Project Starchaser Shuttle

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Loru

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Starchaser shuttle is a DG sized shuttlecraft loosely based on Chelomei LKS shuttle concept.

Possible Missions:
- satelite launch, repair, retrieval
- space station crew & cargo delivery
- space construction assist
- science missions in LEO with dedicated modules

- Dimensions: 23 x 18 x 6.7 meters
- Crew: 2 + 3
- Cargo bay: 6 x 3.4 meters
- Docking system: APAS compatibile (fixed in cargo bay)
- Engines: 2x Rocket/Jet KERO/LOX fueled hybrid with ~40 minutes powered flight capacity after reentry.

Launch vehicle not determined yet but probably LH2/LOX core + 2 boosters

Planned additional features:
-VC
-UMMU support
-Payload Manager
-Skin support
-Attitude hold AP for reentry

starchaser3-angles.jpg

starchaser3.jpg


Release date: Tuesday
 
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Scav

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Slap that thing onto a Hyperion and call me silly! :thumbup:
 

PhantomCruiser

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That'd be too much work. Can we just call you silly anyway? ;) (harharhar)
But seriously, good to see the Starchaser in her own development thread!

My purchasing department is getting the checkbook ready.
 

Loru

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Slap that thing onto a Hyperion and call me silly! :thumbup:

Hyperion is bit powerfull for it.

However I've determined basic LV parametrs:

2 SRBs + LH2/LOX core stage:

Starchaser-LVdata.jpg
 

Donamy

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With a custom adapter section, that might launch on a Jason booster. ;)
 

MaverickSawyer

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Hmmm... Themis is too small, isn't it? or is it a Goldielocks booster? (aka just right)
 

Loru

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Hmmm... Themis is too small, isn't it? or is it a Goldielocks booster? (aka just right)

I need payload capacity in 30-40 tons so new launcher is required. Since it'll resemble Hyperion a bit Woo can use simplified code from it.

Since no classic SRB looked cool on core stage I decided to use 4 smaller SRBs clustered in sets of 2.

I need to add aeroshell around them but much progress today:

starchaser-stack1.jpg
 
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Loru

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Single booster (case) is 24 meter long, 2.6 wide and has thrust of 2.45 MN. However this are still experiments. I'll probably investigate cluster of 3 SRBs per side or hybrid motor (I want plume of smoke in this one :p ) . Also I want boosters to be fully reusable so I'll need probably some form of control surfaces and/or rcs to provide proper attitude during reentry.

I'm fairly happy with core shape (although it needs much more detailing). It'll use single, heavily modified RS-68.

Rocket will be independent of shuttle so you'll be able to use it where HCLV is bit to powerfull, however no inline version is planned at the moment.

---------- Post added at 05:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:08 PM ----------

Hybrid performance looks interesting
Vehicle is much lighter and boosters (2) can be smaller.
Also hybrid can be throttable and cut off in case of emeregency so it's safer for manned LV.

hybrid-booster.jpg
 

sputnik

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As long as you're adapting an old Russian design anyway, I note with interest that the Energia-M in the basic Velcro rockets package is a 40-ton booster, and looks like it would package very nicely with your shuttle.
 

Donamy

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As long as you're adapting an old Russian design anyway, I note with interest that the Energia-M in the basic Velcro rockets package is a 40-ton booster, and looks like it would package very nicely with your shuttle.

True, but I can understand that he wants to do his own.:tiphat:
 

Loru

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True, but I can understand that he wants to do his own.:tiphat:

It's not about "want" but "need". :p

I need vessel that can be controled remotely (from payload vessel for example). This LV is planned to have controls exposed for the shuttle so pilot can control AP and fly it manually to orbit without leaving shuttle.

Also as I respect velcro and multistage frameworks, they're still prototyping tools for me rather than means of releasing add-on.

Another thing is usablilty. I like my rockets to be spawned ready to use without need to manually edit scn file.
 

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I need vessel that can be controled remotely (from payload vessel for example). This LV is planned to have controls exposed for the shuttle so pilot can control AP and fly it manually to orbit without leaving shuttle.

Will the interface be public?
 

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Loru

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To add some more reusability (apart from booster recovery) I'm investigating following concept:

Main engine (have to be reusable) would be enclosed in "reentry capsule" and after LEO delivery and reentry burn, separated from core stage to safely reenter and be retrieved?

What do you think??

engine-sep-idea.jpg
 

C3PO

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Wouldn't inflatable heat shields be perfect for that?
 

Urwumpe

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To add some more reusability (apart from booster recovery) I'm investigating following concept:

Main engine (have to be reusable) would be enclosed in "reentry capsule" and after LEO delivery and reentry burn, separated from core stage to safely reenter and be retrieved?

What do you think??

Possible - you should maybe also look at the old Ares launcher concept, which had the engines in a reusable reentry pod.

http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/areirect.htm

The main problem you will get in your design: Your heatshield will have to transfer the thrust loads. But you could also move the heat shield to the side. Or have an inflatable heatshield that is contained in the thrust structure before separation. Or clamshell heatshields.

But much better would be using the empty tanks as destructible decelleration structure. You protect one side of the launcher with an ablative heatshield, stabilize the rentry by feathering - the larger surface helps reducing the temperatures during reentry, since you slow down at higher altitudes. on landing, you let the empty tanks get badly damaged by having them impact first and protect the engines with landing airbags. If you keep the tanks, even a simple clamshell heatshield is enough to let the engines survive the rentry conditions.

The tanks can be mass produced easily and its simpler to separate the engines from the propellant supply system on the ground.
 

Loru

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Slowly adding some details to main shuttle texture:

details01.jpg
 
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