VTOL SSTO Challenge

[Radio Active]

Hello to all you rocket builders, it's Radio coming at you with a challenge. Just like the title says post your successful attempts of a Vertical Take Off and Landing Single-Stage To Orbit (or VTOL SSTO) in this thread.

Requirements

• Take off vertically
  
• Reach a stable orbit around Kerbin
  
• Land vertically
  
• Complete all three task without ejecting any piece of the ship
  
• *Bonus* Add a docking port for a rendezvous
  
• *Bonus* Complete the challenge with a spaceplane
  

That's it, the rest is up to you to figure out. Winners will be added to the Victors List.

Victors

• Bothersome
  
• Scoundrel
  
• bsalis
  
• magnemoe
  
• Darren9
  
• AeroQC
  
• buzz66boy
  

Edited June 14, 2013 by Radio Active

[Bothersome]

OK, here is one of mine...

I have another ship that is bit smaller but didn't take as many photos of the different stages. These ships were originally designed for Laythe return missions.

[Radio Active]

Not bad, it completed all the requirements. However when I envisioned this challenge, I was imagining spaceplanes since a VTOL SSTO spaceplane is more challenging than a VTOL SSTO rocket. I'm not going back on my word though; I'm allowing rockets, but I'm also going to give bonus points to whoever gets a spaceplane to succeed.

[Scoundrel]

<snip>...since a VTOL SSTO spaceplane is more challenging than a VTOL SSTO rocket.

Uh... actually, SSTO rockets are much more challenging than spaceplanes, as SSTO spaceplanes designed to land on the Mun are capable of VTOL landing even on Kerbin, while SSTO rockets have atmospheric maneuvering issues. If you want to see some not so serious SSTO action you can check out my CanUCK SSTO, or even better, go to Rune's awesome Slightly Used Vehicles, or Cupcake's amazing Spaceship Bazaar, or MeticulousMitch's incredible StaboJet thread to see some really, really well thought out SSTO designs.

Here's the CanUCK in action.

FYI the launch vehicle isn't needed... I just added a 102 engine launch vehicle for the lulz.

Edited June 13, 2013 by Scoundrel

[lump]

is there bonuses for going to other planets because i think i a ready to take my best SSTO to eve and duna in the same flight with no refueling, it has the delta V but i am not sure landing after will be possible.

[bsalis]

Have a vid here. Clicky image below for it. I think it should qualify.

[magnemoe]

Jet engines are nice here, downside is that they don't scale well but nice for up to 8 ton to LKO.

This ship has 4.5 orange tanks for fuel. It can reach LKO but not land, however it has an one ton rover and kerthane mining equipment.

Has an design using KW rocketry and the hooliganlabs balloons who can take 60 ton to LKO with an SSTO. Balloons lift it to 10K km, activating engines and deflate balloons. drop cargo and deorbit, use balloons to land.

Only downside is that its an high and narrow structure and don't like long cargo on top.

[Radio Active]

Uh... actually, SSTO rockets are much more challenging than spaceplanes, as SSTO spaceplanes designed to land on the Mun are capable of VTOL landing even on Kerbin, while SSTO rockets have atmospheric maneuvering issues.

I was looking at the designing aspect as the challenge, since a rocket automatically solves the VTOL part of this challenge. As for rockets' maneuverability, I found from my own experience that it's best to shoot straight up through the thickest part of the atmosphere and then do maneuvers in thinner atmosphere. Although until it's solved scientifically, it will be a matter of personal opinion.

P.S. very nice canUCK SSTO

Edited June 13, 2013 by Radio Active

[Radio Active]

is there bonuses for going to other planets

I think any extra feats and accomplishments do deserve a bonus, however if I start listing every feat I could possibly think of in the requirements it would quickly get overcrowded with bonuses. Just know that extra accomplishments are their own bonus award.

[lump]

ok so should i do it, it is a rocket but you said they were OK, i think i will take it to laythe then or maybe a smaller Joolian moon so i can actually land.

[buzz66boy]

Is mechjeb allowed?

[Radio Active]

Yes, rockets are OK.

[Darren9]

I hope Mechjeb and B9 are OK, the Sabre engines seem to make it a bit too easy though with the high isp. Anyway here's my VTOL spaceplane.

Edited June 14, 2013 by Darren9
flew a daytime mission

[Radio Active]

Yes mods are allowed, just as long as the physics remains unaltered.

[AeroQC]

Decided to take up the challenge, despite all my previous efforts for a regular SSTO spaceplane.

Yet I managed to get a stable low Kerbin orbit, VTOL and all.

The design is inspired by the Shryke that's been going around, but I like that I can land the spacecraft as a plane in atmosphere.

I find that my launch procedure is quite awesome from atmospheric landing.

A view of my orbital path and re-entry.

Landing procedure in atmosphere.

This is a VTOL, theoretically I could do a vertical landing, but that is best achieved when I have fuel to spare.

I basically need a refuel once in orbit, or maybe a docking attachment for interplanetary travel.

[buzz66boy]

Who needs rockets anyhow?

But seriously, I have a couple ssto rockets. Spaceplanes are harder to land vertically, so I had to finally go for parachutes (it still is a powered landing though). It took me multiple attempts to land the plane so you'll notice my mumble disappears at a certain point. My other vtol ssto gave me quite a bit of trouble (this one could actually do stuff beyond simply orbiting).

[AeroQC]

Decided to switch the configuration of the engines, one aerospike and two jet engines (despite my fear of spin-outs in the upper atmosphere).

Achieved a faster lift-off, always a bonus.