DevNotes: "something rather brilliant from RoverDude"

[AbacusWizard]

From today's DevNotes:

I’ve been continuing with my production duties as well as assisting the Experimental Team with 1.0.3, putting in some smaller changes/fixes in the downtime as well as something rather brilliant from RoverDude - a smaller feature but one that should prove very useful for all.

Strictly for entertainment purposes: anyone want to speculate on what this might be? Given that parts of RoverDude's Karbonite mod were more or less directly integrated into 1.0, I've been looking over RoverDude's other mods:

USI Kolonization Systems? Probably not; it certainly isn't "a smaller feature."

Karbonite? No, the basic idea is already bundled into 1.0's ISRU system.

Karbonite Plus? Maybe; the notion of rarer but more valuable resources that can be harvested (and brought back at a profit?) would be neat.

Freight Transport Technologies? More of a parts pack than "a smaller feature."

Asteroid Recycling Technologies? Probably not; the new ISRU system already allows mining asteroids.

USI Exploration Pack? Also more of a parts pack, but if I remember correctly it includes external seating that can be crewed at launch, which is a feature that's been requested for a long time. That'd be mighty convenient. Of course with the new aero, sitting outside a rocket at launch is asking for trouble!

USI Survivability Pack? It has tiny all-in-one escape pods that are pretty cool.

Alcubierre Warp Drive? Cool idea, but not really thematically appropriate for stock.

Sounding Rockets? Small low-tech uncrewed rockets that flesh out the early game. Could be useful.

What do you think?

(And RoverDude, if you're reading this--want to pour any kerosene on the fire? Also, seriously, thanks for everything you do; your contributions significantly improve something that is already amazing.)

[Rithsom]

I think it might be pipes for transferring resources between crafts and bases. It is definitely a brilliant feature that the game could use.

[Robotengineer]

Recent stock features seem a lot like recent Apple WWDC's. A few new things hear and there, but otherwise keeping up with the modding crowd. I expect it to be useful, but to have already been done before.

[Brotoro]

I think it might be pipes for transferring resources between crafts and bases. It is definitely a brilliant feature that the game could use.

I would certainly be in favor of surface refueling hoses.

[Rath]

I would certainly be in favor of surface refueling hoses.[/quote I like that idea too.

[peachoftree]

heh, I thought my ears were burning.

It's a small thing - but super cool, and thrilled we were able to get it green lighted for 1.0.3 - it's something I had been tinkering with in anticipation of a future release, but I'm pretty pleased with where it landed, and have been doing a ton of personal playtesting in my own save for the past month or so. I think folks will be pleased.

Oh... and there was a hint in that previous statement. Let the speculation begin.

Based on the fact that he has spent a ton of time playtesting it and the bolded text above (added by me), I think it's going to be some kind of landing site approximation a la trajectories.

Edited June 10, 2015 by peachoftree

[AbacusWizard]

"Green lighted"--proper navigation lights?

[Yakuzi]

Im convinced it's radiators or some other kind of active heat management. Roverdude used multiple temperature related references in his reply on the matter and its something much needed with the introduction of the new heat system in 1.0.x.

Edited June 10, 2015 by Yakuzi

[Superfluous J]

While pipes would be wonderful (It's one of the most missed things for me on my current game where I have eschewed KAS for no reason other than I want to) I don't think that's a small enough thing. I think they're a pretty big thing actually.

Though radiators and (VAB-placeable) heat pipes/pumps sounds like just the thing.

[Jonboy]

I would certainly be in favor of surface refueling hoses.

Ah yes, I think I've heard you mention that one time, Brotoro.

Actually a million times. (We really do need it!)

[Motokid600]

It's totally clouds.

[passinglurker]

I'm betting on a certain magic boulder ;p

[Streetwind]

Perhaps it's a part that works like this: http://www.gizmag.com/lumigrids-led-projector/27691/

You mount it on your craft just like the existing lights, and it projects a green light grid below you that lets you see surface contours as you approach for a landing? It would definitely be a small but cool feature. Also useful to mount on rovers pointing forwards. And he IS named Roverdude, after all! </conspiracy>

[Cirocco]

I really, REALLY wish it's fuel transfer hoses, but odds are small. As mentioned before, that seems like a really big change rather than a small one.

[Tankman101]

Plot Twist: Roverdude singlehandedly made 1.1 in a matter of weeks.

[Linear]

Some addition to the heating system would be a good guess I think.

[Two]

My guess: KSC is now highlighted from space, so you know where to land.

[Adester]

where it landed? perhaps a aerobraking tool, that shows the estimated landing side?

[Col_Jessep]

I'd be happy about any or all of the above suggestions. A fuel hose is kind of needed though as docking anything on the surface of a high-g world is often a gamble.

[Cirocco]

yeah my money's on landing approximation as well. Will make landing near KSC a ton easier too.

[Warzouz]

Why landing prediction as we don't even have dV or terrain altitude display ?

Edited June 10, 2015 by Warzouz

[Feradose]

Guys its new rover wheels

[Laie]

Guys its new rover wheels

Folding/Retractable rover wheels that don't stick out at lauch time and allow the lander to fit into a cargo bay? I believe it when I see it, but it would certainly be cool.

[BriXman]

Well, we'll just have to wait and see. After all, a big part of KSP is patience, both regarding updates (no offence SQUAD but since your updates are awesome, they need a lot of hard work and time put into them) and spaceflight! I mean, it takes some time to go to Jool doesn't it, ey?

[Shpaget]

Judging by their last hyped secret feature (smoke dispersion near surface) I'm not very optimistic.

We need stock dV, radar altimeter outside cockpit, warp-to fix, better support for multiple missions (KAC?), atmospheric trajectory calculation, hoses,... and we get smoke.