Project Hyperion HCLV

[Woo482]

One of the Hyperion's four liquid boosters returning to Earth after a successful test flight:

 

[MaverickSawyer]

Nice! Looks a lot like a Energia booster... Question is, will it autoland, or just crunch like the Armadillo Aerospace entry into the Ansari X Prize?

 

[Loru]

Primary purpose for this parachute is to limit damage as it reenters way slower than orbital speed and wouldn't burn.

Also unlike Energia's landing boosters I want a "controlled crash/splachdown" just to reuse engine parts.

 

[MaverickSawyer]

so, it's a crunchdown. Neat.

 

[Loru]

Investigating sidemount possibilities

---------- Post added at 04:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:51 PM ----------

Sidemount with that configuration would be difficult as boosters separate too much in +y/-y axis.

I'm considering:

2 boosters and ~85 ton to LEO or
2 advanced boosters, each with 2 RD-171 engines (or something with comparable thrust/ISP) in single aeroshell. (120 ton to LEO)

Both would need core mesh changes so I'd need separate model/dll for that to keep modules/cfg files clean.

 

[Eccentrus]

how about this approach? 4 boosters but as 2 pairs in which each pair is tied together, and then when they separate from the core, it's the pairs that separate, which then again separate from each other?

 

[Loru]

how about this approach? 4 boosters but as 2 pairs in which each pair is tied together, and then when they separate from the core, it's the pairs that separate, which then again separate from each other?

Well - no problem here but it would be just Energia with different core stage engines. We already have Energia add-on so I don't see a point in doing it.

Also since Buran originaly belongs to Energia I'm rather inclined into 2 booster config with single RD-171 per booster and 85 tons to LEO capacity.

That will keep clean config logic and 85 ton booster will be sidemount with either cargo container or payload mount for spaceplanes.

---------- Post added at 05:07 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:05 PM ----------

like for example here:

 

[Loru]

Hmm - we decided to merge 2 boostered sidemount and 4 boostered inline version into single developement. (They're using same dll and there is no point of splitting it in a half)

Here is Sidemount test with XR2:
* 1st clip done in Premiere instead of MSMM

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrNUHxO-hMo"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrNUHxO-hMo[/ame]

 

[blixel]

Here is Sidemount test with XR2:

Looks great. Really looking forward to the release. My current method for launching the XR2 into orbit (see below) doesn't seem very legit.

 

[Loru]

Hmm - why not attach XR to middle core and throw up upperstage?

 

[blixel]

Hmm - why not attach XR to middle core and throw up upperstage?

Near as I can tell, the payload manager doesn't allow any other configuration other than to attach to the top.

 

[Loru]

Near as I can tell, the payload manager doesn't allow any other configuration other than to attach to the top.

Maybe that's the reason I'm working on all those launch vehicles.

On serious note. Circularization part of AP has to be reworked as it sometimes produces strange trajectories and some features (lke adjustable height) has to be implemented. Meshes are basically done and I need to improve textures a bit for both inline and sidemount cores.

Also this vehicle will use dialog box as means of controling instead of MFD.

 

[Loru]

Family overview:

Fairing sizes from the left(lengt x diameter): 20x8, 15x8, 10.5x8, 8.5x8, 6.5x8, sidemount version
*lenght size for full diameter so it doesn't count nose cone and base

---------- Post added at 06:39 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:23 PM ----------

Confirmed payload capacity:
4 booster inline: 120 tons to 250x250 km LEO
2 booster sidemount: 80 tons to 250x250 km LEO

 

[blixel]

2 booster sidemount: 80 tons to 250x250 km LEO

Looking forward to this configuration.

 

[Loru]

Progress report:

- New guidance equation reduced AOA and made launch much smoother (XR2 Survives ascent now).
- Adjustable height over ground function implemented.
- We've reverted from dialog to MFD for AP control - works better.

Sidemount will have container-tug comparable to Energia-T with around 200-400 m/s dV to fill 50-75 ton payload market.

---------- Post added at 01:01 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:48 AM ----------

 

[Pipcard]

Right now, there has never been a market for 50-75 ton payloads.

But there may be large space hotels in the future...

 

[Loru]

Right now, there has never been a market for 50-75 ton payloads.

Well - I need it - both 80 ton to LEO and 120 ton to LEO versions.

I won't be building my space station with countless flights carrying 20 ton modules. I need space station assembled with 5-6 flights as it will be platform for most BEO missions for me.

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

 

[Loru]

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

 

[Urwumpe]

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

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

It already looks pretty impressive, I will try to replicate it in mine projects as well. But the colors looks a bit too artificial, not like glowing by heat and changing color from reddish over yellow to cold white.

 

[Hartmann]

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

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

Great !!

Amazing glow effects.

One question, what version of orbiter and earth textures are you using ??

Thanks !