SSTO help plz

[live_bait]

Hello everyone, I just built this ship with the intention of it being an SSTO, but for some reason I cannot make orbit with it. I would greatly appreciate it if someone with more knowledge/ experience in these matters would download it, and take it for some test flights and give me some feedback. Specifically whether it is a design problem, or pilot error.

Thanks in advance

Features:

Able to achieve lift at approx 70 m/s

Reach altitudes in excess of 30k and speeds of 1600+ m/s

Very stable at low altitude, and although I have used mechjeb, I find it is not really needed.

Also is capable of a 90 degree Vertical ascent.

[stock + mechjeb]

http://www./view/v451dwpduax0tpb/X-SSTO_mk_V__(stock+_mechjeb).craft

Edited March 17, 2014 by live_bait

[Hodo]

Hello everyone, I just built this ship with the intention of it being an SSTO, but for some reason I cannot make orbit with it. I would greatly appreciate it if someone with more knowledge/ experience in these matters would download it, and take it for some test flights and give me some feedback. Specifically whether it is a design problem, or pilot error.

Thanks in advance

Features:

Able to achieve lift at approx 70 m/s

Reach altitudes in excess of 30k and speeds of 1600+ m/s

Very stable at low altitude, and although I have used mechjeb, I find it is not really needed.

Also is capable of a 90 degree Vertical ascent.

[stock + mechjeb]

http://www./view/6xygfi2juu6q4mm/screenshot5.png

http://www./view/v451dwpduax0tpb/X-SSTO_mk_V__(stock+_mechjeb).craft

I don't see the picture so I really can't give you a suggestion, and I don't run a stock sized or aerodynamic model KSP anymore so me downloading it and testing it won't help you much unless you are looking to build a SSTO that works on the real sized Kerbin with FAR+DRE. But when I get home I will download it and take a look at it in my SPH and see if I see anything glaringly wrong.

[live_bait]

edited the post, see if that works better for you as far as seeing the pic

[Tank Buddy]

Pictures, Please.

Upload to an image hosting site (imgur), use BB code. http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/misc.php?do=bbcode

Just then maybe I'll help.

[Jouni]

There is something very strange in that plane. It is very slow to accelerate, even though four turbojets should be enough for a 34-tonne craft. As a result, it runs out of air sooner than even a plane with 1:1 intake-to-engine ratio would. There are a lot of wings in the plane, so maybe that contributes to the problem somehow.

The center of lift is too far forward. When you burn fuel during ascent, the center of mass moves behind the center of lift, and the plane starts pulling its nose up.

[Claw]

Two things I see that I would consider "major." (Well, three really.)

1) Nice job on the plane design. It's really stable and flies at 3x physics warp with no problems. Well done.

2) Your CoM is a slightly aft right from the start. Make it want to pitch up a lot during flight, but if you're happy with it then it's fine.

3) You need more TWR from your rocket stage -OR- add more intakes. Your plane has a hard time with the transition getting up to 32km on jets, but the TWR of your aerospike is a bit low to overcome it.

I got reasonably close to orbit with your design. I didn't have time to try out my suggestions yet, but hopefully they are a good place to start.

You might also want to tweak your liquid fuel amount. I had excess liquid fuel but was short on oxidizer.

Also, consider adding a reaction wheel to help out with stability during the air/space transition. That's up to you. Not really required if you're happy with how it flies.

Anyway, I was pretty excited about it right from takeoff.

I'll try my recommendations later. In the meantime, Good luck!