SSTO in Duna atmosphere

[lewille]

Hi guys,

I build an SSTO that will rendez-vous with a travel "ship" (more like a strap on nuclear booster) to go land on Duna.

I wanted to know if it was possible to use the standard air breathing engines in Duna's atmosphere (albeit with less power) or if it is completely undoable and I have to rocket my way out?

Thanks for your answer

Edited August 6, 2013 by lewille
answered

[rryy]

You have to use rocket engines in Duna's atmosphere because there is no oxygen for the jet engines to work.

[RocketPilot573]

No Oxygen means no jets. I recommend using Atomic Engines, as they have an ISP of like 700 in Dunas atmosphere, which is still far more efficient then any other rocket.

[littlebattler]

A spaceplane is still viable though, as the wings still generate lift even if jet engines don't work. Wing lift = less delta V needed to get to orbit. Take this into consideration when deciding whether or not you want to make the duna SSTO a spaceplane.

[AnalogAddict]

An SSTO of mine can get to Duna, land, and go back to orbit of its own volition. Getting the ship back to Kerbin will require a small amount of fuel, which if you were wanting to attach a plane to a transfer stage then that shouldn't be a problem.

Bare .craft below, add docking ports, rcs, small payloads, and whatnot to your liking.

Just adding a docking port is your best bet, that'll let you refuel the craft in LKO then begin the burn towards Duna. That should provide you enough fuel to burn to Duna, land, re-orbit and return without the need for fut

http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/showthread.php/44759-The-Courier-SpacePlane-To-orbit-three-times-w-o-refueling%21

[lewille]

Damn I was hoping to jet my way back into space.

Oh well... the rocket engine will hopefuly dont use too much fuel to do so