[0.17] Quickie Mk I (Generic medium lift capacity launcher + orbiter)

[Qumefox]

As the title says, I just threw this together this afternoon. Posting this as a reference for anyone who might be having problems getting things into orbit and beyond.

It's a very basic but reliable launch platform.. The launch stages can put up to a 30t final stage into 100km LKO fairly easily.

As built in the posted .craft file, the whole craft will make orbit with 1700 - 1900L left in the central launch stage depending on how efficient you are with your launch/gravity turn/orbit circularization. I generally average between 1800 and 1900L remaining with my method. Mechjeb might do better but I don't know since I don't use it. The remaining launch stage fuel will easily manage a mun intercept and orbit circularization or kerbin escape without having to use the final stage. The final stage orbiter has a delta-v somewhere around 8000m/s, so it should be able to make it into orbit around almost anything in the solar system, and back from most places. It can even land on most lower gravity moons and possibly Duna if your comfortable with standing it on it's engine.

It's not extremely pretty, or unique, but it works. And like I said. Posting it as a reference design for anyone who might be having problems. Though I should note the lack of RCS, while making things simpler and saving weight, makes orbital attitude adjustments require a bit of pre planning until you dump the launch stage and it's mass.

.craft file (you'll probably have to right click and 'save link as')

Quickie Mk I

**note** The Kerbal Engineer Redux plugin is show in use in the screenshots, but is NOT in the .craft file.. The .craft is 100% stock parts.

Edited October 14, 2012 by Qumefox
fixed URL

[AmpsterMan]

The way you say it, it seems to be an SSTO. Is that correct? If so then congratulations sir!

[Qumefox]

No. It's several stages. 8 in totally actually, orbiter drop tanks and capsule decouplers included. I reworded the description a bit, but it's still able to get to orbit with 1900L left in the bottom stage. I don't see how it could be called SSTO though since it sheds the SRB's and outer four 3200L droptanks/engines on the way up.

I have done SSTO before, both with a spaceplane and a rocket.. though to be honest, SSTO with a rocket isn't really that difficult using aerospikes and a minimalist design.

Edited October 14, 2012 by Qumefox