Shuttle Replacement Project

[Loru]

As it's too early to create dev thread I post it here.

As I made significant pprogress in 3d modelling recently, I created a spaceplane mesh that will (hopefully) transform into nice add on.

Orbital Vehicle data:

Lenght: ~30 meters
Wingspan: 20 meters
Cargo capacity: 15 tons
delta V of OV: ~1400 m/s
Main engine thrust: 400kN total

Features:

1.) Sabre engines fueled by Kerosene (with LOX as oxidizer). In space they work like OMS on Shuttle, after reentry you switch to jet mode and use them as normal jet engines (come handy when you missed your landing spot by few clicks). Also you can fill OV with kerosene on ground and with full tanks it will fly for around 2 hours like normal jet. Flight training, OV transfer from airport to airport.
2.) 3.8 x 8 meter payload bay with APAS docking system and airlock inside
3.) Crew of 2 + "4 passengers"

Launched on stack consisting of:
- LH2/LOX cryogenic core stage (2 RS-68 engines)
- 2 Kero/LOX fueled Boosters (1 RD-171 Engine each)

And here are 3 shots:

Stack (MAX render)

Early aerodynamic test (Orbiter)

On Kulch's Energia as temporary launch vehicle (Orbiter)

Progress on LRBs:

 

[Scav]

Allow me to wipe up the drool. Looks great! :thumbup:

 

[Interceptor]

Looks awesome as ever,can't wait to fly her.:thumbup:

 

[Loru]

more progress on LRBs:

 

[Loru]

I made some tests (using Velcro Rockets) to check my launch vehicle calculations and stack worked exactly as planned/calculated.

Launch Vehicle (Core + Boosters) is capable of launching 81 tons to 45 deg Inc 200 x 200 km orbit launched from equator with ~30 tons of fuel left in Core Stage (7%). That fuel may be either use to deorbit Core stage or to boost to around 6000 x 200 km orbit.

Given shuttle's own 1.3 km/s dV I predict working ceiling up to 8000 x 8000 km orbit or possibly even GEO with additional fuel in shuttle (payload bay fuel tank).

Now I'm working on additional shuttle systems needed in the Shuttle.

 

[Loru]

Overview:

 

[PhantomCruiser]

That's a nice looking stack. Very Energ-ish, but sleeker with sex appeal.

 

[Loru]

And little spin off - 120 tons to LEO or 85 in 2 booster config:

 

[Dores]

Looking great Loru!

Are these multistage or spacecraft vessels? Will there be an autopilot?

And, can I help in any way? I really like your add-ons and want to give something back. I can't code or model. I can play though... or anything else you think I could do!

Looking forward to flying these from Cssc!

Best,

Dores

 

[Loru]

They'll use custom dll to implement all features - no multistage/spacecraft3/velcro.

I'll keep you in mind when we enter beta stage.

 

[Dores]

Ah, brilliant

Thank you! Hope I can be of help.

Best,

D

 

[theshhh]

ARGH!
ME. WANT. NOW!
:lol:
good work

 

[Loru]

And some power details:

 

[Abdullah]

SABRE? Anything to do with Skylon?
I like it very much! Hope to see this very soon! :thumbup:
I wonder what features it will have.....Mind modeling DGIV-grade damage and XR-grade cockpits with active VC like DG-Class, and good SFX?
Also, the smaller boosters clearly indicate better tech I must note

 

[Abdullah]

I also want to help in this. It's one of the best things I've seen, save for twin tail, but I'll probably find appeal in that later. May I be of any help too?