XR2 Launch Stacks for the XR2 AND XR5 - Which stack?

[kdridders]

I'm making a orbiter movie and we want to launch the XR2 and/or the XR5 on a launch stack

so can anybody recommend a launch stack - give example codes or scenarios - links to the stack addon

would the shuttle stack be capable of launching he XR2?

Energia maybe for the XR5?

Cheers Guys

 

[Urwumpe]

Energia should do the XR2 easily, the XR5 could be a tiny bit too heavy, AFAIR the XR5 has already 5 times more payload than the Energia can lift.

Why don't you try Kulchs TX? Should be perfect for the XR2 and could look pretty...

 

[tgep]

I'm not sure about the payload capacity, but you might also consider a Velcro Saturn / SRB combo ........ and then there is the Jupiter-V.

 

[ijuin]

Hmmm now there's a thought--would it be possible to create a pair of JATO-bottle type boosters for the XR5 that could help it lift off from the runway and reach scram engine speed?

 

[ryan]

Hmmm now there's a thought--would it be possible to create a pair of JATO-bottle type boosters for the XR5 that could help it lift off from the runway and reach scram engine speed?

Or when weights a factor, JATOs could be fitted on the XR2. This is a cool notion, could someone make a add-on with the XR5 fitted with JATOs and XR2s fitted with JATOs.

 

[ijuin]

Actually in principle this concept could be extended to any horizontal liftoff spaceplane . . . The real issue is one of figuring out how/where to mount the boosters to maintain stability (they need to not block the landing gear or main engines, and the centers of thrust and aerodynamic pressure have to remain fairly close to the center of mass).

 

[kdridders]

Cheers guys i'll look into these
im talking about a "light load" for the XR5

It just looks cool on a launch stack :speakcool:

would a shuttle launch stack be capable of lifting and almost empty XR2?

keep 'em coming guys

 

[Usquanigo]

would a shuttle launch stack be capable of lifting and almost empty XR2?

According to the config file for the XR2, fully fueled (main+scram+rcs), full LOX, full cargo... basically everything but passenger weight, comes to about 44,693Kg, which is 98,531.08lbs. The Space Shuttle Orbiter, with full payload, comes in around 240,000lbs.

So the XR2 is significantly lighter. And it's also a good bit smaller too, IIRC.

However, a large portion of that 'stack' is the External Tank, which is routed through the Space Shuttle Main Engines. Remove the Space Shuttle and the External Tank becomes dead weight. So it would seem rather tough to make it work on that stack.

 

[doggie015]

However, a large portion of that 'stack' is the External Tank, which is routed through the Space Shuttle Main Engines. Remove the Space Shuttle and the External Tank becomes dead weight. So it would seem rather tough to make it work on that stack.

True, but you are talking about Orbiter here, the land of the flying hamburger! Anything is possible (With FuelMFD, even more so!)

 

[ijuin]

If the ET can be modeled as a fuel supply for the XR2, or if it is simulated as having its own engines, then it could work . . .