Jump to content

Realistic Solar System Spaceplanes MEGATHREAD

Sparker

By Sparker
in KSP1 The Spacecraft Exchange

 Share

Recommended Posts

Sparker

Sparker

Posted
Posted (edited)

We already have a RSS launchers megathread, but we don't have a thread dedicated to spaceplanes which are made to work with the RSS mod. I decided to correct it, I hope that you don't mind.

Well, let me start the thread. I was quite impressed by the soviet 'Spiral' aerospace system:

spiral_1.gif002.jpg

It consisted of a big hypersonic plane with a flourine and hydrogen powered rocket at its back. The payload of the rocket was a spaceplane. I tried to create an aerospace system with the same general idea and that's what I got:

f4ch.png vvs0.png yh9d.png f6ya.png

Characteristics:

Whole system start mass: 97t

Whole rocket mass: 47.5t

Rocket 1st stage mass:25.8t

Rocket 2nd stage mass: 13.4t

Spaceplane mass: 8.3t

Spaceplane empty mass: 4.5t

Spaceplane max subsonic L/D ratio: ~5

Spaceplane max hypersonic L/D ratio ~1.4

The rocket uses LH2+LOX fuel, the spaceplane uses Kerosene+LOX fuel.

It works quite well!

And what are your spaceplane results with the RSS mod?

Edited by Sparker
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Sparker

Sparker

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)

After succeeding with the spaceplane in the 1st post of this thread I decided to make another spaceplane of the same kind, but not so useless in practice. So, here it is:

cvmw.png wm3z.png bm8o.png

It can deliver two kerbals to LEO space station and also some life support recources in a TAC life support Hexcan. Also I made foldable wings, almost like on real life Spiral. Folding the wings helps achieving high angles of attack at hypersonic speeds, and deploying them helps at subsonic speeds.

The spaceplane is launched using the same launch system as the first one. I'm going to replace my soyuz-style spacecraft with this reusable spaceplane.

kcgq.png jmho.png 6tj4.png

Edited by Sparker
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Sparker

Sparker

Posted
  • Author
Posted
You are literally the only one who I've seen doing this. This thread deserves more attention!

PS: Wouldn't the 120 thrust KW engine be more efficent?

Thanks!

What engine do you mean? Do you mean Vesta-VR1? Anyway, the problem here is to balance the cockpit and the tail section, because otherwise the 2-ton cockpit overweighs the tail and the center of mass moves too much forward, and it's not very good. Thet's why I had to install overpowered engine(Wildcat-5). Also, I wanted it to be both efficient in the atmosphere and in orbit. In this plane, as well as in the previous one, I managed to balance the tail and the cockpit, so the center of mass of the spaceplane is very close to the center of the fuel tank in the middle, and spending fuel doesn't affect the CoM position.

By the way, look what I've found in the YouTube:

The video is not mine!

That's an awesome re-entry!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 4 months later...
Sparker

Sparker

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)

Has anyone succeeded in building spaceplanes with RSS mod in recent 5 months(since this thread was started)? Let's post RSS-capable spaceplanes here, separately from rockets.

Well, I was looking through RSS Crafts megathread and found an interesting design by maccollo. The airbreathing engines are combined with rocket engines in a single spaceplane which makes it possible to re-use more rocket parts than in Spiral-like aerospace system.

I've recorded a video demonstrating the launch and re-entry of the the second spaceplane mentioned in this thread. Here you can see how changing the shape of the wings can help at different speeds.

Edited by Sparker
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Hodo

Hodo

Posted
Posted

I had two SSTO space planes before AJE was worked out in RSS.

Javascript is disabled. View full album
Javascript is disabled. View full album

But both of those were made in the rescaled Kerbin, and don't work on the actual Earth.... I have a single stage to space plane that works now in RSS with RO on the full sized Earth system. But it is unable to achieve orbit, it is 450m/s d/V short.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Hodo

Hodo

Posted
Posted
Very cool :)

And how much payload can they deliver into orbit?

The first one, nothing, it could get itself into orbit.

The second one, could haul about 5 tons.

I am working hard on getting a SSTO space plane to work in RSS+RO with the real sized Earth.

Took a break lastnight and designed a military single seat, single engine light weight multi-role fighter. That is a resounding success. So tonight may work on building a hypersonic aircraft to test the AJE engine limitations and speeds at altitudes.

The biggest problem I am facing is actually fuel use in the lower atmosphere. If I can cut what I am using from take off to 20km altitude I know I can get it to space from there.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
TeeGee

TeeGee

Posted
Posted
I had two SSTO space planes before AJE was worked out in RSS.

http://imgur.com/a/5AwCA

http://imgur.com/a/lYwdz

But both of those were made in the rescaled Kerbin, and don't work on the actual Earth.... I have a single stage to space plane that works now in RSS with RO on the full sized Earth system. But it is unable to achieve orbit, it is 450m/s d/V short.

Maybe kerolox will get you those extra few m/s.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Sparker

Sparker

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I've managed to build a good spaceplane for my copy of MAKS airspace system:

d73e4e93c7fd.png

Thanks to the varieble wings he spaceplane showed good enough performance at all speeds.

I have also tried attaching a big H2+LOX fuel tank and "simulated" with cheats start conditions as if the whole thing was launched from ~10km at subsonic speed and it even managed to get into orbit.

ee1bdd8d3e98.png

Next step: I need to build something like a copy of Mria plane to lift 270 tons. With procedural parts it can be done, but will it fit into kerbal spaceplane hangar? :rolleyes:

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Sparker

Sparker

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Very good result. I think your next spaceplane will make it into orbit ;)

I remember I also started exploring hypersonic flight with almost same design, had so much fun with it.

Btw, how does angling main wings down help? I'v never tried it...

Link to comment
Share on other sites
This thread is quite old. Please consider starting a new thread rather than reviving this one.

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
 Share
Go to topic listing
×
×
  • Create New...