[Shuttlecraft Systems Inc][SSTO] Shuttlecraft: Type I (In Development)

[inigma]

Our very first SSTO, and it's being developed with .21 in mind:

Several itenerations of the Shuttlecraft Type I Prototypes have made it into 80k and 100k orbits with the ability to return safely.

Currently I'm working on the only tried and true method of return: parachutes. Small craft with small wings don't land on their gears well. Neither do the parachutes treat the craft well until you can get below 60km/s, and this requires fuel for the landing which isn't possible yet. The idea of the craft is to bring a man up or return a man from a space station or other spacecraft orbiting between 80km-120km, with the station refueling the shuttlecraft. If I can design the landing better, the craft should allow a fully fueled starting descent from orbit with enough fuel to get back into orbit - a true Star Trek esque shuttlecraft. It also sports a computer core so it can pick up stranded Kerbals from the surface below and bring them either up into orbit and rendezvous, or back to the KSC.

Below are images of the Shuttlecraft Type I Prototype Mk 2 as it goes through several stages of development. Let me know what you think, or if you have any suggestions. The goal is to avoid unrealistic part clipping too.

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In case you're wondering, the Mk. 1 is just that - a shuttle with no docking port or RCS and is meant to EVA your Kerbal to its target or return him on a manned landing (not possible without chutes yet). The Mk. 2 carries a docking port and RCS. It flies very well, very fast.

My goal is to complete development on this before .21 since if I can make it work without the new SAS (and it does so now very well), then it will shine very very very very well with the new SAS - it might even be possible to land the thing without chutes.

UPDATE:

Ok here is the Type I Prototype Mk 2a

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Craft file: http://www./download/avlyu1dvscoaq0c/Shuttlecraft_Mk_IIa.craft

Fly it up at 80 degrees until near flameout at 17km, then ignite the aerospike and burn into 80km orbit. You should have practically no fuel left, but lots of RCS. Still under development though. If you can help me find the best flight profile, let me know! Right now it's an atmosphere-escape class shuttle, with the intention that the jets are only meant to get you out of the atmosphere as fast as possible.

Edited July 25, 2013 by inigma

[inigma]

Ok it lands ok. A tough little ship. I created this SSTO because I couldnt find a compact SSTO on the exchange. I designed this to be small and compact, as if it were your own personal shuttlecraft. Its a joy to fly and highly maneuverable.

[inigma]

Man, designing this thing is hard. I'm trying to find the right ascent profile as currently the Mk II.5 is just unable to get into orbit. I've tried different engine configurations. Maybe it has to do with all the weight this little ship carries. Argh. Anyone have an idea on the best SSTO ascent profile for such a ship above?

[llamatoes]

It looks very nice.

Tell me, at what altitude to do you light your 909s and how much fuel do you have

Left when you reach LKO

[inigma]

The Mark II flies up to 22km between 45 and 33 degrees with the jet engine all the way, gaining speed to 1000km/s, even down to 0.01 intake. I then burn at 45 degrees decreasing down angle as the 909s take me to 80km suborbital. They run dry. I then use the RCS to get orbital. Once circularized near 80km, I have enough RCS fuel to change orbits, rendezvous, and dock with a target (I think) at 100km-120km - I just haven't done it yet, hence why its still in development (my station is at 140km with no way to burn lower easily).

I haven't tested docking yet but I need to in order to refuel at the station and call this design a success, else I have to burn my RCS to get home.

My one and only success was with four RCS tanks. I tried adding another set of 2 tanks, and that's where things go nuts with the balancing. Argh. I want to get orbital with fuel alone, not RCS. Hence my question in the HOWTO on the best ascent profile for a small SSTO.

[llamatoes]

Not exactly what I'd call practical, but it looks good and is certainly less over complicated than my first SSTO.

[inigma]

Updated OP with further development, now the Mk IIa which can get into 80km orbit without using any RCS.

Can anyone help me find the best flight profile for this thing?

[inigma]

I created a startup to help fund these kinds of ideas. Let me know if you're interested in designing, tweaking, and testing:

http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/showthread.php/41898-New-Startup-Idea-STOCK-Shuttlecraft-Systems-Incorporated-Waiting-for-Your-Input!?p=539439#post539439

[inigma]

Fixed the naming schemes. Also if you're interested in joining SSI as an engineer, or test pilot, or in submitting a craft for SSI certification and inclusion in our to-be-published General Catalog, please let us know here:

http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/showthread.php/41898-New-Startup-Idea-STOCK-Shuttlecraft-Systems-Incorporated-Waiting-for-Your-Input!