After some modifications, the Ramses II has made a triumphant return to flight atop a replica SLS block 1B. Despite a few minor issues, the exploration upper stage was able to send it on a flyby of the Moon, followed by the capsule performing a near-perfect reentry.
It's competitor, a modified Big Gemini capsule, was deemed unsuitable for Beyond Low Earth Orbit reentries because of some changes with heat shield physics which reduced their ability to protect tall capsules. The crew is certainly happy with the roomier Ramses II, but it does mean that the required payload for the Mars crew transfer vehicle is going to be a bit higher than ideal. Hopefully no more problems crop up and I can start sending supply missions.
In other news, after watching one of Scott Manley's latest RP-0 playthrough videos, I made another attempt at creating a spaceplane capable of orbital reentry in RSS/RO. This odd wedge-shaped craft is what I came up with:
Basically, the idea was to use wings as a heatshield since they have twice the temperature tolerance of any other part. It
almost survived reentry unscathed. Everything managed to hold together, except for that nosecone at the front. Unfortunately, that nosecone also holds all the RCS fuel. With no RCS and the centre of mass now shifted pretty far back, the thing became difficult to control. I pitched up a bit too far, stalled, and sent the thing into an unrecoverable tumble. But considering my previous attempts at reentry with a spaceplane, this one was a roaring success. I doubt I'll be able to incorporate the technique into an SSTO, though.
Anyway, I'm pretty sure Scott is using modified heat settings, since his craft get nowhere near as hot.