KerbalX

Description

1:drills 2:mine 3:refine 4:flood 5:blow 6:chutes 7:drain LF 9:boost 0:engine

Whereas there has been a lot of interest in downloading my old Neptune undersea mining base, it was built with very old technology (ore ballast) and was quite clunky to operate (via e.g. ShipManifest). I am also not sure it stays on the ocean bed under all circumstances. And, while interesting, the multi-mode delivery mechanism of going sub-orbital seems rather quaint now. Therefore, I have finally updated my ‘state of art’ for this. Imaginatively named Deep.

Deep can be landed full or empty, although it’s probably a better idea to drain some jet fuel before landing. As with all tail-draggers, be ginger on the brakes near the end of the landing roll, lest you pitch it over. It’s good to use the stick to hold the tail down, where the main braking operates.

Deep flies on after-burners to about 3 or 4 km. Then, as the fuel load lightens (< 2,000 LF), it can accelerate to 815@12. It likely has the range for 1,800 km, meaning that you can fly direct to any location on Kerbin.

Water landings are easy and reliable. The machine is aquatic! It can high-speed water-taxi and, with a lighter fuel load, get back out of the water.

Deep accommodates a crew of 5 and is equipped with an SSM (cupola). Chutes [6] slow the descent near the seabed; or the ascent should you need to resurface. EVA to repack them, either on the surface or under water.

Technically, this is another in my series of Break-A-Part airplanes. :)

And a nod to Dr Swiss for the MP ballast technology that operates Deep!

Built in the SPH in KSP version 1.11.2.