[1.0.4] OO-5 'Aepyornis' V3 SSTO - 50 mTons to LKO with 28% payload fraction

[Ojimak]

OO-5 'Aepyornis' V3

"Because who says biplanes can't be SSTOs?"

Now with an extended cargo bay, lower part count, increased payload capacity, increased payload fraction, slightly improved aesthetics, and half the structural integrity!

179.5 mTons at launch, 50.9 mTon payload to a 75 x 75 km orbit = 28.36% payload fraction

In Orbit:

On Runway:

Inset of the new RapierSpikes:

Flight Instructions:

1. Pitch up to 20 degrees after take off and maintain angle until aiirspeed is at 220 m/s (does not take off before end of the runway)

2. Pitch up to 35 degrees and maintain angle until at 14 km

3. Pitch down to 0 degrees until airspeed is above 400 m/s

4. Pitch up to 20 degrees until apoapsis is above 18 km

5. Pitch down to 5 degrees and build up speed in the 0-5 degree area until airspeed is 1590 m/s and altitude is 23 km (do not get ahead of the apoapsis)

6. When no longer able to maintain airspeed in airbreathing mode, press 2 to switch to Closed Cycle and pitch up to 30 degrees

7. When apoapsis is at 71 km, stop burning and coast to apoapsis

8. Circularize. Press 4 to toggle the solar cells, 9 to open the cargo bay, and 10 to undock the cargo

Download

169.2 mTons at launch, 41.9 mTon payload = 24.8% payload fraction

(Good for bringing an orange tank + goodies {RCS+probe core+electricity} to LKO)

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Download (mediafire)

-Ojimak

(Passenger version still in development)

Edited July 4, 2015 by Ojimak
updated to 1.0.4

[Columbia]

This is awesome! Uniquely designed.

Does this work for 1.0.3?

[Ojimak]

Thanks!

I've updated the OP with a design that works in 1.0.3 (and should work in 1.0.4). The only major change is the swapping of the forward tank from a LF+O tank to an LF tank. An imgur flight instruction album is in progress.

-Ojimak

Edited June 24, 2015 by Ojimak

[Kagame]

Oooh. Pretty. And that's difficult with an orange tank lifter- well done indeed.

[Ojimak]

Thanks!

I've now updated the OP with the OO-5 'Aepyornis' V3, featuring a 50% longer cargo bay and increased payload capacity/fraction. This was all accomplished mainly with reductions in drag, from replacement of the ram air intakes with shock cones, reduction in the number of mostly unnecessary struts, and addition of shock cones to the ends of the RAPIERs to create RapierSpikes. With the higher speeds achievable and the new heating, be careful with the canards; they will explode if you're not paying attention.

-Ojimak