Mainway Aerospace SX-D Tanker is here!

[GoSlash27]

Space exploration takes gas. Lots and lots of gas and oxidizer. So how do you get that fuel into orbit cheaply and reliably?

Presenting the Mainway Aerospace SX-D Tanker!

Craft File

This little guy will launch into orbit, correct inclination, intercept, rendezvous, and dock. Then it will unload 6 tonnes of fuel and oxidizer. After it's done, it can de-orbit and fly back to KSC under power for a gentle landing for full fund recovery. The entire mission costs just √350 in supplies, or a paltry √58.33 per tonne!

Total cost (including payload and supplies) is a shocking √28,705; about half the cost of the competition!

Action Groups:

1) Toggle intakes

2) Toggle docking port, docking lights, and solar panels

3) Disable rockets

Flight Procedure:

space bar

Once clear of runway, raise gear, pitch up 20*, and full throttle

Pitch to maintain 100M/sec airspeed until 40* pitch

At 10KM altitude, reduce pitch to 30*

At 15KM altitude, reduce pitch to 20*

Pitch as necessary to maintain 100M/sec climb rate

At flameout, reduce throttle until restart achieved

Repeat flameout/ throttle down/ restart process until ship is no longer accelerating.

space bar and #1

Burn as necessary to establish apoapsis

#2

Burn as necessary to establish periapsis

Reentry/landing procedure

Retroburn as desired

#1, #2, #3

After reentry heating subsides, throttle to 20% for cruise

Maneuver as necessary for final approach CAUTION: Aircraft is very light and may go out of control if maneuvered aggressively.

Gear down under 100 M/sec airspeed and throttle to 1 tick mark for final

At touchdown, throttle to zero and brake.

Taxi as desired.

Edited November 30, 2014 by GoSlash27

[GoSlash27]

SX Kerboliner Craft file

Based on the same technology, the Mainway Aerospace SX Kerboliner.

Place your Kerbals on board your Kerbal Space Station at a mission cost of √29 per Kerbal! Shuttles 12 Kerbals up and 12 Kerbals down (not counting flight crew) per mission. 13.2 tonnes and √37,700 fully- loaded.