Kerbal Space Program

Kerbal Space Program

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KSP Explorer 2
   
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Craft
Craft Type: Plane, Robotics
File Size
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523.479 KB
7 Nov, 2019 @ 2:44pm
7 Nov, 2019 @ 3:03pm
2 Change Notes ( view )

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KSP Explorer 2

Description
An improved version of my first stock interplanetary shuttle with mining equipment. The 1.8 thermal/drag bug was hard on SSTO's and a few of the flaws in my design were glaringly highlighted. This one has an improved tail design along with more pitch control surfaces, plus makes use of the monoprop in the cockpit for attitude control, which I had left unused in the earlier design (had used vernors for all RCS prior). Consequently this shuttle features significantly improved control, especially during reentry. The increased drag costs it about 300 dV from the previous design on ascent, which is more than worth it.
Explorer 2 has around 2400 delta V on NERV in LKO, another 200-500 left on the Rapiers (intentional, wanted some TWR available for landings). Balanced RCS controls on the belly provide enough thrust to land on Minmus gear down, and can then fill up over 5k delta V if you only convert LF.
The previous version of this shuttle has visited the Jool system in my career save, landing on Pol (it was my first interplanetary trip, and I'm afraid I wasn't very ambitious). I'm assuming it could land on pretty much any planet/moon but Eve if you load the correct ratio of fuel at Minmus (more or less or maybe no oxidizer depending on gravity/atmosphere of your destination, just depends on how much you think you'll need the Rapiers or RCS).

AG1 - Toggle rapier
AG2 - Switch rapier Mode
AG3 - Toggle NERV
AG4 - Airbrakes
AG5 - Deploy drogue chutes
AG6 - Toggle cargo bay doors
AG7 - Toggle solar panels
AG8 - Toggle fuel cell/red indicator light
AG9 - Toggle radiator and drills
AG0 - Toggle surface extraction

Uses the whole runway to take off. Don't panic. Keep it under 5 degrees or so until speed reaches 430 m/s. Pitch 15 degrees, letting it drop back to 10 after orbital velocity is reached. Toggle rapier mode AND NERVS when air runs out, the more speed the better. Science and storage in cargo bay. Please rate if you like!