The K Prize - 100% reusable spaceplane to orbit and back

[boolybooly]

right! fixed

[davidparks21]

My all-purpose SSTO capable of traveling to Minmus and back.

All stock parts beside the flight engineer (which is informational only).

Runs on a couple of Rapiers which get it up to about 1200 m/s on jets and then switch to closed cycle along with the nuclear engine to get it that last bit into orbit. Orbits kerbin with around 1300-1400 dV in the tanks.

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[boolybooly]

Congratulations davidparks21 on successfully completing the K-Prize mission and earning the highly prized Kosmokerbal Commendation for visiting Minmus SOI and returning to land safely on Kerbin's green and pleasant grasslands.

[Fengist]

So, have you decided if mine qualifies Booly?

[boolybooly]

Yes indeed, some regard gatecrashing as a rite of passage your mission is linked at the bottom of the gatecrashers list with appropriate quip.

Thanks for sharing your mission report, its an interesting craft design in its own right but unfortunately, from what you said, the use of rocket motors to reach orbit which were later decoupled from the aero jet carrying craft broke rule 1 and proviso A of the K-Prize rules. Ditto Aero jet engines for the two rocket powered craft. FYI if it reintegrated in orbit and landed as a single craft it would count as a K-Prize mission. The precedent for modular craft is that the mission counts for K-Prize purposes as far as the craft is intact, EDIT rethink... but the docking process would not count towards an Advanced Pilot Precision Award 1st Class because none of the three craft counts as payload it demonstrates pilot precision.

Edited September 13, 2014 by boolybooly

[liufrain]

Easy enough to be boring, but the first time was really challenging =)

1. My first spaceplane, SP-1, was able to orbit Kerbin and dock. All landings were on Strip, but no screenshots left, unfortunately =( Maybe will fly it again and submit later.

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=292458560

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=292458691

2. My SP-3 series are much heavier, and are capable to take some payload. My first orbital station was assembled mostly by those, especially SP-3L (lifter)

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=292682188

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=296937620

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=296937654

Landing on those was not so smooth, two emergency landings occurred during career flights:

One was totally successful (no fuel left, very soft touchdown, 130km to KSC)

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=293216074

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=293216098

And second was rather a crash (control was lost, tail-first touchdown, but most of the plane survived, and so did all crew)

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=296483433

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=296483397

Also, I have an atomic Ferret-a, but it is more a vertical SSTO, not a spaceplane.

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=299376274

Also, there is a simple VTOL-SSTO, the proof-of-concept

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=311781098

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=311781248

(I will submit craft files in a few hours)

[Kokanee]

My submission, the X-5 "Firemoth" Executive SSTO;

6.7t dry weight, 14.3t fully fueled. Two RAPIER engines provide plenty of thrust for the climb to orbit, and the outstanding lift characteristics means this can be glided the last 3 km to touchdown.

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[Norcalplanner]

Here's my entry, the Orbital SSTO Taxi 2 - or as I like to call it, "Mom's Taxi". Not fancy, but it gets the job done for bringing passengers to orbit. All stock except for MechJeb.

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[GoSlash27]

So I took my groundbreaking "Ion powered SSTO" and replaced the "Ion powered" and associated gear with "Kraken powered".

Behold: The Krakelicious Mk 1!

http://s52.photobucket.com/user/GoSlash27/library/KSP/krakelicious

I would like to submit this one for an advanced pilot precision award now, with more to follow as I document them. Being kraken powered, this ship has unlimited DV and is capable of direct flight to any SOI I choose, as well as (at least in theory) SSTO operation from any body with an atmosphere.

I'm currently flying a direct mission to Eve with it (estimated total trip time 2 days). If successful, I'll post links for the proof.

Thanks,

-Slashy

Edited October 5, 2014 by GoSlash27

[boolybooly]

Hi GoSlash27, thanks for sharing your mission report. Can you explain how the Kraken drive works as I am having trouble working out how the fuel rules apply!

[GoSlash27]

Hi GoSlash27, thanks for sharing your mission report. Can you explain how the Kraken drive works as I am having trouble working out how the fuel rules apply!

Boolybooly,

The Kraken drive exploits a weakness in the physics engine, sort of like infiniglide. The short version is this: It doesn't require any fuel to operate.

The longer version: Kraken drive works by forcing a loosely connected part to attempt to be in 2 places at the same time. The physics engine sees that the part is out of place and attempts to reposition it. The K drive then immediately disconnects it again. Every time the physics engine reattaches the part, it imparts an acceleration to the entire craft. The downside is that decelerating below 750 m/sec is likely to destroy the K drive if it's active.

So the way my SSTO works is fairly straightforward; use infiniglide to accelerate to roughly 1,200 m/sec in a climb, then engage the K-drive as necessary to establish orbit. Once in orbit, you can use the K-drive for unlimited DV, thus rendering "transfer windows" obsolete. You can get anywhere in the system in a matter of days by direct intercept.

Hope this clears up any questions,

-Slashy

[boolybooly]

Thanks for explaining GoSlash27. If it works, use it. The rule is that if it is in the stock game its in the K-Prize, so deeply controversial though it may seem, congratulations on completing the K-Prize mission successfully. Ingenious !

[GoSlash27]

Thanks for explaining GoSlash27. If it works, use it. The rule is that if it is in the stock game its in the K-Prize, so deeply controversial though it may seem, congratulations on completing the K-Prize mission successfully. Ingenious !

Thanks for the kudos, but as always these accomplishments don't happen in a vacuum. The concept of mating an infiniglider to a kraken drive was goduranus' idea and FCISuperGuy designed the k-drive unit itself. I'm just the dumb monkey that slapped the plane together.

Best,

-Slashy

[Gravaar]

Thanks for the kudos, but as always these accomplishments don't happen in a vacuum. The concept of mating an infiniglider to a kraken drive was goduranus' idea and FCISuperGuy designed the k-drive unit itself. I'm just the dumb monkey that slapped the plane together.

Best,

-Slashy

+1 rep from me for telling the truth about the kraken drive

[goduranus]

Can't take the credit. I picked up the idea from here:

http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/88892-Infiniglide-Kraken-Drive-Infinite-Delta-V-SSTO?highlight=kraken+infiniglider

Edited October 6, 2014 by goduranus

[ScriptKitt3h]

Quick question:

Since the Spaceplane Plus mod's going to become stock in 0.25, is it allowed now for the purposes of this challenge?

[Kokanee]

My submission, the X-5 "Firemoth" Executive SSTO;

6.7t dry weight, 14.3t fully fueled. Two RAPIER engines provide plenty of thrust for the climb to orbit, and the outstanding lift characteristics means this can be glided the last 3 km to touchdown.

http://imgur.com/a/fByV5

Is this not eligible?

[boolybooly]

Its a fun design Kokanee and I linked it as a gatecrasher because, correct me if I am wrong, it appears to use the twin engine tank part which was at the time non-stock? (Come to that the RCS blocks look a little unfamiliar as well!)

To clarify, since the update a very similar looking twin engine part is now stock. I know it sounds a bit picky but I am not sure if it has the same specs as the mod part and it would set a precedent to allow mod parts which would break the stock only code of the K-Prize but a craft using the stock twin engine part (but not the mod part) would currently be perfectly valid for the prize. Same applies for beta test parts too btw as they are non-stock until released.

Does that make sense?

Rules

1. The craft may not lose any parts in flight, no decoupling allowed.

2. The craft must lift off horizontally, reach orbit (PE > 70,000m) and land intact ready for 'refuelling'.

3. All fuel tanks, wings (lift generators) and engine parts must be stock, for fairness.

Edited October 9, 2014 by boolybooly

[ejudedude13]

Its a fun design Kokanee and I linked it as a gatecrasher because, correct me if I am wrong, it appears to use the twin engine tank part which was at the time non-stock? (Come to that the RCS blocks look a little unfamiliar as well!)

To clarify, since the update a very similar looking twin engine part is now stock. I know it sounds a bit picky but I am not sure if it has the same specs as the mod part and it would set a precedent to allow mod parts which would break the stock only code of the K-Prize but a craft using the stock twin engine part (but not the mod part) would currently be perfectly valid for the prize. Same applies for beta test parts too btw as they are non-stock until released.

Does that make sense?

Those are b9 parts and there are other parts like the cm which are mod parts.

[RocketBlam]

The Wee Bee. Two air intakes total. 7.412 tons.

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[carazvan]

Delivering 2 expensive satellites to orbit in style with the cargo version of the Flea SSTO Mk.IV:

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[GoSlash27]

*Edit*

Actually, scratch that. I just realized I have to run my entire mission before submitting for the award.

Edited October 13, 2014 by GoSlash27

[Naten]

I love how chubby and stubby that thing is, Overfloater. It almost looks like a chibi anime version of a plane.

kawaii desu~~~!!!!

(=^-̉ۡ-^=)

I am trying to make compact spaceplanes with FAR. It's fun. I hope mine are as kawaii as Overfloater's little biplanes. In fact, Overfloater inspired me to take the SSTO way.

I might submit an entry soon...

[Jean Deaux]

Figured it's about time I put in an entry. I call this one the Hornet. 28 Parts and weighs 6.2t so not quite a winner for the smallest SSTO but I did give it a go for a manned vehicle. 22 minute video available for viewing & confirmation, enjoy the long boring ride!

Edited October 12, 2014 by Jean Deaux

[Kokanee]

Its a fun design Kokanee and I linked it as a gatecrasher because, correct me if I am wrong, it appears to use the twin engine tank part which was at the time non-stock? (Come to that the RCS blocks look a little unfamiliar as well!)

To clarify, since the update a very similar looking twin engine part is now stock. I know it sounds a bit picky but I am not sure if it has the same specs as the mod part and it would set a precedent to allow mod parts which would break the stock only code of the K-Prize but a craft using the stock twin engine part (but not the mod part) would currently be perfectly valid for the prize. Same applies for beta test parts too btw as they are non-stock until released.

Does that make sense?

No worries, it's your challenge. I'll be back for 0.25!