Spaceplanes and Robotic arms

Space Planes and Robot Arms

New Single Stage To Orbit (SSTO) Space Plane with some significant cargo space.  Current cargo and fuel load is 228 tons.

I've also added the KanadArm pack which has a set of Infernal Robotics parts to create robotic arms based on the Canadarm2 on the space station  it includes power and data grapple fixtures that you attach to things to allow the arm to grab them, and it also allows the inchworm locomotion mode the arm on the station can use.  The PDGF's are special docking ports, that the Latching End Effector (LEE) of the CanadArm can dock with.  Because they work like Docking Ports, you can couple the free end to a PDGF and then decouple the other end, this is how it can inchworm around the station to get to places inaccessible from its home on the Strut Assembly.

This first flight will be delivering a large arm with 2x 8 meter arm segments to the station along with 4x KIS cargo containers to be attached to the station, which contain 8 PDGF's each as well as EVA tools and extended EVA packs  I'll have to do a few space walks to install PDGF's in strategic locations around the station.  I've used a FusTek Station Node as a Docking Module in the Cargo Bay (not unlike the Airlock/Docking Fixture in the Space Shuttle's Cargo Bay).  I also have a deployable Docking Port in the "Hump" behind the cockpit.  This also contains a Drone Piloting Module, and most of the RCS Fuel.  This allows the entire thing to be piloted remotely if necessary.

Night Launch!  This is the second test flight (to station altitude and to return), it has a LOT of Lift, it is airborne with no problem at 80m/s and accelerates at about 15m/s in a 30 degree climb as it claws its way out of the lower, thicker atmosphere as quickly as possible.

On Orbit at Station altitude (250 km).  It's got enough oxidizer left for rendezvous, and to deorbit with the orbital engines, and plenty of liquid fuel for the air-breathing engines for landing.

View in the Cargo Bay of the KIS Containers in the foreground, and the Docking Module/Airlock at the front of the cargo bay.