Introducing the X-33, one loud singing Swift

[XB-70A]

Still stuck on this medium SSTO project, my nerves require a bit of relaxation with other craft much more simple... and fun.

Here comes the "Swift", a project born from a personnal envy to build a simple one-seat and full-stock craft, capable to reach a 100x100 km circular orbit with less than 40 parts and weighting less than 10 tons. The result was surprising as it was able to circularize at 150 km. A flight to 200 km or even more could be possible. 

For a parts number and mass reasons the first stage is made around a "Whiplash" turbo-ramjet capable to swing the second and last stage to a sufficient speed and altitude so that the three "Spark" can take over the duty without any effort. But like with some SSTO speed building will be the key to success : be sure to get at least 1100 m/s of velocity before the ramjet becames breathless.

Craft is available on KerbalX : https://kerbalx.com/XB-70A/Sleg-X-33-Swift

And as usual an album is too : http://imgur.com/a/3JVhx

 

P.S : This original flight was made with the first version, equipped with just one radial parachute it was supposed to land in the water, something like a wind gust happen and threw the craft back to the beach where it land at around 7 m/s... the version put online get two parachutes, more than enough to get a soft landing of the water as on the ground. The Swift also appears to not be gluttonous and a lot of fuel remains onboard, enabling you to make a propulsed landing.

Edited August 24, 2016 by XB-70A

[Majorjim!]

Nice work, this is a very frugal little orbiter!