File:Kerbal Space Program - Orbital Zero-G Maneuvering Exercise Mission

Ship description: Behemoth I Download link for ship: http://www.mediafire.com/?d77jv0b8t787jdr First stage: 12 liquid fuel engines arranged in 3x3 and 3x1 form, fuel supply synchronized for 2 tanks per engine so they run out of fuel simultaneously. First stage decoupling designed to be centrifugally assisted so the stages are clear of the second stage ignition faster.

Second stage: Six solid rocket booster engines arranged circularly around the third stage.

Third stage: One liquid fuel engine, fuel supplied by four tanks.

Final stage/CSM: One liquid fuel engine, one fuel tank.

Command module can be separated, but the whole final stage is capable of powered landing as well on hands of a capable pilot.

Mission description: In this mission, the brave kerbals Jebediah, Bill and Bob Kerman embark onto a mission designed to test their abilities in ascent, insertion on an approximately circular orbit, orbital maneuvering, atmospheric re-entry and powered landing.

Results: The mission went perfectly, and the crew performed above and beyond the call of duty. Ascent was nearly perfect, orbital maneuvers executed precisely - including several mock docking contacts with no damage from impacts - and re-entry and descent phase were the stuff of legends. Unfortunately, the otherwise reasonable landing zone that the pilot chose for the landing attempt appears to have been a minefield, as immediately upon contact - which happened within acceptable vertical and horizontal speed limits - the craft detonated.

From the crew feeds, the mission control could see the look of horror upon the faces of Jebediah, Bill and Bob Kerman, but there was nothing anyone could have done to prevent the tragedy. Rest easy, brave kerbals. Your sacrifice will be remembered.

ಥ_ಥ

-§-

...This was, to say the least, an annoying bug to discover - apparently, sometimes ship just explodes instantly when it touches terrain, regardless of velocity. It looked like the ship clipped through the terrain mesh, so it might be related to collision detection issues or maybe my Behemoth I spacecraft just overpowers the programming - the performance certainly is very bad at the first phase of ascent, probably because of all the parts in the rocket and all the physics needed to calculate the wiggling movements of each fork. Also, I so wish joystick controls worked. It would make landings and orbital maneuvering a lot, lot easier.

-§-

Background music listing:

Two Steps From Hell - Norwegian Pirate TSFH - Flameheart Maktone - The Armour of God J.S.Bach - Air on G-string Johann Strauss II - At the Beautiful Blue Danube Yoko Kanno - Take Off Yoko Kanno - Transformation Yoko Kanno - Test Flight Delight TSFH - Sky Titans Jack Wall & Sam Hulick - Saren