The Seed Pod - Let it burst forth it's sweet sweet probe cargo

[autumnalequinox]

This is my first mission report posting. I tend to keep things to myself, but my partner isn't impressed with my KSPy things. Sooooo...

This is the Seed Pod. It uses parts from bazillions of mods, notable: Near Future Tech (all), Infernal Robotics, KW rocketry, realchutes, deadly reentry, etc.

To save $ in my career mode and take advantage of a Jool window (and make up for a failed Laythe lander/orbiter Cassini type probe) I decided to build a massive nuclear/hydrogen orbiter with four small probes nestled inside and attached with robotic hinges. Two landers and two orbital probes. The two landers are for Laythe, and the orbital probes for any Joolian moons I happen upon. Massive delta-v after launch (still 3500+) thanks to NFT hydrogen/nuclear thermal engine combos. Transfer burn was already complete and the external hydrogen drop tanks released.

And here she is with the hinges open, showing how I can deploy the probes. Each is tied to an action group. Probes have their own engines (albiet small) for minor corrections. So far so good, next posts will see how well I did (got a long flight and with Dang it! loaded, ANYTHING can happen)

[Zylark]

Looking good. On a side note, the Near Future collection of mods are really growing on me - especially the Argon-Electrical thrusters and all the structural parts. Oh, and the nuclear reactors. So many cool toys to play around with

[autumnalequinox]

OMG yes. The structural parts are addictive I have had to pull my hand away from the mouse, shaking, to keep my part count down because I want to build some crazy, hex-adapted 20+ count stack of life support and power systems with nuclear reactors surrounded by those cool cages and service modules. Plus the command pods look so .... (i got bleeped! a word for reproduction), they are my "reward" for grinding through career mode and I give those ships nifty, Celtic goddess names to enhance their hotness haha.

The Hydrogen for nuclear engines had to grow on me, however. Because of the higher volume, you need SO much for decent delta-v, and even though the tanks are very light they get extremely bulky on launch and without mad struts you end up with uncle joe's wobbly-spacecraft ride and splat.

Edited August 27, 2014 by autumnalequinox
freaking censors grrr.

[autumnalequinox]

FINALLY, after a long journey. Had to spend EONs gentle aerobraking around Jool, but managed to finally get an encounter with Laythe

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Edited September 4, 2014 by autumnalequinox