Katateochi
1803
19
2
The Knat RangerXL
Single Stage to Mun Landing and Back (without refueling).
Very small craft (14 tons) which can land on Mun (VTOL style) and return without refueling. It's Stock parts with MechJeb for precision pitch control.
Extremely Hard to fly!!
Are you Kerbal enough to pilot it? Get the craft file (and detailed flight instructions) on KerbalX
Ascent is the hardest part. Needs precise pitch adjustments of +/- 0.2 degrees to maintain the right ascent speed. (Full instructions are posted with the craft on KerbalX). There is almost 0 margin for error if the craft is to reach orbit with enough dV to spare.
Mid flight Flip
To keep weight down but also be able to land vertically resulted in an odd design choice. The one and only rocket engine faces down which means during the ascent the craft has to flip around. This only works if done in the upper atmo, so the Jet powered part of the flight has to be done perfectly.
Mun landing
Suicide burn landing, cutting it close to be as efficient as possible .
Made it!
Lift off from Mun
Fiery Re-entry
Almost no fuel left now, gliding in to land
bumpy touch down somewhere green
Mission Accomplished!!
Not really a practical craft as its so hard to fly right, but I really wanted a small SSTO that could land VTOL style on Mun and make it home without refueling. So this was the results.
I've made a vid of how to fly it and links to the craft download on KerbalX are in the vid notes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfV8eMfdf9Y
The craft file is here - http://kerbalx.com/crafts/257
(Sorry for taking this down and reposting it. Been having issues getting links to craft file working. So I tried re-doing it)
Katateochi
Sorry for doing the unthinkable and re-submitting this post. was having issues posting the link to the craft file. Can you see it?