0.19 SRS ORV Arrow 1-DX (SSTO)

[SZDarkhack]

Please read the next post for the upgraded version.

Struts-R-uS proudly presents our latest SSTO vehicle,

Arrow 1-DX

The full album can be found here.

The .craft file can be found here.

Features:

-Stable, easy to fly.

-More than enough fuel for LKO maneuvering (even for a Mun fly-by*).

-Docking-capable, with lights for nighttime rendezvous and an RTG for uninterrupted power.

-Simple design, just 3 action groups.

-Stylish!

-Great range inside the atmosphere.

-Survives x2 physics timewarp easily.

-It has a nose.

Action Groups:

1: Activate turbojets.

2: Toggle aerospikes.

3: Toggle turbojets + intakes.

Instructions:

Takeoff:

-Start the jets with action group 1 and apply full throttle.

-At 60m/s pull up to a pitch of 10 degrees and retract the wheels.

-Pitch up all the way to 50 degrees.

-Climb up to 13km and drop the nose to 40 degrees.

-At 15km pitch to 35.

-At 17km pitch to 30.

... (you get the pattern, 2km altitude -> -5 degrees pitch) ...

-At 25k, pitch down to 10 degrees.

-Keep the vertical speed to around +10m/s (the 10 degree pitch is fine, but you might need to adjust later).

-Your goal is >1800m/s @ ~29km before the intake air drops to 0.15 (it can reach 1900m/s with careful flying, even 2000m/s with the jets a couple of seconds from flaming out).

-When the intake air gets to 0.15 (or 0.14 if you're feeling adventurous**) toggle the spikes with 2 and pitch up to around 20 degrees.

-As soon as the intake air hits 0.13, IMMEDIATELY turn off the jets + intakes (with 3) or you'll flame out within seconds.

-Pitch further up to ~30-35 degrees and get your apoapsis where you want it. You will need to correct it periodically, since you're still quite low in the atmosphere.

-Coast to your apoapsis and circularize.

Docking:

-Approach the target.

-Come to a stop.

-Right-click the docking port on the ship's back and select "Control from here".

-We recommend switching to chase view, since the pink target indicator is still showing the cockpit's relative position (fix this Squad, thanks).

-Orient yourself, slowly move in and dock using the outside view (or a docking camera, if you have that mod installed) for reference.

Landing:

-Deorbit. For a good configuration from a 100km orbit, consult the imgur album (periapsis ~19-20km over the Korea-like peninsula east of KSC).

-Toggle the spikes off and the jets on (2 & 3).

-When you get down to around 40km, pitch up to 25 degrees and hold that position during the reentry. Do NOT physics-warp at this point.

-As you come over the west coast of the KSC continent, turn on the jets to about 1/3-1/2 thrust and watch your vertical speed.

-As the vertical speed goes to 0, pitch down to start the final descent towards KSC. Judge the pitch as you fly.

-As you approach, drop the thrust to very low, align the ship with the runway and slowly descend. Extend the landing gear and turn on the lights if necessary.

-At final approach, kill the thrust and maintain a slight pitch so that your vertical speed is below 5m/s. You should be slower than 100m/s on touchdown.

-Touch down, kill the SAS, steer the craft straight and apply full brakes (or just activate the parking brakes).

NOTES:

-Using the SAS is strongly recommended during the 2nd part of the ascent, as well as during the reentry. Trying to fly manually above 20km or while experiencing 4-5 Gs of acceleration are considered adventurous behavior**.

*assuming free-return trajectory and competent piloting.

**accidents due to adventurous behavior not covered by warranty.

Edited April 29, 2013 by SZDarkhack

[SZDarkhack]

Struts-'R'-uS Proudly presents the upgraded version of the Arrow 1-DX:

Arrow 1-DX-B

The album contains some new screenshots.

The updated .craft file is here.

Improvements:

-Slightly enhanced and rebalanced RCS system.

-More intakes for more eXtreme performance! (easy to reach 2km/s and even 2.1km/s surface speed within relatively safe intake air levels)

-More fuel to orbit! (easy to make 100km orbit with >550L of oxidizer left).

-Fancy docking system.

-Ladder, so you can actually do stuff with it!

-Awesome nose is still there.

New Action Groups:

4. Toggles the docking port & docking lights. Note that these lights are independent and don't toggle with U.

0. Toggles the ladder.

New Instructions:

Follow the instructions for the Arrow 1-DX, but during the ascent delay the pitch-down maneuvers by 1km. So, you start pitching down at 14km and finish at 26km, following the same pattern.

For peak atmospheric performance, after the pitch-down sequence is complete and above 29km, keep the vertical speed at 10m/s and above 2000m/s below 5m/s (which eventually will require even less angle of attack, at 31km you should be almost horizontal). You can get around 2150m/s max, but anything above 2000m/s is more than enough, so only go for the edge if you're confident (and adventurous**).

Note: Same restrictions apply as to the original (see the notes about adventurous behavior).

Edited April 29, 2013 by SZDarkhack