Set inclination at launch

[pandaman]

An option to set the inclination of craft on the pad.  

I know this can be done to some extent in the VAB by rotating the craft, but it can be fiddly.  So why not have a simple 'Set Inclination' option that opens a box to type in the desired  inclination?

[The Aziz]

Works only on ksc launchpad. You can't do this from Woomerang or desert launchpad. At least you won't be able to set inclinations unavailable from these places.

[OHara]

On 3/28/2021 at 11:11 AM, pandaman said:

I know this can be done to some extent in the VAB by rotating the craft, but it can be fiddly. 

Just to be sure you know (more likely, for someone finding this thread while looking for help) you can click the root part to pick up the whole craft, and then Shift-D rotates the craft 5° so that it points slightly east when held by its clamps on the launchpad (shift -W -A -S -D -Q -E  for rotating in other directions).

I understand you are suggesting a control and display like in the mod Part Angle Display be made stock, so we can make finer adjustments in a quantitative and repeatable way.

[paul_c]

I don't think you mean inclination - I think the more appropriate term is "angle of elevation" or perhaps "heading". Inclination is to do with the orbit.

[Bej Kerman]

On 3/28/2021 at 11:11 AM, pandaman said:

An option to set the inclination of craft on the pad.  

I know this can be done to some extent in the VAB by rotating the craft, but it can be fiddly.  So why not have a simple 'Set Inclination' option that opens a box to type in the desired  inclination?

What would the difference be from just rotating the craft?

[pandaman]

14 minutes ago, Bej Kerman said:

What would the difference be from just rotating the craft?

None, that's exactly the idea.  Set your launch inclination by rotating the craft on the pad.

27 minutes ago, paul_c said:

I don't think you mean inclination - I think the more appropriate term is "angle of elevation" or perhaps "heading". Inclination is to do with the orbit.

You adjust the 'heading' at launch to set the inclination of the orbit.  It avoids Dv heavy large inclination changes in orbit. 

[paul_c]

I know, but you don't technically set the "inclination" at the launch. What you DO set, is the LAN (unless its an equatorial orbit, of course). You set the inclination of the resulting orbit, if you reach orbit, indirectly by flying the relevant heading which results in that inclination. Most launches are started vertically straight up, only after the start of a gravity turn is the inclination/heading defined.

There is more of an argument for initially flying East irrespective of the desired resulting inclination, due to safety range issues (rocket will explode over the sea) then once on its way, changing heading.

[kerbiloid]

Azimuth. Not inclination.

Inclination is had by orbits.
Launch azimuth is how many degrees from north to the trajectory horizontal projection.

Inclination is produced by the azimuth, latitude, etc. It's a result, not a preset.

[Bej Kerman]

23 minutes ago, pandaman said:

48 minutes ago, Bej Kerman said:

What would the difference be from just rotating the craft?

None, that's exactly the idea.  Set your launch inclination by rotating the craft on the pad.

I don't follow. That just sounds exactly like using the rotate tool but with extra steps, like you can't just pull into the wanted orbit after launch.

[kerbiloid]

It's a roll maneuver after launch, before the pitch maneuver.

[pandaman]

22 minutes ago, Bej Kerman said:

I don't follow. That just sounds exactly like using the rotate tool but with extra steps, like you can't just pull into the wanted orbit after launch.

Ok.  When you build your craft they have a default orientation.  You can change it by grabbing the root part and rotating the whole craft in the VAB.  What i proposed is an option to open a dialogue box to type in the rotation/heading so it sits on the pad in the direction you want, without changing the VAB rotation.  

Changing the inclination of an existing orbit by much uses LOTS of delta v.  That's why you launch as close to your  target inclination as possible.

20 minutes ago, kerbiloid said:

It's a roll maneuver after launch, before the pitch maneuver.

Yes, however this suggestion would in effect perform the roll before you leave the pad.  Making it easier to achieve the orbit inclination you want.

[Bej Kerman]

35 minutes ago, pandaman said:

Ok.  When you build your craft they have a default orientation.  You can change it by grabbing the root part and rotating the whole craft in the VAB.  What i proposed is an option to open a dialogue box to type in the rotation/heading so it sits on the pad in the direction you want, without changing the VAB rotation.  

Sounds a bit unnecessary, rotate the craft back then build. It's 2 seconds with the rotate tool. If you really want, a more fitting suggestion would be to have an option for the symmetry and default orientation axis to follow the root part so you can build an inclined ship.

[Incarnation of Chaos]

Let's just replicate Balkanor Cosmodrome, you'll be able to set Azimuths for days with that launch mount.