My favorite thing from Avatar was the Valkyrie Shuttle (that is the name of it, right?). It's an amazing looking bird- think of the possibilities! And the cockpit was really cool! I suppose XR5s will do until then.
Well, the Valkyrie can only operate to and from earth in the stock system, as it's lifter engines are air-breathing. The scramjets are also airbreathing, so again, Earth only. The Vanguard is capable of operating on any planet or moon that a UMMU will survive on. therefore, it's a lot more versatile. Besides, it's already available. although, it could use an RDA skin
Well, the Valkyrie can only operate to and from earth in the stock system, as it's lifter engines are air-breathing. The scramjets are also airbreathing, so again, Earth only. The Vanguard is capable of operating on any planet or moon that a UMMU will survive on. therefore, it's a lot more versatile. Besides, it's already available. although, it could use an RDA skin
so again, Earth only.
If you're not counting the stock system only, that's Earth and Pandora only.
It's quite an interesting thought... I'm not sure if it has been discussed before, but if the Valkyrie TAV were to land on and take off from Earth as well, it would have to deal with two different atmospheric compositions... differing atmospheric density per altitude, etc...
No it doesn't...
But it's more interesting)
---------- Post added at 01:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:33 PM ----------
I find it easier to develop a modular design
The problem is whether users can take advantage of it. In order to customize the ISV.
Where are shuttles kept during the acceleration phases of the trip? They can't just stay docked, so there must be some kind of harness or housing that holds them in place until Venture Star reaches its destination orbit. Right?
I have a question.
In some pictures we can see this: http://www.benprocter.com/picture/i...ram.jpg?pictureId=8071347&asGalleryImage=true
The cargo is near the habitable modules, as your ship.
But I think that when the cargo have to be moved the cargo part moves in order to make safer the maneuvers: http://www.projectrho.com/rocket/images/realdesigns/IsvDiagram12.jpg
Someone can corroborate this? if this is what I say, will your ISV simulate that ?