StaboJet VTOL Single Stage to Anywhere!

[MeticulousMitch]

Well I'm back here again after the April forum crash, and I'd like to present something I've been working on for the last few weeks:

StaboJet - A revolutionary concept in SSTO Design

Stability demonstration - simulated engine flameout:

Because the thrust vector of each engine passes through the centre of mass, the craft will not spin or tumble when engines flame out at high altitude. This makes reaching orbit very easy, and allows heavier payloads.

Download StaboJet Classic

Download StaboJet Munar

Download StaboJet Shuttle

Download StaboJet Supply

All craft can reach Minmus and return with fuel to spare. The Munar and Supply variants can also land on and return from the Mun, or reach the outer planets and moons.

Enjoy! I'll be checking this page on a regular basis, so if you've got requests for additional variants or configurations (2 engine, 4 engine, etc), be sure to post a reply!

Edited June 9, 2013 by MeticulousMitch

[Flaglore]

This looks pretty damn cool actually. I'll download when I get access to my main machine.

I was wonderind though, doesn't the drain of the fuel tanks shift the centre of mass?

[Clouds]

I suppose I can forgive the "airhogging" because of how well you integrated the intakes in the aesthetics. These look friggin' cool, especially the Munar one.

[Mekan1k]

Wow! +Rep for ingenuity!

[SirJodelstein]

nice concept!

[sgt_flyer]

that's an impressive solution to flameouts (i'm still looking to the airintake resource with my ssto designs )

[Levelord]

I've been struggling for months to develop a stable multiple-jet SSTO rocket, and now I find this thread with a stroke of pure genius.

I'll be downloading this file and reverse-engineering it to understand how it works! :0

[Decho]

I was wonderind though, doesn't the drain of the fuel tanks shift the centre of mass?

That was my first thought, though jets are very efficient so by flameout time on ascent the CoM likely won't have changed much. Alternatively could put primary jet fuel tank centred on the CoM, then as it empties the CoM wouldn't change (I don't think KSP currently models fuel distribution within a tank right? Looking at the design again the jet fuel is aranged symmetrically around the CoM which would have a very similar effect. @OP Those look very nice, may have to give one a go.

[Rune]

Looks awesome! My only suggestion would be to use ram intakes (with the flat section on the inside of the craft). They would stack up nicer (continuous black surface), and you would get better performance with less drag and parts. But the "thurst through the CoM" trick is surely ingenious!

Rune. Also, the single stage to anywhere claim is bit dubious, there's this little planet called Moho...

[chunkblaster]

Very Ingenius. May I borrow this concept for an SSTO?

[Zanis]

This reminds me of a bunch of cartoon rockets that seemed to small to even get into orbit.

That is really awesome Keep up the excellent work!

[Mokmo]

Sorry to ask but...

What would be the best climb profile for this ? I wasn't able to rech orbit with either the Classic or the Munar. The nuclear engine isn't powerful enough to finish the job once the jets flame out.

[Mulbin]

These are amazing! Really nice aesthetic.

[MeticulousMitch]

Very Ingenius. May I borrow this concept for an SSTO?

Of course. I'd be happy to see this engine arrangement on other SSTO's!

Sorry to ask but...

What would be the best climb profile for this ? I wasn't able to rech orbit with either the Classic or the Munar. The nuclear engine isn't powerful enough to finish the job once the jets flame out.

Like all jet-powered SSTO's, you need to use less throttle in the upper atmosphere to keep the engines running. Another trick is to fire the nuclear engine when you reach 1500m/s surface speed - this will 'supercharge' the jet engines by forcing them to travel faster than they can propel the craft. You should be able to get at least partial thrust from the jet engines up to at least 36,000m. At this point, shut them off and fire into orbit on the nuke engine only.

Even though this craft doesn't have wings, you still need to fly a shallow profile above 20,000m in order to pick up lots of speed. You can't just go straight up into space.

[iDan122]

Genius, just genius. I tried strapping a nuclear engine on my SSTO, but then the TWR was too low. Big rep for such ingenuity and amazing work with NOT using part clipping.

Edited June 12, 2013 by iDan122
Part clipping wasn't used

[iDan122]

I also suggest replacing those circular intakes with ram intakes. They suck in more air.

[KinkyFerrets]

These are absolutely brilliant, good job man!

[Draemar]

Awesomeness at extremme, man!!!

[MeticulousMitch]

I also suggest replacing those circular intakes with ram intakes. They suck in more air.

Really? I've never noticed a big performance difference between the circular intakes and the ram intakes.

The main reason I use circular intakes is that they take up less space - try fitting 24 ram intakes on this ship and you'll see what I mean.

Part clipping wasn't enabled, although the editor is fairly lenient about intersections with the small cube trusses.

[timpossible]

Love the stability feature other than that very very nice

[Mekan1k]

Somehow when I download the file the turbojets are not getting any fuel....

[iDan122]

Are you sure it has enough fuel to return from the Mun? Because I had to use infinite fuel to return to Kerbin.

[MassiveEffectz]

Can you add gimbals to the turbo jets? So they could be directed downward for the launch, increasing thrust, then spread out for the safety.

[tweenprinc3ss]

Have to say, This is a great design! Great work!

[Llama1017]

Is there any specific way to fly this? I can't seem to get it into orbit.