Quick aero question

[Tazin]

I am using 1.04 stock aero. I have no access to fairings yet. Does this cone on the top help, or does it add more drag?

Edited August 24, 2015 by Tazin

[Claw]

It will likely add more drag than just the docking port above it. If you want to put a nose cone on top, you're better off with one that's roughly the same size as the part below it. So in this case, something that matches up to the docking port / science module, rather than the large nose cone.

Also, the lander's fuel tank will cause quite a bit of drag since there's nothing tapering up to it. Same for the hitchhiker. If you can make smooth transitions, or just one abrupt transition, that's better than stepping back and forth between sizes.

Cheers,

~Claw

[Taki117]

What's your mission profile? If you're just going to the Mun and back I'd rethink your lander design, and you don't need that hitchhiker, unless you are using some self-imposed limitation.

[Tazin]

Just for the record, this turned out to be the best option, after trying all available cones. I am working on a lander design that will keep the wide base, while trying to solve the problems pointed out by the Claw.