Reentering Kerbin using Ferram Aerospace.

[63Hayden]

Hello, to all reading this. I have a problem with my SSTO's. Whenever I actually manage to break orbit with one of my spaceplane designs, I have a terrible time reentering the atmosphere and landing back on the runway - even without the hassle of the temperature system. More to the point, I can't perform the famous 'S' brake maneuver to slow down at all... The teeniest deviation from my prograde vector results in a wild spiral into the ground at terminal velocity. Because I can't even slow down to anything below 300m/s, I can't even come anywhere close the the KSC, as I'm unable to pick my landing destination. I've a long-time fan of Scott Manley, and in his Interstellar Quest series, I see him pulling off crazy maneuvers at high altitude - even while his craft is on fire - in order to slow down, and he makes the landing almost every time. I used the Ferram Aerospace Research stability tool while making my designs to ensure that they're stable during ascent and descent - with and without fuel - and yet I fail endlessly. If you could offer me some help in this matter, I would be very grateful.

[Schinxz]

Scott Manleys interstellar quest was pre 1.0.0, so the atmosphere was totally different then (don't remember if he used Ferram Aerospace though). I'm not too experienced with planes myself, so the only advice I can give you is to make sure the center of mass on your ship is not too far back, and maybe add more drag to the back of your plane too (we have airbrakes now since 1.0.0 )

[Whovian]

Haven't done much with NuFAR, so I probably won't be able to help much.

I had this problem somewhat recently with an SSTO of mine. I solved it by going into a spin early (did this by reentering backwards; I initially intended to try to use my jets to slow down but instability led to that not panning out). This resulted in slowing down to subsonic as high as 20 km, after which I fought to regain control and pulled up just before I would have hit the ground. Unfortunately, this ship sucks at landing, so I never did manage to recover the ship. It might be interesting to deliberately do something like that.

I think having wings curve up at the tips helps with stability, as do vertical stabilizers, preferably close to the center. Maybe try those?

[63Hayden]

Scott Manleys interstellar quest was pre 1.0.0, so the atmosphere was totally different then (don't remember if he used Ferram Aerospace though). I'm not too experienced with planes myself, so the only advice I can give you is to make sure the center of mass on your ship is not too far back, and maybe add more drag to the back of your plane too (we have airbrakes now since 1.0.0 )

Yeah, I'm aware that Interstellar Quest was made prior to the 1.0 update and beyond - I believe it was made using version 0.18 and 0.25, but I can't be sure. Also, he was definitely using Ferram Aerospace Research since the first episode. And as for the centre of mass vs centre of lift, that's the very first thing I check for all of my designs. Additionally, I use Ferram's stability calculation tool (as mentioned above) to ensure that my craft has enough yaw, pitch and roll authority. Essentially, I have ensured that my spacecraft designs are able to fly straight.

- - - Updated - - -

Haven't done much with NuFAR, so I probably won't be able to help much.

I had this problem somewhat recently with an SSTO of mine. I solved it by going into a spin early (did this by reentering backwards; I initially intended to try to use my jets to slow down but instability led to that not panning out). This resulted in slowing down to subsonic as high as 20 km, after which I fought to regain control and pulled up just before I would have hit the ground. Unfortunately, this ship sucks at landing, so I never did manage to recover the ship. It might be interesting to deliberately do something like that.

Deliberately stalling your spaceplane to reduce speed - that is probably the most Kerbal thing I have ever heard .

I think having wings curve up at the tips helps with stability, as do vertical stabilizers, preferably close to the center. Maybe try those?

Thanks for the advice. I usually have swept wings to ensure that my designs don't deviate from the prograde vector, and I usually just simulate the effect the vertical stabilizer by having my tailplanes vertical. So would adding another tailplane nearer the centre of mass help? If so, I should get on that.