Matagorda Space Program (MSP) T-5 "Top Flight"

[Matagorda Space Program]

Real Aircraft & Inspiration

This concept was inspired by a combination of NASA and Air Force test programs from the late 1960's and early 1970's, specifically the X-24B project, which was arguably one of the most successful lifting body aircraft of the era. It was far more maneuverable then previous X craft and had sufficient performance to change runways before landing at Dryden. The X-24's concept would lead to the direct development of the ISS X-34 project (which was cancelled) and later the US Air Force X-37 spacecraft.

 

MSP T-5B "Top Flight"

Development of the T-5 spaceplane began with initial concept of a runway launched aircraft which would "skip" over the atmosphere in sub-orbital hops, without the use of a carrier aircraft, or the use of a large rocket launch platform. Once the air frame design was finalized, a number of aircraft were produced under the T-5B designation. These aircraft were not optimized for space flight, but did reproduce the general handling characteristics of the space plane. The aircraft were powered by the J-404 "Panther" Jet engine, and featured simple airbreaks. Some engineers and test pilots questioned the "nose up" additude of the aircraft while sitting on the runway, but this feature proved to be advantageous to the aircraft's handling characteristics.

 

 

MSP T-5G "Top Flight"

After several developmental models and wind tunnel tests as well as Test Pilot feedback from the T-5B and T-5C programs, Matagorda Space Program rolled out the rocket takeoff assisted T-5G model, which was powered by the CR-7 Rapier Engine, and boosted into the air by the RT-10 "Hammer" solid rocket booster. This novel approach allowed the T-5G to quickly gain lift and speed as it cleared the runway, saving the aircrafts external tanks and internal fuel for ascent, and powered landings. After leaving the atmosphere, the CR-7 engine will switch to LOS, and the external fuel tanks can be jettisoned to gain additional speed for a sub-orbital flight. Upon re-entry, the T-5G would rely on a series of six air breaks to slow the craft sufficiently to keep it from burning up as it decelerated to less than 500mps. At this point, the CR-7 engine can be re-started and the aircraft flown to a safe landing.

 

If there is enough interest, I'll gladly produce the flight profiles, ship files, and a bit more information about them. They were made using KSP's stock files... so they are easy to reproduce.

Edited December 13, 2015 by Matagorda Space Program
Correted Information

[sal_vager]

Hi @Matagorda Space Program, you need to fix your pics, use the "insert other media" button and the full url to the image, it will have a .jpg, .png or similar extension.

[Matagorda Space Program]

Thanks for telling me! I'm using Photobucket for this now, instead of Google.

[sal_vager]

Nice, also craft files would be welcome

[Matagorda Space Program]

MSP T-5B "Top Flight"

The first T-5 articles, dubbed the T-5A were wind tunnel static mock-ups, used to analyze potential wing, canard, and tail surface configurations. They were roughly the expected weight of the sub-orbital flight article. Once these initial wind tunnel tunnel and static article tests were completed, the MSP Aeronautical Division produced a flight article model based around the J-404 "Panther" jet engine. The aircraft did not feature the re-entry systems intended for the craft. Early models of the T-5B also included dual drag 'chutes and an ejection system, but these systems were removed when the aircraft was certified for serial production as a Astronaut and Test Pilot training aircraft. Early test pilots reported that the T-5B was very graceful at slower speeds, but more than capable of high performance speeds above Match 2. The external fuel tanks produced noticeable drag on the aircraft, and jettisoning them significantly increased the aircraft's performance. The T-5B will lift off from the runway around 120mps or faster with a gentle nudge back on the control stick. 

 

Flight Profile:

Test Pilot & Astronaut Training Aircraft (Free Flight)

 

 

 

Flight Notes & Performance 

"Once we got the aeronautical data from the full sized fuselage mock-ups, some of the junior members and test pilots suggested we try a powered flight. Converting one of the T-5A mock-ups for the task wasn't too difficult. What surprised us though, was just how well it really flew. We knew the aircraft was going to be impressive enough, but when we passed her off to the test pilots we couldn't believe the agility the advanced canard design offered. We put those there to increase lift during a sub-orbital ascent, and when the aircraft was flown conventionally it ended up being something of a sports car." - Douglas Lee (Project Leader, T-5B)

"I knew when I first took off from the runway that the T-5B was going to end my career. I was already close to fifty years old at this point, but my level of experience was such that I couldn't get out of it. The damned thing almost popped my neck, the turn radius was so good and I was used to adjusting my body around to counteract the g-forces. I had to retire after four missions, because I tensed too hard on a hard bank. Had to tell my buddies about it so they wouldn't repeat the mistake." - John Old (T-5 Program Test Pilot)

 

Download the Craft File Here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByygDcuGFHYPN1RWajhlTEJmcm8/view?usp=sharing