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ES-105 WARBLE

ES-105 WARBLE (European Spacecraft model 105, Wide-body Ascent vehicle with Rocket/air-Breathing hybrid propulsion, Low-orbit Express) is an autonomous SSTO passenger shuttle with 16 seats. It replaces the not-so-successful ES-95 WHALE for comfortably transporting larger groups to and from LKO, such as for space station crew rotation missions and low-cost package tours. Lack of windows is compensated by panorama VR/AR display of the outside for every passenger.

Its overall shape is greatly inspired by the Warble 1.0 by ShockTNC. Its name means "a melodious succession of low pleasing sounds" (Merriam-Webster dictionary).

100% Stock, 87 parts, Root part is the Mk3 crew cabin.

- Somewhat cute
- 1100m/s dV @ 85x85km LKO, 780m/s dV @ 250x250km LKO.
- Balanced and almost constant CoM regardless of fuel consumption, decent maneuverability and great stability during the entire mission. No need to transfer fuel.
- Powerful RCS shares abundant bi-propellant fuel, no need to worry about intensive attitude controlling, maneuvering and docking operations quickly draining RCS fuel.
- Good gliding capability.

- As mentioned above, this started as a re-creation of that cute design for look and for fun, but ended up being a quite practical 16-seat class passenger shuttle - outmatches my older ES-95 WHALE in almost every way.
- Despite having good gliding capability during reentry, it doesn't fly well at low speeds (<150m/s). It generates much less lift compared with my "normal" spaceplane designs. It's just because it also has much less drag, so its lift-to-drag ratio remains high, hence the good gliding capability.
- It's recommended to engage RCS when firing main engines in space. It helps to counter thrust torque for better orbit accuracy. Fuel supply priorities of the four Mk1 tanks are edited in order to minimize thrust torque.
- Main control is from the silver ball on the tail.

AG1=switch RAPIERs mode
AG3=toggle docking module
AG4=toggle solar panels
AG9=toggle fuel cells
AG0=RAPIERs on/off

Ascent: 0-5-10 degrees to space!
- Engage SAS, launch, rotate at 130m/s.
- Keep level flight at the beginning (requires pulling up due to insufficient lift at low speeds) until ~300m/s.
- Stay away from pitch control, let it slowly reach 5 degrees while accelerating, keep this pitch.
- At ~10km, stay away from pitch control and let it slowly pitch up to 10 degrees, keep this pitch,
- When speed hardly increases (~1550m/s @ 20km), press AG1 to switch RAPIERs mode, keep 10 degrees pitch.
- Push AP to desired value, lock prograde and shut down engines, coast till circularization.
- Engage RCS when firing engines in space to minimize effect of thrust torque.

Descent
- Burn PE to 40km above target zone.
- Lock radial-out (90 degrees AoA) to aerobrake.
- When estimated impact point draws near landing site, reduce AoA to 10-45deg.
- With a 10deg AoA, it can glide to destination unpowered or even overshoot it. You can also use air-breathing RAPIERs to fly to destination.
- Landing speed should be >100m/s to avoid stall due to insufficient lift at low speeds. Use engines if necessary.
- Keep a low vertical speed before touchdown to avoid bouncing. Deploy drogue chutes, brake for a full stop.

Wish you enjoy and happy landing!