KerbalX

Nordkapp base with lifter + skycrane delivery system. (387 parts includes 140 parts of the base itself)
Dedicated for really hardcore players who refuse to use teleporting technology.
Original item and detailed descriptions: https://kerbalx.com/Juggernoob/ESA-Polar-Outpost-Nordkapp
Some screenshots are outdated, but the current version functions in the same way.

PLEASE READ

• Be VERY gentle during launching. Joints may break even with auto strut.
• After skycrane separation, the second decoupler WILL get stuck under the solar panel. Go to Tracking station and terminate this debris. This is my best solution to let the skycrane get clear of the solar panel.

Stats

• Upper stage dV: 2900m/s after reaching LKO
• Skycrane dV: 2200m/s (I enabled fuel supply of the decouplers, allowing the skycrane to drain fuel from the base. Vanilla game dV is not accurate for this. Mods like MechJeb are highly recommended.)
• Tested for Minmus and Duna polar landing.

Launch

• Launch with patience SAS on, lock prograde after achieving 100m/s.
• Tip S from time to time for a VERY gentle gravity turn.
• Engage RCS when it starts to turn sharply at around 300m/s - this is expected to happen due to the drag from its stairs, and this torque is actually beneficial for the gravity turn.
• Reach 45 degrees pitch at >20000m, then fly it like any other rocket.
• I think a straight-up-till-20000m-then-go-horizontal ascent profile might work since this lifter is quite forgiving in term of dV, but I usually won’t do so XD
• Press 2 after reaching orbit to deploy small solar panels.
• If you have the DLC: I recommend you redo the lifter with 5m parts and contain the whole upper stage + base + skycrane in a massive fairing. I think it will make things a lot more simple, but I don’t have the energy to actually build another system for it…

Landing

• Get to polar orbit and scan the surface for a place that is 1) Near the pole 2) High 3) Flat 4) Ore-rich
• The rest is pretty much self-explained, especially if you let MJ do automatic landings.
• After touchdown, fly skycrane away and deal with the second decoupler as mentioned above.

Wish you enjoy and happy landings!

Description

A stock rocket called ESA Polar Outpost Nordkapp with Lifter. Built with 387 of the finest parts, its root part is batteryBankLarge.

Built in the VAB in KSP version 1.7.0.

Details

• Type: VAB
• Class: base
• Part Count: 387
• Pure Stock