The Constellation VI - Infinite-Range SSTO

[Bubbadevlin]

This space-plane utilizes the all new small drills and 1 meter ISRU to create a Infinite-Range SSTO, capable of landing on all planets other than Eve and Tylo. It's design was based heavily on my pre-1.0 long range space-planes, my Constellations (which I never released, they sucked).

It is quite a small space-plane, with 78 parts and only weighing around 40 tons. Comes with a orbital scanner, docking port (although without RCS), 4 small drills, 2 fuel cells, and an ISRU converter. The craft is powered by 2 rapiers, and one turbojet (to give it an extra low altitude push) and a Nerv atomic rocket.

The flight plan is quite simple, and the craft has more then enough delta-V to spare. You can takeoff easily in this plane, however I like to wait to the end of the runway to build up speed. From there I tilt to 25 degrees and start the ascent. After you reach 5.5 Km, start tilting downwards slowly. End your turn at 8.5 Km and 5 degrees up. From there you will go supersonic. When you are accelerating at less than 1 m/s per second activate the Nuke. When you accelerate at less than 1 m/s per second with the nuke, switch to rockets and tilt to 20 degrees again. The oxidizer will run out around 75 Km apo. Then do a simple Minmus encounter, and land with the Nuke. This is just the basic takeoff plan, and it might be optimized, but it works well for me. Don't forget to open the radiator, Good Luck in your flying!

I have taken a prototype version of this thing to Jool, and I have test flown it MANY times to tweak it, Hope you enjoy!

[IMGUR]GWRlM[/IMGUR]

Action Groups
1) Atmospheric Engines
2) Nuke
3) Toggle Rapier Mode
4) Toggle Cargo Bay/Radiator
5) Toggle Drills
6) Activate Fuel Cells
7) Stop Fuel Cells
8) Activate Drills
9) Deactivate Drills
10) Toggle Scanner + Antenna

There is no action group for the ISRU unit, however it is quite easy to click on.


*Note* When taking off from Minmus and other small moons, you many need to activate the rapiers briefly to get off the ground.

Bubbadevlin Presents,

The Constellation VI



Download

Edited December 5, 2015 by Bubbadevlin

[CitizenAerospace]

+ Rep
That's an awesome spaceplane! Very small for the DV + Equipment it carries. I've never been a fan of the Big-S wings (they look too fat to me... although I probably should try and warm up to them since they carry LF), but even so I have to say, that's a nice looking plane.

Downloading it now.

[Bubbadevlin]

Ah thanks, yea the new Big-S wings are now the biggest SSTO capable wings, so you kinda have to use em

[Bubbadevlin]

Wow, I was really hoping this thing would get more press, but i guess it is just another SSTM, although it does seem to be the smallest one out there :)

Sorry for kinda bumping it :P

[Ojimak]

Unfortunately, you're correct in noting that the popularity market here is currently oversaturated with designs from eager spirited Kerbal engineers. Bumping is the not-quite-as-classy-but-more-effective way of getting more people to see your work, as opposed to persistence and hope. A year ago I would've recommended starting a rocket builders company and linking it to your sig to maybe increase traffic to your designs, but since rocket builders is going away, idk what to say. I know the feeling though - I remember creating a stock crane that could lift, transport, and place modules into the bay of an SSTO, along with a dozen or so modules, and a series of SSTOs built around the modules, all together in one epic package, but not getting nearly any notice at all. But hey, c'est la vie. SSTM's seem to be somewhat less overpoweringly impressive now then they used to be, with a much kinder drag model, rapiers, and liquid fuel breathing nervas.

It's a great looking, and I'm assuming, a great performing design, though, so props for that - have some rep. I noticed that you used a shielded docking port for your nose. Have you experienced any inefficiency issues with it? I remember some testing back in 1.0.4 conclusively showed it wasn't a good idea at all, dragwise, but I'm not sure how much things have changed since then.

-Ojimak. [url=http://zenpencils.com/comic/119-john-green-make-gifts-for-people/]obligatory zen pencils link about the value of making things for your own satisfaction, rather than for others[/url]

EDIT: wow, looks like someone through a one star rating at this thread. I threw in a five to balance it out. Geez tho. Edited November 22, 2015 by Ojimak

[CitizenAerospace]

[quote name='Ojimak']Unfortunately, you're correct in noting that the popularity market here is currently oversaturated with designs from eager spirited Kerbal engineers. Bumping is the not-quite-as-classy-but-more-effective way of getting more people to see your work, as opposed to persistence and hope. A year ago I would've recommended starting a rocket builders company and linking it to your sig to maybe increase traffic to your designs, but since rocket builders is going away, idk what to say. I know the feeling though - I remember creating a stock crane that could lift, transport, and place modules into the bay of an SSTO, along with a dozen or so modules, and a series of SSTOs built around the modules, all together in one epic package, but not getting nearly any notice at all. But hey, c'est la vie. SSTM's seem to be somewhat less overpoweringly impressive now then they used to be, with a much kinder drag model, rapiers, and liquid fuel breathing nervas.

It's a great looking, and I'm assuming, a great performing design, though, so props for that - have some rep. I noticed that you used a shielded docking port for your nose. Have you experienced any inefficiency issues with it? I remember some testing back in 1.0.4 conclusively showed it wasn't a good idea at all, dragwise, but I'm not sure how much things have changed since then.

-Ojimak. [URL="http://zenpencils.com/comic/119-john-green-make-gifts-for-people/"]obligatory zen pencils link about the value of making things for your own satisfaction, rather than for others[/URL]

EDIT: wow, looks like someone through a one star rating at this thread. I threw in a five to balance it out. Geez tho.[/QUOTE]

I guess that's the effect of having a game that's only getting more and more popular... SSTM's have become quite easy to make on the scale of things, but still impressive nevertheless.

I think that a Single State To Duna (SSTD?) might be the next step... Although that's actually like 3k DV, a huge leap from the 1.27k of Minmus and the 1.750k of the Mun.

I have a feeling that might be a little hard to do....