Kerbdactyl .90 SSTO

[AgentMOO]

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Download: http://www./download/33m2r5islx8olk2/Kerbdactyl.craft

Edited December 15, 2014 by AgentMOO
embedded album

[Pondafarr]

Protip: wait until you are in full sunlight to take pics, otherwise it looks BLACK. The last one is a good flavor pic, but you need more pics in the light so people can see your awesome craft.

[AgentMOO]

Protip: wait until you are in full sunlight to take pics, otherwise it looks BLACK. The last one is a good flavor pic, but you need more pics in the light so people can see your awesome craft.

I tried to embed the album as per the instructions given here. As you can see, it was a fail.

I'm working on the MK-II, unmanned version.

Edited October 19, 2014 by AgentMOO

[Vanamonde]

As you can see, it was a fail.

Imgur recently instituted some upgrades, which downgraded most of what one would like to do on Imgur.

[Pondafarr]

Now that I can see it, I snagged a copy, thanks!

[SciMan]

Imgur recently instituted some upgrades, which downgraded most of what one would like to do on Imgur.

This is why "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" is such good advice.

The engineer in me wants to add something like "unless it's provably better without changing or removing existing intended features" (note that that doesn't cover unintended features aka "useful bugs").

On topic, this looks like a great SSTO. Some more info about its capabilities would be nice. Crew capacity, range, included science instruments (if any) etc. Basically, what can I use it for, and if it has any particularly nasty habits, how to avoid them.

Edited October 20, 2014 by SciMan

[CDK]

Good job! This is really cool! I think I will build a satellite booster drop from a plane which hopefully ​be cool.

[AgentMOO]

Thank you for your kind reply's. This version arose to rescue two Kerbals who were stuck on Mun in a broken MKI. It has many improvements. It can reach a much higher orbit with more fuel left over. The rear mono-propellant tank has been removed because the 15 in the cockpit is enough for docking. It is unmanned, but can carry two passengers. Remove the crew before launch if you want. Be careful of the engine at take-off and I don't recommend moving the wing wheels. As for range, the pictures in my above post show the delta-v stats. They haven't changed much.

MKII Download: http://www./download/bc2r6f212cuv52c/Kerbdactyl_MKII.craft

[AgentMOO]

I've been trying to slap it to a booster system like the one the shuttle had. But I find the 4 rocket style from macross superior, easier to do, and looks better. Stability issues arise trying to balance the weight with the shuttle style (I can get it to work, but only with macro managing the thrust, or with RCS assistance).

Thoughts?

Edited October 23, 2014 by AgentMOO

[AgentMOO]

[Pondafarr]

What about something like this? Might need some more struts, but hyperedit to orbit perfectly >http://imgur.com/d20oR9k

Edited October 25, 2014 by Pondafarr

[Roflcopterkklol]

What about something like this? Might need some more struts, but hyperedit to orbit perfectly >http://imgur.com/d20oR9k

http://i.imgur.com/d20oR9k.png

http://i.imgur.com/cXZf2H7.png

Where is the fun in the hyper edit? surely you could get something like that to orbit very easily, even if you had to launch it off a rocket to save all of its fuel

[AgentMOO]

Hyper edit, hehe. I feel guilty enough as it is with the shock cone hidden inside the mkII. I'm doing the booster thing for fun (not a SSTO with > 1 stage). I have found that anything behind the main engine unbalances it. And even with the boosters on the wings I can't quite get orbit with more than 3/4 of a tank left. I'm also trying to lose the boosters before orbit to minimize space debris, so it's expected not to have 100% fuel in the end.

[Pondafarr]

Well, truthfully, I wanted to get my pic posted quickly, so i wasn't ninja'd with another suggestion...

[Roflcopterkklol]

Hyper edit, hehe. I feel guilty enough as it is with the shock cone hidden inside the mkII. I'm doing the booster thing for fun (not a SSTO with > 1 stage). I have found that anything behind the main engine unbalances it. And even with the boosters on the wings I can't quite get orbit with more than 3/4 of a tank left. I'm also trying to lose the boosters before orbit to minimize space debris, so it's expected not to have 100% fuel in the end.

My theory on clipping parts inside craft is "upgrades"

i mean it is not like there are better air intakes to make you get more air.

heck white lightning has i think 62 ram air intakes

[Pondafarr]

I was just able to get to 80x80 orbit with the Mk II, with about 180dV left for maneuvering. perfect more meetup with a station for refuel or something. If you increased your wing area, it will be more efficient (it wouldn't take off till over 100m/s)

if you are using MechJeb ascent guidance for your flight profile, then that is your problem. You need a more agressive climb to ~20, level off to gain speed, then switch to rocket mode >1500m/s when over 30km. Burn 45deg to get apo over desired orbit alt, then circularize at apo.

[AgentMOO]

I was just able to get to 80x80 orbit with the Mk II, with about 180dV left for maneuvering. perfect more meetup with a station for refuel or something. If you increased your wing area, it will be more efficient (it wouldn't take off till over 100m/s)

if you are using MechJeb ascent guidance for your flight profile, then that is your problem. You need a more agressive climb to ~20, level off to gain speed, then switch to rocket mode >1500m/s when over 30km. Burn 45deg to get apo over desired orbit alt, then circularize at apo.

Yes riding the bull is the most efficient way, but time consuming. If mechjeb can get it up there with fuel left then you will have "lots" left if you bull ride it. I still test my designs out with a bull ride at least once to be sure though.

As for the boosters, if you have to get to orbit right now to defend Kerbal from alien invasion, there is no time to bull ride or even to refuel in orbit. When I designed the craft I was trying to make something that looked OK, had a low part count, could fly empty, could fly full, performed a function, could reach orbit, could come back from orbit, could safely use the runway on it's gear below 130/ms, could refuel in flight, and was compatible with mechjeb at a 15 degree climb. What bothers me about the hidden shock cone on the MKII is that, if it's hidden, how is it getting air? Indeed maybe a future patch will make it useless.

[Claw]

I tried to embed the album as per the instructions given here. As you can see, it was a fail.

Fixed it for you. You can edit the original post and see how it's done.

Nice ship.

Cheers,

~Claw

[AgentMOO]

Thank you Claw, much appreciated!

[AgentMOO]

Retested for .90.