KSE-1. Pushing it to the limits

[Finwolf]

Hi guys. I've got very good results from testing my KSE-1 spaceplane and now I'm pushing it to the limits. I'm going to try landing it on Duna. With Deadly Re-Entry. It was never desinged for this, although it does have a very high lift. Its dual nuclear engines give it a nice thrust.

Here's the mission so far.

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What is the best periapsis height to aerobrake on Duna?

[Nurph]

I've heard between 12-15 km is best for Duna. Don't forget to quicksave!

[TheGeoninja]

I've gotten down to 11-12 km the atmosphere is so thin that it makes it hard to do it perfectly as you either go in too high or too low but cause you have a spaceplane you might be alright going a bit low cause you can just burn out. This is a nice craft.

[CaptainGiblets]

Dang, new to the forums and still making WAY better SSTO's than me.

[Finwolf]

Thanks for the feedback. Duna landing was a success, although is NOT recommended with this craft. It does glide but turning this baby is like trying to blow a flying brick to change its direction. And it requires a completely flat surface on Duna which is nearly impossible. I will be posting pics of the landing when I get home from work and I will also be releasing the craft file for KSE-1 (Kerbin System Explorer).

Also thanks for the feedback. I set my peri to 12,5km and it worked like a charm. From escape velocity to a 280km x 13km orbit.

Edited January 26, 2014 by Finwolf

[Finwolf]

Dang, new to the forums and still making WAY better SSTO's than me.

I've been playing for about 5 months now and I mostly use spaceplanes.

[Captain Sierra]

Thanks for the feedback. Duna landing was a success, although is NOT recommended with this craft. It does glide but turning this baby is like trying to blow a flying brick to change its direction. And it requires a completely flat surface on Duna which is nearly impossible. I will be posting pics of the landing when I get home from work and I will also be releasing the craft file for KSE-1 (Kerbin System Explorer).

Also thanks for the feedback. I set my peri to 12,5km and it worked like a charm. From escape velocity to a 280km x 13km orbit.

11.8 will supposedly drop you into a 45km apoaps but I've never tried it. undershoot even the slightest and you won't come back out.

[abhowitzer]

Looks really nice! Where could I find the craft file?

[Finwolf]

Here's the craft file: https://www.dropbox.com/s/o89zlteyt5jswuc/KSE-1.craft

First time uploading a file so hope it works.

Instruction on how to fly it:

1. Toggle jets

2. Toggle intakes

3. Toggle LV-N's

5. Toggle solar panels

Takeoff at around 80m/s.

Pith to around 55 degrees.

Ascend to 25km and level out.

When you hit 32km you should have around 2100+ m/s. Hit rockets and pitch to 20-30 degrees until apoapsis is around 90km.

Adjust if needed. Then it's just like normal rocket.

EDIT:

And then the pics.

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Edited January 27, 2014 by Finwolf

[Finwolf]

I did a little test now that I have deadly re-entry installed and I've never had to do an emergency landing with this craft. Here's the results.

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