Finally did it! True SSTO Spaceplane, pure stock, landed KSC runway w spare fuel

[rodion_herrera]

I am still a bit trembling with excitement and hand exhaustion. I finally created a stable SSTO Spaceplane, that allowed me a 122,000m by 122,000m circular equatorial orbit above Kerbin. The reason why my hand is tired is that I hand-flew the thing almost all the way up (I use a Logitech Attack 3 joystick), to ensure myself that it is indeed stable in the different layers of atmosphere that Kerbin had. And yes, it was rock stable (except from 0 to 10k meters, which was one of the reasons why I opted to hand-fly it), using very little ASAS during the ascent. And, after a few orbits, waiting for the sun to rise at KSC, I deorbited. I originally wanted the post-entry window to be exactly over the western part of KSC, but I miscalculated my burn and ended up west of the big mountains west of KSC. But no problem, I still had about 20% of jet fuel left! So I flew it (and it flew SWEET!) back to KSC and landed without any surprises. But man, it felt like I really accomplished something. I'm still smiling as I type this. Screenshots will follow (still uploading it in my imageshack account).

And to Capt. Kalawang. I think I know what you did, re the "True SSTO Spaceplane flyers are pro's"...I think one reason you did that was to simply let others set a goal, and I did set it as my goal, and boy does it feel so sweet to accomplish it. Thanks pare.

And oh, as an effing sweet bonus, JEB was pilot! Yes, folks, fresh from his rescue at Eve by Bill, Jeb was eager and excited for the SSTO Spaceplane mission, and did his job most excellently

Here are the pics:

Ascent...

(EDIT: wrong plane...seems I didn't take screenshots during ascent but I will do this again and record a video)

Achieved orbit!

Glamour shot...

Map view. My initial orbit was around 91km x 112km I believe, but I wanted to go above 120km so I can speed up time more, to wait for the Kerbin sunrise over the cape, I mean KSC.

Now uploading the re-entry and landing shots...here they are:

Just right after the fiery re-entry...

Still need to fly over those mountains. Note, SAS is off, yet rock stable! I DID IT! YAY!

Banking hard left to KSC, and still stable! I was afraid it might go crazy, but it was smooth as silk.

Approaching KSC...

Cockpit (IVA) view...sweet to line up with the runway in this manner, esp. with a joystick.

Just a little more...

I had a little stutter as I flew over the west end of the runway, cause me to overcorrect and do a wild bank! I thought Jeb was done for...but I managed to correct it.

Finally...landed! ...rollout...

Wheel stop!!!

Here's Jeb posing beside the "SIGBIN" (that's what I will call her, the XRSTS-04 "Sigbin")

Edited June 2, 2013 by rodion_herrera

[tntristan12]

Congrats! I remember my first SSTO and the experience was similar. It's a wonderful feeling, isn't it? Enjoy your new plane!

[rodion_herrera]

Congrats! I remember my first SSTO and the experience was similar. It's a wonderful feeling, isn't it? Enjoy your new plane!

Thanks! And you bet! I plan to enhance this design, because I really want to use it once I get to build a station up LKO. I have tons of modifications for my current prototype, like docking options, and cargo. The fact that I managed to get some spare fuel going back means I can sacrifice a bit on ascent fuel. And those Aerospikes are damn great for SSTO's, I never knew that And yeah I guess if some now see the screenshots above, I did a little intake spamming, but that was just a precaution--I plan to remove them one by one to see how many are truly optimal and not overkill.

[Matticus88]

You've done something that i've not been able to do for a long time. Nice job. I was going to say, the screenshots in space looked like you've lost some intakes, but it was a different craft lol

[rodion_herrera]

You've done something that i've not been able to do for a long time. Nice job. I was going to say, the screenshots in space looked like you've lost some intakes, but it was a different craft lol

Yes, I had to take those down, because that was -02, a botched attempt Sigbin is -04, and finally worked

Right now I hate the fact that I needed a girder for the nosewheel, to aid in takeoff. Doesn't look nice sticking out like that. I hope the Damned Robots pack can help me hinge or fold that away.

Edited June 2, 2013 by rodion_herrera

[Flixxbeatz]

Well, congratulations for the first attempt, and seeing my view as a goal. I think I need to get back experimenting with spaceplanes again after learning a thing or two with people around

[cpt_nosh]

Remembered me of my first SSTO. But yeah, that's the great thing about Ksp... if you actually achieve a target you set yourself. Good job!

[Ells]

Awesome!!! many congrats

[rodion_herrera]

Thanks guys! I managed to make modifications so it won't look "ugly" as it is in the photos above. Basically, I tucked in the intakes in the fuselage and wing root area, and also managed to lower the nosewheel without any ill-effects. I just did some hops around KSC and looks like my changes didn't change flight behavior at all! So it's going to be good!

[Matze1984]

A very nice design indeed. Well done.

I had the same feelings after I testet my first SSTO Deltawing.

[jocax188723]

That looks absolutely brilliant. Kinda like if the VentureStar and the DARPA Falcon had a baby.

It's an astonishing achievement and it's one I hope to get to soon.

Congrats, mate!

[rodion_herrera]

Now available at the Spacecraft Exchange section!

http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/showthread.php/32874-0-20-XRSTS-04E-Black-Mamba-SSTO-Spaceplane

Note the new docking port--can now really work with LKO stations!