Test RT-10 “Hammer” Solid Fuel Booster in flight over Kerbin challenge (how to calculate how far I will go)

[kerbalboi69]

I'm new to the game and successfully completed this challenge by fidgeting with the thrust limiter and the fuel but there must be a better way to do this.

 

The contract required me to reach an altitude between 9k-12k m and a speed between 490-560 m/s.

 

How can I calculate how far I will go and what speed I'll achieve at a certain height? It must be possible to do this.

[jimmymcgoochie]

Testing a part like a solid booster is best done with it completely empty- attach it to another rocket and fly that up to the required speed and altitude, then stage the test booster to trigger the contract, and then parachute the whole thing back to the surface to get (most of) your money back.

[kerbalboi69]

That's not my question.

 

My question is given my engine and the amount of fuel I have can I calculate and predict what altitude I'll reach and what my speed will be?

[jimmymcgoochie]

Well, you could try to calculate the complex and interlinked effects of thrust, mass, gravity and drag... Or you could just launch the thing and let the game do all that for you, then revert to VAB and tweak thrust/fuel levels as needed to hit the goal.