SCI Levo. 45t payload capable spaceplane. 351t start mass.

[Lazer Cut]

I've always had a fascination with huge SSTO's since the first time I started making them. It's been about the only thing I do in KSP. And I've created alot of huge behemoths. I've stuck to only stock parts and did use FAR before 1.0.

This is my latest creation. Stock with Engineer and Action groups extended. No cheats, no clipping.

The SCI Levo.

A SSTO capable of taking 45t out into orbit.

It's 351t at launch with the payload.

Consists of 387 parts, of whom 38 are RAPIERS and 4 are NERVA's.

It has full RCS maneuverability, which is needed during the insertion stage for extra control authority.

Has detachable front wings to alter the CoL and make reentry possible.

Landing is tough, with the plane unable to land on uneven terrain in more than -2m/s in vertical velocity. I don't think you can land it if it's full of fuel.

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. Edited June 17, 2015 by Lazer Cut

[SHiftER2O]

A little to party for, effectiveness? Well it gets the job done, although there are less party alternatives

Here's a stretch; You're using too much engines and fuel, it goes like - need more thrust - need more engines - need more fuel, and that's how most problems start with large lifter designs. Pretty sure that much of a powerplant can lift something more than just an orange tank,but no space so ..

There is much room for improvement, mainly decreasing the powerplant and engines, which removes excess wait in the process, the wings may as well be causing much drag to be practical, balance the powerplant, the fuel levels, and the lit ratio and you're good to do

Note to SHiftER, it's always fun to diagnose other people's crafts

[Screeno]

Also shift, minimizing drag using a streamlined airframe reduces the need for redicoilous amounts of engines, the craft in the op I can tell from looking at it has many large changes in cross section area so it will produce a lot of transonic/supersonic drag. Also using shock cone intakes is better because they basically have no drag due to how pointy they are, compared to the ram intakes, I find those are very draggy. I made a 45 ton payload capable ssto spaceplane which is only 130 tons... Just um.. sayin.. lol

Edited June 17, 2015 by Screeno

[SHiftER2O]

Also shift, minimizing drag using a streamlined airframe reduces the need for redicoilous amounts of engines, the craft in the op I can tell from looking at it has many large changes in cross section area so it will produce a lot of transonic/supersonic drag. Also using shock cone intakes is better because they basically have no drag due to how pointy they are, compared to the ram intakes, I find those are very draggy. I made a 45 ton payload capable ssto spaceplane which is only 130 tons... Just um.. sayin.. lol

Yes! The streamlining, I forgot to say, thank you

[Screeno]

You know I love me a bit of drag reduction, just ask the RP n3 arrowhead XD

[Gaalidas]

Still, it flies. That's something anyway.

[Lazer Cut]

Also shift, minimizing drag using a streamlined airframe reduces the need for redicoilous amounts of engines, the craft in the op I can tell from looking at it has many large changes in cross section area so it will produce a lot of transonic/supersonic drag. Also using shock cone intakes is better because they basically have no drag due to how pointy they are, compared to the ram intakes, I find those are very draggy. I made a 45 ton payload capable ssto spaceplane which is only 130 tons... Just um.. sayin.. lol

Well, there was a reason I called it "Power" during the design stage I'll admit that I basically just created that tail section and cargobay, and then just slapped on stuff around that to make it flyable. First on the agenda was to have some nacelles away from the main fuselage to make it stable on the runway, and when I had done that I was up into such a large mass that I felt like I had to spam engines. I've been using the old rule of thumb to have atleast one engine per 10t, which might very admittedly be outdated now with how the new jet engines handle.

With the wings I tried to keep each heavy part supported by a lifting surface to avoid aerodynamic destruction. I think I tend to forget that aircraft should be streamlined :'D But is this what you say about the different intakes true, or just speculation? I haven't found much information on what sets them apart, and as of now I just use the ram intakes because they look better

Also, wow, 45t with 130t? That's quite the achievement! Was that with stock parts or mods?