Parts for orbital/munar built craft?

[KincaidFrankMF]

So far parts for KSP1&2 have been heavily based on existing/near future rocket components. That makes for a lot of cylindrical elements and a generally aerodynamic approach to things. As KSP2 starts to move into more futuristic tech, built in orbital shipyards and off-world (often zero atmosphere) colonies, what changes would we expect to see in the components we use? The new fairing-free hydrogen tanks and big hydrogen ball were clearly made with orbital engineering in mind, but what else?

I think we need parts with a flatter, blockier aesthetic, to facilitate building outwards in three dimensions rather than rocket stacks. Spheres aren't ideal structural elements (at least in their current form) because of the lack of fixed attachment points - it's easy to misalign anything placed radially. Cubic fuel tanks would be the obvious answer, but could make for some seriously ugly craft (Borg cube, anyone?) Cuboctahedrons might be fun? (Anyone remember the old space stations in Elite?) It would be nice to be able to build spaceships rather than rockets, IYSWIM...

[stephensmat]

Scaling the wings is a first step towards doing it for other parts, so it's possible.

We already have a capacity to use Space Shuttle/Rover parts in landers, jets, etc.

We don't know what the colony parts are yet. It stands to reason it'd be a different mechanic to the VAB.

There's been plenty of talk about an orbital VAB, but nothing about a colony designer, so it stands to reason the Colonies will be... less about creativity than spaceships. At least, unless we hear something big and new.

Still, that doesn't include mods, or the creative use of panels/struts/beams. We've seen everything from the Batwing to a Christmas Tree.

And when we get to the interstellar level, who knows what that'll scale up to?

[KincaidFrankMF]

That's all true. I was just wondering about rocket/ship parts that aren't designed to be launched through an atmosphere - like the hydrogen ball and the Mk1 Lander Can. What else do we need? What would they look like? Cylinders and cones stop making sense in vacuum.

You can absolutely make anything with a bit of effort, but that's not the same as having dedicated parts for the purpose.

[magnemoe]

I say the colony parts shown give us some ideas. 

[KincaidFrankMF]

9 hours ago, magnemoe said:

I say the colony parts shown give us some ideas. 

Shown where? That sounds intriguing.

[Superfluous J]

2 hours ago, KincaidFrankMF said:

Shown where? That sounds intriguing.

This is the big one I know of, that is in-game footage as opposed to a vid made for promotional purposes.

[cubinator]

Cylinders and spheres are not only for following streamlines in-atmosphere, they are also the best structural shapes for pressure vessels. So we won't see a complete absence of them in space.