Delta-V Readout in VAB

[Rath]

Okay, KSP is VASTLY improved by mods. If you don't think that mods are meant to be in the game, then why do people mod it hm? (just trying to make a point)

So I'd say just get Kerbal Engineer, it's been one of the most helpful since day 1.

PS: For people who don't play with mods, how do you handle your rocket being wobbly without KJR?

I love mods. Some people don't. And I use lots of struts.

[mattinoz]

Creating such a display is problematic because the delta-v depends on how do you operate the rocket. There is at-least Kerbal Engineer mod that will show the delta-v, but last time I checked the values were incorrect when I planned to jettison a used (empty) fuel tanks two by two instead of the whole engine stage at once. Also, an ability to transfer fuel makes it difficult for a software to read your mind.

Equation to compute a raw delta-v capacity of a rocket is pretty simple:

dV = ISP * 9.81 * ln (Vessel_Mass_With_Full_Tanks / Vessel_Mass_With_Empty_Tanks)

You can create a Excel spreadsheet to compute the delta-v with above equation for every stage separately and then sum the results.

ln() is the natural logarithm. ln(2) = 0.693...

Yes but the tedious part of that is calculating the Dry Mass and Wet mass by stage.

Sure once you've done that it's easy.

How effective you use the resource you have is always going to depend on skill and knowledge.

Frankly that is what makes the game fun using what you've learned to do better next time.