ForScience6686

Well to be honest I haven't done any rocket ssto. I'd like to see others have a go at it. but for now, I'll bask in my glory

Did I set the bar too high? I'm disappointed there haven't been more entries. Pretty sure a rocket could beat my time. I was also thinking about timing a round trip to see how fast it could be done.

Now I've only built a few successful space planes, but never had an issue with burning wings. But more info would help solve your problem. You should be belly to prograde as long as you can hold it, until slow enough that heating won't be an issue. Pics are worth a thousand words...

You could even complete both sat contracts with the same satellite, they don't have to be left in place once completed.

Some of this info is wrong. In fact I have a plane parked right next to the sph and runway and have no issues with that. I also have a runway beacon just West of the runway. I also have craft on the island runway that do not need to be touched. I would guess this is a mod conflict as I play vanilla.

I think that is a rediculous statement. Most payloads going to space are not streamlined, bulky with sharp edges, as you have nothing to fight once in space. Plus it's best to keep the payload light, so why waste it on streamlining? Other factors being heat tolerance and aero forces. I really wish they would make science and power items able to take damage easier so you had to protect them like what they actually do, with fairings. Like I've said, I don't experience these control issues, and many that I see that do, experience it while off prograde. But since your fairing tends to be bigger than the rocket body shouldn't you assume it will impart more body lift? And since that lift is coming from the end of the lever, should it not be expected to have a lot of force? I'm sorry, but I'm just tired of the fairing bashing. I'm just glad to have them now.

Does that rule not apply to all rockets though?. Keep prograde or lose efficiency, and at the extreme, control.

Am I the only one who doesn't experience issues with the fairing? I wrap all payloads in fairing and never have issues if I stay within prograde. But I build my payloads for space so nice sharp edges. Maybe a high Twr counters these issues.

Thanks for the mention. I know it will be short lived though, as a rocket should be able to do it faster. Maybe add different categories for rocket and space plane. I did enjoy this challenge quite a bit and hopefully it will improve my operations now that I've had plenty of practice here.

Ok, here's my results. So.... ya KSS in this case is a replicate of my stingray. In this case the Kerbin Stingray Select. I am surprised that I got it in that time my self, the key was perfect launch timing for a first pass rendezvous. I know this time can beat as this is a panther SSTO space plane that I am loving more and more. This version is in sandbox as I haven't unlocked the inline dock port yet but is identical to my career version as well as the one I used for the K-prize and frugal tourist challenges. Hope you like. Oh, manual flight and docking. All vanilla.

Ya I think I'll give it a shot tonight if time allows.

Total mission time is launch to kss docking correct? Or landing as well. I might have to enter in that case, I think my best is 18 minutes but I'll have to get proof of that.

Dv is calculated for each stage, so you will need to calculate for each tank thatis dropped. Not difficult, just many calculations.

My method for this is a small probe and claw. Grab and descend. Size of object is not an issue here, only if you don't have enough chutes.

I disagree. I've had instances where radial was the only attachment option on a mirrored part. I ended up having to build it on one side only, then mirror it when completed. This was on a droptank mounted on a wing.

Well just from how you describe it, was out put on radially or with mirror symmetry? That's what I would check.

My understanding of the rapier engine is it's poor low speed performance. Now I could be wrong as I haven't unlocked or used it. But I believe that is what I have seen around the forums. It's real power comes after mach 1. Have you tried dropping the nose to get over the hump then return to climbing?

Here's my entry in regards to panther ssto. I used this for the k-prize entry as well. I calculate it at 413.66/tourist to LKO. Not as good as these others but it would be quite profitable as my screenshots show (That's right, 6 million by day 55!) I love this ship, very easy to fly but can be a bit twitchy at high speeds. Even with the small wing area, the upward wing incidence makes it capable of landings at just under 80m/s. I actually used this for 5 missions being refilled at the island by a miner, so cost was 0. As I attempted to taxi for the 6th mission, the wings continued to just fall off. It was retired, until I saw this thread, hope you enjoy.

Hold alt for node only attachment. Make sure it's not trying to attach to the cargo if it's already in place.

My first challenge submission. This is what I call the Stingray. It has actually flown 5 missions to orbit after its initial build. It is based at the island airbase where I have a mining and fueling setup. I would say landing this thing at the island with 2 other craft and the immense lag deserves a medal. It ended up broken after this mission, the wings refused to stay on when attempting to take off again.

Hmm, this is odd, I have not experienced any control issues when using fairings. and I use them on just about everything except planes. I'd want to see what the craft looks like to see if there are any other possible issues with how you've built it and the launch profile used. I just haven't experienced the issues you guys are bringing up. Usually, you're trying to protect something larger than the core stack and the fairing is going to create a larger profile to protect it. Does this not mean that any deviation from prograde will cause a huge drag spike that begins the flip. Of course, unless you build your rocket properly. Being a cylindrical object, how would it induce lift unless off of prograde? at that point it would be the same as body lift on a space plane correct?

You can try the old ctrl + z but that can get wonky. I have had success at grabbing struts that didn't connect by zooming into the object, but that can also be risky.

I thought that drag would be added to the parent part for surface mounted objects, regardless if you off set it. Not sure how to answer your question as that is not something I would do. I add cargo bays to protect those types of items.

I understand, however you seem to want a bomber to fly like a fighter. Dropping your payload should not shift your com, as that will change flight characteristics, for the worse according to you. That's not how you would design such a craft. dropping your payload should increase performance. Sometimes we expect too much from our designs. I've been there myself, but I'm pretty sure my advice is still valid.

Consider the weight to drag profile. Empty tank, and I'm not sure of its orientation, but if it was tumbling it would lose speed quite quick. Since you used rcs for de orbit I'm guessing it was a shallow profile as well so plenty of time to slow down.