KerbalX

Description

Design concept for Duna VTOL spaceplane. Works on Kerbin too but has really low endurance when hovering. You can make it SSTO capable from Kerbin by swapping out the Darts with RAPIERs and the nose cone with a conical air intake.

To take off:

1. SAS on, standard mode
2. Start hover thrusters (action 2)
3. RCS on
4. Increase throttle until you’re off the ground
5. Start main thrusters (action 1)

When at about 40 m/s, cut hover thrusters (action 2), RCS off, gear up, and you’re on your way.

To land:

1. SAS on, standard mode
2. Gear down
3. Cut throttle
4. Cut main thrusters (action 1)
5. Start hover thrusters (action 2)
6. RCS on
7. Slow down to near stall speed
8. Increase throttle until you’re hovering
9. Control position with attitude (primary), SAS (secondary)
10. Reduce throttle until you’re descending at the rate you want
11. … land!

In hover mode, it flies like a helicopter – control where you want to go by tilting the craft. There’s not much point going faster than about 20 m/s horizontally though as you might as well transition to normal flight and save the fuel.

A stock aircraft called HELBAT X1. Built with 72 of the finest parts, its root part is mk2Cockpit.Inline.

Built in the SPH in KSP version 1.3.1.

Details

• Type: SPH
• Class: spaceplane
• Part Count: 72
• Pure Stock