[WIP] [0.23.5] AKSP - Suborbital Space Transport

[stoland]

Hi All,

This will be my first project involving a full mod. Any help, suggestions or assistance would be appreciated.

The propulsion is four rocket engines, each producing 12.9 kN (2900 lbf) vacuum thrust with kerosene and liquid oxygen propellants.

This project is being being based on actual technology in place now or in production and will be based on the Lynx Sub Orbital Space Transport. It will not be an exact replica and will be made to suit KSP.

This one or two-seat, piloted space transport vehicle will take Kerbal's and payloads on a half-hour suborbital flight to 100 km (330,000 feet) and then return safely to a landing at the take-off runway.

The dorsal will carry the payload that can be launched into low Kerbin orbit which such as satellites or an additional fuel supply that can be jettisoned allowing additional run time for orbital transfers.

NOTE: There will be continual ongoing development to perfect everything so model images may change as this is only based on the Lynx and will not be an exact replica.

Concept Image

Initial design with dorsal

Additional work completed

Engines

Edited April 17, 2014 by stoland
Update 16/04/2014

[Woopert]

Looks really nice! Great work!

[stoland]

Looks really nice! Great work!

Thanks. Still in early DEV. Internal models have partially been done and just working out the pressurised cabin and access rules.

Hardest part at present is keeping the all models lines clean while keeping the TRI count down as well working on the splitting into multiple parts for two versions.

A lot to learn.

[Rockstar04]

I would start thinking about how you want to separate the wings, AFAIK they have to be attached parts to properly provide lift. (outside of a lifting body if your using FAR)

Edited March 28, 2014 by Rockstar04

[Guest]

Actually, they need to be split off especially if you're using FAR. It can't model them properly otherwise. Also, the vertical fins need to be separate from main wings, too.

[Rockstar04]

I was just saying that stock it would provide ZERO lift, but with FAR it would generate a TINY bit of lift. But yes, everything will work MUCH better when all the wings are unique parts.

[stoland]

Wings will have to be definitely split so its just working out how best to do this which I think I may have worked it out. Will post a image shortly.

Impact not splitting the wings will be on the return journey not necessarily on the ascention as propulsion is four XR-5K18 rocket engines, each producing 12.9 kN (2900 lbf) vacuum thrust with kerosene and liquid oxygen propellants.

FYI: Found a good cockpit mockup that I intend to use

Thanks guys.

[stoland]

Comparison to ensure the pressurised cabin module fits the dummy model to scale.

[stoland]

Test design

Edited April 5, 2014 by stoland

[WhatsThisButtonDo]

Looks good so far, I'll be following this.

[kiwiak]

Wings will have to be definitely split so its just working out how best to do this which I think I may have worked it out. Will post a image shortly.

Impact not splitting the wings will be on the return journey not necessarily on the ascention as propulsion is four XR-5K18 rocket engines, each producing 12.9 kN (2900 lbf) vacuum thrust with kerosene and liquid oxygen propellants.

FYI: Found a good cockpit mockup that I intend to use

http://orbitaloutfitters.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/lynx-cockpit-mockup.jpeg

Thanks guys.

So they use raster prop monitor too.

And even navball like ours.

[stoland]

Reworked model with minor changes to make until I am happy with TRI count and silhouette.

I think the nose needs a nose job still....

Wings are now separate as are the control surface. (3 Control surfaces per wing)

Nose cone is a separate part.

Dorsal is a separate part but still in progress of sorting functionality out. Will release payloads and multiple nano loads into low orbits.

Internal cosmetics are coming along...Screen emits light to give that nice LCD glow.(Light point source and should give a nice cockpit haze)

Edited March 31, 2014 by stoland

[stoland]

So they use raster prop monitor too.

And even navball like ours.

Each seat will have an MFD once approved and the cockpit will be as close to the image as possible. A few additional cosmetics behind the seats to add glamour at the back of the cockpit.

Xcor cockpit does look similar to KSP Navball and also RPM =) (I like the quad monitor with the 4 X PIP)

Edited March 31, 2014 by stoland

[stoland]

Final model shell (Hopefully...Too fussy)

[Green Skull]

Really looking forward to spinning out of control through the atmosphere in one of these

[Commander Hoek]

Looking forward to crashing this baby. Go Aussies !

[Green Skull]

This is an excellent project and I urge people to read and follow this thread!

[Space_Kraken]

Ooo, looks cool, kind of like the shuttle sage sagan made.

[Green Skull]

Yeah but this is a real SSTO runway launch vehicle. According to the XCOR website will hit a 100km orbit and land on any fair sized runway. Turn around is 2 hours between flights.

[stoland]

Testing colours

Edited April 2, 2014 by stoland

[Commander Hoek]

What program are you modelling in?

[stoland]

I am using Blender 2.7.

Textures being done in Inkscape and Gimp.

Models will look a lot better as only in the stage where I am getting the fuselage sorted out for silhouette and dimensions.. Canopy changes will be completed later with more detail. Currently testing ideas for textures and also working on IVA, landing gear and animated parts.

[Commander Hoek]

I'll pick up Blender later on today. Have never used it, used to modelling in Maya.

I have Gimp but man is is a hand full, not user friendly at all.

[stoland]

Update:

Have cleaned the vertices and now happy with the way it can be split into segregate parts. (I want the cleanest silhouette possible with the lowest TRI count

1) Nose cone - avionics

2) Nose cone - RCS

3) Fuselage

4) Canopy

5) Wings

7) Control surfaces

After additional help and ideas on the quad LOX/Kero engines.

[Green Skull]

What do you need help with?