SSTOs! Post your pictures here~

[Penguinhero]

found an old photo of my second working ssto that i lost in one of the updates

[Weegee]

Here's my first working SSTO I made a bit after the .23 update (without a RAPIER! I'm so old school. :L). No idea how I got it to work on the first try when I hadn't made one before. After a few tweaks to make it more usable, I give you the Defiance two-kerbal crew shuttle SSTO!

Pictures

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Features

• Action groups! (1 for jet, 2 for rockets, 3&4 to toggle groups of intakes, 5&6 for lights
  
• Enough fuel to perform rendezvous and land! (warranty void if landing on slope)
  
• 2 Kerbal capacity! (Probe controlled for way back)
  
• Two RTGs for power generation
  
• Docking port
  
• Lights (headlights and docking lights, action groups 5+6)
  
• Resources on take-off: 510 liquid fuel (150 for jet), 440 Oxidizer, 105 Monopropellent
  
• Weighs 10.67 tons at liftoff
  
• Only 66 parts!
  

Advice

The flight path you need to follow is a standard SSTO one. Before liftoff, press action groups 3+4 to close intakes that aren't necessary at low altitudes. Then, press 1 to toggle the jet engine, and pull up gently at the solid white rectangles on the runway (should be going ~40 m/s). There is a possibility to tailstrike, so be careful. From there, pitch up to about 30-40 degrees. You should be just barely increasing the height of (and time to) your apoapsis so that you lengthen your orbit as much as you can in atmosphere, opening the intakes when you run low on air. When you have all intakes open and run out of air (30+km), toggle the jet and press 2 to activate the rockets. The rockets aren't as good in atmosphere so I recommend getting out of the atmosphere as soon as possible by pointing more towards straight up. Once you exit the atmosphere, simply circularize, rendezvous (and potentially dock), then land at the runway. Don't worry if it tips forward on landing, that's what the first gear is for. Make sure you land somewhere flat though, as it isn't all too stable on landing.

Download

http://www./download/73eg3wp3ug3b53a/Defiance+-+KCS1_2.craft

[Mesklin]

Here is generation next of SSTO - flying cabin. For jump to sky you need only cabin

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[Yakuzi]

So I've been focusing on the jet ascent phase of the ascent profile lately. Unfortunately, this aircraft doesn't have the rocket thrust to go anywhere once I run outa air. THe jet engines overpower the rocket. That said, it becomes very uncontrollable at higher altitudes, not wanting to pitch up and hold attitude. Not sure why as this seems more like a bug rather than a plane design issue (still testing the bug part).

]

Hi Cap'n. Your issues might be due to the center of mass shifting forward as you're burning fuel. Perhaps moving a couple of fuel tanks and the center of lift forward makes the plane handle a bit better a higher altitude.

@ Overfloater: Great effort mate, I'm keen to see the next design

@ Cupcake: Nice design... then again, I wouldn't expect anything else from you

@ Devinci: That is some serious heavy lifting! How many full orange tanks did you manage to get into orbit with a single space plane?

[Devinci]

I was only able to get one full orange tank to orbit. In the picture they are all emptied. But I almost got to 20000 meters with all three tanks but then started to have issues with the center of mass, etc. It's very hard and I even wonder if that's possible (100 ton payload SSTO).

[Rune]

SSTO of the week! Continuing with the delta configuration, I need a name for this. Pointy object between dagger and broadsword if at all possible, I'm doing a family thing here

Rune. I need to sit down one afternoon and spend it remaking R-SUV. Too much new stuff!

[Silverchain]

Skurj 23-Jc Steamboat

I'm continuing to refine the design of this rover spaceplane, and the current model is very promising. By shortening the central fuel tank and lengthening the wing tanks I've been able to move the LV-N to a safer position for landings and ground travel. The pictured spaceplane, Steamboat, launched uncrewed from Kerbin, flew to Minmus, rescued Nedlo Kerman from low orbit, returned to Kerbin, landed safely (despite encountering a problem with the turbojet and air intake on/off switch!) then made a short scenic drive to a nearby lake. (At which point the turbojets fell off when I bounced it over a hill at 50mph, oops.)

[Kokanee]

Rocky Mountain Composites T102 "Gorka B" SSTO

Crew: 3

Passengers: 4

Will take four passengers and crew to LKO with enough left in the tank to deorbit with in-atmo range of 30km to KSC on the scramjets.

Flight profile

Takeoff: Accelerate to 140m/sec w/ 50% throttle and pull back on the stick. Once clear of runway increase throttle to 100% and pitch up to 40 degrees.

Flight: Maintain 40 degree AoA and keep reducing throttle to maintain 12-15m/sec acceleration. Once @ 20,000m pitch down to 20 degrees and punch the throttle as high as it will go.

Break atmo: Keep reducing throttle to avoid flameout; once you hit 20% throttle kill the scramjets (1) and engage aerospikes (2) to begin burn. Pitch up to 30 degrees and kill the engines once you hit 80km apoapsis. Circularize and enjoy your flight. Max service ceiling is 100km.

[Immashift]

Rocky Mountain Composites T102 "Gorka B" SSTO

Crew: 3

Passengers: 4

Will take four passengers and crew to LKO with enough left in the tank to deorbit with in-atmo range of 30km to KSC on the scramjets.

Flight profile

Takeoff: Accelerate to 140m/sec w/ 50% throttle and pull back on the stick. Once clear of runway increase throttle to 100% and pitch up to 40 degrees.

Flight: Maintain 40 degree AoA and keep reducing throttle to maintain 12-15m/sec acceleration. Once @ 20,000m pitch down to 20 degrees and punch the throttle as high as it will go.

Break atmo: Keep reducing throttle to avoid flameout; once you hit 20% throttle kill the scramjets (1) and engage aerospikes (2) to begin burn. Pitch up to 30 degrees and kill the engines once you hit 80km apoapsis. Circularize and enjoy your flight. Max service ceiling is 100km.

Pretty sleek looking ship you have there. I like how low-profile you made it all. I wonder though if your wing blocks your cabin hatch

[Spartwo]

[Broco]

Built an UFO (always wanted to do that):

Craft-File (it's just worth a laugh):

http://www.file-upload.net/download-8510278/UFO.craft.html

Edited January 12, 2014 by Broco

[KissSh0t]

@You are going to have to edit you're post so we can see you're images.

I recommend Imgur http://imgur.com/

[Commissar]

my HS-1 Kerbal Recue ship, developed from my X-1 I posted earlier.

uses a pair of long landing gear to increase AoA on takeoff, but it makes it a real pain if I need to taxi, and it tips forward on the spool up, so I added a long langing gear to the nose to provide easy taxiing. I keep one parked a ways behind the runway, so if, for wahtever reason, i need to recue a kerbal or two from another ship, all I have to do is start the takeoff roll, and lower the takeoff gear.

http://imgur.com/a/q74tO

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Edited January 13, 2014 by Commissar
well, this is interesting... imgur tags

[sdj64]

My favorite SSTO I've built, Gemini. Carried two pilots and a lot of science to Laythe and back. (but had to be refueled and given drop tanks in Kerbin orbit)

[Spartwo]

Most likely the last major iteration..

Getting nowhere fast..

To the Mun..

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[Mesklin]

Built an UFO (always wanted to do that):

It is funny craft, but where is a lot of lights around hull. Every true UFO's should have very many lights

[Broco]

It is funny craft, but where is a lot of lights around hull. Every true UFO's should have very many lights

You are right, dumb me. :-D

[KissSh0t]

SSTO Type 29 Rapier Mk1 *Edit*

Just to correct my previous craft posted, I had forgotten to put RCS tanks inside the craft like I had originally planned.. Completely forgot to add them..

Now it has RCS fuel for the RCS thruster xD

Noteworthy features, Small part count SSTO, docking port on center of mass so if you want to push it to another planet with an interstellar drive you can. The aircraft will take off before the end of the runway.

This aircraft uses action groups so check them before you set out~

http://www./download/jw6wl79j85dqqyq/SSTO%20Type%2029%20Rapier%20Mk1.rar

[SchwarzerPeter]

Some of mine SSTOs:

The Blitz Mk5 VTOL SSTO. Designed for a Laythe rescue mission.

My Heavy Cargo SSTO:

And the version with the extra wide cargo bay. In orbit with a 9t test cargo.

[O-Doc]

So I've been focusing on the jet ascent phase of the ascent profile lately. Unfortunately, this aircraft doesn't have the rocket thrust to go anywhere once I run outa air. THe jet engines overpower the rocket. That said, it becomes very uncontrollable at higher altitudes, not wanting to pitch up and hold attitude. Not sure why as this seems more like a bug rather than a plane design issue (still testing the bug part).

http://imageshack.com/a/img138/9749/hqii.png

http://imageshack.com/a/img713/8383/ofew.png

http://imageshack.com/a/img31/8303/h8lt.png

Nice looking bird!

You should have plenty of thrust to get into orbit. Do a dipper to get enough altitude for an orbital burn. If you don't do this then here's some simple steps/instructions.

You need to get to the altitude where your jets are just about to cut out. Then, max out the speed on jets alone. Next, fire up your rocket/s until your acceleration eases off. Fly level, this will start to pull you down. Sink down about 5km so you have enough air to point back up to 45 degrees. As you climb pull back on the throttle as you run out of air. If your apogee is over 40km by the time your thrust is less than full rockets then, you should be good to switch over to rockets only for your climb into orbit.

My non air-hogging SSTOs have similar thrust and air intake balancing as your plane and easily get into orbit with about half fuel left for Mun and Minmus transfers.

Your other problem would be due to the underside of your craft having more drag than the top. As lift(from your wings) decrease at higher altitudes, drag becomes the dominant issue. Solutions? Moar reaction wheels is always fun, especially for dropships. But, I'd recommend some radial intakes at the top rear to balance the drag(and give you moar air). Win, win.

[Yakuzi]

SSTO Type 29 Rapier Mk1 *Edit*

Just to correct my previous craft posted, I had forgotten to put RCS tanks inside the craft like I had originally planned.. Completely forgot to add them..

Now it has RCS fuel for the RCS thruster xD

Noteworthy features, Small part count SSTO, docking port on center of mass so if you want to push it to another planet with an interstellar drive you can. The aircraft will take off before the end of the runway.

This aircraft uses action groups so check them before you set out~

Looking very slick KS, what's the range of that beauty from the runway (no refuel)?

[Mesklin]

Let me introduce to you "Mun Goblin" - SSTO with innovative easy space landing system (ESLS) - only one rocket engine under craft. No more fast rotation at the last moment in time of landing sequence. No more overturned crafts after landing, this craft is stable as rock on the surface after landing.

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[KissSh0t]

Looking very slick KS, what's the range of that beauty from the runway (no refuel)?

It can get into orbit, dock with something if need be... and land back at the KSP runway.

So I guess Enough fuel to get to orbit, and then land afterwards without needing to refuel.

If refueled in orbit it might be able to get into orbit of the Mun or Minmus maybe *shrugs*

Haven't tried that yet.

[Commissar]

Nice looking bird!

You should have plenty of thrust to get into orbit. Do a dipper to get enough altitude for an orbital burn. If you don't do this then here's some simple steps/instructions.

You need to get to the altitude where your jets are just about to cut out. Then, max out the speed on jets alone. Next, fire up your rocket/s until your acceleration eases off. Fly level, this will start to pull you down. Sink down about 5km so you have enough air to point back up to 45 degrees. As you climb pull back on the throttle as you run out of air. If your apogee is over 40km by the time your thrust is less than full rockets then, you should be good to switch over to rockets only for your climb into orbit.

My non air-hogging SSTOs have similar thrust and air intake balancing as your plane and easily get into orbit with about half fuel left for Mun and Minmus transfers.

Your other problem would be due to the underside of your craft having more drag than the top. As lift(from your wings) decrease at higher altitudes, drag becomes the dominant issue. Solutions? Moar reaction wheels is always fun, especially for dropships. But, I'd recommend some radial intakes at the top rear to balance the drag(and give you moar air). Win, win.

i just go up to 25, 30km, and start a gravity turn. i think i'm gonna stick a pair of rockomax radial engines on because the hybrid engines gobble LFO in rocket mode, giving it a terrible range outside the atmosphere.

[Captain Sierra]

i just go up to 25, 30km, and start a gravity turn. i think i'm gonna stick a pair of rockomax radial engines on because the hybrid engines gobble LFO in rocket mode, giving it a terrible range outside the atmosphere.

This is true. The same can be said about the B9 SABRE engines. I learned that lesson way back with my Orion crew shuttle.