Subscribe to download
LSI Dragonfly ComSat

The Dragonfly ComSat is Lakeside Industries' solution for planetary communications. It is a small, cheap and smart satellite that requires zero maintenance once inserted into orbit, while offering full global uplink coverage for an average sized planet with only 36 units.

• High-speed long-range communication systems
  
• Self sufficient power grid featuring an extensive solar panel array
  
• Backup thermoelectric reactor with a shielded Uranium storage, placed at a safe distance from all the sensitive instruments
  
• Lightweight 12-ton design
  
• State-of-the-art guidance systems and scripts
  
• Dimensions: 20,5m (L) x 20,5m (W) x 2m (H)
  
• 142 blocks, 3081 PCU

The Dragonfly line of satellites are pre-programmed to fly on a prolapse equatorial orbit at the altitude of 30 km. This reduces the power needed to maintain altitude to half, and the duration of day-night cycles to 31,5 mintues. A ring of 12 satellites distanced 46,6 kilometers from each other provide uplink coverage in a 62 km wide strip, centered on the equator. Three rings of 12 satellites provide full coverage for an Earth-sized planet. Recommended orbit inclinations are 120°, 180° (Default) and 240°
To install the satellites LSI recommends the usage of an aptly sized carrier vehicle, capable of reaching high speeds. The recommended means of orbital insertion is dropping the satellites from an orbit higher above the target, activating the solar panel alignment script and then activating the orbital guidance script once the solar panels are aligned.

WARNING! Forcing the satellite to climb while boosting with its solar panels not properly aligned will result in a power shortage, causing failures in the guidance systems. If users are experiencing the satellites going in a spin, it is recommended to allow the vehicle to reach its target speed at the current altitude before ordering it to climb.

DISCLAIMER: Due to how solar panels work in SE, they will continue to collect power even in the shadow of the planet. However, the power system onboard is sized to allow full operation in complete darkness for at least 45 minutes.

NOTE: The design assumes the presence of a max speed limit mod and is set to fly at 220 m/s. You will need to adjust the target speed in the guidance script if you do not wish to use a speed limit mod. Otherwise the satellite will burn a lot of power as it will continuously try to boost past the limit. Be sure to not set a target speed greater than 90% of your max speed limit, or else you will have a hard time catching up with the satellite.

Crafted with love & care at LSI FENICO Factory.

• Renerer's Orbital Autopilot and Map
  
• Isy's Solar Alignment Script

• Dragonfly Vanilla, No-DLC version