Bomaye

Who of you actually share a heavy lifter?

It was in the Payload fraction Challenge in 1.0.4 with over 50% payload fraction, but you need modify it by removing cockpits and using the remote control parts instead + moving wings slightly forward for re-entry. I did it in 1.0.5 also but forgot to post it. Now I await 1.1

This does a payload fraction of 46% or 50,1% with slight modification, 180t is "easy" work to LKO - 205t requires flight control and removal of cockpits (1.0.5).

Yes, but probably no

Yeah sure, and I think if you use the scramjet engines and then fly into space, you have time to both circulirize the orbiter and to fly back with the lifter in stock KSP. I just found it as easy to make the "White Knight" a SSTO with 180t cargo capacity so I could be creative with the cargo. Anyway, all these ways will work, and I think I will make an insane airbreather when 1.1 launch just because of fun

Or you can make a space plane With cargo like this (v.1.0.4):

You do what you feel like :-) I for example like the challenge of not using Mechjeb, but if you like it, use it! ;-)

How on earth do you guys get 1600m/s at 18 000m without overheating, in 1.0.5 I can only do 13-1400ish???

I basically have same approach and engines to weight I also use in same ballpark depending task ahead (I build mine for use in career). I think MJ helps a lot because its so easy while sit and "tap, tap, tap" to mess up But i never used it, I tried that flight mod you can see but it will flip the craft (or close too) when you go trans orbital. Hmmmmm

Nice one Val!! I can see that I need to dl MJ to get better flight profiles.

I broke the 50% barrier (barely) with the White Knight!!! (Very fun doing this trials) Craft: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4NjxbmXIiYwV0xsZ3AxRnQ3Zjg/view?usp=sharing Take-off: 410,8t Payload to orbit: 205,53t Payload fraction: 50,03% Pics here: http://imgur.com/a/MosSB

They will they are just too small, look on the F-15 and you see the size or the SR-71 where they are all moving.

Nice one tewpie! I was wondering why you would stack engines like that as it has no benefits Ohhh and a question or 2: How you switch from surface to orbital using that flight mod......for it always flipps or do wierd stuff so I fly by "hand" in the end. And i always seem to get heat issues at ca 12km to 36km alt and speed of 1200m/s to 1500m/s, any advice?

So i re-designed some heavy parts (cockpits removed, was thinking same Val) and removed some fuel and monoprop. White Knight 5 Craft: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4NjxbmXIiYwTVlBT1dUNUc5dG8/view?usp=sharing Take-off: 405,6t Payload to orbit: 199,25t Payload fraction: 49,12% Pics: http://imgur.com/a/uvaRw Still think the ascent can be optimized and there is still some fuel left......hmmmm can it beat 50% barrier?

No problemo, I like this challenge I didnt construct it for it, but just looked at some crafts that was fit for it. Hmmm will try design something new

Ahhh, maybe I missunderstood that the payload should separate without rendering the craft useless? I was just thinking that was an SSTO since it actually can return.

White Knight 4 on test 3 Take-off: 412,3t Payload to orbit: 196,25t Payload fraction: 47,59% And that was done with pilot assistance, but I can't seem to find a good way of switching from surface to orbital control. As you can see I added just 3x2t to the ore containers. PS. Tseitsei's Simple Is Beautiful doesnt seem single stage to me. Pics: http://imgur.com/a/g6ukX - - - Updated - - - Ohhh and Val, your design is damn efficient

Val is correct, think of F-16 and its design

It will never be really practical........but never say never, show me your design

White Knight 4 Did some more tweaks while, and flew by "hand" Craft: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4NjxbmXIiYwcmYxY3BBNF83cm8/view?usp=sharing Take-off: 409,3t Payload to orbit: 193,25t Payload fraction: 47,21% Pics here: http://imgur.com/a/4JuT3

Yeah, because I tried and it wont fit.......

Ohhh, but I think the Scarab MK2 is either tweak scaled or clipped it looks like both, but dont know. - - - Updated - - - Aaaaaand now the images are gone.....

Red Iron Crown, can I clip cargo in cargo bay to increase weight? (I see its done before, after trying get same payload up)

My humble apologize for cheating, the vessel was using monoprop from the payload. The result became a little better after a quick fix So I got this result: Craft: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4NjxbmXIiYwYmhXSVM1cDNJZk0/view?usp=sharing Take-off: 363,8.t Cargo to orbit: 163,22t Payload fraction: 44,86% http://imgur.com/a/FcZ7U