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[JWNoctis]

I'd like heat to be a resource first. Being able to install radiators, or cooling vents(dumping liquid nitrogen) or redirecting heat from the engines to other nonimportant parts of the ship seems fun.

It might be even more fun if we got the ability to use fuel as an emergence cooling liquid.

FYI real life liquid rocket engines are already cooled by their own, usually supercooled fuel as it flowed in.

[10ebbor10]

I'd like heat to be a resource first. Being able to install radiators, or cooling vents(dumping liquid nitrogen) or redirecting heat from the engines to other nonimportant parts of the ship seems fun.

It might be even more fun if we got the ability to use fuel as an emergence cooling liquid.

FYI real life liquid rocket engines are already cooled by their own, usually supercooled fuel as it flowed in.

Of course they are. As are KSP's engines, as long as you don't run them on full thrust.

But I meant evaporating liquid fuel in emergencies to cool the craft down, because you decided making a close orbit to the sun would work out fine, or something like that.

[Starver]

For some reason, the idea of using fuel to cool things down (outside of the regular methods) makes me want to suggest oxygen tank stirrers as well.

[LoSboccacc]

also works that way in cars, fuel absorb heats and gets expelled.


uhm, how you rename crafts and change their icon?

[Karlito]

Right click the command pod and select "rename".

[Chattox]

also works that way in cars, fuel absorb heats and gets expelled.


uhm, how you rename crafts and change their icon?

Right click on the command module while in-mission, then click rename. Interestingly, there are icons for rovers and bases despite them not being officially supported.

[Starver]

"Tranquility Base, here.  The Eagle has landed.  So I'm just right clicking on it, changing the name to 'Tranquility' and the icon type to Base... do you know how little fuel I have in the decent stage?  Now I just need to extend the ladder... whoops!  I've just retracted the landing gear, and now my engine's detached...  Maybe I should send a rescue mission..."

[Chattox]

Is there an up to date tutorial on good rocket design anywhere? I think mine are overcomplicated somewhat.

[Anvilfolk]

Man, this has gotten so much better since last time I tried! I think I'll be trying to put an orbital space station into orbit... but first I'll need to be able to get some rocket into orbit... any rocket!

[Mephansteras]

Man, this has gotten so much better since last time I tried! I think I'll be trying to put an orbital space station into orbit... but first I'll need to be able to get some rocket into orbit... any rocket!

Look up the Asparagus stalk rocket design. It's based on a real rocket design and is very efficient. Makes getting into orbit a lot easier, and it really isn't that hard to make.

[Ozyton]

Asparagus stalk: make rocket, add 4x symetry rockets (or more, but 4 is good to learn with at first). Set fuel lines so two outer rockets are fueling the one next to them, then the ones they are fueling should fuel the middle rocket. Set the decouplers up so that as the first rockets run out of fuel they get decoupled, making it so you drop the dead weight while still having multiple engines running. Repeat when the outer rockets are done and you'll still have the middle rocket with a full tank of fuel on it, and it doesn't have dead weight to push either.

If you load up the default "Kerbal X" rocket you can see the asparagus stalk system in place, look at the design and learn from it, try flying it and see how it works.

Also keep in mind that if you want a fuel efficient launch you shouldn't be going faster than terminal velocity.

[PTTG??]

Which forces one to ask, what is terminal velocity for a specific spaceship. The answer is, velocity relative the atmosphere when your ship is falling through it with no powered thrust.
You might see your ship moving at terminal velocity if you were to just turn off the engines mid-launch and seeing what your peak speed while falling down is.

How would you quickly find out your terminal velocity?

The kerbaliest way possible.

[LoSboccacc]

anybody else got the impression that kerbin is not inclined?

Launches as game progress launch at some angle when compared to previous launches, and I'm pretty sure my launches are perfect, as when I launch two near in time they get up extremely close.

[Graknorke]

Hmm, launching straight upwards seems to actually be quite effective if you don't mind only having one shot at anything and it being at insane speeds.
There's no angles to calculate anyway. Just timing. I managed to build up a rocket enough that launching straight up took it's orbit a good way of the distance towards Jools'. And this rocket wasn't even meant to do that. I was meant to carry things around Kerbin and it's moons.

[Anvilfolk]

Whoa, that's interesting stuff. How necessary is using those fuel line techniques? Why does that work best than having them all thrust at full speed? It seems each fuel+rocket assembly's thrust would compensate for its own weight, and then some. Since the weight of the remaining parts of the ship is constant, the more fuel/rocket assemblies you have, the less the impact of the remaining parts of the ship. But I guess this doesn't work. Something to do with drag and reducing terminal velocity? Also, I like the idea of one brave Kerbonaut sacrificing himself to transmit terminal velocity values. *salute*


My current design gets into space, but then I lack fuel to move into orbit or lack structural integrity to add more fuel!

Also, I am having massive difficulties controlling rotation along the altitude axis. I've got 4 of both types of RCS thrusters, but it only starts working once I ditch most engines. Any other tips?