Hope‐X instructions

Hope-X build and flight instructions

Assembling

It should be simple enough to not need a build instruction. It's optional if you want to include the antenna in the payload bay, some renders show it others don't. Also preferably place the crew tube in front of the cargo container, not the other way around. Lastly the rudders can be placed either at the wing tips or on the SM (in pairs or single).

Descent profile

Just like the Space Shuttle, HopeX is a somewhat tough vehicle to master, take your time in learning it's flight characteristics! Highly recommended to use MechJeb and Atmosphere Autopilot for RO/RSS players!

Stock

1. Once payload has been deployed, prepare the vehicle for descent. Check that your tanks are no more than 1/5th filled OR (if possible) half the SM tank is full and the nose is empty to ensure proper balance.
2. This is relatively easy to fly in stock thanks to the reaction wheels, just don't do any aggressive maneuvers and you can land, and don't fall below 80m/s!

RO/RSS

1. Ensure you leave between a quarter to half a tank of fuel after performing your de-orbit burn (no fuel transfer required) to ensure proper balance between all stages of re-entry.
2. Upon entry interface, if using MechJeb, set SVEL+ to a pitch of 15°. Maintain this attitude until Mach 10.
3. You will under go several phugoids (up and down motion), during your first two phugoids, leave the controls to MechJeb.
4. After your second phugoid (on the downward path), once below 70km, enable Atmosphere Autopilot and turn on AoA-hold controller, it should automatically set it to your current pitch angle, don't forget to disable MechJeb.
5. Once below Mach 17-20, roll reversals can begin.
6. Between Mach 10 to 5, slowly decrease pitch to between 5-10°.
7. Once below 40km, all RCS can be disabled, assuming you are in the correct attitude and speed, control handover should be smooth.
8. At around the same time, you can disable AoA-hold controller and begin performing the final manual descent using Standard Fly-By Wire.
9. When you are about to drop below Mach 1, increase your descent angle to between 15-30° below the horizon. You should be between 15-25km at this time.
10. Begin the flare and gear deployment between 500-700m AGL, ensure that your speed does not fall below 100m/s. (Stall speed is around 60m/s but control becomes extremely sluggish below 100m/s)
11. Butter the bread.

Hopefully you landed in one piece (:

( Image courtesy of: Flight Global )