KerbalX

Album contains 32 screenshots showing an SSTO, station docking and return mission.

ES-97 SWIFT (European Spacecraft model 97, SSTO Wave-riding Interorbital Frequent Transit) is a high performance 8-seat pilotless LKO shuttle. It’s capable of reaching LKO with >1km/s dV using 3 RAPIER engines, and doing atmosphere-skipping during reentry.

Key Features

• Elegant waverider shape with trails of the rumored SR-72.
• Balanced and almost constant CoM regardless of fuel consumption.
• CoT roughly in line with CoM for better orbital maneuvering accuracy.
• Great maneuverability and stability during the entire mission.
• 1km/s dV @ 85x85km, 770m/s dV @ 250x250km
• Atmosphere-skipping and good gliding capability.
• Redundant LF for atmospheric flight.

Design Notes

• This is a balance between ES-94 and ES-95 in terms of passenger capacity and engine count, but with improved performance in terms of flight characteristics and dV.
• I tried to use only 2 engines like on the rumored SR-72, but it seemed to be underpowered. Even with 3 engines, it needs to start the ascent with 0dgr pitch, otherwise it won’t accelerate properly. Feels like it’s fully utilizing the potential of RAPIERs.
• As for additional high Isp engines, I think it’s not worthy to break the minimalistic engine setup for the slight bit of extra dV. 1km/s is good enough for me.
• I find it reasonable to put solar panels inside the Mk2 docking module, even better if they cover the inner surface of the bay doors.
• The cargo bay holds a rocket fuel tank, two small RCS fuel tanks and one Mk1 reaction wheel. It’s meant to stay closed.

Flight Instructions

Ascent: 0-10 Degrees to Space!

• Rotate at 100m/s, pitch down to 0dgr, stay away from controls and let it slowly pitch up to 10dgr while accelerating, then keep this 10dgr pitch and fly to space.
• RAPIER mode switch (AG1) should occur at 1470-1500m/s.
• An AP of 85km should be 4-5min away from engines cut-off.
• After docking operation, Hit AG8 to control from forward-facing drone core.

Descent

• Quicksave. The reentry is safe, but it requires quite some experience to achieve a pin-point landing.
• Burn PE to 40km near the peninsula east of KSC across the ocean.
• Start reentry with 60dgr AoA, and lower it once landing prediction point gets close to landing zone. 10dgr AoA is good for atmosphere-skipping, which will push the landing spot forward if needed, while >45dgr AoA will aerobrake harder.
• This spaceplane doesn’t have airbrakes, use big-S turns to bleed off airspeed near landing site if necessary.
• Fire RAPIERs in airbreathing mode to assist landing if necessary.
• Deploy drogue chute shortly before touch-down.

Wish you enjoy and happy landings!

Description

A stock aircraft called ES-97 SWIFT. Built with 92 of the finest parts, its root part is mk2CrewCabin.

Built in the SPH in KSP version 1.7.0.

Details

• Type: SPH
• Class: spaceplane
• Part Count: 92
• Pure Stock