Hi all :hello:
After almost two years of silence, a new member of Firebird rocket family roars to life - Firebird II HLV.
Firebird II is a 2 or 3-stage realistic heavy launch vehicle, based on the same multistage2 basis as it's predecessor, Firebird I HLV.
As a smaller member of Firebird family, this rocket is able to launch 10-30 metric tons to LEO, according to the version used. The optional 3rd stage is common with Firebird I HLV, while a set of auxilary strap-on solid rocket boosters further extend payload limits.
The rocket utilizes launchpad LC2 on Makatea island, so the final package will apply several modifications to the entire space center as well as some minor changes to Firebird I HLV.
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With Firebird II finished at 95%, I'm currently working on a spaceplane,
that could be launched atop the most powerful variant - Firebird II-38:
RARoG - Reusable Advanced Rocket Glider
This 25 ton heavy, 18 meters long spaceplane of classical conception is being designed to take five astronauts and 4,5 tons of payload to LEO.
RARoG embodies my next attempt to take spacecraft3.dll to it's extremes, as well as creating even better, cleaner and more complex spacecraft model than ever before. It will include several features never before explored such as custom robotic arm or virtual cockpit.
I'm expecting most trouble with figuring out some suitable aerodynamics.
The shuttle should be able to reach AoA up to 40° while performing a stable, controllable re-entry. Actually it should fly pretty much like the NASA Space Shuttle.
After almost two years of silence, a new member of Firebird rocket family roars to life - Firebird II HLV.
Firebird II is a 2 or 3-stage realistic heavy launch vehicle, based on the same multistage2 basis as it's predecessor, Firebird I HLV.
As a smaller member of Firebird family, this rocket is able to launch 10-30 metric tons to LEO, according to the version used. The optional 3rd stage is common with Firebird I HLV, while a set of auxilary strap-on solid rocket boosters further extend payload limits.
The rocket utilizes launchpad LC2 on Makatea island, so the final package will apply several modifications to the entire space center as well as some minor changes to Firebird I HLV.
------------------------------------------------------------------
With Firebird II finished at 95%, I'm currently working on a spaceplane,
that could be launched atop the most powerful variant - Firebird II-38:
RARoG - Reusable Advanced Rocket Glider
This 25 ton heavy, 18 meters long spaceplane of classical conception is being designed to take five astronauts and 4,5 tons of payload to LEO.
RARoG embodies my next attempt to take spacecraft3.dll to it's extremes, as well as creating even better, cleaner and more complex spacecraft model than ever before. It will include several features never before explored such as custom robotic arm or virtual cockpit.
I'm expecting most trouble with figuring out some suitable aerodynamics.
The shuttle should be able to reach AoA up to 40° while performing a stable, controllable re-entry. Actually it should fly pretty much like the NASA Space Shuttle.