T.L.A.R. Industries Quark SSTO

[Rezolution]

T.L.A.R. Industries is happy to present Quark Mk. I. This represents my first attempt at creating an SSTO around the new R.A.P.I.E.R. engine.

As you can see, it is capable of reaching a 200K plus orbit with fuel to spare:

Additionally, it has docking capabilities and a VTOL atmospheric flight profile.

I'm not sure how I feel about the efficiency of the RAPIER engine. It did well in atmo, but overall ISP in space did not seem to be as good as other rocket engine alternatives, despite the raw numbers. At any rate, I was happy with the overall results and will probably continue using it in certain designs, though I don't think it will replace the classic jet/rocket hybrid in all circumstances.

It does offer some new design options, as can be seen here with the radial mount rear RCS port.

Please feel free to let me know what you think. Thanks for the look!

Edited January 26, 2014 by Rezolution

[spaceman1999]

Cool craft! Inigma will like this.

[Rezolution]

Thanks spaceman! I submitted a few crafts to Ingima and the Shuttlecraft team some time back, though I don't think any of them quite made the cut; not that I blame them- aesthetics aren't my strong suit. Might try again with this one. Either way, I had fun with it and it flies well across the full range of fuel usage and flight environments.

Thanks again.