KerbalX

Details

• Type: VAB
• Class: spaceplane
• Part Count: 78
• Pure Stock

(Willey looks like a perverse serial killer with her smile…)

Description

Yep, another tiny shuttle. Originally developped as a cheapper B-variant of the X-35 Adikia, Asteria was, finally, different enough to receive its own designation and name.

As it can be seen in the album, the X-38A is, surprisingly, able to orbit the Mun, transfer to Minmus, land on it, depart from it and re-orbit around Kerbin before the final de-orbiting. Pretty surprising for such a little craft. For that reason she received the glorious name of the minor Greek divinity of mischief, of fault, of injustice and of iniquity.

The craft itself is extremely easy to control. The only part requiering top attention being the Atlas-5 wannabe launcher. As it is equipped with five SRBs you must have to correct it all the time before their separation. But its pretty easy as the whole craft is responding really well and with a good stability.

Surprisingly Asteria also is able to reenter without any inputs. About the final stage of the flight, the X-38A, is gliding as well as a brick, alas. But with such a pair of wings, it is not a surprise. That is also why landing gears are not present, but only two parachutes instead. And those last ones are making their job perflecty, with a touching speed of approx 10 m/s once out of fuel.

It is a pleasant and funny spacecraft. I would even say funnier than its progenitor.

A stock rocket called Sleg X-38A Asteria. Built with 78 of the finest parts, its root part is mk2SpacePlaneAdapter.

Built in the VAB in KSP version 1.3.1.

Album of the flight to the Mun and Minmus

Logically climbing out of the KSC

Orbiting the Mun and descending to Minmus

Departing Minmus and re-entering Kerbin atmosphere