Jet + ion SSTO

[Teilnehmer]

Jet + ion SSTO challenge

Create a stock craft that…

• is single-staged,
• uses only jet and ion engines for propulsion (Rapiers are allowed in air-breathing mode only),
• is able to reach Kerbin orbit and land back,
• doesn’t use cheats,
• doesn’t abuse clipping (small clipping and clipping of structural parts are allowed though),
• doesn’t have any obstacles for the ion engine exhaust (Stock physics doesn’t check this for some reason for Dawn engines. Please don’t abuse that too much. No special limitations for jet engines since it’s already checked by stock physics.)

Nominations:

• lowest launch mass:

1. Teilnehmer — 5 736 kg
2. chargan — 12 543 kg

• highest launch mass:

1. chargan — 12 543 kg
2. Teilnehmer — 5 736 kg

• special prize for originality.

Edited May 5, 2019 by Teilnehmer

[Flying dutchman]

Edit -

Edited May 1, 2019 by Flying dutchman

[chargan]

Made it to orbit using a rapier

https://imgur.com/a/mgOf5Ol

 

[Teilnehmer]

Awesome! Congratulations!

What’s inside the fairing?

[astrobond]

6 big fuel cells array under the fairing ? i just made a "copy" of this plane (11.5 Tons) and it works !!! awesome @chargan 

 

[chargan]

That's correct. 6 big fuel cells in the fairing, enough to power the 12 ions.

[Teilnehmer]

My attempt.

1 Rapier, 4 Dawns, 2 fuel cell arrays, Kerballed.

Mass: 5 736 kg including a Kerbal.

Spoiler