Argon

I refuse to vote! You have already rehashed this too many times in too many different subforums. -Argon

Thanks, this is useful since the neutering of the nuke. -Argon

Nuclear engine: 20/100, as in the throttle it can be run at continuously without exploding.

Use a skipper and very large drop tanks, they are a better alternative to the nuke in it's current melted state. -Argon

^The nuke has already been significantly nerfed by the new tech tree as well as the liquid fuel only update, and if squad wanted to make it a big ship only part they could make it a 2.5m part, with significantly higher mass and thrust. All this new overheat mechanic has done is suppress creativity and induce lag. -Argon

I think the problem is less of "don't know how to use it" and more of "small fast accelerating craft does not have the thermal mass to absorb the heat generated", so it is not a lack of knowledge. -Argon

A fair point as well, but they could have just nerfed atmo ISP not vacuum. -Argon

Perhaps if they didn't want everyone to use the nuke they shouldn't have nerfed the ISP of every single LFO chemical engine. -Argon

My wording, despite being biased does reflect the problem, the once steadfast nuke now overheats at half throttle unless a massive unaerodynamic array of wings is stuck to it, if squad wanted to make a dedicated heatsink part I would be fine, however they did not. The new nuclear engine can't be used in small aerodynamic craft anymore. The result of this is two separate SSTO designs that rely on the LV-N for vacuum op which can manage orbit running pinned, but not at 1/3 throttle(tested with cheats). -Argon

^I did look, and the other thread contained no poll.

So the 1.0 LV-N seems to be broken to me, as well as unrealistic. This new update introduces added realism to the game, another result is the LV-N cooking off at half throttle, this is both obnoxious and unrealistic. A real nuclear rocket is cooled by the flow of unreacted propellant, if anything the LV-N would overheat more readily at a tenth throttle than at full. What do all of you think? -Argon

Yes: http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/117469-1-0-compatible-SSTO%21 -Argon

New Iteration, complete with air brakes and a drogue chute: 5 is the action group to cut chute. The craft file will be in the original post under the first iteration. -Argon

Incredible detail! I will have to download this. -Argon Edit: Tried the craft, it flies as good as it looks. +rep

The safety parachutes guarantee survival at the cost of the craft. I have not tried winged re-entry yet, but I have considered adding a radial drogue set to deploy very high to slow the velocity, which would then be cut. Also the variable angle delta wings are kind of my signature when it comes to SSTOs. My entire .90 fleet had very similarly shaped wings. -Argon

A 1.0 capable SSTO which can achieve LKO with the new heating and atmo mechanics. (On stock settings). Ascent Orbit Posting a recommended ascent profile would be foolish of me as it is quite hit or miss the way I am currently flying it. Action Groups: 1: toggle rapiers 2: toggle nuke 3: toggle ladder 4: toggle rapier mode Craft file: Nuclear Rapier SSTO-R2.craft copy 111 KB https://mega.co.nz/#!2s0wjR6R!Kawi-XnJH1KGAV6U582EibkToIvdKmpqGNVup-QmPrY Craft file of new iteration: Nuclear Rapier SSTO-R3.craft copy 114 KB https://mega.co.nz/#!ygl3xBiS!b-9GEkjL81lNcP9lyMNhCOGr-rMPe9lL8FW0Y7165Lg -Argon

^ Thanks, I'm running the 2280x1800 retina mac, which is an odd ratio. This helps a lot. -Argon

With the new aero what will become of Cupcake's dropships? The world is waiting. -Argon

Upon opening in 1.0 the game started in widescreen, I altered nothing in the settings menu. Upon exiting the game changed aspect ratios to the old one. Don't know how to undo. -Argon

We have a new record!

Glory to the toroid!

Cool looking design. Also how many gees does that thing pull with those two enormous engines?

Capable of low Kerbin orbit either with a small cargo or with a crew module if you choose to substitute it for the cargo bay. (Designed for stock atmo model) Ascent Orbit Instructions: -Activate SAS -Activate rapiers at full throttle -Accelerate to more than 1200 m/s at highest operating altitude. -Activate aerospike engine when rapiers switch mode -De-activate rapiers once the additional thrust is not needed -Coast to apoapsis -Circularize orbit Action groups: 1: toggle rapiers 2: toggle aerospike 3: toggle ladder Craft file: Light SSTO.craft copy 119 KB https://mega.co.nz/#!6l1TAIgQ!As1kUjx-nk5UaZxNgYdlzwG6mF3hg7jy4BZ-n4FSz98 -Argon

Thanks! And be glad that ion thrusters run on Xenon not Argon, or they would be approximately 3.3 times more annoying. -Argon

^I tried my hands at making a Kracken drive, but only was able to create a twitching machine or a spinning machine. In short: yes they were my own designs. -Argon