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ES-94+ DART II (European Spacecraft model 94 upgraded, Dual-mode Aerospace Reusable Transit, Gen II) is a compact and easy-to-fly 4-seat LKO shuttle. As a modernized version of the ES-94 DART, it provides a same 700m/s dV @ LKO, but features a more reasonable construction, better alignment of CoT and CoM, thus better flight characteristics, 135% of RCS fuel and lower tech requirement.

Key Features

• 700m/s dV @ 85x85km LKO, 470m/s dV @ 250x250km LKO with one single RAPIER engine.
• Balanced and almost constant CoM regardless of fuel consumption, decent maneuverability and stability during the entire flight. No need to transfer fuel.
• Atmosphere-skipping and great gliding capability.
• Flat top, no tall vertical stabilizers. Helpful when docking to certain space stations.
• Short stopping distance even without drogue chute.

Design Notes

• The original DART is my first practical SSTO. I used to love it a lot, but as I look back, I can see quite some flaws in its appearance and overall design. But the idea is still lovely, so I decided to redo it and give it justice.
• The shaping of this craft relies on rational part clipping. Some parts are not fully fueled, because I tried to keep its fuel capacity reasonable. (Note: the four Mk1 nose cones should also be part of fuel tanks.)
• By adding a pair of Sparks as orbital engines, it gets like 80m/s of additional dV, which I think is not worthy for the additional complexity.

Flight Instructions

Ascent

• Rotate at 100m/s and 8 degrees to space!
• When speed hardly increases (~1480m/s), press AG1 to switch RAPIER mode.
• Push AP to desired value, cut off the engine, lock prograde and coast till circularization. A 85km AP should be 5min away from now.

Descent

• Burn PE to 40km over target zone.
• Lock radial-out (90deg AoA) to aerobrake, until no longer possible. Then use 10-45deg AoA for a controlled waveriding gliding. With an 10deg AoA, it can glide from the Great Desert to KSC with an altitude of 20-30km.

Wish you enjoy and happy landings!

Details

• Type: SPH
• Class: spaceplane
• Part Count: 76
• Pure Stock

Description

A stock aircraft called ES-94+ DART II. Built with 76 of the finest parts, its root part is Mark1Cockpit.

Built in the SPH in KSP version 1.7.0.