KerbalX

Description

1:RAPIER 2:NERV 3:boost 4:cut

A Mach 7 hypersonic aircraft called Jetstar. Built with 38 of the finest parts, its root part is mk2SpacePlaneAdapter. Perfect for fast trips to destinations, 1,000 to 1,884 km, distant.

Cruise 2.187 km/s @31km.

Atmospheric Autopilot [AA] is a must in order to achieve cruise flight.

Inspired by the pioneering work of Laie in the 80 Minute Challenge, this is the commercial application for up to 8 pax.

Preflight check-list
- View: Free
- Open AA Cruise Flight Controller
- set initial desired heading and select Heading control
- dial in Speed control: 2220 m/s but leave disengaged
- set altitude to 31km and climb rate 10m/s and select Vertical speed
- ensure Advanced options: max_climb_angle: is 15 degrees
- select Cruise Flight controller for take-off but leave Master Switch: Off
- pin a RAPIER tweak menu open to the side

Take-Off
- activate RAPIERs, SAS Hold, disengage Brakes and go Throttle: Full
- rotate at 90 m/s; just raise the nose to lower the tail-wheel to the runway
- when clear and gear: up, engage Master Switch to establish a shallow climb and turn on course
- when on course, engage Altitude control to start the climb toward an ultimate apoapsis of 36.6km altitude (even though the Altitude control is set for only 31km!)
- at Mach 1, activate the NERV
- at speed: 1km/s (attitude centered in the navball prograde), engage SAS Prograde and disengage AA
- engage RAPIER boost when their thrust drops to 100 kN
- kill the throttle when the apoapsis arrives at 36.6km
- wait for 25 km altitude and engage AA to level off at 31km and go Throttle: Full!
- engage Speed control: 2220 just before the speed arrives at this number
- when speed is stabilized at this target, shutdown the RAPIERS
- periapsis will stabilize at 31km, altitude at 31km, apoapsis at 36.6km
- immediately reduce speed setting to 2,187 m/s once Pe shows 31km
- Congratulations! You have now achieved cruise flight profile. Enjoy your flight!

Descent
- begin 500 km from the destination
- set throttle to idle and kill Speed control
- engage Standard Fly-By-Wire
- begin mild porpoising to wash off some speed gradually to below e.g. 2 km/s
- begin a slow descent
- beware of heat indicators as you approach 20-25km altitude; keep the AoA at/near zero as much as you can
- Good Luck. Patiently done: there is sufficient safety reserve

Thanks, Laie!!

Built in the SPH in KSP version 1.7.3.

ECO 2020-01-20 removed the service bay and fuel cell; repositioned tail wheel
ECO 2020-01-22 retain fuel in the nose tank for stability

Details

• Type: SPH
• Class: aircraft
• Part Count: 38
• Pure Stock