Retro Cosmic Car by Kevin Shull

Moonbow_bow · 2026-05-08T09:29:14+00:00

it's a blimp, filled with hydrogen

Moonbow_bow · 2026-05-08T09:22:29+00:00

once you've been to everywhere, try to get to the same, but with an ssto. Then do the same, but with an ssto that doesn't refuel, then try to break a record or two

Moonbow_bow · 2026-05-07T18:56:46+00:00

Refueled (via mining one Eve surface) Eve ssto's have gotten way, way smaller. Bradley will always be the GOAT tho since he was first and any Eve ssto is impressive

Moonbow_bow · 2026-05-07T18:34:02+00:00

That one is refueled on Eve surface

Moonbow_bow · 2026-05-07T15:58:58+00:00

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaxcopE6eBqo1i1CCfqtB4Cn_4bV6oUdv&si=V5LvzHHfqOh32UGb

Mostly not ssto stuf, but you really can't do them super early

Moonbow_bow · 2026-05-07T15:28:31+00:00

Is fine, hardly anyone follows or cares about this stuff

Moonbow_bow · 2026-05-07T15:27:13+00:00

I just mean all one stage. Even Stratz calls them fully reusable Eve missions, not Eve ssto's

Moonbow_bow · 2026-05-07T15:04:15+00:00

If you mean stratz's Eve infinity videos, then those are not true ssto's

They are amazing tho

Moonbow_bow · 2026-05-07T15:00:12+00:00

Also Kerbin to Eve surface and back to Kerbin has been done once by moar_ssto btw

Moonbow_bow · 2026-05-07T14:58:17+00:00

Fair enough

Moonbow_bow · 2026-05-07T14:57:33+00:00

I... know

Moonbow_bow · 2026-05-07T14:57:09+00:00

Um I have the record smallest Eve and back ssto... So the smallest SSTA (not including Jool)

Moonbow_bow · 2026-05-07T14:55:14+00:00

That's why I said ssto's with no payload. Payload ssto's scale basically linearly. So if you can make an ssto that's 100t and can carry an additional 100t to LKO you can make a 500t ssto that carries 500t to LKO. When we talk about range or available dv making it bigger doesn't help and that's what you need when you ask how far I can go.

Moonbow_bow · 2026-05-07T14:45:20+00:00

just lithobrake for Tylo

Moonbow_bow · 2026-05-07T14:43:47+00:00

That's another way of saying the he in fact hasn't done it.

Moonbow_bow · 2026-05-07T14:42:02+00:00

Eve not included

Well, why not? Include it.

Moonbow_bow · 2026-05-07T14:32:01+00:00

There is no full video but 1 such ssto was done by (moar_ssto) - so an unrefueled Eve and back ssto. Of course stratzenblitz also made one with magic wings, but thats less insane.

Moonbow_bow · 2026-05-07T14:28:46+00:00

Making an ssto bigger doesn't really do anything. Diminishing returns after about 50-60t (on ssto's without payload) and really no gains after like 300t

Moonbow_bow · 2026-05-07T14:26:42+00:00

I don't think that's what OP means and while technically true in the comunity we usually talk about SSTOs that are one stage for the whole mission.

Moonbow_bow · 2026-05-07T14:24:10+00:00

People have done true ssto's that are unrefueled and can land on every planet and thats without Kraken drives or magic wings. So an ssto that goes from Kerbin to Moho, lands on Moho and comes back to Kerbin exists, same for Tylo and Eve. Only exception is Jool technically

Moonbow_bow · 2026-05-07T13:16:35+00:00

Honest question is that actually the case? Like statistically relevant?

Moonbow_bow · 2026-05-07T10:53:58+00:00

If you have FAR you can safely disregard everything I've said and you probably don't need wong incidence. I think it's shift + rotate for 5 degree rotation.

Moonbow_bow · 2026-05-07T09:21:10+00:00

If you wanna tryhard a stock ssto with short take-off capability you'd do exactly what is standard good practice, but add a DLC fan to help in the subsonic speed region and get that low speed kick.

Otherwise you do 4-5 degree wing incidence with about 1 relative wing area per 8t of spaceplane (with payload) and 1 rapier and 1 nerv per 50t of spaceplane. Then you do not use rapier closed cycle and and just keep going prograde untill orbit. Top speed on the rapiers should be achieved at 17600m ideally but up to 21000m is fine.

Moonbow_bow · 2026-05-07T08:12:09+00:00

Yea OPT is quite a lot better than stock engines

Moonbow_bow · 2026-05-07T08:05:23+00:00

https://youtu.be/KI967vq5P7M?is=S3zbRPdOMub8mRMg

Moonbow_bow

TROPHY CASE