[SSI] Neutron Class Shuttlecraft

[inigma]

This is the Neutron. It is the SSI Ion's two seater big brother featuring a closed cockpit Amphibious Autonomous VTOL SSTO, perhaps the smallest ever (by realistic clipping and function) two seater closed-cockpit VTOL SSTO designed in KSP by anyone anywhere. It represents the best of SSI engineering and its design principles.

Designed with 46 parts, it is one part less than the 47 part Ion.

The Neutron Class:

Is an SSI original Type II Shuttlecraft capable of undocking from 120km, landing at the KSC helipad, and redocking at 120km without refueling.

Part Count: 46

Weight: 8.72 tons

Fuel Remaining at 80km orbit: 90+

Real Time to Orbit: 14 Minutes

The Neutron is flameout resistant, and lands on its runners or in the sea using VTOL.

The Neutron Heavy Class:

For though who love their wheels, the Neutron Heavy is also seen below with standard gear bays that are recessed into the hull. Although starting tonnage is lighter, its considered heavier with more wind resistance for the additional parts required, and thus has to work harder to get into space than the non-heavy class.

Part Count: 52

Weight: 8.67 tons of pure happiness

Fuel Remaining at 80km orbit: 80+

Real Time to Orbit: 16 Minutes

The Neutron Heavy lands on landing gear or nothing at all.

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Certification Video:

SSI Type II Neutron Craft File (runners)

SSI Type II Neutron Heavy Craft File (landing gear)

Flight Profile Neutron:

Launch full throttle 65 deg.

At 17k pitch to 45 deg

At 21k pitch to 10 deg

At 29k pitch to 0 deg

Cruise at 30 until 2130 m/s Surface

Ride 15 deg and decrease throttle until no more air at 45k.

Coast to Apoapsis

Burn rockets 45 degree to orbit above 70km.

Flight Profile Neutron Heavy:

Launch full throttle 65 deg.

At 21k pitch to 0 deg

Cruise at 29k until 1800 m/s Surface

Ride 15 deg up and decrease throttle until no more air at 45k.

Coast to Apoapsis

Burn rockets 45 degree to orbit above 70km.

Controls

1. Basic Jet Engine

2. Turbojet Engine

3. Rockomax 48-7S

4. Air Intakes

Thoughts? Questions, Comments? Post below!

Edited November 25, 2013 by inigma

[inigma]

Very exacting flight profiles, but with practice, this craft is easy to master. Let me know if you have any questions or suggestions!

[Cinocal]

Very nice. Will try it out.

[SofusRud]

you could save some weight by switching the ASAS unit for a normal in-line reaction wheel

[4nxs]

I like it, will add it to my space station.

[Jeb Cubed]

I like it it, I will have to download this and try it out.

[The14th]

Very nice. I'm going to try it out too

[Cruzan]

Not only is it compact, but it looks great too! Great job on the video as well I laughed harder than I should have when my Kerbal failed at loading back up

[inigma]

You shoulda seen the outtakes. the reason I ran out of fuel was due to multiple abortive landing attemps on the helipad. In fact the vid is the first time I ever landed on the roof with the Neutron. I was in so much shock I stared at my accomplishment hit quicksave and proceeded to gawk. Hence why I fast forward through it at 4x speed. Heh.

[Chirality]

How many intakes are on this SSTO?

[inigma]

How many intakes are on this SSTO?

A grand total of 8.

[inigma]

Anyone try this baby?