Space shuttles! (and other stuff...)

[Astatium_209]

I hope this is the correct spot to post this...
MOAR HEAT SHIELDS!
I've been looking at options for heat shields in the base game for shuttles, and the two I tried a while ago were batteries and solar panels (I used them for their darker textures). The problem with batteries was that they severely impacted the mass to orbit capabilities of any vehicle using them, thanks to their fairly high mass. Solar panels weren't much better, since they look odd, but this could just be me building a generaly bad looking spacecraft, I'm not sure.

A shuttle (not really though, since it doesn't have an ET/booster) a put together a while ago to test the solar panel idea:

So I decided to return to batteries, but I also decided to mount them sideways and make them thinner, and I like where this (the heat shield design) is going. The actual shuttle looks a bit wierd though (It's too messy), I'll have to clean it up.

(It can land propulsively)

 

[Lt. Snakestrike]

That looks good man!

 

[Horus Lupercal]

A shuttle (not really though, since it doesn't have an ET/booster

A shuttle. And a rather unique looking one at that.

 

[Astatium_209]

That looks good man!

Thanks!

And a rather unique looking one at that.

I was inspired by some of the old Space shuttle concepts with stubbier noses, they looked much cooler than what was built IMO.

 

[Horus Lupercal]

I was inspired by some of the old Space shuttle concepts with stubbier noses, they looked much cooler than what was built IMO

For shuttles, stubbier is better

 

[Blazer Ayanami]

I hope this is the correct spot to post this...
MOAR HEAT SHIELDS!
I've been looking at options for heat shields in the base game for shuttles, and the two I tried a while ago were batteries and solar panels (I used them for their darker textures). The problem with batteries was that they severely impacted the mass to orbit capabilities of any vehicle using them, thanks to their fairly high mass. Solar panels weren't much better, since they look odd, but this could just be me building a generaly bad looking spacecraft, I'm not sure.

A shuttle (not really though, since it doesn't have an ET/booster) a put together a while ago to test the solar panel idea:
View attachment 56242

So I decided to return to batteries, but I also decided to mount them sideways and make them thinner, and I like where this (the heat shield design) is going. The actual shuttle looks a bit wierd though (It's too messy), I'll have to clean it up. View attachment 56244
(It can land propulsively)
View attachment 56245
View attachment 56246

Dude...
From now on, whenever someone says “I can’t do this or that because of base game”, I’ll reference that person to your builds.

 

[Astatium_209]

I think I'm happy with this design for now.

Oh man, trying to get an ET on this thing will be a pain in the neck...

 

[Pink]

That. Is. Awesome!

 

[Astatium_209]

That. Is. Awesome!

Thanks!

 

[TtTOtW]

To orbit with no payload, I assume. Adding one will severely reduce your likelihood to reach orbit. Which is not the case with a shuttle since a suitable booster will have you filling that payload bay to the brim. Which would make it a shuttle. Sexy SSTO though.

 

[Horus Lupercal]

since a suitable booster will have you filling that payload bay to the brim

Why? He can get that to orbit. With 20-28% fuel left as well. Which means it can make it with about 10-20% of its wet mass as a payload.

So it doesn't need a booster (although he'd like to add one)

And it already is a shuttle. It's just not one of your shuttles. There's a subtle difference.

Sexy SSTO shuttle though.

That we agree on.

 

[Blazer Ayanami]

BOT. Don’t have this conversation on every single thread.

 

[Astatium_209]

To orbit with no payload, I assume. Adding one will severely reduce your likelihood to reach orbit. Which is not the case with a shuttle since a suitable booster will have you filling that payload bay to the brim. Which would make it a shuttle.

I did in fact have a booster designed, but I didn't show it since I didn't like the look of it and the focus was supposed to be on the heat shield. Yes, it can get into LEO and land in one stage without a payload, but the one in the screenshot was actually launched with the booster and a decently sized space station module (though it can get to LEO with around 12% fuel remaining while SSTO-ing without a payload).
Also, I've pretty much abandoned that first design, since I dont like the proportions, and a belly landing became unfeasible when fuel levels were >10% due to poor planning of weight distribution.

 

[Horus Lupercal]

Don’t have this conversation on every single thread.

Hmmm yes, let's not.

 

[James Brown]

It is a mini Space Shuttle!

 

[Mars Pathfinder]

I think I'm happy with this design for now.
View attachment 56343
Oh man, trying to get an ET on this thing will be a pain in the neck...

Much cleaner

 

[bobbblair123]

BOT. Don’t have this conversation on every single thread.

LMAO MOAR BOOSTERZ!!!

 

[Astatium_209]

Hello again.
I've built a booster for my shuttle.
To mount the shuttle on the booster, I've built this wierd transporter:

Destination: Moon

Of course I've landed the booster, I'm not a savage.

Time to land on the moon!

(Wait a minute, I can't fit more files into this thread)

 

[Astatium_209]

Part two of the moon landing:

Time to unload.

I decided to land next to a rover I left here a while ago.

And I've flipped it over, great.

Anyways, it's time to go home.

And after a few failed attempts, a successful landing.

I found some stability issues, but nothing that can't be fixed with a well placed parachute. I'm also thinking about incorporating more efficient engines into the design for a longer range.

 

[James Brown]

Wooo you are one of the great builder in here!

 

[Pink]

That is CLEAN.

 

[Flying Pilot]

Dude...
From now on, whenever someone says “I can’t do this or that because of base game”, I’ll reference that person to your builds.

Rip me

 

[James Brown]

Did you plan to by the expansion?

 

[James Brown]

Dude...
From now on, whenever someone says “I can’t do this or that because of base game”, I’ll reference that person to your builds.

Hmm

 

[Flying Pilot]

Did you plan to by the expansion?

Yea i guess