I built a Spaceplane!!!! (Sorta)

[Sharpe]

I wasn't horribly excited about the new update. While the new Space center looked really slick, and I looked forward to the rewritten SAS, I didn't think any of the new aspects would be game changing or really cool, like docking, rovers, or re-entry visuals had been. Now, I've been around since 0.17 and like to think of myself as quite competent,but up until now, I was never able to spend more than 20 minutes working on a plane without ragequitting. I couldn't even get the stock vessels off of the runway. However; with the new SAS I decided to give it a try yesterday. I'm in love. Not only can I fly fairly well now, I've entered a part of the game were I am able to tread my own paths. (I was introduced to Kerbal by the kurtjmac videos, so I was able to get into orbit with my second rocket ). Now after two nights with little sleep and bleary eyes, I've succeeded in getting a plane into Space!!!.

The Plane:

The A2 Dutchman uses two Turbojet engines with 300L of fuel each. Each is fed by two radial intakes and a RAM intake. The cockpit and systems section of the plane sit in front of the main fuselage that consists of a Rockomax BACC SRB. The use of an SRB was first tested in the A1 Dutchman using a RT-10. While the BACC has less Dv than the RT-10, the longer thrust curve prevents excess energy being wasted fighting the atmosphere.

The Flight Plan:

A previous flight of the A2 Dutchman had succeeded in reaching an altitude of 69.3 km. This time the A2 was fighted with 6 Sepratron Is to provide a bit of additional kick. Also the Jet engine tanks were drained to 262L of fuel to lower weight. Both of these measures should help the A2 successfuly clear the atmosphere.

Draining fuel

Jebediah Kerman had just returned from a successful space trip and was quickly picked to fly this historic mission. The takeoff time was set at dawn. At the given time, the SAS was booted up, the brakes released and the jet engines throttled up. Takeoff was nominal and the plane gently flew to 5kM

Takeoff

At 5km, the plane increased it's flight angle dramatically, rapidly gaining speed and altitude. When the intakes provided only 0,1 U of air, the Turbojets cut off and the BACC engine was ignited.

SRB burn

After SRB cut off the A2 was on a trajectory up to 79.1km, easily out of the atmosphere. The A2 was on a suborbital trajectory with 102 seconds outside of the atmosphere. Reentry was nominal, and the A2 regained level flight at 7.5km.

Re-entry

The A2 turned back westward, and after two low altitude sub-orbital hops prepared to land. The landing approach proceeded well. After a rapid decent the engines where cut and the incredible gliding prowess of the A2 became noticeable. To prevent floating over the runway, the Plane nosed down and landed somewhat hard, but landed without breaking off any wings or engines. (A first for the Dutchman planes) A short taxi to the SPH allowed KSP to get some publicity shots.

Mission Notes:

After venting fuel the Sepratrons were unnecessary.

KSP would like to take a moment to thank and honor the Six Kerbals that gave their lives during the Dutchman program (Revert really means that Bill and Mumbert have each died a handful of times but are still in play)

Progress Goals:

Extend extra-atmospheric flight time to 5 minutes

Develope a HTOL with liquid rocket engines

Develope a HTOL capable of reaching a stable orbit with an average altitude of 100km

Develope a vessel that can reac