2.5m parts need more love... or do they?

[nothingSpecial]

NEW DISCUSSION STARTS HERE

Now, when I finally got to making space stations (and to fighting lags and making kerballed interplanetary missions), I have ecountered one thing.

Basically, I am limited to 2.5m parts when going to advanced spacecraft deign.

Just because

1. There is 2.5m cupola and there isn't any 1.25m cupola;
   
2. There is 2.5m crew can and there isn't any 1.25 crew can;
   
3. There is 2.5m processing lab and there isn't any 1.25m processing lab.
   
4. Additionaly, 2.5m landing can looks similar to all other payload 2.5 parts and 1.25m landing can is an oddity.
   

On the other hand, the only inline scientific experiment part (Science Jr.) is 1.25m in diameter.

And you know what?

I'm not sure if it's for the best.

It would be nice to have some series of parts to look good with Mk1 Command Pod (like 1-kerbal laboratory). Maybe even some matching parts for Mk1 Landing can - 1.25m nodes, 1.65m-or-something diameter. They will be good for basic space stations.

But - it would

• extend clutter in part list;
  
• add basically analogues of existing parts with no additional functionality;
  
• spend time and effort.
  

So... What do YOU think about assortment of manned parts for different diameters?

Edited March 1, 2015 by nothingSpecial
Updating

[Jouni]

When was the last time the US launched a single astronaut to space? In 1963. When was the last time Russia/USSR launched a single cosmonaut to space? In 1968.

It's obvious that the 1.25 m parts are intended for the first missions in the game. Once you start flying more ambitious long-term missions, you're supposed to switch to larger craft, like in the real world. Right now there are no gameplay reasons for this in the stock game, but we may see them eventually.

[AbacusWizard]

There is 2.5m crew can and there isn't any 1.25 crew can

There are several 1.25m crew cans; they just only hold one crew each.

[tater]

1.25 m is spam in a can. There is simply not enough room, IMO. I'd rather see some love on the larger end sizes, frankly.

[nothingSpecial]

There are several 1.25m crew cans; they just only hold one crew each.

Maybe I should have checked the part's name before writing it. I've meant Hitchhiker Storage container but for whatever reason I thought it was called "Hitchhiker crew can".

And I basically wanted to say "no 1.25m non-command part to hold Kerbals on stations or rescue missions or to roleplay better accomodation conditions".

[AbacusWizard]

It would be nice to have a 1.25m science lab, though; presumably single-occupant and with less functionality than the full version. I'm not sure what exactly "less functionality" would mean, since currently I only use the science lab for resetting one-use experiments and storing data (yes, I know it boosts data transmission value, but--with the rare exception of a permanent off-world colony--if I have kerbalnauts in the lab I'm planning to bring them home eventually anyway, so there's no need to transmit data). Maybe the hypothetical 1.25m lab could reset the one-use experiments, but only once or twice each? Or maybe what the lab does needs an overhaul to give it more of a purpose.

I'd also love to see a 1.25m equivalent of the cupola, even just a translucent dome on the end of the cylinder, or at least SOMETHING that has better IVA visibility than the existing command pods. The jet cockpit has great visibility but doesn't look right for a space station.

...and now I'm thinking of 1.25m Hamster Habitrail space stations.

Edited February 27, 2015 by AbacusWizard

[Renegrade]

I wouldn't be opposed to a 1.25m cupola-like part (as described above as a 'dome'). I wouldn't make it a command pod though, I'd make it like the hitchhiker - stores 1 kerbal, cool IVA, doesn't do anything else.

Oh on the topic of 1.25m needing some love - the inline 1.25m cockpit could do with an art overhaul. I'm assuming it's getting an IVA as promised, but it's always looked a bit weird on the outside. It sorta acts like a .. really heavy hitchhiker part too

It's obvious that the 1.25 m parts are intended for the first missions in the game. Once you start flying more ambitious long-term missions, you're supposed to switch to larger craft, like in the real world. Right now there are no gameplay reasons for this in the stock game, but we may see them eventually.

Would be nice if there was a gameplay reason.... As it stands, the existing one-man components are not only superior to the multi-man components for non-crew-related mission objectives (sample fetching, whatnot), but they're ALSO superior to the multi-man parts for crew-related missions such as training (aside from the hitchhiker, but even there if you aren't using the monoprop, or like the extra free monoprop storage, the damned one-man lander can is slightly better and faintly more durable). I'm fine with the former (assuming we never get actual life support), but not the latter. Oh well, maybe they'll tweak masses in the 'balance pass'.

Is Squad still all "nonono-cat" on the life support front?

[Bill Phil]

1.25m is good for spacecraft, not spacestations.

I do agree a small lab/hab (could be both, perhaps?) for 1.25m is needed.

[nothingSpecial]

And the answer to our first question is Maybe, a little - better inline cockpit, or some nice looking dome, but nothing complex.

That goes for 1.25m, now we go to the next size.

2.5m parts

For this diameter my concern is not about spacecraft - it's about launchers.

We have four different lengths of fueltanks for 2.5m, as with 1.25m, right? Ri-i-ight?

Okay. I would like to point to the overall style of Rockomax fueltanks. It's too uniform.

We've got small gray cylinder, medium gray cylinder, long... two medium gray cylinders merged into one part, and very long orange tank that really looks like something interesting, but have an odd color.

Don't get me wrong, I like Jumbo, I just think that it feels lonely!

Comparing to other main stock launcher sizes, it's kinda dull.

I suppose Rockomax fueltanks need some variety - or at least X200-32 shouldn't look like two X200-16.

What do you think?

Edited March 1, 2015 by nothingSpecial

[tater]

There should be more larger parts, not more tiny parts. 1.25m is too small for anything useful. It's an orbital pod capable of maybe a couple days in orbit.

[Whirligig Girl]

The lander can has a diameter of 1.875m, which is just as big as the Homegrown Rocket Parts mod. I would really LOVE to have a series of 1.875m parts, including a 2-man pod.

There's no point in having a Cupola for 1.25m when the cupola has a crew-capacity of 1. Honestly I wish they'd just remove the command stuff and make it purely an observation dome. Or if Robotic Arm parts were added, they could make that a control room for robotic arms, just like the real Cupola on the ISS.

- - - Updated - - -

Giving the X200-36 Fuel Tank a set of black stripes to make it look like a Kerbodyne/SaturnV tank would very much help.

[tater]

Yeah, a Gemini-like set of parts would make more sense, including stuff like Advanced Gemini/MOL. Any addition to the 1.25m parts is a waste of time, IMO. Of course I never send 1 man pods anyplace at this point, past orbit, never go past Kerbin SoI without multiple astronauts, and enough space for them to be happy for the mission duration (on the order of 1 hitchhiker per guy, never fewer than 3 astronauts, usually 4).

[nothingSpecial]

The lander can has a diameter of 1.875m, which is just as big as the Homegrown Rocket Parts mod. I would really LOVE to have a series of 1.875m parts, including a 2-man pod.

Yeah, a Gemini-like set of parts would make more sense, including stuff like Advanced Gemini/MOL.

Yeah, that's all true, but I suppose if SQUAD ever goin' to do this, they will do it on they own, and the same goes with 3.75 payload parts a la Taurus HCV mod.

My concern is about looking back into established sizes. After this discussion I think about making a proper suggestion thread (if needed).

[AbacusWizard]

Honestly I wish they'd just remove the command stuff and make it purely an observation dome.

I concur. Generally the only reason I use the Cupola is to look awesome in screenshots--both external screenshots showcasing the ship (or large rover; works well for that too) or IVA screenshots with an awesome view. The control panel sticking up in the middle of the window ruins the latter half of that.