KerbalX

Description

A general purpose lifter called Simplicity. Built in the KSP 1.7.3 VAB with 61 stock parts.

Occasionally, Simplicity, for its own sake, avoids Mundanity.

Lately, I’ve been using this simple lifter: 2 Jumbos, a Mainsail and 4 fins to FedEx replacement parts to the Mun.

Well, 8 fins and some parachutes because Simplicity is now recoverable.

I’ve replaced the 4-engine Sparrow tug with a much more efficient single-engine delivery vehicle. In the picture below, I show 12x Dandelion personal excursion vehicles packaged into a 2.5m fairing.

FedEx (the delivery vehicle, S2) has 2.2km/s dV.

For a lightly-loaded lift, I recommend pitch-over at 40 m/s, raise the AP to 75km and then raise the PE to 0-50 km. Separate and circularize the upper stages; then return to S1. For S2 re-entry, burn PE down to 25 km, turn prograde and jettison the fuel.

NOTES: Simplicity is a family architecture. The base lifter may be adapted for the payload. For example, if the payload has some self-propulsion capability (e.g. NERV), the Simplicity upper-stage (NERV) may be omitted. In another example, Nerfjet Simplicity, 4 auxiliary side boosters were added to deal with an extra-massive payload. In keeping with the Simplicity recoverability goal, and given that Simplicity Stage-1 has a lower-atmosphere objective (brief operational profile), these boosters are not separately stageable and will thus be recovered with the whole of S1.

Mission planning should be mindful of a terran touch-down point for S1 and I generally aim for the 75km AP with a PE of 25-50 km such that S1 reaches at least 20E downrange and yet does not exceed its own thermal limits during atmospheric decel.

In the case that the payload possesses radial engines (e.g. NERV), consider firing them before separation and, if warranted, tow the first stage far enough that it may touch-down on land.

ECO 2020-10-27 fixed staging of chutes
ECO 2020-11-24 added docking port, battery, RCS to S2
ECO 2020-11-25 S2 is now also recoverable