DLSv2

Duna Launch System

The Duna Launch System, or DLS, is a set of standardized lifters and transfer stage subassemblies designed to simplify rocket launches. We have calculated the maximum mass that each can handle for various standard mission profiles. These include transfers to planets and moons, landing, and returning. This allows us to build a payload, and quickly determine the appropriate subassembly to use. Fine-tuning for the specific payload can then be done by tweaking thrust and fuel levels.

The lifters are all designed around a Common Ascent Profile (CAP) adopted by our flight control software. The requirements of this launch profile are:

First Stage (Kerbin sea level):

deltaV: 2200m/s
thrust-to-weight: 1.2

Second Stage (Kerbin vacuum):

deltaV: 1250m/s
thrust-to-weight: 1.0

Payloads will only require about 30-50m/s to circularize in LKO.

Swivel-Class Lifters

Based on the LV-T45 liquid-fueled engine, these inexpensive lifters are primarily designed for probes and single-crew missions.

Ares mk I

First Stage: LV-T45
Second Stage: 48-7S
Payload to Suborbit: 0.69T

Halo mk I

First Stage: LV-T45
Second Stage: LV-909
Suborbital Payload: 1.56T

Biko mk I

Boosters: 2xRT-10
First Stage: LV-T45
Second Stage: LV-909
Suborbital Payload: 3.37T

Skipper-Class Lifters

Trojan mk I

First Stage: RE-I5
Second Stage: RE-L10
Suborbital Payload: 6.45T

Mainsail-Class Lifters

Based on the RE-M3 engine, these lifters can carry a variety of payloads, from multi-crew craft to station sections and outposts.

Zephyrus mk I

First Stage: RE-M3
Second Stage: RE-L10
Suborbital Payload: 14.73T

Talon mk I

Boosters: 2xBACC
First Stage: RE-M3
Second Stage: RE-I5
Suborbital Payload: 27.27T

Flux mk I

Boosters: 2xRE-M3
First Stage: RE-M3
Second Stage: RE-M3
Suborbital Payload: 53.47T

Payload Stages

These stages are used for inter-body transfers, to circularize orbits, land on bodies, or return crew and data to Kerbin.

While they are all very simple, it's very convenient to have pre-computed mission payloads.