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SSG-2 Kelpie [Vanilla]

My latest creation, a vertically aligned exploration ship, the SSG-2 Kelpie.

All decks in the Kelpie are aligned perpendicular to her hull length, allowing vertical landings on the surface of a planet or moon while still being able to move about the decks. The only downside is the only airlock is approx. 50m off the ground when landed! I like to use a couple of large warheads to make a crater that I then land the Kelpie in, making the airlock height to the ground less of an issue.

There are a total of seven decks on the Kelpie with their function as follows:

Bridge or "A Deck" - Has main deck surface inline with the rest of the decks and a bridge aligned with the ships length for control.

"B Deck" - The airlock deck and contains the main storage containers in its floor. Also has the 4 Secondary Reactors, 11 small reactors are needed to run the ship at full power although the Secondary Reactors are not needed for day to day operations.

"C Deck" - Where the 3 cryo chambers and med bay are located. Also some batteries tucked into the corners.

"D Deck" - This is the main crew deck, with accomodations and auxilliary controls for the Kelpie. Great views out of the windows.

"E Deck" - The main engineering level, with the 7 Main Reactors and extra batteries as well as the gravity generator.

"F Deck" - Production level, refinery with full modules, 4 oxygen generators, main oxygen tank, assembler with 2 modules, and arc furnace. There is also secondary storage on this level and the ships projector.

Lower Engineering or "G Deck" - Twin jump drives and the ships gyros can be accessed here.

The Kelpie weighs in at 2,400 metric tons. The two main hydrogen engines can land on 1g planets, but you might want to keep your onboard stores light. Using the integrated parachutes, you can make your suicide burn below 1500m above the deck, but if you want a powered landing turn on dampeners between 4000m and 3000m whilst vertical. You may have to begin your powered descent earlier if you have more than the minimum weight.The main Ion engines should be enough to land on a small moon by themselves. There are a total of 4 hydrogen tanks and 6 oxygen generators aboard to keep those hydro engines and RCS systems fuelled and ready to go.

Defense is provided by 5 gatling turrets and 2 missile turrets, with an interior turret on "B Deck". There are also 3 rocket pods in the "nose" of the ship that could be replaced by pistons and drills for extended missions. This is not a warship however, she has been designed to be a unique way to explore the system!