Dobrodav

No -to vodka

Well, looks like we need another reset.

Forbidden trick:

Yes, detachable payload is a pain. But in the line of thinking about the craft exactly as a tanker, we might to count just delivered fuel quantities (in non detachable tanks), relaying on some fuel pump system, that will empty them through docking port. That kind of design is much more easy to accomplish. Thats actually an reusable space-plane with docking port and reach RCS power, able to reach and operate on orbit with significant amount of unused fuel. About KSO - http://kerbalspaceprogram.com/forum/index.php?topic=14339.0

There is a limit placed by theoretical maximum of gas energy, but they can be quite big. In practice, nozzles are quite heavy, and engineers must take that in consideration when deciding size of them on engines placed on upper stages in coordination with whole craft characteristics. But even with that restrictions, modern rocket engines have efficiency up to 70 %, much better, than any other engines.

Well, that bird is quite pleasant looking. Cool work at design, Sean. I tried craft named 'Morning Star' posted somewhere at 'K prize' theme, and i was surprised how well it behave even without any ASAS attached. It was designed by its creator for long duration missions (i.e. to land on the moon and back). So it have some good potential to be redesigned as LKO tanker. Think will try to redesign it.

Yep, no detachable parts in propulsion system. Maybe only in payload delivery system,- to put the payload at already established orbit.

I think that Mechjeb module with pod magic power, that can be fitted from a selectable parts regular section will fight this. Will try to experiment with config file of 1 meter mechjeb part.

Well, they want to illuminate phantom forces in 0,16 version. Maybe you should just wait a little for this. Or inspect your craft for parts intersections.

i mentioned, that mechjeb controlled decoupled parts ('debris') are pretty bad controllable even with SAS and RCS system on them. I have no idea, why, or how to fight this.

Hm, looks like rear gears go through the ground. Try to change angle at wich they are rotated. Mostly that bug occurs when gears are not 90 degrease to the surface.

As Reflector mentioned above, effective size of nozzles compared to overall engine power is function of outside static pressure (altitude in atmosphere). Therefore, size of nozzles optimal for vacuum (bigger), is not optimal when ascending from atmosphere (they should be smaller).

Someone presented his vision of B-52 bomber in exchange section. http://kerbalspaceprogram.com/forum/index.php?topic=12624.0 . That thing is huge.

Not sure that my craft is fully fit in conditions, but think that it can be easily modified. Fully reusable SSTO 'Bobs Carrier' That modification of 'Bobs' can deliver up to 20 tons of payload on circular orbits up to 400 km. Was designed to deliver 2 long range probes on LKO. It have 5 rcs tanks, witch numbers can be raised to 10 (or more, if payload mass reduced), if extensive maneuvers expected. Also payload can be placed on nose section (where is RCS tanks located) in witch case it actually controls better. Nosecon is good place for docking node. There is also 2 more good spots for payload/nodes just before most upper and lower fuel tanks. Its initial mass is 111.23 tons and about 42 tons empty after landing on runaway. Control rating at full mass - acceptable, rotating for lift off is done, just after slipping from the end of runaway, or by raising gear at 100 m\s. On orbit with payload - heavy with RCS off (unbalanced due to a mass distribution). On orbit without payload - good. During reenter - stable. Gliding\landing - good. Here is a report of test delivery fly on 240km orbit. http://imgur.com/a/aVE2W#0 Craft file in attachment.

That Saw-fish is very impressive. Can not imagine how hard that thing was to accomplish. I am make only 20 fuel barrels SSTO with only 6 engines, and still, it was a lot of testing , retesting at different fuel loads etc. So, very impressive. But, back to business, here my work to join the club. 'Bobs XL' (XL stands for 'Extra Light' ) 'Bobs XL' details: That model is ripped of unnecessary 8 RCS fuel tanks, RCS thrusters, additional 4 Turbo engines of 'Bobs basic' model that was made for comfortable visiting of Minimus, to make it capable for Mun landing and returning back. Mun is much more hard to land and leave, in terms of DV. It have 2 turbo jets grouped in 1-st stage, that it uses for take off and for reaching 8 km alt. Staging is only logical, nothing decouples here. At 8 km other engines must be turn on by pressing space button. It is 2 un-vectored engines and 2 vectored. They are looking asymmetrically placed, but actually, there is no problems with them, if avionics (or ASAS) is turned on. After that, we are going to 33 km alt as fast as possible (at about 50-60 degrease pitch), and from that altitude performing gravity turn normally. When operated under Mech Jeb control, it can reach Mun, land on it , and then return back to KSC, with lot of fuel, so you have enough fuel to do it by hands, with some room for error. Due to lack of RCS control, it should be landed at tail on Mun. Therefore, tail is redesigned and hardened to allow this. Aero-controls is balanced good enough for both full and empty state, and avionics makes that plane easy controllable. As other SSTO`s, you should keep its attitude alignment with speed vector during reentering, to avoid uncontrollable spins. Controllable glide possible at 500 m/s speed at 15 km altitude, and below. Short report on Mun and back travel: Full report is here: http://imgur.com/a/N9CnS#0 Engines started: `240km orbit achieved: Going to the Mun: Landed at the Mun: Leaving Mun: Tuning aerobraking: Aerobraking: Tuning periapsis for KSC return after aerobraking: Controllable glide after reenter: Touchdown: Stats: 'Bobs XL' with hull cameras - http://kerbalspaceprogram.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=12837.0;attach=22975 'Bobs XL' only stock - http://kerbalspaceprogram.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=12837.0;attach=22976

That camera plugin blown up my mind. Its just turns KSP in something even more enjoyable addictive great.

Its huge, like that.

Looks good. When i will move on Nova Punch mod, i will give it a try.

Somebody mentioned Mech Jeb`s Ascent autopilot, and i was eager to test that. So its possible. Orbit inclinitaion for KSC 2 is 208 degrees. When you saw last lake, you should make final corrections (Pilot is not to much precise). Height of the orbit 13 -17 km, depending on your apparatus TWR (lighter - higher). Start of the G-turn about 3 km. Thats depends on your craft abilities. Before engaging autopilot take an appropriate altitude, attitude , heading. For crafts with high TWR, its good idea to engage while in vertical flight. Fine tune your (thats actually needed mostly for records ETC) in flight attitude by turn angle slider in ascent path graph. Doing my second trip around Kerbin now with this technique, and my hands is free for about an hour now. Wish you luck. Drop of time - 29 minutes. Not a record, but well, thats was about using ascent autopilot . Report : http://imgur.com/a/Ub0Kw#0

Well, 10 km altitude seems restricting, Its lower than optimal height for the turbo jets. That forces people to use glide as much as possible and that leads to infinite glide glitch.

Just want to say - Thank you !

Brilliant. We want more robotics plane

Well, i am read through some provided materials. Piece of advice - for that kind of experiment, 'Orbiter' simulator is much more better. It at least deals with the Earth (Kerbin 1st space speed is just one quarter of Earth and therefore, SSTO is not a big deal here, actually), have good, and detailed enough orbit mechanic simulation including complex earth atmosphere. Well its have some flaws, when it comes to making your own craft, but now it have mods, that allow to do this by person even without knowing programming languages (search for spacecraft3.dll on Orbiter forum). Also it have more scientific oriented users, with long story of creating ships and using them. Actually KSP auditory can be very science driven too, but they are investigating that new world Kerbin, therefore, it will not help much with you field of interest. But there is no better place to check some crazy ideas 'on the fly' than KSP, and its actually - very fun. Good luck on your journeys, Bob Clarck.

Stock kerbal glue ? Not familiar, with that. I am planning to make some geometry shaped plane, but not sure what approach to use - With this part or maybe even damned robotics (looks like it can be used for trimming and this is kind of idea fix for me).

Looks like it changes wing geometry - right ? I see - thats very cool. What modes needed ?