And beating the times isn't the point, anyway; I try to design my challenges as things that are fun to try even if you aren't that fast. I also try to design them as things that provide good piloting training.

So, if you like my ships, see if you can help out the Kerbodyne brand by showing what they can do. Or bring your own; it's always nice to see other people's ideas.

Challenges open:

Touch & Go Racing http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/107682-Kerbodyne-Touch-Go-Racing-League

Loop and Land http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/107547-The-Kerbodyne-Loop-Land-Sprint

Upgoers http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/90354-Spaceplane-speed-challenge-shortest-elapsed-time-from-runway-to-orbit

Cratermakers http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/91511-Spaceplane-Speed-Challenge-2-Fastest-time-from-orbit-to-runway

Up & Down http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/94343-Spaceplane-Speed-Challenge-IV-Up-and-Down

Aerobatics http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/106723-Kerbodyne-Aerobatics-Championships

Edited January 23, 2015 by Wanderfound

[KerBlam]

I'm pretty average but I will have a go... I'll put some times up soon even if they're just for entertainment value.

[FleshJeb]

but barely any of the FARisti.

FARtists...

Also, would you mind taking a look at my nipples?

[Wanderfound]

Part 1 of the interplanetary flight:

[Captain Sierra]

I'd fly everything you build but there is a problem.

I cannot fly under FAR without my joystick and KSP does not like my joystick. When 0.91 comes around with massively improved analog control support and lack of simulated soup, I'll happily give your stuff a go (assuming FAR designs will actually transfer to stock KSP post aerohaul).

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Or instead of monoprop engines, sepratrons. Because who doesn't love RATOL?

I have embedded sepatrons in the nose of my heavier SSTOs before to lift the nose when even the canards could not provide enough leverage.

The result is a rather aggressive, and sometimes hairy, takeoff.

[blowfish]

(assuming FAR designs will actually transfer to stock KSP post aerohaul).

It's a fair bet that whatever Squad implements isn't going to be nearly as comprehensive as FAR. ferram4 expressed some worry that whatever changes they were making would break modability, but Squad has since stated that they will make sure that aerodynamic mods are still possible.

So FAR isn't going anywhere any time soon. With improvements to stock aero many people will probably see less reason to try FAR but it's existing user base isn't going anywhere.

[Wanderfound]

Flight test on the Labrys:

Edited January 24, 2015 by Wanderfound

[Wanderfound]

A fun little toy...

Kerbodyne Komet 2015

Craft file at https://www.dropbox.com/s/uxfmb9pnz3pqfvg/Kerbodyne%20Komet%202015.craft?dl=0

[Volcanix]

A fun little toy...

Kerbodyne Komet 2015

-snip-

Hey there

I built something pretty similar just an hour ago in order to accomplish a 'science data from space around Kerbin' contract. I've started a new spaceplane-only career save, and this thread is helping me out a lot! Thank you Wanderfound

By the way, look what I just found, it's pretty old but I think it's worth sharing.

http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/87950-Testing-times

That was a while ago, and I guess this post is where this thread came from 'I bet it's gonna be popular!'

-snip-

You should really make a thread where you post all of them. I bet its gonna be popular

That was on 15th August 2014, that is some time ago

Keep it up!

[WhiteKnuckle]

A fun little toy...

Kerbodyne Komet 2015

Inspired by the German WWII absurdity?

Wasn't that thing meant to be carried by a bomber? Hmm....

[Wanderfound]

Kerbodyne Komet R. To orbit, in a hurry, on a budget.

Craft file at https://www.dropbox.com/s/xhnpe0kndvdlpcw/Kerbodyne%20Komet%20R%202015.craft?dl=0

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Inspired by the German WWII absurdity?

Wasn't that thing meant to be carried by a bomber? Hmm....

There were some bomber-launched parasite fighters, but the Me-162 wasn't one of them. The whole point of the insanely overpowered rocket in the original Komet was so that they could get from runway to bomber height as rapidly as possible.

And, yeah, obviously inspired by.

Edited January 24, 2015 by Wanderfound

[Hodo]

Flight test on the Labrys:

http://youtu.be/6V1b5cGmrlE

I watched this video to see what you are doing differently than me in my designs. I noticed you were talking about the small wings on that craft, you have to remember that body style is also a lifting body design so the body of the craft acts as a wing in itself.

I REALLY liked your probe though, I may use a few mods and make it a bit more compact and copy the design.

[WhiteKnuckle]

Ahh, I get my Vundervepons mixed up sometimes, wacky Germans.

About your comments the other day about having enough competition in challenges, it's tough to be sure. It seems hard to get the right mix of fun/challenging. Too easy and it's boring, too hard and not enough people even try it. Personally, the reason I haven't entered any of yours is just because I am so freaking bored of flying around the KSC. I did Scarecrow's VTOL challenge just because I'm on a VTOL kick at the moment, but other than that Kerbin-side has spoiled me. I will be entering your Fairest of the All challenge though.

I keep thinking about making a Kerbin-side point-to-point racing league, but I have a feeling only 3 or 4 people would ever enter it. Hopefully Squad will at some point give us something like it in stock so people actually have places to fly to and from.

[Rune]

Kerbodyne Komet R. To orbit, in a hurry, on a budget.

http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah120/craigmotbey/Kerbal/Beta/Kerbodyne%20Showroom/Komet%202015/Komet%20R/screenshot8_zpsyfsbnjhy.png

http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah120/craigmotbey/Kerbal/Beta/Kerbodyne%20Showroom/Komet%202015/Komet%20R/screenshot9_zpsvfjkmmul.png

http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah120/craigmotbey/Kerbal/Beta/Kerbodyne%20Showroom/Komet%202015/Komet%20R/screenshot10_zpsr4gqoyfn.png

http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah120/craigmotbey/Kerbal/Beta/Kerbodyne%20Showroom/Komet%202015/Komet%20R/screenshot11_zps3l0zevgj.png

http://i1378.photobucket.com/albums/ah120/craigmotbey/Kerbal/Beta/Kerbodyne%20Showroom/Komet%202015/Komet%20R/screenshot12_zpsnbeequ95.png

Craft file at https://www.dropbox.com/s/xhnpe0kndvdlpcw/Kerbodyne%20Komet%20R%202015.craft?dl=0

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There were some bomber-launched parasite fighters, but the Me-162 wasn't one of them. The whole point of the insanely overpowered rocket in the original Komet was so that they could get from runway to bomber height as rapidly as possible.

And, yeah, obviously inspired by.

That is quite cool! A nice reversal of the trend to starve SSTOs of rocket TWR, and one that costs you almost nothing in empty weight once on orbit because the SRBs are so light. You must be hurting in atmospheric TWR, though.

Rune. Not your usual SSTO, that's for sure.

[Wanderfound]

That is quite cool! A nice reversal of the trend to starve SSTOs of rocket TWR, and one that costs you almost nothing in empty weight once on orbit because the SRBs are so light. You must be hurting in atmospheric TWR, though.

The twin-SRB version needs to climb a bit less steeply than you'd normally expect for something that small, but it accelerates fine once it's got some altitude. And, yeah: once the SRB has done its thing, you're pretty much left with a structural fuselage segment.

The main trick with them is just to put the SRBs close to CoM, to avoid disrupting the balance once they're burnt. Getting them to space is easy, getting them to a circular orbit requires a bit of piloting.

To use these as more than novelty ships, probably the best setup would be a single SRB hull flanked by a pair of RAPIERs. Best of both worlds.

[Wanderfound]

Demonstration Gull VTOL conversion:

Same old Gull airframe.

With an added trick.

Balanced VTOL thrust with Vernor stability assist sees you up cleanly.

Just tilt forwards to begin motion.

Or kick in the flight jets.

Effortless transition.

Turns easy.

And still climbs well.

Orbit with juice to spare.

Still has plenty of cargo room.

Craft file at https://www.dropbox.com/s/e6vyypofij2bh9g/Demonstration%20Gull%20VTOL.craft?dl=0