KerbalX

Description

UPDATED BLOCK 2 -> https://kerbalx.com/RundownPear/Fully-Reusable-Space-Shuttle-STV-Block-2-SSTO PLEASE IF YOU HAVE BREAKING GROUND DOWNLOAD THIS VERSION

The Space Transportation Vehicle (STV) was commissioned as a fully reusable SSTO launch and transportation system with the main objective of constructing space stations, establishing relay systems, and enabling reusable lunar infrastructures.

Known as the Space Transportation Vehicle (STV), this massive space-plane is the pinnacle of reusable space technology. The vehicle consists of the booster and orbiter. The booster is able to put the orbiter and cargo into orbit in a single stage. Once in orbit the orbiter has around 1000 m/s of Delta V and the booster has more than enough fuel to land via parachutes. Rated for up to 35.5 tons of cargo. This particular build includes the core module for my Pavlov Station. Designed to work with autopilot mods such as MechJeb.

LANDING INSTRUCTIONS:

Booster

Once in orbit, perform a retro burn to re-enter and target the Desert Launch Site for recovery. Before re-entry, you should move all remaining fuel to the lowest fuel tank and deploy the air brakes. Turn on pitch and yaw for the air brakes. At around 6000m it might enter a nose dive at which point you should use the rear stabilizers to horizontally level the craft (radial decoupler facing up) and deploy the drogue chute. Once stabilized deploy the other 5 chutes and use the remaining fuel to reduce speed to around 5 m/s for touchdown.

Orbiter

Pretty standard procedure just as if it was any other Space Shuttle. The craft is built for stable re entry so just pitch it like normal and turn on SAS and it should be very stable. Only real difference is its ability for sustained powered flight at around 1500m. This of course changes if you are carrying cargo. I recommend you use all fuel in the main tank either by doing extra burns or using a mod like PWB Fuel Balancer to jettison, this helps the craft stay stable.

Action groups

1. Toggle fuel cells
2. Disable main orbiter engines, activate orbital maneuvering system
3. Activate jet engines
4. Toggle payload bay
5. Toggle orbital maneuvering system
6. Toggle gimbal for main booster engines

Comments appreciated

Development time was long, probably 5 hours

A stock rocket called Fully Reusable Space Shuttle SSTO. Built with 148 of the finest parts, its root part is Size4.Tank.04.

Built in the VAB in KSP version 1.8.1.

Details

• Type: VAB
• Class: spaceplane
• Part Count: 148
• Pure Stock
• Restock recommended
• MechJeb or other autopilot recommended
  
• Mk3 mid deck for more crew capacity