EARL (Eve Aeronautical Research Laboratory)
VAB
stock+DLC
spaceplane
Paste a url where
this mod
can be downloaded
(link to Spacedock where possible)
Description
An RTG-powered electric airplane designed to fly on Eve. Completely unmanned, but requires a relay network to fly. Contains all basic scientific instruments (except Science Jr.). Wings are folded during transit.
Mission Profile:
- Launch and transit to Eve as normal. Do not deploy any fairings.
- Leave EARL in a low Eve parking orbit until a sufficient relay network is set up around Eve, otherwise the plane will not have sufficient control (if CommNet is enabled).
- Jettison the transfer stage (it will act as a relay during the beginning of reentry but will soon sink below the horizon), deorbit, and jettison the deorbit stage.
- Keep SAS on retrograde during deorbit and reentry. Deploy the fairing at 10 km ASL, and switch SAS to stability. Unlock and deploy wings, then lock ASAP. Unlock/activate the rotors. When ground speed is less than 125 m/s, decouple the heat shield/fairing base. EARL will rapidly flip to prograde - this is nominal. Throttle up and fly to the ground.
Details
- Type: VAB
- Class: spaceplane
- Part Count: 108
- Pure Stock
- KSP: 1.9.1
mass:
221.84t
cost:
252,762
parts:
108
crew:
0
Requires DLCs:
Hangars that contain this craft
