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ES-97 SWIFT

ES-97 SWIFT (European Spacecraft model 97, SSTO Wave-riding Interorbital Frequent Transit) is a high performance 8-seat pilotless LKO shuttle. It’s capable of reaching LKO with >1km/s dV using 3 RAPIER engines, and doing atmosphere-skipping during reentry.
More screenshots at https://imgur.com/a/VeiQ0B9

- Elegant waverider shape with trails of the rumored SR-72.
- Balanced and almost constant CoM regardless of fuel consumption.
- CoT roughly in line with CoM for better orbital maneuvering accuracy.
- Great maneuverability and stability during the entire mission.
- 1km/s dV @ 85x85km, 770m/s dV @ 250x250km
- Atmosphere-skipping and good gliding capability.
- Redundant LF for atmospheric flight.

- This is a balance between ES-94+ and ES-95 in terms of passenger capacity and engine count, but with improved performance in terms of dV and flight characteristics (compared to the ES-95).
- I tried to use only 2 engines like on the rumored SR-72, but it seemed to be underpowered. Even with 3 engines, it needs to start the ascent with 0deg pitch, otherwise it won’t accelerate properly. Feels like it’s fully utilizing the potential of RAPIERs.
- As for additional high Isp engines, I think it’s not worthy to break the minimalistic engine setup for the slight bit of extra dV. 1km/s is good enough for me.
- I find it reasonable to put solar panels inside the Mk2 docking module, even better if they cover the inner surface of the bay doors.
- The cargo bay holds a rocket fuel tank, two small RCS fuel tanks and one Mk1 reaction wheel. It’s meant to stay closed.

Ascent: 0-10 Degrees to Space!
- Close docking module, engage SAS and launch.
- Rotate at 100m/s, pitch down to 0deg, stay away from controls and let it slowly pitch up to 10deg while accelerating, then keep this 10deg pitch and fly to space.
- When speed hardly increases (1470-1500m/s), press AG1 to switch mode of the RAPIERs.
- Push AP to 87km for a later 85x85km orbit, shut down engines, aim for prograde to reduce drag. AP should be 4-5min away from now.
- Circularize at AP, open docking module to expose solar panels (they work even if you don't, but you may want to be realistic...)
- AG9 for back-up fuel cell.
- After docking operation, Hit AG8 to control from forward-facing drone core

Descent
- Quicksave. The reentry is safe, but it requires quite some experience to achieve a pin-point landing.
- Burn PE to 40km near the peninsula east of KSC across the ocean. (I think it's possible to burn PE to 40km above target zone, start reentry with a 90deg AoA, and do atmosphere skipping to glide down.)
- Start reentry with 60deg AoA, and lower it once landing prediction point gets close to landing zone. 10deg AoA is good for atmosphere-skipping, which will push the landing spot forward if needed, while >45deg AoA will aerobrake harder.
- This spaceplane dosen’s have airbrakes, use big-S turns to bleed off airspeed near landing site if necessary.
- Fire RAPIERs in airbreathing mode to assist landing if necessary.
- Depoly drogue chute shortly before touch-down.

Wish you enjoy and happy landings!

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100% Stock, 92 parts. Root part is one Mk2 crew cabin.