URGENT!!!!!

Please make sure that the ui is toggled on when you timewarp from first burn to 2nd burn while launch sequence is on, or go to the code aand update the timewarp mode to TimeWarp3, otherwise it'll miss the target point and ruin your mission!

Recommended:

Don't do any sort of time pause, slowdown, or warp at the moment it launches, and including before launch, otherwise, the flight might be ruined

Craft Info:

MIDAS-3 is the 3rd mission in the program, and the first launch for the 2nd MIDAS Series, with an updated infrared sensor better than the ones in the first series (MIDAS 1 & 2). (I don't know what the 2nd series sensor looks like so I'll just use the series 3 sensor, just like MIDAS Series 1 (found the real sensor too late) and the first use of an Agena B to an Atlas Rocket. It launched on December 7, 1961 on Atlas 97D, in Point Arguello (now in Vandenberg Air Force Base, which the Ali launch pad can be its JNO counterpart). No problems happened in launch until, an hour later, one of its solar panels failed to properly deploy (as shown in the final image of the craft, and also shown in flight if you open the solar panels), and then, the mission was over in 5 orbits, after a power failure happened on the spacecraft. The program's name, MIDAS, is a backronym that stands for the Missile Defense Alert System, and it's designed to detect the heat from an ICBM launch, warning the US about it. It never really got much success, but it paved the way for more advanced successors like the Defense Support Program.

Activation Groups and Inputs:

Atlas-Agena:

AG1: Launch Support Bays

• Simply the clamshell bays on the skirt that close after liftoff for it to become more aerodynamic

AG2: Booster Engines

• Starts the booster engines and its exhaust duct (this action only works once and once you try to turn it on again it won't work even when on)

AG3: Launch Supports

• Executes a code to activate the stage that releases the rocket from the pad, and also lifts up the launch supports in the process

  • Slider 1: Ground Launch Supports
  • Slider 2: Strongback and Umbilicals

AG4: Sustainer Engine

• Starts the sustainer engine (this action only works once and once you try to turn it on again it won't work even when on)

AG5: Jettison Half Stage

• Executes a code to separate the half stage from the Atlas and create a tumbling effect for it

AG6: Spin Table

• Spins the MIDAS sensor a full revolution every 30 seconds

AG7: Launch Sequence

• Executes the program that would take it to an orbit that's, with its capabilities, the closest to the real mission orbit. Follows launch sequence as close as it can to the real mission

AG9: Solar Panels

• Extends both Solar Panels on aft rack of Agena; one won't extend properly to replicate the real mission

AG10: RCS

• Enables Agena RCS

AG11: Bell 8081

• Enables the engine of the Agena, its gimbal, as well as its exhaust duct (this action only works twice and once you try to turn it on again after the 2nd ignition, it won't work even when on)

AG12: Ullage Motors Set 1

• Starts up the 1st pair of Ullage motors to give a bit of a push to the Agena to start the Bell 8081 engine for the first time
• Executes a code where after they ignite, the Bell 8081 will automatically ignite
(this action only works once and once you try to turn it on again it won't work even when on)

AG13: Ullage Motors Set 2

• Starts up the 2nd pair of Ullage motors to give a bit of a push to the Agena to restart the Bell 8081 engine
• Executes a code where it turns off AG11, then after they ignite, the Bell 8081 will automatically reignite, by turning on AG11 again, then after this, the engine will exhaust all starts it can do
(this action only works once and once you try to turn it on again it won't work even when on)

AG15: Dump Fuel

• Dumps the fuel instantly (when set to 100% throttle)
• Recommended after last Bell 8081 start, since all of the fuel isn't usable anymore

AG16: Dump Fuel Slow

• Dumps fuel at a slower rate than AG15
• Doesn't have a clear use right now, it's overshadowed by AG15, but on certain missions it will be vital for realism

Pad:

AG3: Launch Supports

• Same as the one from Atlas Agena, but the pad chip controls the launch support arms, and it's controlled remotely

  • Slider 1: Ground Support Arms
  • Slider 2: Strongback and Umbilicals

AG6: Launch Clearing Arms

• It's basically that structure that can rotate until, bars from it hit the Atlas. It's probably a support for when the launch vehicle is being rotated to upright (I could make a mechanism like that but as of now it doesn't work right).

  • Slider 1: Launch Clearing Arms

Notes:

The Sustainer Engine, and the Booster Engines only ignite once to better match the real thing. The Bell 8081 only ignites twice for the same reason.

The solid rocket motors on the craft have faster spool times now, after overcoming confusion on what happens if I change its throttle response. Ullage Motors now have a more visible flame.

There are 6 launch cameras, 2 on pad, 2 on the tower and 2 cameras on the rocket.

The Interior Camera isn't a real thing on the real craft, it's just something I put to prove that the sensor is in the protective nosecone.

Pictures used here for the craft post may not show the current version of the craft's design.

Also, I'm sorry but this craft isn't in a 1:1 scale or a perfect 2:1 scale. Although I try my very best to keep the dimensions all correct, correctly adjusted, for the new scale I've just accidentally made for this and can't change. For resizing realism reasons. Enjoy the craft though!

The small difference of radius between the bottom of the Agena interstage and the top of the Atlas's LOX tank is intentional.

The livery the craft has, especially the Agena, is only based on a single picture, which is the only one I can find of MIDAS-3. If there's unseen inaccuracies, I apologize, since this is the reason.

One Solar Array will not extend properly to match the real state of the MIDAS-3 spacecraft.

Some experiments, I can't find info on what it looks like, so they're not on the Agena, plus the contents of the aft rack of the Agena may not look like the real one, since I'm not sure on what the things on the aft rack would look like, and I have no reference, which is the reason.

Creator Notes:

This craft is probably one of the fastest replica builds that I've built in this year. I'm very happy that I've completed it this fast. This was very easy to make, even the tower is easy to make, although the tower in the next craft would be harder to build, accounting for possible laziness and being busy. The hardest thing to build here though is the large USAF Roundel on both sides of the rocket, but otherwise, everything is very easy.

Also, the sensor isn't like the real one, since i can't find any reference as to what it looks like in real life, so I'll just keep the new one.

This might be my last craft for the year, so consider this a Christmas gift to you all. Advanced Merry Christmas to you all!

Enjoy the Craft!

Mission Video: MIDAS-3: The first flight of the Atlas Agena B

Thanks for reading the description! I hope you enjoy this craft! Upvote it if you've really liked it!

Made by a Filipino

GENERAL INFO

  • Created On: Android
  • Game Version: 1.3.204.1
  • Price: $768,229k
  • Number of Parts: 1950
  • Dimensions: 74 m x 67 m x 33 m

PERFORMANCE

  • Total Delta V: 2.7km/s
  • Total Thrust: 14.9MN
  • Engines: 16
  • Wet Mass: 3.88E+6kg
  • Dry Mass: 1.9E+6kg

STAGES

Stage Engines Delta V Thrust Burn Mass
1 6 779m/s 14.4MN 3.1m 3.88E+6kg
5 0 0m/s 0N 0s 63,959kg
6 2 1m/s 37kN 2s 63,959kg
7 2 1.9km/s 362kN 4.0m 63,959kg
8 2 1m/s 37kN 2s 63,959kg

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