A fully functional space shuttle, the Kerboshuttle

exbyde · May 28, 2013

Introducing the latest work from Zokesia Propulsion Laboratories, The kerboshuttle. It is a 100% stock analog to the space shuttle, designed to carry 3 kerbals into space and back. It does not utilize mk. 3 jet fuselages, meaning it is fully functional in space, with the help of RCS.

The shuttle launches on 2 SRB's, 3 main engines, and a skipper mounted on the fuel tank, in a buran-esque configuration.

The shuttle can re-enter and fly successfully to a landing. It has been designed and balanced to fly with little or no fuel, at about 50-70 m/s

The launch procedure for this craft is somewhat abnormal, so please READ BEFORE LAUNCH!

1. It is recommended to turn your shuttle so the underside is facing heading 090.

2. As soon as the SRB burns out, you need to stage. Any pause between srb burnout and staging can cause the shuttle to tip nose down

3. Once orbital velocity has been achieved (your apoasis is above 70k or at target), you need to transferr all fuel and oxidizer from the tank to the shuttle, manually

4. When burning with just the shuttle out of atmosphere, RCS AND ASAS IS RECOMMENDED

5. On landing, tap the brakes, or the force of the brakes may cause the nose to hit the ground

DOWNLOAD HERE

Mekan1k · May 28, 2013

Ok, You are a MASTER of the stock parts. +rep

DaRocketCat · May 28, 2013

Not quite an analog, still has the same shortcoming as any other stock shuttle: It has engines on the main fuel tank.

exbyde · May 28, 2013

Ok, You are a MASTER of the stock parts. +rep

Well thank you very much!

Not quite an analog, still has the same shortcoming as any other stock shuttle: It has engines on the main fuel tank.

It is a close analog to the Buran, which used an energia booster, which had 4 side-strap boosters and the main engines in the center. Unfortunately, without using gobs of radial-mount engines, there is no way to angle the thrust from the main engines enough to get it to fly straight, and not enough thrust or efficiency from radial mounts to get enough fuel into the air to get into orbit.

Edited May 28, 2013 by exbyde

firerider521 · May 29, 2013

It would probably throw off the balance ridiculously if I stick a SpaceJunk cargo bay on this.

Awesome design, though. It must have been very hard to balance this. (personally the reason for why I don't like shuttles).

exbyde · May 29, 2013

It would probably throw off the balance ridiculously if I stick a SpaceJunk cargo bay on this.
Awesome design, though. It must have been very hard to balance this. (personally the reason for why I don't like shuttles).

thanks! yes, it took a lot of work and test launches to keep it within the control envelope, and also a lot of little thrusters.

Ignition · May 29, 2013

Not quite an analog, still has the same shortcoming as any other stock shuttle: It has engines on the main fuel tank.

Not trying to derail, but, incorrect sir! I have overcome the engines on the External Tank issue. Launch is a little difficult though...

http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/showthread.php/27628-Kerblantis-STS-NASA-Type-Space-Shuttle

Tommy_walsh · May 29, 2013

Neat! Slight off though but hey its a extremely good replica. Gonna try it out now.

Tommy_walsh · May 29, 2013

Its great! I tried it, however I havn't landed it yet.

montyben101 · September 27, 2013

Just got it into orbit! gonna use it for when i'm bored and want to put something in orbit! I actually prefer it to other styles as its simple and easy to use (no pre launch procedures)

KASASpace · December 26, 2013

there is no way to angle the thrust from the main engines enough to get it to fly straight

Not neccesarily, I got close once, by manually angling and aligning the center of thrust to the center of mass. A trick Scott Manley showed me. But then I tried to rework the fuel tank design and it toppled over every time. Tsk tsk. I might just go Buran style, which would require similar shtuff, just less complicated fuel movements, though tweakables now let's you locate the center of mass after fuel is out, though.

GRYPHUS-01 · July 2, 2016

Nice build, i've been working on a space shuttle too using all but one stock parts. the first picture is my former shuttle model on rentry; launched very easy, managed to achieve orbit with only the external fuel tank (even a bit leftover, woops). just after getting through the re-entry to thicker air it starts to flip over and fall backwards, spiralling down to earth. https://www.dropbox.com/s/hq1c41iq3ezh9fn/Shuttle01.jpg?dl=0

Next pictue is my longer model i am (as i write this) testing how it will handle through re-entry and normal flying. tested the last once by carrying it on a plane (just like nasa does ^^) then detach it. But for some odd reason i never encountered on the shorter model was the wings snapping off in fst turns. https://www.dropbox.com/s/3r4830a7cujgdss/Shuttle02.jpg?dl=0

Edit: Forgot to mention about the not stock part, this is only on the longer shuttle, where the inline docking port is

located, i've used a part of the planetary base mod to fill that space a little more up, creating a corridor-like part to end towards the docking port. this only to make it more realistic.remove that and its 100% stock

Edit2: Just tested the longer shuttle and it flies even better then the shorter model, although im only have a problem on low speeds 60-100 m/s. the nose seems to be a little more that the cockpit reactionweels can handle so its a bit dive into the ground. :rolleyes: last thing to solve. Here are some pics for those who wish to see during re-entry :