Subscribe to download
ES-101 TEMPEST

ES-101 TEMPEST (European Spacecraft model 101, Transatmospheric Express: Multi-Purpose Economic Space Transportation) is an easy-to-fly high performance SSTO cargo shuttle. It's capable of carrying 54t cargo + a crew of 6 to 300x300km Kerbin orbit and safely return. Designed to operate with a robotic arm unit (a.k.a. Remote Manipulator System), it's also suitable for orbital facility construction, spacecraft service and orbital recovery missions.

In order to keep the main craft available without DLC, the said robotic arm unit is provided separately here. 1t ore near the connecting point serves as placeholder and ballast. DO NOT remove it unless the robotic arm unit or similar equipment (roughly 1t) is installed there.

100% stock, 175 parts. Root part is the aft Mk3 cargo bay.

- Custom Mk3 cockpit with 6 seats and docking port.
- 500m/s dV @ 85x85km LKO with 54t payload. Goes to max. 300x300km and return.
- Balanced and almost constant CoM regardless of fuel consumption, decent maneuverability and stability during the entire mission. No need to transfer fuel.
- CoM sits in the middle of cargo section for easy payload arrangement.
- Connecting point for 1t custom equipment such as robotic arm.
- Atmosphere-skipping and good gliding capability.

AG1=toggle RAPIERs mode
AG3=toggle cargo bay doors
AG4=toggle solar panels
AG9=toggle fuel cells
AG0=engines ON/OFF

- The shaping of this craft relies on "rational" part clipping. Some fuel tanks are left empty to keep its fuel capacity reasonable.
- The Mk1 cockpit is slightly angled downwards, do not control form there. If necessary, set control from the visible silver ball in its tailcone.
- Two of the RAPIERs produce almost no thrust in rocket mode in order to avoid a too large pitching torque.
- TEMPEST refers to the BAe Tempest 6th Gen fighter concept featuring a similar wings layout. As a lovely coincidence, the serial number 101 reminds of the McDonnell F-101 Voodoo, also with lambda wing design. The ESN-100 is my first SSTA, it's done but still requires fine-tuning.

Ascent: 0-5-10 degrees to space!
- Leave solar panels extended to indicate the possible aero glitch. If they suddenly break due to aerodynamic forces, revert to SPH and launch again.
- Engage SAS, launch, Vr=130m/s, keep level flight at low altitude until airspeed exceeds 400m/s. (Should be about to fly past the island at this moment.)
- Let go of pitch control, let it slowly pitch up to 5deg while accelerating, then keep it there. This is to avoid a too fast ascent and insufficient acceleration of air-breathing RAPIERs.
- At ~10km, let go of pitch control again and let it slowly pitch up to 10deg, keep it there.
- Once speed hardly increases (~1500m/s @ 20km), hit AG1 to switch RAPIERs mode, keep the 10deg pitch.
- Wait for AP to reach desired value, shut down engines, lock prograde, coast till circularization. An 85km AP should be 5-6min away from now.
- Switch on fuel cells (AG9) if intensive power consumption is expected. Their fuel consumption is quite negligible.

Descent
- Burn PE to 40km above target zone.
- Lock radial-out to aerobrake. You can retract solar panels to avoid losing them due to the aero glitch. It’s not too bad if this glitch happens during reentry - merely some more drag.
- When estimated impact point draws near landing site, reduce AoA to 10-45deg.
- With a 10deg AoA and an altitude of 20-30km, it can perform atmosphere-skipping and glide from the Great Desert to KSC unpowered. You can also use air-breathing RAPIERs to fly to destination.
- Keep a low vertical speed before touchdown to avoid bouncing. Deploy drogue chutes, brake for a full stop.

Wish you enjoy and happy landing!