KerbalX

Description

The Bigfin Mk2 is an improved version of my medium lifter. It is capable of hauling 15 tons into equatorial orbit, or 12 tons into a polar orbit. The shuttle is built specifically for Ferram Aerospace.

I strongly recommend that you use the Atmosphere Autopilot mod as the stock SAS doesn’t make full use of the control surfaces. I use ‘Fly-by-wire’ with ‘Rocket Mode’ turned on when ascending, and just ‘Fly-by-wire’ mode with the other settings off for reentry and landing.

Flight Instructions:

• Make sure that the payload is attached to the front of the cargo bay. It is more stable with a payload of a at least a few tonnes (the craft comes with a dummy payload)

• Use space bar to launch, not the action groups. Make sure to max the throttle before igniting the SRBs and staging the launch clamps. The shuttle will begin climbing and moving sideways, so begin pitching over to the East immediately.

• Pitch over gradually so that at 3km altitude so that the velocity vector is at about 70°, and 14km you’re at 45°. Throttle down to 2/3 after staging the SRBs and follow the orbit (not surface) prograde marker. Use the Vernier thrusters if the shuttle is struggling to remain stable.

• Once the external fuel tank is empty, stage using the spacebar. Press 3 to activate the RCS thrusters. Burn at apoapsis to circularise the orbit.

• To reenter, burn retrograde so that the periapsis is about 15km above the KSC. Turn off the Atmosphere Autopilot’s ‘rocket mode’. Maintain about 25° positive pitch throughout the descent, and use the air brakes to reduce speed further when passing over the home continent.

• On final approach, turn Atmosphere Autopilot’s ‘moderation’ and ‘coordinated turn’ on. After touching down engage the brakes, press 5 to reverse thrust and deploy the drogue chute, and set throttle to maximum.

Mods

• Ferram Aerospace Research
• Squad (stock)

Details

• Type: VAB
• Class: spaceplane
• Part Count: 101
• Mods: 2
• Built in version: 1.3.1