[1.1.x] Air-breathing + Ion SSTO

[Teilnehmer]

Is it possible to make an SSTO without rocket engines?

All my attempts turned out fruitless. I hope there are more skillful guys here who can do it!

Rules:

• No cheats
• Stock physics
• Stock parts only
• The only propulsion sources allowed are air-breathing engines (or air-breathing mode for Rapier) and ion engines
• You should reach a stable Kerbin orbit with Pe above 70 km
• The craft with the lowest launch mass wins
• (Optionally: deorbit and land)

_______________________________

Leader board:

1. Nefrums — 58.449 t

Edited May 17, 2016 by Teilnehmer

[Red Iron Crown]

I don't think it's possible to reach orbit without oxidizer anymore, certainly not in a single stage. How close have you gotten?

[tseitsei89]

Jets + Nukes (no oxidizer, only LF) is probably still possible (to even SSTO. haven't tried though) but I doubt that jets + ions will be enough (definitely no SSTO here I think)...

[Red Iron Crown]

Heh, forgot about nukes. I'd imagine a 2xLV-N and 1xRapier design could do it in a single stage.

[Teilnehmer]

It’s relatively easy with two stages.

 

[SpaceplaneAddict]

I've SSTO'ed a single rapier plus nuke. Doubtful that a rapier plus ion would work, as atmo ISP of ions of crap. And rapier engines cut out at only 20ish km. I thinks it's a no go.

*Determination.

[Nefrums]

As there is basically no atmo at 20km, ions have 98% isp there.  Still this is hard, not sure it is possible.  

 

[tseitsei89]

6 hours ago, Teilnehmer said:

It’s relatively easy with two stages.

 

Nice. Well done

[Nefrums]

It is possible with an ssto. if you stack ions inside a cargo bay...

7 Rapiers and 60 ions, and lots and lots of batteries.

 

[Teilnehmer]

3 hours ago, Nefrums said:

It is possible with an ssto. if you stack ions inside a cargo bay...

7 Rapiers and 60 ions, and lots and lots of batteries.

Wow!

Congratulations! You are our first winner!

I’ve decided to change the winning criterion. Now, the craft with the lowest launch mass wins.

Edited May 17, 2016 by Teilnehmer