Project Shuttle Concept

[Mor]

Was sitting around bored, and doodled up a space shuttle concept, and quickly made a rough 3d model of it. I drew in some basic colours in photoshop very roughly to get an idea of how it would look after texturing, so here it is. The actual model is still just a general sketch without detail, and untextured, but I'd like to get some inputs and see if it's worth any more work.

 

[TSPenguin]

I like it!
I combines the general shape of the XR2 with the wings of Pegasus and the size of BSP.
I'd like to see this continued. Maybe as an XR3?

 

[Buzz313th]

I think it looks awsome...

Would make a good UCGO shuttle.

JB

 

[Mor]

I forgot to ask, does Orbiter support vector engines? The pair of engines on the rear are inspired by the shuttle from Avatar, which is able to tilt its thrusters up and down.

 

[TSPenguin]

Orbiter does. The default Deltaglider has them i.e.

 

[Hielor]

Looks good!

 

[computerex]

Was sitting around bored, and doodled up a space shuttle concept, and quickly made a rough 3d model of it.

That "rough" model is one of the best I have ever seen. :thumbup:

 

[garyw]

What TSPengiun send, it looks like an intermediate step between a shuttle and an XR-2. very nice model!

 

[T.Neo]

Orbiter does. The default Deltaglider has them i.e.

It has hover and main engines.

I believe Mor is referring to tilting engines, which are possible (Shuttle-A does it).

 

[mc_]

Tilting engines seems to be better, then having separate main and hover engines. But the ship will need at least three of them to avoid mass center problems.

This concept looks good anyway, with tilting engines or not. Hope it'll fly one day :thumbup:

 

[T.Neo]

It should be fine as long as the thrust is "balanced" on the center of mass (i.e. engines must NOT be all the way at the back of the craft, or the nose will drop and it will be unstable).

IMO one hover in the nose and two tilting engines near the rear would be the best configuration.

 

[mc_]

It should be fine as long as the thrust is "balanced" on the center of mass...

That's i wanted to say, but didn't know how - my English is still horrible

IMO one hover in the nose and two tilting engines near the rear would be the best configuration.

I've been thinking about that. Not good - one engine don't work almost all the flight time, just increasing ship's mass. IMHO.

 

[T.Neo]

Yes, but one parasitic engine is better then three.

You can't put the engine nozzles at the rear of the vehicle and expect them to be in the center of mass.

 

[TSPenguin]

It has hover and main engines.

I believe Mor is referring to tilting engines, which are possible (Shuttle-A does it).

And that is different from Engine Gimbaling how?

 

[T.Neo]

And that is different from Engine Gimbaling how?

Nothing.

But using tilting engines will give you the same effect.

 

[PhantomCruiser]

She's a pretty bird! My first thought were that she'd handle like a DGEX )or maybe a Resolve). As far as tilting engines (just as an example) the USMC version of the Joint Strike Fighter is desined to replace the Harrier. Behind the cockpit doors open up on both the top and bottom sides to allow an engine to exhaust straight down, and the rear engine nozzle rotates/gimbals down as well.
If a computer automatically adjusts for COG shifts (like the XR-series) then I think this is quite practical.
I hope to see her in the 'Hanger sometime in the future.

And... Hail

 

[Unstung]

It's very nice, that's only Wings 3D?
That model itself would be nice for Orbiter.

 

[PriestLizard]

Awesome model! I love it. I believe the space shuttle is still the most beautiful spacecraft out there and I always wondered why there is no real successor model out there. Now this ship only needs some great features like DGIV or XRx and it will be my first choice.

Btw: It reminds me of the spacecraft you see in the "Enterprise" intro after the ISS gets assembled in time warp (while "Linda Park" is on screen).

 

[Andy44]

Why have hover capability at all? Just land on a runway and save mass.

 

[mc_]

Why have hover capability at all? Just land on a runway and save mass.

...and there will be only one planet to land.