[Stock] The Adequate

[Corona688]

So, last night I was working out the numbers on a partially recoverable launcher.  I'd found a "sweet spot" where a single poodle could lift a lot more cargo than I expected it to be able to, and tried to optimize it.

Before I knew it, it was 4am, my eyes were burning, and I had a monstrosity which had to be flown backwards above 20km and couldn't make orbit anyway.  All I had for my hours of work was a novel method of spinning a spacecraft involving a matched pair of "Thud" engines so high on the center of gravity that SAS gets confused.  Ever see a 30 ton midstage spinning 300rpm end over end?  Although humorous at first, the spectacle lost its novelty halfway into its third hour.

Anyway, it totally didn't work so you get the non-recoverable version:  The Adequate.

The Adequate is a very simple beast:  1080 fuel units and three guidance fins slapped atop a Poodle engine, jacked up on a trio of Kickback boosters.  The poodle does not fire until the solids are discarded, as it'd be a waste to use it below 10,000m anyway.

At about $1000 per ton to LKO, it's not amazing.  Its capacity of 10-15 tons or so isn't incredible either.  It is nonetheless quite Adequate for many needs, 15 tons is an entire small space station and change after all.

How I fly it:  Tip over to 45 degrees by 10,000m.  Continue following prograde until 40km, then discard all fairings and burn at 95 degrees (5 degrees below horizon) until apogee reaches 100km.  Cut off engines and wait until you're closer to apogee to circularize.