Reach 1000 m/s in a Spaceplane

[ham236]

Background: Remember your first spaceplane that flew? Yeah that one. With the delta wings and the oddly spaced engines. You got it to 200 m/s before it got too unstable to control. You eventually got a feel for making spaceplanes after that disaster. You've got your massive spacebus, the speedy jet, the maneuverable stuntplane... but the purpose doesn't matter - just how fast they go!

Challenge: Reach 1000 m/s with a spaceplane

Rules:

-Stock parts only

-Only use the air-breathing jet engines for propulsion

-Must launch horizontally

-Must break the 1000m/s barrier while maintaining relatively level flight (+/- 10 degrees from the horizon)

-No exploiting glitches or hax

Post a screenshot of how fast you got!

[Cthulufaic]

You really don't need all those engines, I got to 600+ m/s on my single-engined Azure KITE(available only at Golden Stingray Inc.).

Will get back to this one tomorrow after Summer Camp.

[ham236]

You really don't need all those engines, I got to 600+ m/s on my single-engined Azure KITE(available only at Golden Stingray Inc.).

Will get back to this one tomorrow after Summer Camp.

I started trying to hit 1000 m/s in my quad-engine. Here, I'll make a graph for you of my attempts...

[Nao]

My second try

I'm barely in level flight (-9deg) but at least no mech-jeb on board :3

Unfortunately as physics now stand drag is scaled by weight, so min fuel = best speed.

The challenge is interesting thou, i don't think true level flight (0+ deg) it would be easy, but there are better people than me on this forum who probably can do it with closed eyes and inverted

[khyron42]

This is basically the Jet Engine Speed Challenge.

I haven't tried it again since 0.16 came out, but the physics of jet engines didn't change at all that I know of from 0.15.2 when I made that.

----

Ok, the jets haven't but the ability to hold together and steer that kind of craft definitely has. Redesigning now!

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Gentlemen, I present to you the X-1 Speedy Gonzales!

Shortly after takeoff:

Nearly out of fuel but I made it in completely level flight:

I would say a better measure of "level flight" is less that 10 m/s on the vertical speed indicator.

Edited August 8, 2012 by khyron42

[Nao]

CHALLENGE ACCEPTED! (1025,6m/s)

The design was totally kerbal (just strap everything wherever) and it actually flew very straight and level without any input at 975m/s on maiden flight! I'm so proud of it =3

[Limit]

Made it after quite a few iterations... top speed: 1027m/s

[khyron42]

Oh, dear. This is going to end up back at my 39-engine beast if it keeps going.

[Limit]

And even faster still (this time no mech jeb)...top speed: 1040m/s

[Limit]

I think true level flight is both at a pitch angle of +/- 10 degrees and a vertical speed of less than 10m/s (Nao both your craft are falling at more than 100m/s!!)

[Nao]

Dem Mexicans too fast. Really fun looking craft, needs a nosecone or sombrero.

Just made 1038,3 with 37 engines but it's over the limit of my old CPU, and it was at -6 deg attitude ... next time I'll try nice and level and post some pics .

edit:

upper picture: me sucking on keyboard flight - 1028,8 m/s level , lower: my CPU killer T_T -1038,3 m/s -7deg

cheers =3

Edited August 8, 2012 by Nao

[Limit]

This is the max I dare take this design, total of 37 engines, top speed of 1042 m/s

Pic of the craft shortly after running out of fuel

Evidence of top seed:

[fitzy]

ok i got to 1032m/s using 8 engines but i used mech jeb will try later without mech jeb on will be posting pictures later

[Excalibur]

Oh, dear. This is going to end up back at my 39-engine beast if it keeps going.

I have to say khyron had this challenge licked when posted earlier in the Jet Engine Speed Challenge he mentioned. I managed to get within 10m/s or so of his speed but couldn't quite catch up. Good luck peeps!

[fitzy]

if i said 6 engines i meant 7 and its imposible to fly without mech jeb

[fitzy]

that is my flight

[fitzy]

<a href="http://imgur.com/2EXuP"><img src="http://i.imgur.com/2EXuP.png" title="Hosted by imgur.com" alt="" /></a>

that is my flight

[AlexM]

Could do that with my daedalus craft (It is in Orbit).