SSTO - Jet Engine/RCS only

[wired2thenet]

So I'm a little proud of myself. I took a semi-long hiatus from KSP, not for any other reason than to pursue a few other interests and games for a bit, but I've kept following the forums and the progress. When the beta hit, I fired her up again and started goofing around with it.

I can't fly planes very well, and I've only made one successful SSTO craft (maybe two) in earlier versions of the game (.20? I think). I've been making some private videos for my son, who likes watching me fly but doesn't want to sit at the computer with me. The other night, I made a plane, intending only to show him the sights. It just had one jet engine and some RCS thrusters I always add just in case the plane isn't very maneuverable. But while flying, I noticed my speeds were approaching within the realm of orbital velocities, so I made a couple of adjustments and decided to see if I could make it.

This video is the result.

(~39m video sped up to 9.5m)

I was actually surprised it worked, and I could probably have done it with a lot less RCS fuel, and still made it back to KSP. Although I overshot the landing, it's also my first true landing on the runway since I started playing a couple of years ago. My son was giggling the entire time. "It's not gonna work, Daddy! You're gonna crash!" But he clapped and jumped for joy, and we both did a high five at the end of the flight.

Tickled green that this "accident" actually worked better than my other "purposeful" SSTOs, all of which had rocket engines in addition to the jet.

Edited January 17, 2015 by wired2thenet

[FlyingPete]

It's quite surprising how little thrust you need to get into orbit, once the jet engines have done most of the work. I quite fancy building a Jet/monopropellant spaceplane sometime. Stick a couple of the little monopropellant engines at the back and you'll get slightly further with the same fuel.

I like the plane design too

[thaflya]

Thats a good example for how incredible overpowered the stock Jet-Engines in the game are. The other point ist the aerodynamics which made this possible.

Sorry i dont want to play the defeatist. Never the less im surprised that this was possible, good job.

[FlyingPete]

I've just had a go at replicating your design, then added two monopropellant engines between the rear wings/control surfaces, and also an inline docking port.

It's really easy to fly, and with the right profile you can get it into orbit with just under half the liquid fuel remaining, and plenty of monopropellant for orbital maneuvers. I launched a small station as a target and rendezvoused with it. Jeb seemed to be having fun on the way up.

Docked to the station. Bill and Kerman Jongun were on board to meet him.

[DerpenWolf]

I've done a Ion engine-Jet engine SSTO before but have yet to do a RCS-jet engine SSTO, Probably should considering xenon gas is pricy now

[wired2thenet]

She's definitely easy to fly, and very stable (except for piloting errors). I definitely agree the jets are much too powerful, but I also think RCS is just a tad overpowered as well. I'll be interested in seeing how the craft flies with the new aerodynamics being worked on.

I like your variant, Pete! I totally forgot about the inline docking port. I ended up modifying it by taking away most of the solar panels and replacing them with the radial attachment and capping it with a docking port (I usually do that to give myself a little breathing room because my stations tend to not be forgiving ).

Now she needs a name

[FlyingPete]

I think I might start using this in my career save as a crew shuttle. Ok, so it only holds a single pilot, but considering it's 100% reusable and can get into orbit on less than a tank of jet fuel, I think it's worthwhile. Certainly more efficient than my 3-man crew bus. Larger ships for going places can stay in orbit.

[Sigma118]

Considering how OP the turobjet is, this is actually extremely easy to do.

[timsfitz]

Yeah I've been doing this for awhile now.