Difference between revisions of "Single-stage-to-orbit"

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(Features of SSTO)
(* general improvements, - many SSTOs in headlines, * "vehicle" to "craft", ! wording)
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[[Image:K-15_glamor.png|right|thumb|A SSTO taking off from the runway. 0.16]]
 
[[Image:K-15_glamor.png|right|thumb|A SSTO taking off from the runway. 0.16]]
  
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A '''Single Stage to Orbit''' craft (also known as a '''SSTO''') is any craft that can reach orbit without having to rely on multiple stages or jettisoning components. A typical SSTO takes off from a [[runway]] or [[launchpad]] and reaches orbit with only the fuel stored within the tanks of the craft. SSTOs are not exclusively required to break orbit and re-enter the atmosphere for a landing as they may be refueled in orbit. Designing a Single Stage to Orbit craft generally requires a firm grasp of spacecraft as well as aircraft design in order to create a craft that can operate both within and outside of an atmosphere without changing aerodynamic profile and size.
  
Single Stage to Orbit also known as a SSTO is any vehicle that can reach orbit without having to rely on multiple stages or jettisoning components. A typical SSTO takes off from a runway or launchpad and reaches orbit with only the fuel stored within the tanks of the vehicle. SSTOs are not exclusively required to break orbit and re-enter the atmosphere for a landing as they may be refueled in orbit. Single Stage to Orbit craft generally require a firm grasp of space vehicle as well as aircraft design in order to create a vehicle that can operate both within an atmosphere and outside of an atmosphere without changing aerodynamic profile and size.
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== History ==
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*It wasn't until C7 released his spaceplane pack that spaceplanes truly become integrated into Kerbal Space Program. <sup>(needs version when mod was created)</sup>
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*Space planes were officially included in Kerbal Space Program following version [[Version History#v0.15|0.15]].
  
==History==
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== Approaches to constructing a SSTO ==
*It wasn't until C7 released his spaceplane pack did spaceplanes truly become integrated into Kerbal Space Program. (Needs Version when mod was created)
 
*Space planes were officially included in Kerbal Space Program following version 0.15.
 
  
==Approaches to SSTO==
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SSTOs can be constructed using various engines like their siblings the multi-stage rockets, however many issues must be considered when it comes to constructing a spaceplane.
  
An SSTOs are constructed out of various engines like their siblings the multi-stage rockets, however many issues must be considered when it comes to constructing a spaceplane.
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There are 2 common types of SSTOs that are being created. There is the single stage to orbit spaceplane which takes off horizontally from a runway and lands horizontally. There is also a single stage rocket that takes off vertically and lands vertically.
 
 
There are 2 known types of SSTOs that are being created. There is the single stage to orbit spaceplane which takes off horizontally from a runway and lands horizontally. There is also a single stage rocket that takes off vertically and lands vertically  
 
 
 
Solid fuel rockets are typically multi-stage, however there are many single stage rockets out there that take off vertically and land vertically with or without the assistance of parachutes.
 
  
 
When it comes to choosing engines for SSTOs there are two primary things that need to be addressed, power to weight ratio and efficiency.
 
When it comes to choosing engines for SSTOs there are two primary things that need to be addressed, power to weight ratio and efficiency.
  
Solid fuel rockets SSTOs are less than ideal since the thrust can not be controlled or vectored in any meaningful way and is unable to use fuel located on other parts of the spacecraft.
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Solid fuel rocket-powered SSTOs are less than ideal since the thrust can not be controlled or vectored in any meaningful way and is unable to use fuel located on other parts of the spacecraft.
 
 
Air breathing engines athough useless in space are quite popular launch engines for SSTOs due to their extreme fuel efficiency which allows the SSTO to conserve precious rocket fuel until an altitude where air breathing engines are no longer effective.
 
  
Liquid fuel rockets are ideal for SSTOs due to the ability to control thrust levels as well as the ability to thrust vector. Many SSTOs use aerospike engines due to their excellent power to weight ratio and efficiency. The inability to attach separate stages onto aerospike engines has no affect on SSTO design.
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Air breathing engines, although useless in space, are quite popular launch engines for SSTOs due to their extreme fuel efficiency which allows the SSTO to conserve precious rocket fuel until an altitude where air breathing engines are no longer effective.
  
Liquid air cycle engines are not present in KSP 0.16, check back later.
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Liquid fuel rockets are ideal for SSTOs due to the ability to control thrust levels as well as the ability to thrust vector. Many SSTOs use [[Toroidal Aerospike Rocket|aerospike engines]] due to their excellent power to weight ratio and efficiency. The inability to attach separate stages onto aerospike engines has no effect on SSTO design.
  
 
Whether rocket-powered or air-breathing, a reusable vehicle must be rugged enough to survive multiple round trips into space without adding excessive weight or maintenance. In addition a reusable vehicle must be able to reenter without damage, and land safely.
 
Whether rocket-powered or air-breathing, a reusable vehicle must be rugged enough to survive multiple round trips into space without adding excessive weight or maintenance. In addition a reusable vehicle must be able to reenter without damage, and land safely.
  
==Issues to consider while constructing an SSTO==
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== Issues to consider while constructing ==
 
 
Spaceplane construction is far more involved and complex than rocket design. Whereas rocket design only needs to concern it with structural stability, center of gravity, and center of thrust, spaceplanes also need to be concerned with center of lift, angle of attack, as well as aerodynamic drag due to the non-symetrical vertical nature of aircraft.
 
  
==Features of SSTO==
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Spaceplane construction is far more involved and complex than rocket design. Whereas when designing rockets one only needs to pay attention to structural stability, center of gravity, and center of thrust, when designing spaceplanes one also needs to be concerned about the center of lift, angle of attack, as well as aerodynamic drag due to the non-symetrical vertical nature of aircraft.
  
A fully reusable SSTO has the benefits of lower operating costs, safer re-entry, and the ability to operate like a regular aircraft within the atmosphere.
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== Features and benefits ==
  
 
* Can be more efficient at reaching orbit than multi-stage rockets when they using air breathing engines. That's because they use intake air instead of oxidizer while in atmosphere, reducing weight and fuel requirements.
 
* Can be more efficient at reaching orbit than multi-stage rockets when they using air breathing engines. That's because they use intake air instead of oxidizer while in atmosphere, reducing weight and fuel requirements.
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* Can operate like an aircraft within the atmosphere.
 
* Can operate like an aircraft within the atmosphere.
  
==Disadvantages of SSTO==
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== Disadvantages ==
  
 
* Spaceplane type SSTOs cannot be as heavy as a vertical rocket due to structural limitations.
 
* Spaceplane type SSTOs cannot be as heavy as a vertical rocket due to structural limitations.
 
* Spaceplane SSTOs require a solid grasp on aerodynamics.
 
* Spaceplane SSTOs require a solid grasp on aerodynamics.
 
* Very fuel inefficient for carrying heavy loads into orbit.
 
* Very fuel inefficient for carrying heavy loads into orbit.
* Typically does not carry enough fuel for inter-planetary travel.
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* Typically do not carry enough fuel for inter-planetary travel.
 
* Harder to design than multi-stage rockets.
 
* Harder to design than multi-stage rockets.

Revision as of 16:30, 27 May 2013

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A SSTO taking off from the runway. 0.16

A Single Stage to Orbit craft (also known as a SSTO) is any craft that can reach orbit without having to rely on multiple stages or jettisoning components. A typical SSTO takes off from a runway or launchpad and reaches orbit with only the fuel stored within the tanks of the craft. SSTOs are not exclusively required to break orbit and re-enter the atmosphere for a landing as they may be refueled in orbit. Designing a Single Stage to Orbit craft generally requires a firm grasp of spacecraft as well as aircraft design in order to create a craft that can operate both within and outside of an atmosphere without changing aerodynamic profile and size.

History

  • It wasn't until C7 released his spaceplane pack that spaceplanes truly become integrated into Kerbal Space Program. (needs version when mod was created)
  • Space planes were officially included in Kerbal Space Program following version 0.15.

Approaches to constructing a SSTO

SSTOs can be constructed using various engines like their siblings the multi-stage rockets, however many issues must be considered when it comes to constructing a spaceplane.

There are 2 common types of SSTOs that are being created. There is the single stage to orbit spaceplane which takes off horizontally from a runway and lands horizontally. There is also a single stage rocket that takes off vertically and lands vertically.

When it comes to choosing engines for SSTOs there are two primary things that need to be addressed, power to weight ratio and efficiency.

Solid fuel rocket-powered SSTOs are less than ideal since the thrust can not be controlled or vectored in any meaningful way and is unable to use fuel located on other parts of the spacecraft.

Air breathing engines, although useless in space, are quite popular launch engines for SSTOs due to their extreme fuel efficiency which allows the SSTO to conserve precious rocket fuel until an altitude where air breathing engines are no longer effective.

Liquid fuel rockets are ideal for SSTOs due to the ability to control thrust levels as well as the ability to thrust vector. Many SSTOs use aerospike engines due to their excellent power to weight ratio and efficiency. The inability to attach separate stages onto aerospike engines has no effect on SSTO design.

Whether rocket-powered or air-breathing, a reusable vehicle must be rugged enough to survive multiple round trips into space without adding excessive weight or maintenance. In addition a reusable vehicle must be able to reenter without damage, and land safely.

Issues to consider while constructing

Spaceplane construction is far more involved and complex than rocket design. Whereas when designing rockets one only needs to pay attention to structural stability, center of gravity, and center of thrust, when designing spaceplanes one also needs to be concerned about the center of lift, angle of attack, as well as aerodynamic drag due to the non-symetrical vertical nature of aircraft.

Features and benefits

  • Can be more efficient at reaching orbit than multi-stage rockets when they using air breathing engines. That's because they use intake air instead of oxidizer while in atmosphere, reducing weight and fuel requirements.
  • Does not jettison expensive engines and structure.
  • prevents having to recover and refurbish jettisoned components.
  • Can operate like an aircraft within the atmosphere.

Disadvantages

  • Spaceplane type SSTOs cannot be as heavy as a vertical rocket due to structural limitations.
  • Spaceplane SSTOs require a solid grasp on aerodynamics.
  • Very fuel inefficient for carrying heavy loads into orbit.
  • Typically do not carry enough fuel for inter-planetary travel.
  • Harder to design than multi-stage rockets.