New aerodynamic model, middle sections, and fairing

[davidpsummers]

To have a decoupler attachement, I have a strutted thin section. (See below.) In 0.90 this worked fine. I'm wondering if it works with 1.0's aerodynamic mode? It is, after all, not directly exposed to the slip stream.

I did try putting a fairing around it. I did learn the trick that the fairing has to some out pretty steeply as the start or it is seen as clipping the part above. However, since I'm not bringing it to a point, can I attach it to a part above? How? It didn't seem to want to.

Edited May 25, 2015 by davidpsummers

[Red Iron Crown]

The struts will still create drag as they are exposed to the airflow. You could use a fairing to enclose the whole connection in an interstage, but it would have to be a tiny bit wider than the 2.5m stack.

[davidpsummers]

The struts will still create drag as they are exposed to the airflow. You could use a fairing to enclose the whole connection in an interstage, but it would have to be a tiny bit wider than the 2.5m stack.

What a quick reply, this forum is hopping!

If I set the struts a bit in from the edge, do they still create drag.

And I am having a problem putting in an interstage fairing. I have figured out that you have to come out sharply for it to work. But how do you get it to attach to a part above? I can set a section that lines up (at least by eye), but it doesn't "finish" it.

[Red Iron Crown]

The struts will always create drag when surface mounted, even if you put them in tight to the docking ports.

The stock fairings can be a bit fiddly at times, it often takes some trial and error to make work. I would make the step out from the bottom, then a straight vertical section, then step back in (less sharply) to the monoprop tank. If you can enclose the RCS thrusters as well you'll reduce drag even further.

[cybersol]

For whats its worth, I'm still using struts exactly likely you are in 1.0.2, but typically only 4 of them. Struts cause drag but fairings have a larger mass, so its a tradeoff. Also, I think struts parallel to the airstream like this seem to have much lower drag effects than ones at more of an angle.