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XCS-R takes shape.

New version of the "angry alligator" cargo bay door. I've accepted the suggestion given by Spaceman 3D, leaving openable only the leeward side of the nosecone, with the windward side fixed, thus avoiding interruptions and hinges on the TPS, for more safety. I must admit that in this...

An updated recap of the mission profiles I've envisioned for the Moon (the delta-V budget seems to hold up but further verifications are needed). 1) Quick ascent (or "chinese" profile). Dual Nova V launch. The first one with the Auriga lander, delivered in LLO by the HES-4 stage. The second one...

https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19730005182/downloads/19730005182.pdf

That was also my concern. This is why the Argo spacecraft, which must withstand BLEO reentry, has no openings/hinges directly on the frontal/windward side, and the docking port is dorsal (leeward). XCS-R must only withstand LEO reentry and I wanted a clean exit for payloads. It reassures me that...

We have RCS thrusters. I've shielded the booster mounts with some fairings. I still have to decide whether I can settle for that or not. "Angry alligator" opening test.

Jarvis was really low poly except for the engines, and in general was pretty poorly researched. Not really "enginereed". For example, the size of the tanks was not really calculated, there was no mention of things like venting and pressurization circuits, the launchpads were a bit "random", the...

As per tradition, I work with 32-sides cylinders. It is a bit low poly count, but it works fine.

Little advantage over Nova 5 R and not totally reusable; XCS would need more engines, maybe 7, and/or shortened tanks. HES-4 t/w ratio is too low for long propulsive ascent with heavy payload - It is meant for deep space operations. It is a tempting design, but maybe unnecessary

Good. What program?

As requested, here a brief recap of the project. Currently, Nova family consists basically in a methalox first stage / booster (MCS, Modular Common Stage), a hydrolox core (XCS, eXploration Core Stage) and a variety of upper stages, collectively known under the monicker HES (High Energy Stage)...

:giggle: well, I don't know, depends on the system, I imagine :) the model you shared here seems relatively low poly (17,000). The umbilicals and the base of my launchpad, alone, have more, and a full Nova V (without the payload!) is about 216,000... ☠️ For comparison, a legacy Jarvis M was...

Yep, mostly bare metal. I have some ideas on how to achieve the frost effect, but we will see

Yep, interesting. I wonder if the code allows for the insertion of the correct isp values for sea level and vacuum. With Ms2015 i had to do some workarounds to get the job done. The ability to instruct the addon to perform a propulsive reentry of the boosters, Falcon 9 and New Glenn style...

Regarding the core stage, I must also point out that the aspect ratio is probably too high to ensure stability in a tail-first reentry, Stoke Space style. With a vehicle so elongated, the Starship approach was more credible IMO. I've also considered a winged glider configuration but the numbers...

I have actually considered the aerospike+heatshield configuration, and even produced some preliminary 3D sketch, but it would have required a new engine design and this would have required further research to ensure it was realistic. I wasn't confident enough I could make something believable...

A single stick 8.4m core was considered, but is not currently planned. The only single stick will employ one of the 5.8m boosters as first stage. The legs will find space in the aft skirt, but I still have to add them.

No, same pad:

Sorry, Beta is the small one. As for the core supports on the Alpha launch pad, I still have to decide whether or not to install them. On SLS, Ariane 5, and many others, the rocket is held in place only by the boosters; the core doesn't rest anywhere. The problem with the center core is that the...

Well, here we have the two launch pads, Alpha and Beta, with two placeholders instead of the final rockets. These are early prototypes. Here, detail of the base of the Alpha launchpad, with the rocket supports, tail umbilicals, sound suppression system. As you can see, it is configured for a...