Kerblantis STS NASA Type Space Shuttle

[Ignition]

--.21 update soon--

Kerblantis - A NASA Style STS Space Shuttle

Flight Demonstration Video

Flight Instructions

Manual liftoff and orbit CAN be done. It can be quite difficult at different phases of the liftoff, so I recommend using the mechjeb ascent guidance. The stage 4 trigger should be done at about 30 seconds into the flight. Stage 4 triggers the separation of the external fuel lines to the booster engines, and determines when you release the booster engines. As the fuel load begins to drop in the booster engines, it becomes necessary to trim for nose-up deviation using Action Groups 3-7:

Action Group 3 toggles one nose-up trim engine.

Action Group 4 toggles two nose-up trim engines.

Action Group 5 toggles three nose-up trim engines.

Action Group 6 toggles three nose-up trim engines.

Action Group 7 toggles six nose-up trim engines.

For the average payload you should not have to use all 15 of the trim engines. I usually end up using 10 or so on a lighter payload.

As the fuel in the boosters begins to run lower, the speed with which the trim engines are sequenced up increases leading up to separation. During the last few moments before booster separation, ensure that your RCS thrusters are activated. A split second before or just as the booster engines run out of fuel, it is critical to shut down all engines using Action Group 8. Too early or too late will result in unwanted rotational forces, and ascent speed loss. If you separate the boosters smoothly, reengage the engines immediately using Action Group 9.

Post booster separation, the ship flies well until the fuel load in the external tank begins to run low. The nose-up trim engines from earlier again become necessary to stabilize leading up to separation of the external tank. For the average payload I usually end up with no more than two trim engines at this stage. Making sure to retract the landing gear before separation is very handy as it helps reduce the amount of pitching at separation. You should now be nearly to orbit. Circularize with or without cargo bay doors at your leisure, and deliver a satellite or crew transfer at your space station. Action Group 1 toggles the single gimbaling main engine, Action Group 2 toggles the 2 OMS engines. Use these for thrust customization during orbital maneuvers .

Glide path landing is easy with this model. Try it, Mikey likes it. For increased landing success rates, burn off all fuel and RCS before touchdown.

TLDR? Watch the video.

Download and enjoy!

Kerblantis STS (409 Parts - Full size cargo bay, generic comsat sample cargo): https://www.dropbox.com/s/myuyqu67b51m6d8/Kerblantis%20STS%20Shuttle.craft

Kerblantis STS - Docking (428 Parts - Half size cargo bay, TDRS-Styled sample cargo): https://www.dropbox.com/s/fghsg1xp61c7vaw/Kerblantis%20STS%20Shuttle%20-%20Docking.craft

Kerblantis STS w/Mechjeb2 (410 Parts - Full size cargo bay, generic comsat sample cargo): https://www.dropbox.com/s/pkum24vu93up95r/Kerblantis%20STS%20Shuttle%20-%20Jeb.craft

Kerblantis STS - Docking w/Mechjeb2 (429 Parts - Half size cargo bay, TDRS-Styled sample cargo): https://www.dropbox.com/s/926uwzzb1ejpuxt/Kerblantis%20STS%20Shuttle%20-%20DockJeb.craft

Ignition

Edited July 27, 2013 by Ignition
Added Mechjebless downloads. Oops.

[sturmstiger]

That's very impressive!

[Ignition]

Domo arigato!

[Conarr]

Domo arigato!

@ Ignition, how long did it take you to work out this launch procedure?

[Ignition]

I can't really say how long. I've put in too many hours to count to be honest.

The launch vehicle was mostly contained in the original idea. I spent the most time tweaking it for the glide path landing.

The nose-up trim amount and sequencing was a tedious part to work out. Lots of revisions.

[Conarr]

I can imagine. You have to get all the maneuvers right to get the thing into orbit, but only one mistake and it's relaunch time.

[Ignition]

I can imagine. You have to get all the maneuvers right to get the thing into orbit, but only one mistake and it's relaunch time.

Yes, one slip-up and it's a tombstone. However, that sounds pretty accurate to the real thing. The real STS is cool and everything, but Challenger showed just how perilous the program was. Not that any other manned launches were ever risk-free...