Properly re-useable craft

[Garoad]

Some kind of true re-usable launch vehicle persistence. I'm not sure if even add-ons can pull it off, at least with the shuttle design. Getting it back onto the launch pad and resetting the staging sequence seems to be the big issues (re-fueling has already been mostly tackled by add-ons).

Something like a SpaceX Grasshopper might have a better chance since it lands vertically, but even then staging is a major issue unless an add-on can reset that. Is there any chance we might see something like this, ever? It would be especially cool in career mode, I suppose.

[SkyRender]

You can dynamically alter staging at any time, including adding new stages, so that's not a problem. There's also action groups, which are effectively specialized staging that can be triggered on command.

[Akinesis]

I've made a SSTO rocket like that can take 550kg to orbit. After detaching the payload I'll de-orbit the rocket and land it back at KSC where I'll refuel it after attaching a fresh new probe. It's not a huge payload but it's a start and great fun. I use the KAS mod to do it.

[Taki117]

I've made a SSTO rocket like that can take 550kg to orbit. After detaching the payload I'll de-orbit the rocket and land it back at KSC where I'll refuel it after attaching a fresh new probe. It's not a huge payload but it's a start and great fun. I use the KAS mod to do it.

If I wanted to do the same with KAS and IR I have a space plane SSTO that could get the job done. The challenge is figuring out how to reattach the payload. We are of course assuming that OP is talking about never going back to the construction building. However, if this is not the case, there are several mods that take care of funds recovery on destroy.

[merendel]

If I wanted to do the same with KAS and IR I have a space plane SSTO that could get the job done. The challenge is figuring out how to reattach the payload. We are of course assuming that OP is talking about never going back to the construction building. However, if this is not the case, there are several mods that take care of funds recovery on destroy.

That probably wouldnt be that hard. spawn the payload on launch clamps with IR attachments to move it up and down. Drive spaceplane under launch clamps and lower into bay and hook it onto a docking port in the cargo bay. send in a kerbal to connect a few struts, refuel and go.

you could actualy just skip IR and do it only with KAS. Have the payload ship be a line of girders between launchclamps with a winch hanging from the middle with the true payload attached and just lower it into the cargo bay till the magnets dock it.

[Akinesis]

Yes, that's what I do. I attach the new probe using docking ports. The rocket never returns to the VAB - the same one is used over and over.

[Pecan]

While I get what you mean I'm not that fussed about it myself.

Maybe it makes sense for a forty minute launch-orbit-deorbit-land vehicle but for anything much longer can you imagine that the engineers wouldn't want to put it back into the hanger to check it out before letting it go again? In reality generally airliners are usually refuelled away from the terminal and high-performance/military vehicles get a real looking-at in the hanger between missions.

http://www.boeing.com/commercial/aeromagazine/articles/2010_q3/pdfs/AERO_2010_q3_article2.pdf may be interesting for just how much servicing an ordinary, robust, airliner requires. You may also be amused - I'm wondering how many lower lobes need to be loaded on a 747-8 per passenger mile (P.13).

[Akinesis]

While I get what you mean I'm not that fussed about it myself.

Maybe it makes sense for a forty minute launch-orbit-deorbit-land vehicle but for anything much longer can you imagine that the engineers wouldn't want to put it back into the hanger to check it out before letting it go again? In reality generally airliners are usually refuelled away from the terminal and high-performance/military vehicles get a real looking-at in the hanger between missions.

http://www.boeing.com/commercial/aeromagazine/articles/2010_q3/pdfs/AERO_2010_q3_article2.pdf may be interesting for just how much servicing an ordinary, robust, airliner requires. You may also be amused - I'm wondering how many lower lobes need to be loaded on a 747-8 per passenger mile (P.13).

I'm an avionics technician for military aircraft by trade. At the moment I'm on a team that is trialing a brand new aircraft. So, yeah, I know what is involved, lol Perhaps that is why I like leaving the rockets outside of the hangar XD

[Fiddlestyx]

What I really want from KSP.

Space Station interiors.

Oh, that's not how we're doing this...

[timsfitz]

On a list of a hundred things I want from KSP, reusable spacecraft still wouldn't make the cut.

[vexx32]

Moved to Suggestions. Please take care to post things in appropriate forum sections, and to use descriptive thread titles.