WhimChaser (WHIM) by artwhaley CKAN

Provides a fun to fly efficient vertical launch/glider return vessel that can handle rescue missions as well as providing a low-cost crew service vessel (CSV) for Kerbal Space Program.

License: GPL-2.0

Game Version: 1.12.0

Source code: zer0Kerbal/WhimChaser

Downloads: 413

Author: zer0Kerbal

Mod Website: Forum Thread

Support this mod: Donate

Followers: 2

Outdated Mod

This mod is not known to work with the latest version of Kerbal Space Program. Proceed with caution.

WhimChaser (WHIM) KSP version License
Curseforge GitHub SpaceDock CKAN
GitHub Pages

WhimChaser (WHIM) by Axial Aerospace

Provides a fun to fly efficient vertical launch/glider return vessel that can handle rescue missions as well as providing a low-cost crew service vessel (CSV).

For those times when you want to fly... not build. Towards that end this single part has built in resources, aerodynamic control surfaces, 6-way RCS and Engines! Also includes custom service modules.

By zer0Kerbal, originally by, originally by artwhaley

adopted with express permission and brought to you by KerbSimpleCo

WhimChaser Hero

  • This part addon features three (3) new parts
  • WhimChaser pod
    • seats two
    • resources
    • 6-way RCS thrusters
    • engines
  • Two Service Modules
    • with resources and integrated junior compatible docking ports
    • regular and small sizes

Preamble by artwhaley

Inspired by Dream Chaser and Pteron, and gives a flight profile similar to Dream Chaser and the Space Shuttle, so it's something familiar and educationally valid.

This is a part for those times when you want to fly... not build. Towards that end, this single part has built in: ElectricCharge, MonoPropellant, Liquid Fuel, Oxidizer, aerodynamic control surfaces, 6-way RCS Thrusters and main Engines!

So with a part count of 1, you can throw this thing on the launchpad, hit the space bar, and leave the ground. You won't get far - as the fuel tanks only carry about 525 m/s of delta-V, but it's more than enough to blast off, turn east, and practice gliding to the water.

The idea is to launch and insert the shuttle into orbit on top of a conventional rocket then decouple and use the built-in engines and fuel for orbital maneuvering - shifting orbits, rendezvous(if you planned the launch well!) and de-orbit burn.

As a glider... the lift and drag numbers aren't great... but this is a spaceship first and a glider second. It's designed for water landing (it CAN tumble to a stop on land without killing kerbals... but I wouldn't call that a 'landing' exactly.) Because of the reasonably steep glideslope I haven't successfully landed it with wheeled gear without a lot of bounce and flip... though it might be possible? The engine also has sufficient TWR that you can operate in glider mode down to the last 250m, drop airspeed to 50m/s, and then turn the nose up and engine on and do a powered, vertical landing. It's a bit of a trick, but it can be done.

Keep in mind that this thing DOES generate lift from the body(though not OODLES of it)... so if you throw it on top of a rocket without any other aerodynamic surfaces it will be unstable. Standard winglets at the bottom of the launcher will keep the pointy end towards space. Because it's a single part... when it's by itself the COM and COL are at the same point when it doesn't have anything else attached. If you attach anything to it that shifts the COM aft, you're going to have stability problems unless you also attach winglets back there. I've had no problem throwing a small docking port on the back of the vessel, but trying to just strap an engine or fuel tanks to the back is a recipe for disaster when you're inside the atmosphere. Keep the COM at or in front of the COL and keep SAS on and it flies rather nicely... for a stubby space brick!

Here's a terrible youtube video showing the basics of flying the gizmo! I recorded it on my development machine which is set for low graphics quality to help speed up the thousand reloads required to get a mod working!

See More

YouTube Videos

WhimChaser Demo by artwhaley

WhimChaser Demo

by Scott Manley

Kerbal Dreamer Mod - Dream Chaser In KSP

by Tangent Plays

KSP Mod Spotlight - The Whim Chaser

Help Wanted

  • From the original roadmap
  • Retractable docking port for Shuttle itself
  • IVA interior
  • Fairing for launch
  • Solar Panels on Service Modules
  • Compatibility patches
  • Community Tech Tree integration
  • Tech Tree Balancing
  • Contracts for these glorious parts
  • Variant Textures
  • Converting from FireSpitter to Stock and/or KSPWheel
  • Model updates (add/improve lights, iva, hatches and so forth)
  • Marketing Images and Videos such as hero shots, animated gifs, short highlights
  • Translations: See the README in the Localization folder for instructions for adding or improving translations. There is also the quickstart guide. GitHub push is the best way to contribute. Additions and corrections welcome!
  • Have a request? Glad to have them, kindly submit through GitHub.

Localization

  • English English
  • your translation here

Installation Directions [^1]

Use CurseForge/OverWolf Website/App

CurseForge/OverWolf App

orCKAN App

I take no part, nor am I interested in maintaining the CKAN metadata for my mods. CKAN is a great mod for those that can't use zip tools. If you are having issues please let the CKAN people know and refer to the CKAN thread. My support of CKAN extends with checking the checkbox in SpaceDock. Beware, CKAN can really mess up; though it tries very, very, very hard not to.

Dependencies

Recommends

Suggests

Supports

Tags

  • parts, config, career, uncrewed, crewed

red box below is a link to forum post on how to get support

How to get support

Be Kind: Lithobrake, not jakebrake! Keep your Module Manager up to date

Credits and Special Thanks

Legal Mumbo Jumbo (License provenance)

Author (2) - zer0Kerbal

Forum: Thread - Source: GitHub
License: License License

Disclaimer(s)

All bundled mods are distributed under their own licenses
All art assets (textures, models, animations, sounds) are distributed under their own licenses

see Notices for more legal mumbo jumbo

Author (1) - zer0Kerbal

Forum: Thread - Download: CurseForge - Source: GitHub
License: License License

Original (ROOT) (0) - Author: 'artwhaley'

Forum: Thread - Download: KerbalStuff - Source: KerbalStuff
License: License License

How to support this and other great mods by zer0Kerbal

Completely voluntary, absolutely amazing, and really does help me out a lot!
quote from cybutek cybutek creator of Kerbal Engineer

Support Github Sponsor Patreon Buy zer0Kerbal a snack

and it is true.

Connect with me

Track progress: issues here and projects here along with The Short List

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Release Schedule
  1. GitHub, reaching first manual installers and users of KSP-AVC. Right now.
  2. CurseForge. Right now.
  3. SpaceDock (and CKAN users). Soon™ (the button was pressed)

[^1]: this isn't a mod. ;P
[^2]: may work on other versions (YMMV)
[^3]: Be Kind: Lithobrake, not jakebrake! Keep your Module Manager up to date!

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