Kerbal Space Program, Revisited.

[TimothyC]

The Gemini mod is awesome:







It actually requires some energy management - the command pod has a small amount (10 units) of mono-propellant and the ability to convert this into electricity via a fuel cell - and your capsule slowly drains the electricity. The FASA pack that it comes in also has a nice Redstone rocket and an Atlas rocket to fill out the pre-Apollo US set.

[Nephtys]

I've finally got that damn planetary launchpads mod to work. No screenshot, but I've landed a base on Mun, that can now produce rockets, for easier flights to other destinations.

The real question is: Does any mod work yet that allows you to launch ships from an orbiting base? I feel like constructing a Kerbin orbital shipyard complex.

[LaCroix]

I've finally got that damn planetary launchpads mod to work. No screenshot, but I've landed a base on Mun, that can now produce rockets, for easier flights to other destinations.

The real question is: Does any mod work yet that allows you to launch ships from an orbiting base? I feel like constructing a Kerbin orbital shipyard complex.

That mod would realistically need you to transfer raw materials there, but if they managed to make "Ketone", they should be able to do this, as well...

[PeZook]

Frankly I think the full game should let you set up bases that would let you build rockets, and just slap a premium on the cost of parts launched from, say, Tylo. Otherwise it will become really tedious real fast.

Maybe you could get procedural "quests" that would expand the base's capability/make parts cheaper once completed.

[Nephtys]

How do you plot an intercept in the current version?

I set up a fuel depot in Kerbin orbit, and the Mun, but I can't figure out how to actually intercept it. Worse yet, when I have passed within 10km, I haven't been able to spot-math the burn I need to kill relative velocity

[Marko Dash]

click on the ship you want to rendezvous with from the map screen and click 'set as target'. you can then toggle your navball from displaying orbital speed to displaying relative velocity, it'll even change your pro/retrograde markers accordingly.

[PeZook]

Mechjeb gives you a helpful "rel +/-" option that lets you properly orient the ship automagically

[TimothyC]

Nassault has some awesome Cinematics.

[TimothyC]

This is why I play with mods in KSP.

[Grumman]

Here's a fun one: a jet-powered orbiter. While a small rocket engine was necessary to circularise the orbit, it escapes the atmosphere using nothing but jet fuel.

[TimothyC]

Orbit, Circurularized, Jets and RCS only, I did use part clipping (to have enough intakes to run the jets), MechJeb for control, Firespitter's ASAS, and the VNG parachute mod.

[PeZook]

The pilot looks incredibly smug about it, too

[Grumman]

Orbit, Circurularized, Jets and RCS only, I did use part clipping (to have enough intakes to run the jets), MechJeb for control, Firespitter's ASAS, and the VNG parachute mod.

I assume you were using a plane-like ascent plan, judging by the wings and massed intakes. I know that this works - Scott Manley even managed to get his to Gilly and back - but I was trying something I hadn't seen tried before: burning to 13,000 meters and then using sheer momentum to get me close to orbit (100,000 meters) once the engines cut out.

[TimothyC]

I assume you were using a plane-like ascent plan, judging by the wings and massed intakes. I know that this works - Scott Manley even managed to get his to Gilly and back - but I was trying something I hadn't seen tried before: burning to 13,000 meters and then using sheer momentum to get me close to orbit (100,000 meters) once the engines cut out.

Oh, very much so - I've actually looked at the approach you've taken before, but written it off as fuel-wasteful as I never was able to burn all of the jet fuel - and thus never hit the optimum TWR.

[Grumman]

I assume you were using a plane-like ascent plan, judging by the wings and massed intakes. I know that this works - Scott Manley even managed to get his to Gilly and back - but I was trying something I hadn't seen tried before: burning to 13,000 meters and then using sheer momentum to get me close to orbit (100,000 meters) once the engines cut out.

Oh, very much so - I've actually looked at the approach you've taken before, but written it off as fuel-wasteful as I never was able to burn all of the jet fuel - and thus never hit the optimum TWR.

I've been using turbojet boosters for all my rockets for a while now. The nice thing about them is that they become more efficient if the TWR is bad, since they have more burn time. I haven't been brave enough to try lifting a seventy ton space station to orbit in a plane, but turbojet boosters can lift it to 15,000 meters no problem.

[Grumman]

Kerbal Space Program is patching, if anyone else was waiting for it.

[Marko Dash]

main site and forums crashed, that's always a good sign the next version is out. we've been crashing the download server almost every release since .14 it's almost tradition by now.

[Zaune]

And I can't play it until this heatwave dies down. Curses!

Oh, well, it's probably going to need a few bugfix updates anyway.

[Imperial528]

So, I decided to make a spaceplane prototype, aiming for what looks cool.



I should've known this would happen.

[TimothyC]

That's a sign you are going too low - I'd trying pushing that up to no lower than 18km, maybe even higher- the turbos run better the higher and faster you go.

I'm really getting a feel for the new SAS/ASAS system in .21.1 - I like it better than the old one, although when flying it takes some retraining to stop turning the ASAS on and off when I change directions.

[Vanas]

On a similar note, I decided to christen v 0.21 with an aircraft flight. SAS changes seem to have made actually flying aircraft much easier, which is nice.

I'd stress though, that balancing going high enough not to burn and low enough to stay in the air is a tricky prospect when I'm flying.

[Imperial528]

That's a sign you are going too low - I'd trying pushing that up to no lower than 18km, maybe even higher- the turbos run better the higher and faster you go.

I'm really getting a feel for the new SAS/ASAS system in .21.1 - I like it better than the old one, although when flying it takes some retraining to stop turning the ASAS on and off when I change directions.

I was referring to the fact that it worked, actually, and that it has served as the basis for all my new planes.

[PeZook]

Whoa the new mountains look great!

[Vanas]

Yeah, they seem to have updated the look of places... As soon as I get a working rocket, it'll be worth looking at the other planets.

In the meantimes, I've been messing around with airships to make crew recovery vehicles. Firstly, we paid a visit to the nearby airstrip which also seems to have picked up a graphical update. It was claimed in the name of SCIENCE.

Meanwhile, Melbin Kerman found a Monolith a couple of km from the Space Centre. Now we know where it is, SCIENCE teams will be deployed to work out how to get up to the floating object and poke it with sticks of varying composition.

Seeing an opportunity to test the CRV model, a Mark II was deployed to meet Melbin. Shortly afterwards, the Mk III was deployed to pick both of the crews up. This one seems to be a much more successful model than its predecessors.

In an attempt to get some publicity shots for SeffTech Crew Safety Systems, the MkIII was then driven straight through the vital airspace of the KSC with one pilot and four helpless passengers. Mission: Success!

[PeZook]

You know, I have an idea. Wait for it.

Waaait for it...

HYPERSONIC BLIMPS