More cargo bays

[Guest]

This is squarely in the "there's a mod for it" category, but nevertheless.

The current selection of utility and cargo bays leaves something to be desired. Fairings are extremely flexible but they're not reusable -- once staged, they can't be closed again. This makes design of reusable craft, especially (space)planes, pretty tricky -- a lot of the challenge is about just finding a workaround for the limitation, so that cargo is shielded from the airflow and can be deployed at the destination.

Moreover, the largest Mk3 bays are pretty cramped for the 2.5 m form factor, especially rovers -- you have to squish the wheels way together and way close to the body to be able to drive them out without catching on the ribs in the interior structure.

Specifically, I would like to see:

• Cargo bays of lengths that are similar in proportion to the Mk2 and Mk3 ones, in all form factors (1.25 m, 1.8 m, 2.5 m, 3.75 m, and 5 m)
  • Attach points for internal structures would be nice, so that e.g. I could easily construct a floor at the level I want using structural panels 
• Hinged, flat end cap "doors" for each of these, so it would be possible to use them for roll-on/roll-off cargo. Flat is better than the fancy loading ramp equipped Mk 3 one, because that way they can be capped with a nose cone or whatever else you need, if you need it. Robotics lets us make loading ramps ourselves if we need them.

These would greatly expand the range of utility craft it would be possible to build -- especially but not exclusively (space)planes.

Edited January 31, 2021 by Guest

[RealKerbal3x]

@Brikoleur I agree, the current set of cargo bays are quite limited.

It would also be interesting to have some 5m cargo bays, perhaps a clamshell-opening one like the SpaceX Starship cargo bay.

[SpaceFace545]

not to expand the scope but maybe a 5m capsule would be nice, that could open up on the nose as a cargo door. Like the nose on a cargo plane does.

[Guest]

Just now, SpaceFace545 said:

not to expand the scope but maybe a 5m capsule would be nice, that could open up on the nose as a cargo door. Like the nose on a cargo plane does.

That would work for sure. Still my preference is for simpler, general-use parts that you can combine with others for various purposes. A capsule with an opening nose can only be used as a capsule with an opening nose; a flat cap with hinges could be combined with a nose cone, a capsule, a hull section, or any number of other things. It could even be used creatively for completely unrelated purposes -- for example, stick it the side of a module you're shipping lying flat, then deploy it to lever it upright.

[Bej Kerman]

The 2.5m bays should be stackable like in Restock.

[Guest]

31 minutes ago, Bej Kerman said:

The 2.5m bays should be stackable like in Restock.

That doesn't really help much because the bay doors are so narrow and there's no way to open and close the end of the tube they make while keeping the contents shielded from the airflow when it's closed.

[FleshJeb]

Does the "feature" still exist where you need to close the internal end nodes?

[Dr. Kerbal]

The part size for the MK 1-5 command pod could use a larger cargo bay.