Possible LV-N buffing... without resorting to making it run cooler

[Justicier]

I know since its introduction the LV-N was status nerficus in terms of thrust to make sure that it wasn't an "Uber" engine that would outclass all others. Times have changed. Now with the new heat system, and thrust reduction related to ambient pressure... the LV-N feels a bit anemic to me. But, instead of nerfing heat production to make it a tad better, why not increase the amount of thrust in a vacuum? Say upping it to 100? Personally I think it would be more interesting to have the heat level be a bit excessive in addition to having high thrust to drive home the fact that you are having to manage a nuclear reactor and preventing it from going critical. And... if it were to go critical, it would be rather interesting to have an engine capable of destroying an entire spacecraft if it blows up as a result of overheating

[Brotoro]

Because Nuclear Thermal Rocket Engines don't work that way.

[Rath]

Because Nuclear Thermal Rocket Engines don't work that way.

I suggest that the LV-N has a 'start reactor' with a giant spool up time and lots of heat, and a 'Activate engine' which needs to have the reactor on, but cools it.

[Unfawkable]

Agreed that Nerv needs slight buffing, but 100 could be overdoing it. It's an important downside and it can't be overbuffed.

[Red Iron Crown]

I think it's fairly well balanced as is. It used to be the solution for almost every interplanetary problem, now it's only best some of the time and requires some thought about heat management. For that matter, thrust isn't hugely relevant once in orbit, you can get away with very low TWRs if you are careful. Increasing its thrust might make it crowd out some of the lander engines, too.

[sal_vager]

What about increasing ISP instead? It is after all supposed to be a high efficiency engine, not a powerhouse.

[Unfawkable]

What about increasing ISP instead? It is after all supposed to be a high efficiency engine, not a powerhouse.

Improving strengths instead of weaknesses is indeed my preferable way of balancing too, but 800 ISP is just so high already. Not sure how much more it could be buffed without making it too strong.

[Justicier]

Because Nuclear Thermal Rocket Engines don't work that way.

Aware of this, and they don't have a very low thrust output in a vacuum either for the sake of not wanting to offend the tender sensibilities of conventional rocket motors Concessions for the sake of gameplay have already been made for it, I was merely trying to work within the current modus operandi to de-nerficate the Nerv In addition, I was unaware that NTR's were impossible to overheat, I haven't seen much in the way of articles dealing with their heat management. I do know they have to run very hot to get the best efficiency, and are capable of generating far higher temperatures than the materials used for the housing are capable of withstanding. With that knowledge I thought an NTR "going critical" would be a possibility.

I suggest that the LV-N has a 'start reactor' with a giant spool up time and lots of heat, and a 'Activate engine' which needs to have the reactor on, but cools it.

I love this idea! This system would encourage the user to activate the engine at the peak temperature in order to get the best ISP the NTR is capable of. It may be wise to integrate a temperature readout in the right click menu for the engine, and perhaps a "current estimated ISP" to show the user what efficiency the engine would have at its current temperature level. This would require more planning ahead of maneuver nodes and it gives the method of operation for the Nerv a very different flavor than any other rocket in the game. I'm all for more planning and management to get the most out of it as opposed to the simplistic operation of LFO's.

Edited June 1, 2015 by Justicier

[Tankman101]

I suggest that the LV-N has a 'start reactor' with a giant spool up time and lots of heat, and a 'Activate engine' which needs to have the reactor on, but cools it.

My first post on the forum actually discussed this, but it seems it was ignored.

[Justicier]

My first post on the forum actually discussed this, but it seems it was ignored.

Wish I had seen that thread earlier, whatever the source I still think it's an excellent idea. I doubt Squad will implement something that makes engine operation more complex, but I can only hope it is modded in at some point

[Red Iron Crown]

Wish I had seen that thread earlier, whatever the source I still think it's an excellent idea. I doubt Squad will implement something that makes engine operation more complex, but I can only hope it is modded in at some point

It's not overly complex, the jet engines in game already do this somewhat.

[Rath]

The LV-N didn't outclass all others. Did you mix it up with the pre-1.0 48-7S? Whoops aren't i supposed to call it the 'Nerv' and the 'Spark'