Calculating force of drag for a rocket

[DaMachinator]

As the topic says, I need to calculate the force of drag on an arbitrary rocket for use in the function for finding terminal velocity.

I am working on an ascent guidance script for kOS, in case you were wondering.

EDIT: Apparently as of KSP 1.0.x this doesn't matter any more.

Edited June 6, 2016 by DaMachinator

[bewing]

For future reference: in the Alt-F12 menu, if you enable the Aero Forces GUI, it shows total drag on your ship.

[wumpus]

1.  Terminal velocity matters on Eve.  And conceivably it could matter on Kerbin, although that is unlikely.

2.  I'd assume that drag still matters, although TWR of various stages are more likely driving your flight path.

[Wcmille]

You can calculate drag coefficients of your craft experimentally by letting it freefall in Kerbin, orientation matters. Once you are at terminal velocity, note the velocity, gravity, and atmospheric pressure (using the-in game science devices). Take a few readings and solve for your drag coefficient. Average the results.