Campaign: Shuttle Program

← Kerbals in Space

Campaigns

GPS and communication sat constellation →

Introduction

After creating space stations which require frequent crew changes, Kerbal scientists realised that using expensive multi-stage rockets was too inefficient. After many studies, they developed a new concept for reaching space - a space plane. An aircraft attached to a main rocket booster, a spaceplane would be reusable and highly effective at moving fragile cargo down to the surface, such as Kerbals.

Specifications

• Length: ???
• Difficulty: ???
• Skills needed: ???
• For version: Every version post-0.15

Space Shuttle Testing

• Design a space plane and perform a test atmospheric flight

1. The space plane should be capable of landing by itself, and travelling to orbit with the aid of a rocket booster. It should also have a docking port and sufficient RCS to perform an orbital docking, as well as space for a payload.
2. Launch the space plane to the upper atmosphere, above 30 km but below 70 km
3. Glide or fly to a safe horizontal landing

• Launch a space plane into a suborbital trajectory

1. Launch a space plane attached to a rocket booster to a periapsis of over 70 km
2. Glide or fly to a safe horizontal landing

Orbital Testing

• Launch and place the space plane into a stable orbit around Kerbin#Periapsis and apoapsis must both be above 100 km

1. Make a safe landing on the ground*(optional) Make an emergency landing
2. Launch into orbit, and just before circularisation shut down all engines
3. Without using any engine power, continue on your long suborbital trajectory and land

Cargo ability testing

• Launch a shuttle capable of carrying cargo into a stable orbit while also following the orbital testing guidelines

1. Launch into orbit a fully functioning satellite having solar panels and lights
2. Launch a shuttle into orbit and grab the satellite for analysis then return the satellite into orbit and return the shuttle home
3. Launch a final test using the shuttle to put a satellite capable of changing its orbit independently into a stable orbit between 100 km and 130 km.

(work in progress)