KerbalX

6 custom flags are required for this craft to appear as pictured. They can be found here (Alternately, you can just remove them!)

Description

The Lockheed StarClipper was a concept space shuttle that was never built. It featured a delta-wing-shaped lifting body, and a disposable V-shaped fuel tank. Its design was partially responsible for the decision to make the space shuttle’s external fuel tank disposable.

Variants of the real concept used somewhere between 3 and 5 engines. I found the sweet spot to be 4 custom engines, each one being a Skipper with a Swivel clipped inside. See the flight instructions for more info.

This is a follow-on version of my original StarClipper, built with improved usability, and flag decals for a nicer appearance. I spent a lot of time refining the smoothing of body panels, and even made my own decals for the blue double stripe.

The Shuttle itself is 142 parts, including custom RCS ports and flags.

Features

-Crew transport for up to 6
-Custom split-elevon airbrakes
-Exterior lighting
-Approximately 400-500 m/s dV in 75km symmetrical orbit
-More than 400 units of monopropellant for docking

Details

• Type: VAB
• Class: ship
• Part Count: 241
• Pure Stock
• KSP: 1.11.1

Flight Instructions

-Turn on RCS and SAS. The external tank carries a small supply of monopropellant to avoid burning shuttle’s supply.

-Stage and follow a standard ascent profile. Aim to be transitioning through 45 degrees at approximately 15 km, then hold this attitude until external fuel tank depletion.

-Watch dV indicator on left side. When external tank is empty, it’s time to discard.

-Throttle engines OFF, press (1) to shutdown Skipper engines, and stage to discard external tank. If your ascent profile has been optimal, the nose of the vehicle should be around 45 degrees, and the top of the parabolic arc should be around 70km.

-Coast to apoapsis and circularize.

Action Groups

1) Toggle Skipper Engines
2) Toggle Swivel Engines
5) Toggle Solar Panel/Antenna/Docking Port
Abort) Shutdown all engines, discard ET, dump all fuel

In case you missed the link to the custom flags at the top, they can be found here.

Thank you for viewing, and happy flying!

Looks like a Star Destoyer and a life raft had an illegitimate lovechild… ~My sister.