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):
Second Stage (Kerbin vacuum):
Payloads will only require about 30-50m/s to circularize in LKO.
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 IFirst Stage: LV-T45
Second Stage: 48-7S Payload to Suborbit: 0.69T |
Halo mk IFirst Stage: LV-T45
Second Stage: LV-909 Suborbital Payload: 1.56T |
Biko mk IBoosters: 2xRT-10
First Stage: LV-T45 Second Stage: LV-909 Suborbital Payload: 3.37T |
Skipper-Class Lifters
Trojan mk IFirst 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 IFirst Stage: RE-M3
Second Stage: RE-L10 Suborbital Payload: 14.73T |
Talon mk IBoosters: 2xBACC
First Stage: RE-M3 Second Stage: RE-I5 Suborbital Payload: 27.27T |
Flux mk IBoosters: 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.
While they are all very simple, it's very convenient to have pre-computed mission payloads.
Ant IEngine: LV-1
Wet Mass: 0.25T Thrust: 2kN Circularization Payloads:
Minmus: 2.9T Mun: 1.6T LKO: 1.4T KSO: 1.2T |
Spark IEngine: 48-7S
Wet Mass: 0.44T Thrust: 18kN Circularization Payloads:
Minmus: 4.1T Mun: 2.2T LKO: 1.9T KSO: 1.6T |
Spark IIEngine: 48-7S
Wet Mass: 0.7T Thrust: 18kN
|
Spark IIIEngine: 48-7S
Wet Mass: 1.27T Thrust: 18kN
|
Terrier IEngine: LV-909
Wet Mass: 2.75T Thrust: 60kN
|
Terrier IIbSame stats as Terrier II.
|
Terrier IIEngine: LV-909
Wet Mass: 5.1T Thrust: 60kN
|
Poodle IEngine: RE-L10
Wet Mass: 10.8T Thrust: 250kN
|
Poodle IIEngine: RE-L10
Wet Mass: 19.8T Thrust: 250kN
|