SSTO Plane

[Guttekb]

Hi!

First time posting here, so hi everyone and thanks for a great game squad!

I have played the demo version alot and finally got the game through steam.

Now, my question. I'm trying to make this plane work. It should be a single stage to orbit

plane. I do have some small problems with it. If I even get higher then 5 000 meter the jets

tend to die at 20 000 meters and my plane goes into a death spin. But most of the time, I never get

higher then 5000 since it starts to loose it's lift at that alt. Do anyone know what I could do to

improve my plane? Supposed to carry three kerbals into space and also be able to drop of a

satellite. Another problem is that it starts to tip to one side and I cant compensate for it,

nor can the SAS. Untill I find a good image hosting site, I'm using the parts that looks like

the "modern" space shuttle. The command part, 3 fuel body parts. Then top monted wings,

3 jet engines on each wing with the double coupler so I can add two jet engines on each

jet engine "main part". Most enoying thing is, why does it start to tip at either the right

or left side?

[bsalis]

Sounds like you need more intakes, lifting surfaces and control surfaces. It also sounds unbalanced if it is yawing.

Some pics would help.

[espm400]

If I could make one suggestion to anyone building spaceplane SSTOs, it would be 'get Ferram Aerospace Research (FAR).' It actually gives the game a proper aerodynamic and drag model. Gone are the days of pitch to 45* and having your prograde marker barely above the horizon.

If I could make a second suggestion, it would be to 'get B9 Aerospace.' Not only does it add a ton of space plane building parts, but it allows you to make your planes look good (like real planes).

That is unless you have those and I'm missing something, in which case I'd ask for some pics...

[Hovis]

Hi!

First time posting here, so hi everyone and thanks for a great game squad!

I have played the demo version alot and finally got the game through steam.

Now, my question. I'm trying to make this plane work. It should be a single stage to orbit

plane. I do have some small problems with it. If I even get higher then 5 000 meter the jets

tend to die at 20 000 meters and my plane goes into a death spin. But most of the time, I never get

higher then 5000 since it starts to loose it's lift at that alt. Do anyone know what I could do to

improve my plane? Supposed to carry three kerbals into space and also be able to drop of a

satellite. Another problem is that it starts to tip to one side and I cant compensate for it,

nor can the SAS. Untill I find a good image hosting site, I'm using the parts that looks like

the "modern" space shuttle. The command part, 3 fuel body parts. Then top monted wings,

3 jet engines on each wing with the double coupler so I can add two jet engines on each

jet engine "main part". Most enoying thing is, why does it start to tip at either the right

or left side?

First thing I would say is that an SSTO plane is pretty much one of the hardest things to build. It is something to bear in mind when you're building the thing, it's not like getting a rocket into orbit, you're really going to have to know what you're about to get a working space plane. If you actually manage it, you're a hero and they'll build statues of you in Kerbaltown. Maybe.

Anyway, as bsalis said, sounds like you're making the standard early attempt at SSTO mistakes. However many intakes, lifting surfaces and control surfaces you thought you needed when you started this thing, you'll almost certainly need more.

It is also worth bearing in mind that even if you design the perfect SSTO there is still a lot to do when flying it. But I'm a rubbish SSTO pilot, so I'll say no more about it. Suffice to say, there's more to it than just flying up in a straight line, which is how I used to do it when I first tried it.

Good luck though.