Project Hyperion HCLV

[Loru]

orbiter 2010-P1 with Earth - L11-14

---------- Post added at 06:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:11 PM ----------

But the colors looks a bit too artificial, not like glowing by heat and changing color from reddish over yellow to cold white.

Looking at Falcon9 onboard cam, apart from one white hotspot, rest of the nozzle glows orange/red.

I think effect implemented in HCLV looks well enough to stay as it is, even if slightly unrealistic. I see no point of overcomplicate current code for such minor visual effect.

Although rocket is well calculated, it's purpose isn't simulating every tiny detail accurately, but provide user with easy to set-up/use launch vehicle with (I hope) nice visuals.

 

[blixel]

...provide user with easy to set-up/use launch vehicle...

That will be very much appreciated! Usability is important.

 

[Loru]

That will be very much appreciated! Usability is important.

Hyperion will have almost the same traits as our previous LV - [ame="http://www.orbithangar.com/searchid.php?ID=6036"]Themis-A[/ame] like multiple cfg configs, height over ground adjustment or custom fairing support.

You can launch it manually or use MFD to operate it from ground/payload POV.


In the mean time: condensation trail (appearing between 10 and 15 km)

 

[Urwumpe]

I think effect implemented in HCLV looks well enough to stay as it is, even if slightly unrealistic. I see no point of overcomplicate current code for such minor visual effect.

Although rocket is well calculated, it's purpose isn't simulating every tiny detail accurately, but provide user with easy to set-up/use launch vehicle with (I hope) nice visuals.

I rather mean that you turn towards the green in the color, that isn't a big show stopper and requires you to real time solve black body radiation equations. You just need to suppress the green component a bit more.

 

[garyw]

I agree with Loru. What has been done looks good so why change it and risk introducing issues?

 

[malisle]

Pasted also as reference in SW thread but here's Nozzle glow test:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9n-2y5VpyI

Do you use oapiMeshMaterial to change the emission component of the material?

 

[Loru]

oapiSetMaterial which modifies red and green components

 

[Loru]

Progress report:

Along with custom fairings, HCLV is now equipped with custom payload adapter system. All you need to do is to design and put proper mesh in Meshes\HCLV\Adapters\ and add single line to config file of your rocket. Works for both inline and sidemount.

Here is example configuration file:

; === Configuration file for vessel class 'HCLV-Sidemount-XR2' ===
ClassName = HCLV
Module = HCLV\HCLV-Core
EditorModule = HCLV\HCLV-Core

Fairing = 0  
Sidemount = true 
Offset = 10.5
[COLOR="Red"]Adapter = XR2adapter[/COLOR]

---------- Post added at 09:26 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:01 PM ----------

Some performance data:

Sidemount config with 80 ton boilerplate (ShuttleMk2 mesh) launched from CSSC into 250km x 250km orbit (30 deg equatorial inclination) = 10 tons fuel to spare at MECO2.

Sidemount config with XR2 into same orbit: 48 tons of fuel to spare.

---------- Post added 05-19-13 at 04:19 AM ---------- Previous post was 05-18-13 at 09:26 PM ----------

Although scheduled for re-design, Shuttle Replacement Project is still alive and sidemount Hyperion is primary launch vehicle for it.

I've based new design on LKS shuttle concept but with sabre engines (intakes in wing base).

First sketch:

---------- Post added at 01:24 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:19 AM ----------

And now question - which one looks better?

---------- Post added at 04:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:24 PM ----------

Size comparison:

 

[Eccentrus]

regarding the LKS-shuttle, I think the left one looks better, and more realistic, the right one reminds me too much of a Mecha rather than a proper shuttle.

 

[PhantomCruiser]

I like the canted tail as well, it's much more true to the "old" LKS mockup. Too bad the mockup was destroyed, more reference pictures would be most welcome.

The engines in the wing root look pretty cool.

 

[Loru]

The engines in the wing root look pretty cool.

Those are only intakes - actual engines are (will be) in the rear section behind cargo bay along with RCS banks.

As for shuttle itself: It's not intended to simulate LKS in any way. It's totally fictional craft tailored to my needs as assit in space station construction and crew ferry.

For those interested in modelling real LKS there are some reference pics along with some drawings here:
http://forum.nasaspaceflight.com/index.php?topic=29809.0

---------- Post added at 09:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:48 PM ----------

Engines (with nozzle protection) and RCS banks

 

[PhantomCruiser]

Yeah, intakes. That's what I meant, I type way faster than I think sometimes.
Anyway, with the intakes along the wing root it reminds me of several British designs (Comet and Nimrod for example).

So is this an nextgen/evolution of the Vertigo? I think I still have that somewhere... It has/had promise. Either way, I'll be looking forward to her development. :thumbup:

 

[Loru]

Yeah, intakes. That's what I meant, I type way faster than I think sometimes.
Anyway, with the intakes along the wing root it reminds me of several British designs (Comet and Nimrod for example).

So is this an nextgen/evolution of the Vertigo? I think I still have that somewhere... It has/had promise. Either way, I'll be looking forward to her development. :thumbup:

As my meshing skills grew I abandoned Vertigo (although it looked nice it was also totally unrealistic and "cartoonish" IMO). I donated mesh to MaverickSawyer so he can play along with it and maybe relase it.

Same situation with Christa Shuttle: I was not happy with certain proportions of the craft and had no "hearth" to fix it. Mesh has been handed to Woo482 and he already managed to take it into the air.

This time I'm really happy with proportions and model (up to this stage) took me suprisingly little time. Also this one will have VC and will be good training before XR3 VC.

---------- Post added at 10:40 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:38 PM ----------

Cut out so you can estimate size of this thing:

 

[Loru]

Since I'm still waiting for HDD replacement parts to resume XR3 work, I decided to re-create this craft from scratch and with few inprovements.

- craft is smaller now (23x18 meters)
- better (IMO) rear section
- bigger SABRE intakes

Here's the effect after 6-7 hours

---------- Post added 05-31-13 at 01:07 AM ---------- Previous post was 05-30-13 at 10:02 PM ----------

And smoothing test on HCLV:

---------- Post added at 10:08 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:07 AM ----------

Here in 3d:

MK42.3DS (click to view in 3D)


---------- Post added at 01:38 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:08 AM ----------

Payload bay:

- There will be APAS compatibile docking port in the front.
- In rear section there is a room for 12 UCGO crates, or 5.5 x 2.6 circular module.

 

[Loru]

Whole day experimenting with proper wheels sizes that will look big enough to support it and fit into wing.

Mom - is reentry scary???

 

[Loru]

Shuttle Update:

Remodelled windows a bit to look better IMO (as in first project)

I've sacrificed a tiny bit of realism for "cool factor" in modelling gear.
Whole rear gear asembly will move backwards while collapsing to forward:

---------- Post added at 02:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:37 PM ----------

Here is model:

MK3-a.3DS (click to view in 3D)


---------- Post added 06-06-13 at 01:38 PM ---------- Previous post was 06-05-13 at 02:44 PM ----------

RCS modelled:

---------- Post added at 01:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:38 PM ----------

Few tests gave me top speed of 1044 km/h (290 m/s, 648.7 mph, 0.87 Mach ) at altitude of 1000m.

---------- Post added at 06:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:57 PM ----------

 

[Loru]

Progress on textures:

---------- Post added at 01:21 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:06 AM ----------

And 3d model:

mk3-b.3DS (click to view in 3D)

 

[Loru]

Back to actual launch vehicle updates:

- default sidemount payload adapter fits with Donamy's Jason LEO however I noticed that Spacecraft3 won't pass Orbiter's mass to parent (Resulting in ~55 tons lift off mass with Jason 2nd stage).
- Eridanus shuttle fits also and is launched without any problems.
- fixed some stability issues with AP & support RCS system (for coast phase)
- condensation stream is generated from 10km to 24km alt (purelly visual feature)
- meshed payload adapter for Starchaser shuttle (which will be released some time after Hyperion)

Next in queue:
- sidemount payload adapters for DG, XR-2
- sidemount payload container (Buran-T style)
- texture fixes

---------- Post added at 04:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:58 PM ----------

And 80 ton inline version:

 

[Mantis]

Very cool. I can't wait to fly it.

 

[Loru]

Some coding changes to unify version selection in cfg files and result: 3 base configuration

80 ton to LEO sidemount, inline and 120 ton to LEO inline

---------- Post added 06-13-13 at 12:35 AM ---------- Previous post was 06-12-13 at 11:23 PM ----------

If I did calculations right, 4 booster HCLV version can put Apollo CSM + LM + custom made LH2/LOX stage (10 ton empty mass + 65 tons of fuel) into 250 km cirular LEO.

Calculated stage gave me 3.4 km/s of DV so if my data is correct on CSM and LM (45 tons total) HCLV is a feasible lunar rocket.