[W&P Co.][SSTO+Mothership] Kedi Pack! J Wing 7b Ethersprite-B & IP-1A Steeplechaser

[I_Killed_Jeb]

Introducing the Ethersprite-B, a nimble, capable SSTO that can land and take off from a large variety of moons and planets thanks to its VTOL rockets. She has great handling characteristics with a very stable CoM/CoL relationship at any level of fuel, and has plenty of spare delta-v for entry-level pilots to get to orbit without slavishly adhering to strict ascent profiles.

Vehicle Description

"The 7th entry in the ever-iconic J Wing series of spaceplanes, the Ethersprite-B expands on its predecessors' capabilities with added landing legs, ladders that actually work, and VTOL engines. The favored craft of Kedi Knights for short-range peace missions, it boasts smooth handling characteristics for any celestial body, able to function admirably in both atmospheric and vaccuum flight. It's equipped with standard P&W serial docking ports, which, among other purposes, can be used to dock with interplanetary drives, allowing the Kedi to reach any planet or moon necessary to keep peace in the system.

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Hotkeys

1 - Toggle Jet Engine

2 - Toggle Intakes

3 - Toggle Rockets!

4 - Toggle VTOL Rockets

6 - Toggle Ladders

7 - Toggle Landing Legs

9 - Toggle Docking Ports"

180 loop right off the runway!

Duna exploration capable

The real benefit of this spaceplane, however, comes in its ability to dock with the IP-1A interplanetary module, boosting its range to virtually anywhere in the Kerbol system.

Early prototype models

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Thus, we are also simultaneously releasing the IP-1A Steeplechaser interplanetary drive! It has ~10km/s delta-v on its own, which is of course reduced when the spaceplane is docked. The craft is released with a launcher that will take it to LKO for refueling and docking. Beware the Kraken!

Vehicle Description

"Developed in response to the Kedi Knights' increasing need for interplanetary diplomatic missions, the IP-1A interplanetary drive is an old favorite among the old kepublic knights. Compatible with a multitude of spacecraft, including the popular J- and K-Wing series of spaceplanes the IP-1A was the first of its kind but continues to endure as a simple workhorse for long-distance missions. Unfortunately, it's been rumored to feature multiple structural problems, some of which have occasionally summoned a mythical space beast from the darkest abysses of space...

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Hotkeys:

5 - Activate Nuclear Engines

8 - Unfurl Solar Panels"

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Builder's Notes -

Ethersprite

*This really is quite an easy bird to fly. The front canards have been completely disabled as a control surface for more stable flight and virtually no chance of flatspin, but advanced users can re-enable it in the SPH for more agile handling.

*When you're ready to go to space, it's as simple as 1-2-3, in that order once you've built up enough airspeed (toggle jets, toggle intake, toggle rockets)

*Not completely tailstrike-proof

*The VTOL engines should only really be necessary in the last stages of landing on Duna or airless moons, but it's your call!

*Use landing legs (7) and retract the wheels when leaving the plane to explore, as KSP planes tend to roll off otherwise.

Steeplechaser

*One oddity here is that this ship is equipped with two probe cores, one facing backwards (for launch) and one facing forwards (for everything after). The default core active is the one facing backwards (since launch happens first), once in orbit, feel free to switch the active core to the one facing the correct direction.

*Once docked to the Ethersprite, I found it easier to control from the probecore on the steeplechaser, but that's your call.

*Like most ring structures in KSP, this craft is a bit of a Krakenbait, but I've only had RUDs during launch, never in orbit. Beware...

*The rig is launched with half its orange tank empty for easy launching. It can explore many destinations such as Duna without refueling, but refueling is advised for far-flung planets (e.g. Jool)

*Launcher equipped with plenty of RCS fuel and thrusters, use it to your advantage during launch!

*The launcher is offset from the payload, requiring the ballast fuel. The final stage of the launcher as well as the ballast can be used to help refuel the IP-1A, and can deorbit itself with RCS. Remember to refuel the payload RCS before decoupling!

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Thanks for looking guys! Please leave a note if you've downloaded the crafts, and any feedback is welcome.

Coming very very soon...

The Kith Pack

Edited January 21, 2014 by I_Killed_Jeb

[spaceman1999]

This awesomeness was inspired by star wars wasn't it.

[wasmic]

Now THAT is a kool thing. Looks gorgeous.

[I_Killed_Jeb]

This awesomeness was inspired by star wars wasn't it.

Indeed!

http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Delta-7_Aethersprite-class_light_interceptor

I tried to actually make a copy of the Star Wars craft, but because of thrust asymmetry it's just too uncontrollable in space =/

Now THAT is a kool thing. Looks gorgeous.

Why thank you kind sir/madam! I'll put the .craft file up once I finish the last round of stability and capability tests, probably tomorrow.

Edited January 20, 2014 by I_Killed_Jeb

[I_Killed_Jeb]

Updated with full descriptions, pics, and files!

Edited January 20, 2014 by I_Killed_Jeb

[Rogueleeder]

I would so love to be part of a project like this

[Levelord]

A challenger appears!!! XD

Edited January 20, 2014 by Levelord