So, has anyone built a replica of the Space Shuttle using the Vector?

[Mad Rocket Scientist]

I'm trying to use the new engines on my old shuttle design, which never even got into orbit.

[inigma]

Too much gimbal? Edit your craft file. It's still stock and can be shared as-is. A valid stock-compatible fix. Craft file editing: for advanced engineering.

[Dman Revolution]

Although the lag makes it tough to land on the runway (I hit the runway every time due to the fact i've flown this about 40 times between this and my 1.0.4 version) It works great and I feel like its one of the best i've seen

Even built a Space station w/ it

and have a spacehab attachment for it

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Edited November 12, 2015 by Dman Revolution

[jrolson]

Here's my shuttle... used tweakscale to make the STS boosters larger... Got it pretty balanced and it handles better than I thought it would.

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[Khobai]

the vector is WAY TOO heavy, three of them makes it hard to build a shuttle that glides properly

IMO they need to redesign the engine with like half the thrust and half the weight to make it more suitable for shuttles

[mythic_fci]

Agreed, we need a limit on the gimbal authority *per axis*, so you can have a massive amount of pitch control in the engine gimbals, but only a tiny bit on pitch or yaw. Making a decent 90 degree roll so the orbiter ends up on its back on the proper heading is now almost impossible.

Also, the scale of the Kickbacks and the orange tank is quite off with the amount of power the Vectors have. Using three vectors, you can launch *without* SRBs and still have plenty of TWR to get off the pad.

I would say, nerf the Vectors and give us a pair of SRBs that are larger than the Kickbacks. I'd be happy to use the standard 3,75m tanks as external tanks if the SRBs are powerful enough to carry them. And while we're on the subject, modify the Thud so it eats Monopropellant and becomes a decent OMS.

Right now you can't make a shuttle replica that is 100% visually accurate (with two SRBs and an ET that is larger than the orbiter).

I disagree. My shuttle just needs one or two light taps to get the trajectory back on track post-turn. It takes inspiration from Inigma's STS, and can lift 42t to 500+km. Pictures coming soon (when I release it on the forums soon).

[arne_brun]

My shuttle with solidfuel boosters. Lifted a orange tank to LKO. Needs some COM adjustments, especially the ET.

Used one of the Vector engines for orbital maneuvers, hoping Squad will add some bigger monopropellant engines in the future.

The shuttle flipped and broke apart after coming over the mountains west of KSC, but managed to save the crew.

[Naito]

Am I like shadowbanned or something? nobody seems to see my shuttle under Inigma's =D

http://kerbalx.com/Naito/KSP1-Shuttle-105

Handles all single/dual engine out scenarios, can lift 4 FULL holding tanks (probably more) to a 300km circular orbit. I prefer flying it with gimbal reduced actually since it's a little TOO maneuverable.

[Khobai]

hoping Squad will add some bigger monopropellant engines in the future.

definitely. we need a medium-sized engine that uses monoprop like the real space shuttle used for its OMS.

but also the vectors need their weight and thrust reduced. they weigh too much at 4 tons each and make the shuttle too butt-heavy. youre better off using x3 skipper engines IMO.

Edited November 12, 2015 by Khobai

[Redshift OTF]

Too much gimbal? Edit your craft file. It's still stock and can be shared as-is. A valid stock-compatible fix. Craft file editing: for advanced engineering.

So I could adjust the thrust of an engine and that thrust value would remain if someone else downloaded it?

[problemecium]

Any shuttle will fly with enough SAS and RCS, trust me.

I just had a vision of a shuttle lifting itself into orbit on RCS power alone xD

[Araym]

I was aware and in my 30s shuttle build I used it.

I have a compliant which may be listed as a bug- I put a vector on the top node and tried to put two on the bottom nodes in mirror- BUT it refused to attach. No idea why. Even though both parts were green it still wouldn't attach. I need it in mirror so I can angle them both equally. Since if I attach all three in radial mode, angling them just makes them point away from the center, and not just away. Grr.

I having my trial launches in 1.0.5 on my shuttles, and I found a workaround for the nodes not allowing "mirror simmetry" to the shuttle thrust plate: I add the upper engine on the node, and the 2 lower on the surface, avoiding the free node, in mirror-mode. Then I can tweak them with the gizmos to move/rotate freely as needed, to achieve the right position.

[luizopiloto]

Any shuttle will fly with enough SAS and RCS, trust me.

My shuttle just needs 2 reaction wheels at the External Tank to be a bit more responsive to Roll... because the Vector does it's job really well...

the orbiter itself can fly with reaction wheels all disabled... can even reenter atmosphere with SaS off and balance itself at 30° AoA...

http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/139341

Edited November 14, 2015 by luizopiloto