Space Planes

Quick Points of Space Planes 

Construction

• • Center of lift should be Just behind and touching Center of Mass.

  • Center of mass should not change as fuel is used.

  • The back wheels should be close to and behind the center of mass.

  • The front of the Craft should be slightly higher than the back of the craft during takeoff.

  • If you are lifting a payload it should be on the center of mass so that when it is no longer on board your Center of Mass does not change.

  • Keep your wheels pointed straight down if they are at an angle your plane will tend to veer off the runway.

  • Control Surfaces should be away from center of mass.

  • Use RCS Build Aid to correct Center of thrust through Center of mass problems 

Suggested Video:    Space Plane Build

Flying Your Space Plane

• Set the brakes and let your engines spool up (A little extra Thrust to Weight can make a difference).

• Get to 10km and level off to a slow climb for your acceleration between 10km and 20km, this is the point where most of your lateral Velocity is obtained.

• Stay close to and/or above your prograde marker when in Atmosphere below 40k  (Drag losses can kill your speed).

Landing Your  Space Plane

• Line up your vehicle early your plane should be in direct line with the runway 1-2 km away.

• Bleed speed until you are down between 50- 150 m/s just before the runway.

• Just before touchdown pull up and kill engines.

• Back wheels should hit first.

• Hit brakes.