KerbalX

Description

The Blizzard TSTO VTHL heavy transport spaceplane delivers an orange tank (36t) to at least 100x100 km LKO. This stock unmanned craft practically flies itself to orbit, just press a couple of buttons, sit back, relax and enjoy the flight (check out the ascent profile below).
The liquid fuel boosters safely deploy parachutes after separation and are fully recoverable, saving you 25.6k kredits a piece (you’ll need either Physics Range Extender, StageRecovery or FMRS). If you don’t recover, make sure to remove the probe cores and parachutes from the boosters to save some kreds.
Made in KSP 1.7.3 by Yakuzi.

Approximate cost for 36t payload delivery to 100x100 km LKO:
Full recovery: 19.8k @ 550/t (all fuel spent, booster recovery=96%)
Without recovering boosters: 59.4k @ 1650/t (or 69.0k @ 1918/t with core and chutes)

Action Groups
[1] Toggle Rhino engine
[5] Toggle air brakes
[7] Toggle communications array
[0] Toggle cargo bay

Ascent profile
1. DON’T touch flight controls!* Press [Z], [T], then [SPACE]
2. Set SAS to prograde between 35-38 m/s
3. At booster flame-out (t=59, attitude=~40°), press [SPACE] to separate boosters
4. Burn to desired apoapsis (<=100 km tested)
5. Circularise at ~apoapsis (~275 m/s left with 36t payload @100x100 km, ~550 m/s after payload delivery)

*Unless when RUDding or during other loss of control quagmires

Descent profile
1. Burn retrograde until periapsis of ~35 km
2. Level wings and set SAS to prograde
3. At 70 km, set SAS to stability assist, keep attitude between 0 to 45 degrees
4. At 50 km, set SAS to prograde, at prograde set SAS to stability assist.
5. If you’re overshooting the KSC, pitch up carefully. If you’re undershooting, set SAS to prograde or adjust attitude to 0 degrees
6. Under 800 m/s, adopt a glide angle of 0 to -20 degrees
7. Approach runway at ~100 m/s, flare and touch down

Please remember to keep your arms and legs inside the vehicle at all times and enjoy your flight!

Details

• Type: VAB
• Class: spaceplane
• Part Count: 130
• Pure Stock

Version History
2019-07-22: Updated for KSP 1.7.3
2019-01-19: Published for KSP 1.6.1