Hodo

Actually it is heavier than the B9 SABRE S engine, by .25 tons. And generates less power, 190/175 vs 215/185 But the engine response is faster in the RAPIER and heat generation is less. Not to mention a far more compact design. But for some reason it feels more over powered then the SABRE-S

Unfortunately your craft keeps losing its engines with me. The center one overheats around 15km at mach 2.6 or so, then explodes about 10s later if kept at 100% throttle. The other two follow suite about 20s after that. The problems I found are simple. The engines are to far from the CoM, which is causing them to overheat quickly, it is a way KSP calculates cooling. Overall your design is overly complex, you don't need the probe core in the design, between the cockpit and the SAS module you have plenty of torque for any maneuvering sans transitional movement. Try cutting back on the number of intakes and engines, try going down to two or even one. That new RAPIER is overpowered and easy to get carried away with. I like a simple 3:1 ratio for intake to engines, as long as I generate speed I can overcome the lack of intakes. Which is how the SR-71 operated at 26km altitude. But good news is, if you ever decide to use FAR, your craft works great in it.

It is a bit overpowered, and this is coming from someone who uses B9.

Ok I will take a look at it and tell you what I think in a minute.

Look good to me. I am sure someone will come along and beat it shortly.

It wasn't much trouble, SSTOs are a hobby of mine.

Oh and the part count for the two craft are. X-152 part count 28 X-152A (stock parts only) 26.

No problem I just tweaked it to a stock version... Did it it 7:46s But with more fuel available. And one in the daylight so you can actually see it. Same flight profile, same everything just removed the B9 parts and replaced them with stock parts. Craft file https://www.dropbox.com/s/gd7ux3xejnx39my/X-152A.craft

Didn't see that in the rules.

SSTOs are what I do. I build them in my sleep, that one took 15minutes to slap together. Most of that time was making it look decent.

Craft file added and the description is in the craft notes under the SPH. But I can repeat them in the post if you would like. It is a KISS technique SSTO.

wow double post.... I will add the craft file in just a minute. I needed to relaunch it and test at 70km orbit, which is LOW for me, my standard test profile is 100km x 100km orbit.

I hate to say this but it is pretty easy... I went up to 100km x 100km orbit. X-152 Liquid fuel 208 left oxidizer 308 left. Time to orbit 11:36s Time to 70km orbit 7:10s. craft file. You will need B9 for 3 parts. https://www.dropbox.com/s/j4mzn9k5c6ki3fa/X-152.craft

The SR-71 uses the speed of the air to maintain its air requirements. And it topped out at around 26km altitude, not 30km.

There is already, not one, not two, but now three of these types of challenges. http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/62224-The-Swordsman-Challenge http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/62206-RAPIER-to-its-limits!-%28how-far-in-space-on-a-single-rapier-engine%29

I like the new layout of the VAB/SPH but I am a less than thrilled by the RAPIER which I find a bit OP compared to the B9 SABRE, which is based on the same technology.

So the new RAPIER engines... hmmm I cant say I like them yet. They are small which is good, but they are way overpowered. 175kn in jet mode and 190kn in rocket. They only weigh 1.75 tons. I managed to push a 7 ton test craft with one 1.25m liquid+ox tank to 100km x 100km and still had 220 out of 320 liquid fuel on board. I only used 2 intakes and got to 21km before it HAD to switch over. And the power doesn't die off till around mach 7 in jet mode. I think I will stick to the heavier B9 SABRE engines for now... but I may find a use for the RAPIER later.

Actually it is... lol I found he had just patched it.

Nevermind... I am blind.

You are quickly becoming the hero of KSP modworld!

I don't, I run a strict 3:1 intake to engine ratio. Which is about the most I can find in real life.

Got it, thanks. Now just waiting on RT2 and everything will be kosher.

That is a surprise, of all the things that should have broke... the oldest least supported mod should have broke at this point. A true testament to his coding skills.

Found a work around for KER, so that isn't a problem. I think it is definitely DRE.

Think there maybe a problem with DRE, but Procedural Fairings and Procedural wings are working.