Andetch

Yeah I worded that wrong, and also go really confused as the "post" I was "answering" that seemed to be the most recent post just disappeared on me... Hahahaha, le fool moi! Still the hump back looks pretty cool. Hard to fly, am working on the thrust balance

Single Stage To Orbit. So to be classed as a SSTO you fire the engines once, and it goes to orbit - yeah you can reduce throttle etc, but you can't fire up any other engines or drop any used fuel tanks etc. 100% of what is launched must reach orbit! Top Secret Photos of Andetch Type X Shuttle Undergoing Initial Flight Test Yes, it seems the new Shuttle can act as a SSTO.......But the final release will ride an external tank to orbit.

Yeah, I guess so.... Will need to think about issues with soundtracks for future videos. All because I put Starman by David Bowie onto a video of my shuttle (loaded with the fuel pod) losing control at around 5kms and nose-diving into the sea....

STS 2 - FAIL Kind of thought you guys would find this short video funny....... Forgot to adjust the wings - oops. I do have a save before the mission for competition

That landing definitely counts as a perfect KSC landing! Okay, thanks very much for explaining that! I'm gonna smash this challenge/s out! Well, to a point anyways - I always have trouble building something that I am happy with that goes interplanetary (yeah ofc I have landed on Duna etc - but only with loads of support equipment like mining rigs on Ike etc).... Meh..... Well, all future videos will probably show off the handling of the shuttles - it is very rare that I can set up a descent to KSC that does not require some fancy flying (if at all - usually I land on beaches)!

Thank you so much Actually gave me a nice chuckle You get 5,000,000 to spend on Andetch Shuttles as a reward

But Gene told me that it was every kerbal's ultimate dream to end up with their name inscribed for all time on that special wall outside the astronaut complex it's true, no?

Michal, the pod has no fuel used - I locked the resources. This is shown in the final scene of the flight video (sorry no narration) here; The video is worth watching, especially the landing because I deliberately (is that believable?) overshot the descent to show off the superb handling characteristics of "Heavy". The Shuttle used is the Type C EL "Heavy" variant. The original Type C Shuttle is nicknamed "Forgiveness" as you can put her into a spin, nosedive or tail fall and recover at any altitude more than 2km, and "Heavy" does have some of those! I am putting together a video showing off this, if you would care to see it? Does flight stability and handling characteristics count for anything? I have successfully put one sat into geostationary orbit (at dawn) with no rcs. I am right in assuming the other sat must be at the dusk position to complete the mission? Also, can I send a 2nd shuttle to recover the Fuel Pod? Now these badges, what do I do with them? Hehehehe

Ok, well I devised a way of getting a 360km orbit - so no worries.

I have a question about STS2, (providing I passed STS1 - mission video will be up 12 hours). Does the shuttle have to exceed 200km high, or just the sats? I ask because my design is only rated for a max altitude of around 100km, but another retrofit of fuel tanks and she could get higher. Is just a pain to add more tanks - creating the EL version was a day or two work! Then creating the EL "Heavy" (first designs only lifted about 25T into orbit) was another few hours flight testing.... Thing is, a standard Andetch Type C can lift a load of satellites - in career I deploy sats from a Type C shuttle in LKO to travel to Jool etc, so no issues there.... Thanks in advance for your clarification.

Andetch Industries Shuttle Challenge Entry (STOCK) STS-1a/1b Craft Type: Andetch Shuttle Type C "Heavy" https://kerbalx.com/Andetch/Andetch-Shuttle-Type-C-EL-Heavy Payload: Mullet Dyne Fuel Pod. Target Orbit: 71,200m, heading 90 degrees. Brief: In collaboration with Mullet Dyne, Andetch Industries is proud to have further expanded the range of Type C Shuttle class to include the "Heavy" variant. In the attached gallery you can see the mission stills. A full mission video has been taken for client verification purposes. Andetch Industries is confident that this achievement places their team at the forefront of shuttle technologies. We are looking forward to future launches. Gallery: https://imgur.com/a/BhxWK

But what about pics of the craft and in flight demonstrating flight profile?

Andetch Widowamker Prototype Top Speed = 1,562 m/s (Airspeed) Brief description and/or history = Rolled out my original hypersonic flight test design. She can go faster than I did for this flight. Made a video, will edit and release. Download Now from KerbalX https://kerbalx.com/Andetch/ADX-WMP

Ah, so does my flying gull wing count that lifts off at 8 m/s and swiftly lands/crashes seconds later at 24 m/s score anything? Hehehe.. The ADX-G is a fully capable craft, very easy to fly - and agile! Thanks for the challenge! Was interesting to get the balance issues sorted.

Does the fact she is supersonic capable, and handles INSANE get any bonus?

My Entry, I introduce you to the ADX G-Type "Snubnose" 5 Points Vital Stats; Rotate; 35 m/s Lift Off 40 m/s (She accelerates fast, I know pic is showing 41 m/s. Fly her if you doubt me). Landing Speed - 25 m/s 15G? EASY! Available now from Andetch Theoretical Systems; https://kerbalx.com/hangars/22966 Gallery: http://imgur.com/a/Vv7gE

Hmm.... All these questions about prop engine and not allowing stock.... I've built a functioning stock prop engine, and there are loads on kerbal x. Andetch entry coming up - watch this space!

Andetch Shuttles Promo Video

Heh, you really got me started on perfecting a shuttle design.... Re-entry is really easy once you get the hang of it and the build right, but tail-strike on landing is my biggest issue. I got my fleet sorted now, the shuttles can put x2 kerbals at a time onto either Min or Mun - by deploying their payload. Once carries a runner kit, the other a large fuel tank that is needed for Mun returns. Kerbal X: https://kerbalx.com/hangars/22952 I will release a demonstration video shortly.

Well I will get on it then ;D

How does this count then? My career mode I always work to a reusable system once fund and tech levels are high enough. I launch a heavy mining rig to Minimus, where she will stay for evermore. Also goes a tanker to sit in Minimus orbit, but with the ability to deliver large amounts of fuel anywhere in the system, after collecting it from the rig. Then tourists are sent up in a bus (codename Holy Grail), and it can deliver small payloads on it's nose to anywhere in the Kerbin System. The SRB stage used to fire the bus into a sub-orbit will land in the peninsula east of the KSC, on parachutes, where it can be recovered. (I see an opportunity to build a recovery vehicle to get the SRB parts, but I think it would not be cost effective). The bus and payload meets the tanker in Minimus orbit, usually after landing on the lakes, and refuels. She can then either land on The Mun and return to KSC, or head to Duna, meet the rig/tanker combo around Ike, land on either Duna or Ike, refuel as needed, then head back to Kerbin SOI, take whatever fuel is needed and land at KSC. The only part that requires crew is on the Rigs, as a communications network is launched separately - the bus is fully automated. Meeting any stations along the way, of setting up an RV to rescue a stranded Kerbal (there are ladders for easy EVA ship transfer), or departing at a poor planetary alignment can be factored into the fuel load. For building stations (I have not felt the need to make really huge ones yet) I would put a similar mass into a fairing instead of the bus and either move it under it's own power; or use one of my re-usable tugs to put it where it needs to be. I can't post pictures yet, because the system is not fully 100% complete..... but if it is the sort of thing that you're looking for - I can work harder to get it all working. p.s loving the challenge idea.

Welcome To The Andetch X-Series Jool Mission (Stock) Classified Information Follows; Pilots! Kerbin Needs You! Mission to Jool using Andetch X-Series deployment probe. (40 points total available) Primary Objective; Set up a system wide comms-net. (Total of 10 points available, scored on coverage and innovative ideas. Points awarded by forum comunnity) Secondary Objective; Visit as many of the system's celestial objects as possible, parking probes into the orbit. (Total of 10 points available, 2 per object - Jool Orbit does not score points) Tertiary Objective; Land on as many of the system's celestial objects as possible. (Total of 10 points available, 2 per landing) Bonus Objective - Jool Dive, because every kerbal wants to know whether there really is marshmallow inside! (5 points) Post your submission as directed! (5 points) I know there are 101 missions to Jool, what with it being like a mini solar system right on the outskirts of Kerbol. This mission is my theoretical mission to start colonizing Jool; ultimately this will be a career mode launch. Establishing a network is my logical first step before sending crew/tourists. (I have played out the majority of this mission to test capabilities of the craft). Points available are listed with the objectives. To get started download the craft from Kerbal-X here! (No accounted needed to download, but you should get an account - it is an awesome resource!) https://kerbalx.com/Andetch/ADJM-X-Series Use the Andetch X-Series, some minor tweaking allowed to correct any design flaws that you may uncover. Quick saves are probably needed - We trust you will not cheat! Adding more probes is not allowed! Take an image of the map screen with network showing. Take images of the vessel showing the celestial object you are orbiting in the background and then a map view screenshot to show the orbit. Take an image of the vessel landed on the celestial object. Take an image of the vessel deep within Jool's atmosphere. Put all the images in an album (imgur is what I use) and post like this; (One image full sized as a cover image - not including the album - for your submission is fine, we just do not want the post getting too long with loads of images!)

Inspired by @Alpha_Gametauri questions about Shuttle design I have came up with a practical near stock (only Mecheb2, this was for delta inquiries, can remove and fly a-okay) tutorial fleet to introduce newbie pilots into asymmetrical shuttle flight. Lots of people ( @Raptor9 I am looking at you here) can explain how the change of position of centre of mass (COM) relative to centre of thrust (COM) as fuel burns causes this design to nose up aggressively as a result. But what does this mean in KSP terms? Well, your shuttle stage and tank-engine stage will need to balance their thrust output during the ascent - shift the COT upwards to stay aligned with COM. I have designed a fleet available for download via Kerbal X now. Just click the link - no need to register ( but you so should! ), place the .craft file into the VAB folder in your desired save and get your flight-suit on! You can add science and payloads as you desire! It's never been easier! The @Andetch Series C Shuttles come with a Minimus landing capable RCS runabout to add to the fun - and all at minimal extra cost! https://kerbalx.com/hangars/22952 The picture gallery is below the flight tutorial. Get on the pad. Trainer is advised for first flights. Throttles set to full. SAS on. Pin open the GUI for the lower stage engine. BLAST OFF! Correct the "nosing up" by reducing thrust output from the lower engine as you follow you desired ascent angle. Adjust main throttles to control ascent speed - don't over-speed and waste fuel. Separate the shuttle, set your desired AP height and prepare for LKO burn.

I look forward to flyi-crashi-ing them later! I have been working on asymmetrical PTSO Shuttle designs. I've cracked it Somewhat inspired by my successes in engine-spinny-thingy-majiggy technology from seeing this work. Not got any lift yet, but did succeed in a massive spinning thing... All thanks to this spitfire

So I have been working on a little physics tester vehicle.... It doesn't take passengers, or payload, it is purely to prove flight concept of asymmetrical design. The only mod is Mechjeb, but it is not needed so you can fly stock. I was just using mechjeb to look at figures. It works like this; Top stage weighs approx 50% of lower stage. Engines are both mainsails, top stage engine is restricted to just over 50% thrust output for launch - you will need to adjust the thrust of each engine in flight so pin both open! Launch at full throttle, it should stay fairly stable, play with the top stage engine thrust to get it stable - it can also help with the grav turn. It should be 100% thrust fairly quickly. Stay below mach 1 under 8,000 M. Around 8.000 M you will start to notice the nosing up effect happening, especially at full throttle. This is where you start reducing the lower stage engine thrust to counter for the moving centre of mass. As the lower stage engine reaches around 50% thrust the bottom stage fuel should be spent. You should also be moving fast enough to coast for a while, and then at around 15 degree climb angle or 50,000 M you can hit full throttle and get into orbit. Coming back down was all going well until I let mechjeb take over and it instantly spun it out! I appreciate this vehicle is not a proper shuttle replica, or cool looking like other submissions, however I feel it could be very valuable for people trying to create an asymmetrical craft; to use to understand the effects of changing centre of mass on the handling characteristics of a ship! If wanted the craft file can be posted!