KerbalX

Description

The follow-on to the Buran/Energia rocket/shuttle combination was proposed to be a rocket core with wings and a tail like a shuttle, with four boosters—each equipped with their own sets of wings—which would all land on a runway, and make the system entirely reusable.

A neat video of the system can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6GG8KHDjZk

I thought it’d be fun to make the same system, but–being KSP–with part count in mind. Therefore, instead of four separate boosters, I made one single catamaran-style twin booster, reducing the parts for the system to a cool 190. The included station core adds an additional 42, though this can be removed and changed to a payload of your choosing.

The station core is lightweight, but the Hurricane RLS can lift 36 tons to an 85km orbit and still be completely reusable.

The nose cone swivels open and close with a DLC hinge, and uses docking ports for rigidity. SQUAD finally fixed the bug with action groups and docking ports, so it works flawlessly.

I put a butt-ton of work into this thing, I hope you all enjoy it!

Details

• Type: VAB
• Class: lifter
• Part Count: 232
• Pure Stock
• KSP: 1.10.1

Flight Instructions

Throttle to full power, turn on SAS, and stage. The Hurricane is already facing downrange, so no need for a roll maneuver. Staging activates the onboard fuel cell for electrical power, and ensures that the control point is correct, no matter what control pods the payload may decide are the root part.

Fly a steep ascent curve until Apoapsis is above 85 km. At this point, the nose of the rocket should be a little above 45 degrees. If you are lifting maximum payload, you will be cutting fuel margins for the booster to return to launch site very close.

Cut all throttle, and stage to separate booster. Press the [ key to switch to the booster.

Turn on RCS and press 1. This will correct the booster’s control orientation. For some reason, KSP decides that you want the control point to change by 90 degrees after separation.

Orient nose back toward KSC and burn at full throttle, keeping nose level with horizon. Aim to have your endpoint be about halfway between your current location and the KSC’s location.

Switch back to the core with [ if still in range, or go to map view and switch once outside of the atmosphere.

Stabilize orbit of center core, then return to booster from Map view. Core shuttle should have PLENTY of dV left over with light payloads.

Deploy airbrakes on booster, and return to booster to the runway. Booster is quite stable on reentry and landing, especially if some fuel is left in the tanks. The drain order is set up to keep things stable.

Switch back to core, and complete mission.

Core Action Groups

1) Open Payload Bay Nosecone
2) Close Payload Bay Nosecone
5) Deploy Station Core Solar Panels/Antenna (included cargo)

Booster Action Group

1) Re-orient control point on booster rocket. Stage separation makes it sideways for some reason.

Use included picture (below) as a template for core shuttle reentry.

Final Notes

-Quicksave often!

-Keep your nose only 5-10 degrees above your prograde marker on re-entry, or the vessel may spin wildly out of control. This is due to a bug with KSP that makes cargo bays and fairings produce a ton of extra lift at certain altitudes.

-Being a completely reusable system, your only cost is your payload, and the fuel.

-I used the NASA logo because it’s included with everyone’s game, but feel free to change the decal to that of your own space agency!

Thank you for viewing!