It also weighs over 1000 tonnes, which is a bit a problem if you want to get your spaceship into orbit. Indeed, for avaslash, the one who put together this fine-looking vessel in Kerbal Space Program, the biggest problem wasn’t building it. It was getting it to fly.
In the beginning, avaslash was only looking to build a model. And so he did.
Avaslash then started wondering if the build was spaceworthy. The cruiser was upgraded, but even then, it couldn’t leave the planet.
Build after build went into flames as they crashed into the ground.
Finally, avaslash tested the final, most perfect prototype.
Luckily, it didn’t explode immediately. In fact, it managed to gain quite the altitude.
Finally, after two days of work, the space cruiser reaches outer space.
And there was much rejoicing.
For the full story of the UKN Obelisk, take a look at avaslash’s full album here.
UKN Obelisk Battle Cruiser [imgur, via reddit]
Comments
9 responses to “Spectacular 700-Part Kerbal Battleship Took Two Full Days To Build”
I have trouble getting a bucket into space with this game (let alone the Mun), glad to see someone else has more success
There are some really good tutorials on youtube that give you a great introduction on how to get into orbit. I had the same problem until I watched a 5 minute video that told me what speed I needed to be at certain altitudes.
I guess it’s like real life – the ship needs to be moving fast enough so that the pull of gravity down is less than the thrust of the ship pushing up. Which, if it weighs 1000 tonnes, would be very, very fast. Gravity’s acceleration is 32 feet per second per second, which is around 35kph (21-22 mph). To generate one pound of thrust, you need to move at that speed. To generate two pounds of thrust, you’d need to move at 70kph, etc. In pounds, the ship weighs 2,204,622, so (and correct me if I’m wrong – I’m not a rocket scientist) you’d need to generate at least 4,411,324 pounds of thrust to exit the atmosphere.
A bucket weighs let’s say one pound, for a big bucket. So, you’d need two pounds of force to push it into orbit.
I think you’re in the ballpark but then you’d also need to account for air resistance.
It gets more complicated when you consider the fuel itself has mass, so not only do you need to generate enough thrust to get the rocket into orbit, but you also need to generate enough thrust to carry the fuel that you need to generate enough thrust… you get the idea. Also, as you burn off fuel, the mass of the rocket is changing, just to make the equations a bit harder. And that’s for a single state rocket. Multiple stages add equations for each stage.
get mechjeb. it is the best addon for any game i have ever seen. it is an “autopilot” addon that is a good tutorial
Iv just completed my nuclear powered return mission to Laythe. Took 3 launches to assemble in Kerbin orbit, half a year ingame time waiting for the perfect timing, a year of coasting, a few hours of panic and planning burns to aerobrake, then another year waiting for an orbital transfer point, and another year coasting home. Finally i had left the lander in orbit, so i had to launch an empty capsule to retrieve the guys. Lots of work, but an amazing sense of accomplishment!
Every time you perform another step successfully in KSP, it’s the best feeling in the world. Orbital rendezvous alone is “fuck-yeah!” worthy!
I’ve built my space station in orbit, module by module, with a ship-construction yard added to it. In the process of building my interplanetary ship now. Can’t wait for launch day!
just make sure you use the BIG docking ports, firing up the main engine on a gradually assembled ship then having it destroy itself in the first few seconds hurts!