My weird Spaceplane-Rocket hybrid...thing

[SuperMiiBrother]

So there I was, sitting and having a bad day. How do I build a Spaceplane!? I can't build SSTOs, Those are too hard. I can't put it on top of a rocket, because it just flips...or can I? I wonder...

(some weird engineering later...)

And this is the result. I took a rocket, flipped it on it's side and strapped wings, wheels and jets to it. Here it is sitting on the pad-Wait, this isn't a launch pad.

147 Parts, 61.021 Tons, 4.3 Meters tall,, 12 Meters wide, and 25.5 Meters long.

2 Panther Engines on each side using Wet Mode provide power for the early ascent. Main Engine is a Skipper.

Second Stage is powered by a Cheetah Engine, and the Spaceplane itself is powered by 4 Sparks, 2 below each wing. You can't see them now, but you'll notice later.

The Spaceplane has taken flight!

Ascending to the skies above...Soon we'll be above the skies!

Jet Engines are starting to lose power, so the main engine fires to keep us accelerating!

The Jet Engines are no longer effective, So they are jettisoned.

A few seconds after seperation.

The Second Stage activates as Stage 1 falls away. Maybe someday I'll be able to reuse it...

Second Stage is at full power.

Second Stage is seperated and Spaceplane is almost in orbit.

Orbit Achieved!

And there's the payload, a probe bound for...uhh...I never picked a destination.

 

Is there anything I can improve on? This is my first actually useful Spaceplane and I'd like to build more like these!

Edited June 29, 2020 by SuperMiiBrother
I really need to read things before posting...

[FlyingPete]

I like the concept! I tried something similar with drop tanks (with additional jet engines) hung under the wings of my orbiter. But if you're throwing parts away anyway, it's more efficient (time and cost) to build a conventional rocket.

Edited July 10, 2020 by FlyingPete

[SuperMiiBrother]

I had an idea: what if I made something like this, but it was SSTO. After reaching orbit, the stage would separate and return to Kerbin while the main Spaceplane went on its mission.

[DeadJohn]

Interesting design.

If you're thinking about reusability concepts, I wonder if Whiplashes can replace the Panthers and Skipper. Stage 1 would just be jet engines that detach and fly home.