World Record! The Most Powerful SSTO

[Aeolica]

Which boy can resist the charm of a beast SSTO?? But, there are three rules. 
The vessel must be an SSTO in the original game. 
The assembly anchor must be on the cargo (the reinforcing struts of the cargo must be intact). 
The vessel should be capable of safe recovery.

Pri. Build an SSTO with KLO payload capability of 30-100t
Sec. Build an SSTO with KLO payload capability of 100-300t 
Jeb. Build an SSTO with KLO payload capability of 300-1000t
Val. Build an SSTO with KLO payload capability over 1000t
 

Edited November 29, 2023 by Aeolica

[Aeolica]

My largest practical SSTO "Elephant Foot", KLO payload around 520t.
9 "Mammoth II" + 8 "Vector" engines provide a sea-level thrust of 4006t
After losing all the reinforcing struts, it can land intact on the sea or flat ground!

 

 

Edited November 29, 2023 by Aeolica

[Bej Kerman]

1 hour ago, Aeolica said:

The vessel must be an SSTO in the original game. 
The assembly anchor must be on the cargo (the reinforcing struts of the cargo must be intact). 

These rules seem a bit pointless if you don't mind the criticism.

[Aeolica]

49 minutes ago, Bej Kerman said:

These rules seem a bit pointless if you don't mind the criticism.

I just wrote a patent application and am still thinking in the legal manner. 
However, I don't consider these rules to be pointless. For instance, concerning the assembly anchor, the current mechanism in the game is that detaching the decoupler, separator or docking port will result in all downstream struts being disconnected. In other words, you have to choose between let your cargo (giant space station/interstellar spacecraft) lose all struts or let your SSTO lose all struts.

I think a successful landing with a 425-ton empty SSTO without any strut is already close to the engineering limit. In fact, I tried to build an SSTO with LKO payload of 1500 tons, but it has to retain struts and sacrifice struts of its cargo; otherwise, it would disintegrate upon landing.

Edited November 29, 2023 by Aeolica