Shuttle with 3 comms satellites

[Scarecrow]

For anyone looking for a reuseable vehicle to launch a small number of satellites in to orbit, this may be the craft for you.  This vehicle comes with a ready fitted payload of 3 communication satellites that are able to reach 500km orbits and way beyond.  They may require several burns and a recovery period for the batteries to recharge, but there is plenty of fuel on board each satellite to reach orbits way in excess of 500km.

Due to the asymmetric thrust and offset centre of mass that is inherent in the design, flying this vehicle to orbit is probably not advised for newcomers to KSP but, having said that, if you can follow the flight profile I have developed you shouldn't have any problems.

 

Pilot notes

Due to the general low thrust to weight ratio, this vehicle needs a steeper launch ascent profile than normal

At launch, turn on SAS and set throttle to full.

Stage to launch and then sit back for a bit.

When the solid boosters run out of fuel, stage to jettison them.

Don't start the gravity turn too soon but aim to have the nose pointing at 45 degrees above the horizon by about 30000m and before the external tank runs out of fuel.

When the external tank runs out of fuel DO NOT STAGE TO JETTISON.  It is important you use AG key 1 to jettison the tank as this also changes the thrust on the engines to prevent an uncontrolled pitch

Once the external tank is clear, put the nose on the prograde marker.

When your Apo reaches 150km, shut the throttle, coast to Apo and then burn to circularise.  Try not to push your orbit above 150km otherwise the shuttle will be short on fuel for de-orbiting.

To release the satellites, AG key 5 will toggle the cargo doors, then AG keys 7, 8 and 9 will release the satellites in the right sequence. 

Use the [ ] keys to switch to the satellites as they are released and use AG key 3 to extend the antenna

Right click the engine on the satellite and activate it, then burn to the required orbit altitude.

When all satellites have been deployed, close the cargo doors.  A de-orbit burn above the desert on the continent to the west of KSC with a predicted touch down in the sea a short distance to the east of KSC should see you set for a runway landing.

AG key 3 will toggle the airbrakes if they are required.

 

Action Group key summary

1 : Jettison external tank

3 : Extend satellite antenna / toggle shuttle airbrake

5 : Toggle cargo bay doors

7 : Deploy 1st satellite

8 : Deploy 2nd satellite

9 : Deploy 3rd satellite

 

The craft file can be downloaded from Dropbox : https://www.dropbox.com/s/yiytlt50fhj1pw4/Comms Shuttle.craft?dl=0

 

Note : As presented, the included payload has a mass of 6.195 tons.  If you wish to replace the satellites with your own payload I would recommend not exceeding this figure.

 

 

Spoiler

 

Straight after launch

 

Solid boosters jettisoned, still going straight up

 

External tank jettisoned using Action Group key 1, which also switches the engines to prevent an uncontrolled pitch

 

The nose is set to prograde once the external tank has gone

 

Once in orbit Action Group key 5 toggles the cargo doors

 

Action Group key 7 releases the first satellite (8 and 9 will release the 2nd and 3rd respectively)

 

Use the [ ] keys to switch to the released satellite

 

Action Group key 3 will extend the antenna.  This satellite is now in a 500x500 orbit, and it still has plenty of fuel to go higher

 

On re-entry, a nose high attitude is perfect.

 

Action Group key 3 on the shuttle will toggle the airbrake if required

 

Touchdown.

 

 

Edited October 19, 2018 by Scarecrow