Wingless Space Shuttle Orbiter (With payload bay!)

[Jamie Logan]

Hey KSP People!!

So the other day I decided to put together an orbiter that can place a small payload into orbit, as well as land in one piece, and thought it would be cool to built it a space shuttle style launch vehicle. There are a few major differences between my shuttle and the real one, such as the non-solid external boosters, lack of wings, landing like a capsule, and the way I chose to model the cargo bay. The cargo bay opens by splitting the orbiter in half, and then re-docking after the payload is released (in this case It's just a small satellite)

The Launch into orbit is not too difficult, as long as you are constantly watching/correcting orientation. The vehicle has a decent amount of tolerance for the center of mass being out of line from the center of thrust due to the 5 SAS modules used (4 on the orbiter and 1 on the orange booster)

Keep in mind that the success of the launch is entirely dependent on activating and deactivating the small radial rockets at the correct time. If done incorrectly, you will surely spin out of control and crash. The whole purpose of the radial rockets is to provide enough torque to keep the vehicle from pitching too far out of the control of ASA/gimbaling engines/etc.

The first set of radial rockets thrust upwards (with respect to the cockpit's control axis) because the center of mass is below the line of thrust to begin with.

As fuel is burned from the orange tanks (which feed the orbiter's engines) the center of mass shifts upwards (towards the cockpit) and the direction of radial thrust has to be reversed as the center of mass continues to shift upwards throughout the ascent. there are three sets of radial rockets that are used in the opposite direction from the first set in order to keep the vehicle under control. As soon as the orange booster runs out, stage it away immediately, as the imbalance of thrust will cause the vehicle to flip out.

you may have to practice your orbital ascent a few times, as it is not nearly as straightforward as a regular rocket ascent.

Anyway, here are the...

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FLIGHT INSTRUCTIONS

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1)Throttle to 100%

2)Activate the single engine that is attached to the launch clamp. This is just used for emptying the jet fuel tank that is right behind the cockpit. It is only there for aesthetics and should be emptied prior to liftoff.

3)Stage to liftoff. The first 5,000m of ascent are very stable, requiring almost no manual input.

4)Hit space to stage away external boosters when they shut down.

5)Around 5,000m, press 1 to shutdown the initial set of radial engines. By this point the center of thrust should be in line with the center of mass

6)Start gravity turn around 10,000m. At this point the center of mass is starting to shift above the center of thrust so hit space to activate the second set of radial engines (which point the opposite way from the first)

7)Hit space to activate the third and fourth sets of radial engines when needed. The last set should be activated just prior to main booster shutdown.

8)Hit space to stage away main booster immediately after shutdown to avoid flipping out.

9)The rest should be pretty simple. Hit the horizon with an AP of about 50,000m for maximum efficiency.

10)when landing, try to keep a little fuel left in order to slow down just before touchdown.

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HOTKEYS

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1)shuts down first set of radial rockets

2)extends solar panels

Craft file: http://www./?8fvn12qf8eqzrj8

Wingless Space Shuttle Orbiter in flight:

Edited October 15, 2013 by Jamie Logan

[inigma]

Wow I like this. Its completely out of the box thinking.

[TheAstronut]

You have invented the first closeable stock payload bay.

[bigpapabearxx]

You have invented the first closeable stock payload bay.

not really. Look up EJ_SA on twitch. And check this out. http://imgur.com/a/OVkzv http://imgur.com/a/Vej6T

This one is actual doors. http://imgur.com/a/dXoIP

[bigpapabearxx]

btw those are mine.

[toggelhase]

Now this is really a cool idea! Like it!

[M.Wolfy]

The way the payload and the aft section is attached very neat.

[chunkblaster]

Well thats new...

Thats a sick idea for a payload bay. Points for style.

[Gravaar]

not really. Look up EJ_SA on twitch. And check this out. http://imgur.com/a/OVkzv http://imgur.com/a/Vej6T

This one is actual doors. http://imgur.com/a/dXoIP

Are yours stock parts only? because the OP has built it with just stock

And if it is Just stock no mods how the $%#& did you build those hinges

Edited October 15, 2013 by Gravaar

[Guest links123]

Are yours stock parts only?

[NASI Director]

This is the most crude and ugly thing I've ever seen . Yet, it's so perfect and so usable. Who would've thought of using a closeable payload section like that?

[Jamie Logan]

This is the most crude and ugly thing I've ever seen . Yet, it's so perfect and so usable. Who would've thought of using a closeable payload section like that?

Thanks!.. I guess. I'll admit it's a little unconventional, but crude and ugly?

[Jamie Logan]

Are yours stock parts only?

Yes, my craft is all stock. The payload bay is just based around regular docking ports

[Nephf]

This is my Space Shuttle Orbiter...

[Jamie Logan]

This is my Space Shuttle Orbiter...

cool......

[sgt_flyer]

well, stock Hinged bay doors was possible before 0.21

but with the modification to the structural pylon capacity to bend of 0.21, it has become too random to be used reliably

http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/39481-new-motorized-hinge-system-now-with-a-cargo-spaceship-and-a-MK3-cargo-bay

[Pds314]

At the mission proposal:

First we go up into orbit asymmetrically strapped to a rocket!

Then we cut the ship in half to release the payload!

Then we put the ship back together and land!

Almost everyone in the room starts walking away, then Jeb asks them for the prototype, when they explain that it was simply a concept, Jeb asks them to cut a regular spaceship in half an let him fly it.

[xoknight]

a-w-e-s-o-m-e

[TheNerdyOne_]

well, stock Hinged bay doors was possible before 0.21

but with the modification to the structural pylon capacity to bend of 0.21, it has become too random to be used reliably

http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/39481-new-motorized-hinge-system-now-with-a-cargo-spaceship-and-a-MK3-cargo-bay

Structural Pylons aren't the only way to make stock hinges. The most popular method I've seen recently is to actually build hinges using docking ports and structural parts. While they're usually a little bulky, a skilled builder can get them to fit in pretty well.

[Jamie Logan]

At the mission proposal:

First we go up into orbit asymmetrically strapped to a rocket!

Then we cut the ship in half to release the payload!

Then we put the ship back together and land!

Almost everyone in the room starts walking away, then Jeb asks them for the prototype, when they explain that it was simply a concept, Jeb asks them to cut a regular spaceship in half an let him fly it.

That is exactly how the meeting went

[Tankbuster32]

the good thing about that payload bay is that it can easily be extended, just add some structural parts and Voíla!

[Hontik1969]

gret iea for the cargo bay very cool

[BigD145]

the good thing about that payload bay is that it can easily be extended, just add some structural parts and Voíla!

Add more detachable parts. Make it a 3 or 4 piece shuttle. Instead or adding structural bits add in RCS because you'll need it.