SkyLab Program :: Crew Rotation Vehicles :: LKO Crew Shuttle
A (partially) reusable vehicle for crew rotation on LKO Stations.
Mark 1
After the (surprising) good results from Jeb collaborating with the R&D on the Mün Crew Shuttle Launcher, I decided to summon Bill and Val to the project.
When something appears to be too easy to be true, it's because it's usually is! 😅
The Shuttle project, besides solid, was deemed unfeasible during a more thoughtfully CBA. It's relying on parts from too much advanced tech levels, demanding some expensive upgrades on the KSC facilities - not to mentioning the Science points to unlock them on the tech tree.
_ Why you are using the Big S parts on this project? - asked Bob - You are delaying the production of the vehicle by more than 1.6M Funds on R&D upgrades, and about 850 more Science points - we would need to research Heavy and Experimental Aerodynamics just for these 3 parts. The upfront cost is just too much right now...
_ I hate to wave that wings, in special the Big S elevons... - counter-argued Val - I tried the project on the Simulator, and flying her is really a breeze even on reentry - except by that crappy settings for the Landing Gears, it's like riding a crazy horse on a rodeo. Jeb, did you ever tried a landing on the Simulator?
_ Uh... Landing? This Shuttle is supposed to land?? - answered Jeb with the tongue on his cheek, the nearest of an admission of had forgetting it you could extract from him... 😆
_ Okie Dokie, interrupted Bill, spawning from nowhere. Less talk and more action. I fixed the Shuttle project while you were discussing, this is the Mark 1 blueprints. You guys also forgot a radiator, were you planning to cook some PAX? 😆 Good thing I crashed your party, uh?
Val wasn't exactly happy on the Simulator - the Mark 1 stalls a bit sooner and needs more elbow grease to fly due being somewhat more unstable and having a bit less lift than Mark 0.
_ I kinda liked it, put some guns on it and it will be a nice heavy fighter! - said Jeb - but you are going to need some vomit bags for the PAX.
_ I'm going to land her too hot for relying only on the wheel breaks now. How about some chutes? We can TweakScale them too, right? - complained Val.
_ I have a better idea. There's this dual elevons configuration, together they double as airbreaks. - said Bill. Try her now. They also should help on the stability issues.
_ Val, grab your VR helmet. Let's give her another try. Did you know that we can take her off from the Runway? It's only 150 seconds of full trust, but it's enough for a smoke test on the handling and landing capabilities!
_ Okay Jeb, but I will pilot her. I saw you and Bill doing a Cobra Maneuver over the runway before landing instead of using the air-breaks, you maniacs - and I just had lunch...
Downloads
References
- Forum on What did you do in KSP1 today.