SaturnianBlue's Space Transportation System Space Shuttle (70% Scale)

[SaturnianBlue]

STS Space Shuttle

After dozens of hours of work, here is my replica of the space shuttle, the face of NASA for some 3 decades. This is a functional replica of the powerful rocket at a mere 230 parts, and with adjustments, capable of carrying payloads of at least 25 tons into low keratin orbit. The replica features uses of LFO to make the OMS run off realistic-isn fuels. This partially reusable spacecraft is capable of recovery back at the KSC runway. The SRBs are also recoverable, with drogues and main parachutes.

I have tried making space shuttles in the past (once back in March for a Magellan craft that kickstarted my replica building), but none have been as good as this one, which is far better balanced. This craft has an empty cargo bay. This craft is unique in using a 5 segment cargo bay, and custom wing part OMS pods.

Mods: Procedural Parts (custom style tanks and boosters), Tweakscale (extensive scaling of engines, and to make the custom OMS pods, part reduction etc), Kerbpaint (Changes colors on some parts), Infernal Robotics (makes the space shuttle antenna come to life), and KJR (massive part reduction, allows 2X, even 3X time warp on ascent).

This is one of the hardest of my replicas to fly during some phases of the launch, first with the factors of extensive thrust limiting for individual engines.

The takeoff thrust at liftoff should be the default 50%, and a full attempt to pitch back the booster with effort.

In the following kilometers, the overall thrust must be increased, then the lower two engines must have the engine thrust boosted.

The RCS is not needed during ascent, though at around 8 kilometers the STS assembly will try to pitch towards the ground, so you will have to account for that and fly a steep trajectory, and be around 60-70 degrees at that altitude to combat the pitch in the next few seconds of the flight.

The SRBs will separate. Later, the bottom engines will need to be throttled as low as 70% to keep the rocket from pitching. OMS will be needed for those who want to carry large payloads

Reentry is done in a standard reentry not unlike that of other space shuttles.

Action Groups

1 toggles the cargo bays.

2 turns off the bottom engines.

3 turns off the top one.

4-5 changes the rotation of the antenna base of the shuttle

6-7 changes the antenna dish roatation

8-9 changes the hinge of the dish base

0/10 starts fuel cell production.

Capacities

Several tons off only ET fuel, 25 tons with slightly raised fuel levels and major OMS fuel consumption

Download (Kerbal X)

Subassemblies:

IUS almost complete

Galileo, Ulysses WIP

Albums

Craft launch, orbit, landing

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The space shuttle was originally built for my Galileo replica as well as Ulysses, but Galileo has been delayed till the heat bug is fixed. The IUS is fine however, so that subassembly will be released soon. I also would like to build Ulysses, as well as comsat payloads.

If any of you have built craft adapted to fly aboard this space shuttle, please tell me in this thread and I will happily add it to the list. If any of you find bugs with the craft, please tell me, and I will fix them in future releases.

Thank you for reading, and have a wonderful time!

[inigma]

Awesome job! As always!

[SaturnianBlue]

Awesome job! As always!

Thanks! I might try and see if my Centaur G Prime works on this space shuttle too.

[SaturnianBlue]

Alright, since 1.0.5 is almost certainly upon us, my plans are to....

-switch the skippers for vectors,

-switch the OMS spider for Thud,

-Add more fuel thanks to the gimbal range of the vectors.

After that, the Centaur G Prime will be flown, and the IUS will too. If the overheating bug gets fixed, I will fly a Galileo Recreation and release it.

For those already flying it, what do you think of the shuttle? I'm especially looking for feedback on space shuttle control and even more for bugs.