The StratoLaunch Challenge

[RangerDanger75]

For those who have not heard of StratoLaunch, the company is putting together a team of companies to develop a unique solution to launching rockets. Basically, they are taking a huge freaking airplane and strapping a rocket to the belly of it.

The Challenge: Build a craft as similar to the StratoLaunch rocket plane thing as you can. Bonus points for a craft that functions as Stratolaunch\'s would (i.e. the plane flies up to a cruising altitude, rocket decouples from plane and flies off into orbit and beyond). Anything goes in terms of mods or part packs.

Reference Photo of the actual Ship

[Tosh]

;D

[RangerDanger75]

Beautiful, I couldn\'t ask for a more Kerbalized version

[Tim_Barrett]

Wait, where do you want the command module located? On the rocket itself or the right side of the airplane?

It is definately possible when you are the rocket...

...but trying to put a plane together with the command module on one side will cause symmetry problems for a plane that big. Not impossible, but difficult.

So which is it?

[Tosh]

So which is it?

AFAIK StratoLaunch implies that the rocked detaches from a plane and goes to the orbit. Can you do it without a pod?

[NovaSilisko]

;D

That\'s my image! :x

Edit: Oh, it links to my post. You are forgiven!

[Tosh]

That\'s my image! :x

I\'ve hyperlinked your post.

[Phoxtane]

*cough*

http://kerbalspaceprogram.com/forum/index.php?topic=6117.msg80363#msg80363

[Guest Flixxbeatz]

Done already. Got a working WhiteKnight and StratoLaunch. Thanks for Phoxting the link (pun intended)

Got some vids already. Too bad browsing on mobile phone makes me lazy to link them

EDIT: Incoming Pics

Close enough.

[RangerDanger75]

Impressive! I\'d love to see the craft file if you\'re willing to share

[NovaSilisko]

Done already. Got a working WhiteKnight and StratoLaunch. Thanks for Phoxting the link (pun intended)

Got some vids already. Too bad browsing on mobile phone makes me lazy to link them

EDIT: Incoming Pics

Close enough.

The RCS spam kinda ruins them... :x

[Tim_Barrett]

The RCS spam kinda ruins them... :x

Thats why I make multiple versions of my RCS-Heavy-L modules in multiplied values, like double the thrust, weight, and propellant consumption.

Saves you alot of lag. :/

[Guest Flixxbeatz]

The RCS spam kinda ruins them... :x

The RCS are primarily used for pad stabilization and (hopefully) landing. It\'s up to me whether to use them in-flight, depending on how much fuel are still left.

Any other methods to stabilize it aside from RCS?

[Guest Flixxbeatz]

Thanks for the tip, Tim. I might do a major overhaul to my StratoLaunch plane to make it look more like... StratoLaunch. The original plan involves the Failcan Launch System (the 1.5m version), but was abandoned due to weight and complexity issues.

I\'ll try to redo it once more. The wings need refitting also