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WhimChaser (WHIM) by Axial Aerospace
Provides a fun to fly efficient vertical launch/glider return vessel that can handle rescue missions as well as providing a low-cost crew service vessel (CSV).
For those times when you want to fly... not build. Towards that end this single part has built in resources, aerodynamic control surfaces, 6-way RCS and Engines! Also includes custom service modules.
By zer0Kerbal, originally by, originally by artwhaley
adopted with express permission and brought to you by KerbSimpleCo
WhimChaser Hero
This part addon features three (3) new parts
WhimChaser pod
seats two
resources
6-way RCS thrusters
engines
Two Service Modules
with resources and integrated junior compatible docking ports
regular and small sizes
Preamble by artwhaley
Inspired by Dream Chaser and Pteron, and gives a flight profile similar to Dream Chaser and the Space Shuttle, so it's something familiar and educationally valid.
This is a part for those times when you want to fly... not build. Towards that end, this single part has built in: ElectricCharge, MonoPropellant, Liquid Fuel, Oxidizer, aerodynamic control surfaces, 6-way RCS Thrusters and main Engines!
So with a part count of 1, you can throw this thing on the launchpad, hit the space bar, and leave the ground. You won't get far - as the fuel tanks only carry about 525 m/s of delta-V, but it's more than enough to blast off, turn east, and practice gliding to the water.
The idea is to launch and insert the shuttle into orbit on top of a conventional rocket then decouple and use the built-in engines and fuel for orbital maneuvering - shifting orbits, rendezvous(if you planned the launch well!) and de-orbit burn.
As a glider... the lift and drag numbers aren't great... but this is a spaceship first and a glider second. It's designed for water landing (it CAN tumble to a stop on land without killing kerbals... but I wouldn't call that a 'landing' exactly.) Because of the reasonably steep glideslope I haven't successfully landed it with wheeled gear without a lot of bounce and flip... though it might be possible? The engine also has sufficient TWR that you can operate in glider mode down to the last 250m, drop airspeed to 50m/s, and then turn the nose up and engine on and do a powered, vertical landing. It's a bit of a trick, but it can be done.
Keep in mind that this thing DOES generate lift from the body(though not OODLES of it)... so if you throw it on top of a rocket without any other aerodynamic surfaces it will be unstable. Standard winglets at the bottom of the launcher will keep the pointy end towards space. Because it's a single part... when it's by itself the COM and COL are at the same point when it doesn't have anything else attached. If you attach anything to it that shifts the COM aft, you're going to have stability problems unless you also attach winglets back there. I've had no problem throwing a small docking port on the back of the vessel, but trying to just strap an engine or fuel tanks to the back is a recipe for disaster when you're inside the atmosphere. Keep the COM at or in front of the COL and keep SAS on and it flies rather nicely... for a stubby space brick!
Here's a terrible youtube video showing the basics of flying the gizmo! I recorded it on my development machine which is set for low graphics quality to help speed up the thousand reloads required to get a mod working!
See More
ChangeLog for more details of changes
Discussions or KSP Forums for discussions and news
GitHub Pages
Known Issues for more details of feature requests and known issues
Marketing Slicks
Parts Catalog for part pictures
YouTube Videos
WhimChaser Demo by artwhaley
WhimChaser Demo
by Scott Manley
Kerbal Dreamer Mod - Dream Chaser In KSP
by Tangent Plays
KSP Mod Spotlight - The Whim Chaser
Help Wanted
From the original roadmap
Retractable docking port for Shuttle itself
IVA interior
Fairing for launch
Solar Panels on Service Modules
Compatibility patches
Community Tech Tree integration
Tech Tree Balancing
Contracts for these glorious parts
Variant Textures
Converting from FireSpitter to Stock and/or KSPWheel
Model updates (add/improve lights, iva, hatches and so forth)
Marketing Images and Videos such as hero shots, animated gifs, short highlights
Translations: See the README in the Localization folder for instructions for adding or improving translations. There is also the quickstart guide. GitHub push is the best way to contribute. Additions and corrections welcome!
Have a request? Glad to have them, kindly submit through GitHub.
Localization
English English
your translation here
Installation Directions 1
Use CurseForge/OverWolf Website/App
CurseForge/OverWolf App
orCKAN App
I take no part, nor am I interested in maintaining the CKAN metadata for my mods. CKAN is a great mod for those that can't use zip tools. If you are having issues please let the CKAN people know and refer to the CKAN thread. My support of CKAN extends with checking the checkbox in SpaceDock. Beware, CKAN can really mess up; though it tries very, very, very hard not to.
Dependencies
AxialAerospace Ltd (AA/L)
Kerbal Space Program Kerbal Space Program 2
Recommends
by [Axial Aerospace Ltd (AAL)AAL
Dreamer (DREAM)
LanderTek (LTK)
Simple Cargo Solutions (CARGO)
Suggests
Adjustable Mod Panel (KAMP)
Biomatic (BIO)
Docking Port Descriptions (DPD)
Docking Port Descriptions(DPD)
Drop Tank Wrapper (DROP)
GPO (Goo Pumps & Oils') Speed Pump (GPO)
Inflatable PicoPort (IPP)
Kaboom! (BOOM)
KaboOom! (BOOM) another way to not go to space today
On Demand Fuel Cells (ODFC))
On Demand Fuel Cells (ODFC)
OScience Laboratories (OSL)
Papa Kerballini's Pizza (PIZZA)
Precise Maneuver (PM)
Pteron (MSRV)
Shielded PicoPort (SPP)
SimpleConstruction! (SCON)
SimpleLogistics! (SLOG)
SimpleNotes! (NOTE)
Solar Science (SOL)
Stack Inline Lights - Patches (SILP)
Stack Inline Lights (SIL)
Tweakscale (twk)
Supports
GPO (Goo Pumps & Oils') Speed Pump (GPO)
On Demand Fuel Cells (ODFC)
Either 3
Module Manager /L
Module Manager
Ferram Aerospace Research (near-far)
Kerbal Inventory System (KIS)
Kerbal Operating System (kOS)
RemoteTech (rt)
RemoteTech (rt)
TAC Life Support (TAC-LS)
Tags
parts, config, career, uncrewed, crewed
red box below is a link to forum post on how to get support
How to get support
Be Kind: Lithobrake, not jakebrake! Keep your Module Manager up to date
Credits and Special Thanks
artwhaley for creating this glorious addon!
see Attribution for more
Legal Mumbo Jumbo (License provenance)
Author (2) - zer0Kerbal
Forum: Thread - Source: GitHub
License: License License
Disclaimer(s)
All bundled mods are distributed under their own licenses
All art assets (textures, models, animations, sounds) are distributed under their own licenses
see Notices for more legal mumbo jumbo
Author (1) - zer0Kerbal
Forum: Thread - Download: CurseForge - Source: GitHub
License: License License
Original (ROOT) (0) - Author: 'artwhaley'
Forum: Thread - Download: KerbalStuff Source: KerbalStuff
License: License License
How to support this and other great mods by zer0Kerbal
Completely voluntary, absolutely amazing, and really does help me out a lot!
quote from cybutek cybutek creator of Kerbal Engineer
Support Github Sponsor Patreon Buy zer0Kerbal a snack
and it is true.
Connect with me
Track progress: issues here and projects here along with The Short List
zer0Kerbal | kerbalspaceprogram.comzer0Kerbal | CurseForgezer0Kerbal | redditzer0Kerbal | Patreonzer0Kerbal | YouTubezer0Kerbal | Twitchzer0Kerbal | PayPalzer0Kerbal | Buy Me a Coffeezer0Kerbal | Twitter
Release Schedule
GitHub, reaching first manual installers and users of KSP-AVC. Right now.
CurseForge. Right now.
SpaceDock (and CKAN users). Soon™ (the button was pressed)
this isn't a mod. ;P
may work on other versions (YMMV)
Be Kind: Lithobrake, not jakebrake! Keep your Module Manager up to date!
About Project
Created: December 29th 2023
Updated: December 29th 2023
Project ID: 57050
License: All Rights Reserved
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Game Versions:
1.01.03
1.01.03
1.01.03
1.01.03
1.01.03
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Main File
December 29th 2023
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December 29th 2023
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