Simulate a Spaceplane's Performance in Stock Physics

[Sampa]

Ok, I know this is a little late...given the physics change coming up in 1.0, but I am wondering if anyone could come up with a mod that can simulate the performance of a spaceplane, or any craft for that matter, under the stock physics. I know that FAR does something like this, but then that eliminates the purpose for the request in the first place! (There ARE people who enjoy using the stock physics over FAR)

[hab136]

You mean like the graphs and such that FAR produces?

Here, this image accurately simulates all planes in stock aerodynamics:

[Alshain]

^^ Yep.

There is no need to simulate because it flies the same everywhere and at any speed. The whole point of the FAR graphs (which I don't use and find completely unnecessary FWIW) is to show you how it flies at different speeds and altitudes. A graph for stock would be a straight line.

[Sampa]

lol, I yeah, I decided to ask because I noticed on another thread that someone was having issues with getting their spaceplane to fly and not just suddenly fall out of the sky.

[Kerbas_ad_astra]

It's true that spaceplane performance is more straightforward in stock aerodynamics, but a spaceplane still has a "stall speed" (i.e. speed at which L = W) and a maximum speed (where max thrust = drag) at any given altitude's air pressure, which defines its flight envelope. It would be pretty cool to have a mod which shows that -- add up the lift ratings (may also require some sensitivity to wing orientation so that people don't find themselves unexpectedly adding useless slabs of metal to their spaceplanes -- actually, it might be cool to have a "wing helper" mod which highlights wing parts based on how much lift they'll generate at their current orientation), thrusts, weights, and drags, and work out a flight envelope on each planet (selectable by the user). This would show graphically the minimum takeoff speed at sea level (and if the aircraft can or can't achieve this with the engines and wings that it has) and the maximum ceiling and speed (handy for designing SSTOs -- though this may require the addon to show the empty envelope as well as the full one).

Hey Squad -- maybe this should be part of the Engineer's Report!

[Sampa]

It's true that spaceplane performance is more straightforward in stock aerodynamics, but a spaceplane still has a "stall speed" (i.e. speed at which L = W) and a maximum speed (where max thrust = drag) at any given altitude's air pressure, which defines its flight envelope. It would be pretty cool to have a mod which shows that -- add up the lift ratings (may also require some sensitivity to wing orientation so that people don't find themselves unexpectedly adding useless slabs of metal to their spaceplanes -- actually, it might be cool to have a "wing helper" mod which highlights wing parts based on how much lift they'll generate at their current orientation), thrusts, weights, and drags, and work out a flight envelope on each planet (selectable by the user). This would show graphically the minimum takeoff speed at sea level (and if the aircraft can or can't achieve this with the engines and wings that it has) and the maximum ceiling and speed (handy for designing SSTOs -- though this may require the addon to show the empty envelope as well as the full one).

Hey Squad -- maybe this should be part of the Engineer's Report!

EXACTLY! Also, I think something to assist in the balance setting (I'm sorry, I just learned how to calculate aircraft weight and balance in school) in the air so that when it takes off it won't auger into the ground. You get a rep for seeing the point in what I am asking!

[Kerbas_ad_astra]

For balance, the editor already has some information available (keep the center of lift centered and slightly behind the center of mass and the center of thrust pointing through the CM), and there are also some mods which help: TAC Fuel Balancer and Throttle Controlled Avionics. I'm not aware of any addons that display (stock-aero) atmospheric performance, though.