KerbalX

Details

• Type: VAB
• Class: satellite
• Part Count: 140
• Mods: 2

Mods

• KerbalEngineer
• Squad (stock)

A single-launch communications network. Ideal for sandbox. Has a fun quirk for a bit of challenge, but is easy to launch and quick to set-up.

leBhuji be like: Okay, I figured out the simplest fix to the navball quirk: Place a new probe core (HECS or OCTO would do fine) on the upper-most support piece of the craft. Orient it in a way to get the control authority you desire. But remember to control from the new probe piece, if you add one.

Description

Meet Beeps, Sweeps, and Creeps
// See? I make rockets in the space game, too! Even satellites I don’t need just for fun! This is CommSat Trio, set up by the BOSS (Bhuji Orbital Space Science). When I launched them, I named them individually: Beeps, Sweeps, and Creeps (an internet dollar to anyone who gets that reference!) // Requires KER, as each satellite has a unit on it to measure orbital period. // I was inspired by youTube and tried to figure out a way to launch 3 satellites at the same time. This totally worked! Well, with one little detail I couldn’t be bothered to fix: its prograde heading is actually radial out. I repeat, it’s prograde heading is RADIAL OUT. Regardless of this, launch is a breeze. A normal launch profile will do fine and it’s fairly over-engineered, just in case. // It will totally work with Remote Tech, but you may want to add a short-range antenna onto the satellite-housing unit. I’m a lazy fellow using Antenna Range ‘cuz I like the lines :) // I honestly can’t say at what point all of its parts on unlocked within a normal science/career save, as I am using Yonge Tech Tree in this save file, which gives access to all of these parts within minimal science (and, with a bit of KSC science-collection, it’s a bit easier). However, if you want an efficient communications network launcher within any sandbox save (with Kerbal Engineer, of course), then give this a try. But seriously, remember RADIAL OUT IS PROGRADE. (Almost like a bonus challenge.) Important things to note: Control from the QBE probe core clipped within the satellite housing-unit. Check the last picture for reference.
A mod rocket called Bhuji CommSat Trio Lifter (KER). Built with 140 of the finest parts, its root part is probeCoreCube. I believe the root is actaully the probe core shown in the picture. Pretty sure I set that up before submitting.

Built in the VAB in KSP version 1.0.4.

TO SET UP SATELLITES: 1) Launch toward desired heading, typically East. For best fuel efficiency, lower throttle to 66-70% between 5-10k, then punch it. Hold 45° until passed 30k, then tilt toward the TOP of the navball to complete suborbital trajectory. The ship has only the simplest SAS-lock, you must hold radial out (as it is prograde on this vessel) manually. 2) The lifter stage will empty just after attaining suborbit (can be between 60k and 90k, depending on your grav turn. 3) The kicker stage should empty before attaining full orbit. This is by design to prevent space junk, as it shouldn’t raise the periapsis above 20k. 4) Bring satellite housing-unit to desired apoapsis (2834 km for Keosynchronous orbit, in my case). 5) Point vessel toward Prograde on the navball (yes, i mean the actual prograde, in lieu of the whole radial out is prograde thing). Release single probe just before apopasis (about a minute before, is fine). Switch to the separated craft using the bracket keys (by default). 6) While in control of the satellite (which is oriented correctly, by the way), Raise periapsis to desired elevation / orbital period (I recommend shutting down the engine after this). Activate solar panels and antenna. 7) Return to the housing-unit. Switch to map view and orbit Kerbin until the craft is 120° away from the first probe, relative to its orbit. 8) Repeat step 5-8 until all probes have been released and are in desired orbit, with equal orbital periods. The third probe must be 120° from both the first and second. This takes several orbits, so be sure not to overshoot! 9) The housing-unit should have enough deltaV to deorbit. Do so, because space junk is bad. // Congratulations! But, uh, it never hurts to F5. I did before releasing each probe, after establishing desired orbital period of each probe, and made an Alt+F5 at launch. Thankfully, I never had to revert or F9. This actually goes pretty smooth.