KerbalX

Description

A stock shuttle called HRO-M03. Carries Rubidium mobile mining and research base capable of refueling the shuttle

Built in the VAB in KSP version 1.2.2.

Details

• Type: VAB
• Class: spaceplane
• Part Count: 300
• Pure Stock

One of the HRO (Heavy Recovery Orbiter) series prized in Shuttle Challenge, this version is modified to allow deployment of wheeled vehicles on other celestial bodies.

Some notes and flying tips:

• Internal fuel reserves of the orbiter are about enough for SSTO. So with launch assembly getting the ship almost to orbit, it got the Delta v for interplanetary missions or dealing with heavy payloads

• Capable of landing on Duna and Mun and getting back to Kerbin after refueling by ISRU (note: some improvements have been made to fix the issues encountered on the missions)

• Caution! Set SAS to prograde before separating the boosters or they may collide with the orbiter’s wings

• Feel free to use main engines (action group 1) during high-impulse orbital maneuvers, but on this version of the orbiter it may require lowering the thrust of the bottom pair for balancing reasons.

• The primary set of monopropellant RCS has docking-grade balancing and also allows capturing payloads

• The newest modification of the orbiter comes with extra set of RCS (action group 7) for attitude control during landing on other celestial bodies - to perform rapid orientation changes and avoid flipping in case the shuttle bounces on touchdown

• Full set of landing gear is designed for maximum sturdiness and protecting the airframe from damage during landings. Retracting some of the gear may be necessary for payload unloading, steering the shuttle on ground and horizontal takeoff.

• The mobile base can be attached to the shuttle using the claw. The rover has extra gear that can be deployed to increase stability during surface maneuvers.

• Large lifting surface allows the orbiter to perform aerobraking at higher altitudes - which reduces overheating on interplanetary aerocapture.

• Pumping fuel along the orbiter allows for finely tuning the aerodynamic balance for reentry.

• Split-rudder airbrakes (action group 4) not only increase drag, but also help maintaining high AoA - use wisely during landing.

• The orbiter may have a bit too much lift for landing on Kerbin without payload and with low fuel - the airframe was designed to be capable of sustained flight (using jets) with 30-40 t of payload. That’s where the name Heavy Recovery Orbiter comes from.

• Recommended landing glissade is the one of an airliner not a shuttle. Note that the ship has jets (action group 3) and flaps (action group 5)