(WIP) K-21 'Munray' SSTO. A little testing?

[Curs0r]

Hi all. I have made a SSTO plane recently that I feel pretty good about. I wondered if others might like to try it out and post some feedback in this thread. Much as I'd like to publish it on spaceport, I'd like to make sure I'm not the only one that can fly it.

I've gotten her as far as Eve and Duna already, I don't have any gas stations outside the Kerbin SOI yet, but I don't foresee it having any problems getting further if there is a place to refuel.

Flight recommendations:

Try not to pitch it above 50 degrees. She's heavy and may not climb at a higher pitch on the jet turbine alone.

During takeoff, begin trying to pull up immediately for extra takeoff speed. Must be something in the engine, I honestly don't know why that is.

This plane absolutely will make 2400 m/s off the jet if you hold her in the 30km altitude range to pick up speed. The rockets can be used for that little extra push to make a circular orbit above 69km. This tactic will save you tons of rocket fuel.

The jet fuel is useless weight if you're not coming back down before refueling so feel free to just keep picking up speed until the liquid fuel indicator reads 540.

Important Kerbal safety tips:

I strongly doubt this plane could safely touch down on Tylo so I would not go trying that.

In this case, SSTO might also stand for Seriously Scary Take Off. This hog is very heavy. She will run all the way to the edge of the ocean before lifting off if you don't kick in the rocket engines (personally I don't use the rocket engines during takeoff, up to you).

She will fight you for control at first in Eve atmosphere. Just hold a 30 degree pitch on re-entry until about 20k meters, then she should settle down.

That about covers the basics. If anyone feels like trying this and posting a note or two about what is difficult to manage, or any other concerns about it, I'd appreciate it. I don't want to foist another untested craft on the public through kerbalspaceport

Without further ado, the link. It's a free file host so just ignore the garbage on the page and click the file name at the top to download:

K-21-Munray.craft

Fixed the download file, it now has nothing but stock parts on it.

Edited June 1, 2013 by Curs0r
Fixed craft file