LP 1s - Shocker - SSTO to Laythe with 2-men crew (0.25)

[Fire-Dragon-DoL]

Hi guys, this is my first topic, here I present my very first SSTO that managed to reach Laythe. In theory, it can come back to (has 6000 delta v on LV-N, but I use a small part of it for the final part to LKO).

It came up with a nice design, so I decided to share. Unfortunately my first trip was just a test, so I didn't even used the optimal window for Jool transfer (and make a mess when coming back from Laythe) so I needed a refuel during my trip (it happened when orbiting around Laythe, after landing and coming back).

Some pictures:

And here is the craft:

.craft file

Zipped version (smaller)

Action Groups:

1 - Toggle Jet engines

2 - Toggle LV-N

3 - Deploy parachutes placed on back (to slow you right before touching down)

0 - Lower stairs

9 - Toggle all air intakes

8 - Toggle solar panels

Few notes:

- It has a docking port placed under it, control from there and use RCS to dock

- It has 95 monopropellent and RCS to perform docking

- Try to reach 2000+ m/s when in atmosphere (roughly around 30 000) with jets, keep going as long as possible by lowering speed but turning on LV-N, around 2300 you'll be out of Kerbin atmosphere

- It flies terribly on Laythe due to thin atmosphere, but I discovered it once there. Try to keep your nose over 15° or it will spin (it's recoverable though)

- Can perform few experiments (placed under nose)

- Carries 2 Kerbals!

- While taking off, keep S pressed, it will take of almost at the end of the launching pad, it just need some speed. It will take off before it's finished, so for me it's fine

- Should have roughly 5500 delta V from LKO

Improvements:

- Something about fuel

- Solar panel must be placed both up and down or even better on side of wings so they are always hit by sun

Edited November 24, 2014 by Fire-Dragon-DoL