Any value in having SRBs after stage one?

[RoboRay]

Awww you're talking about Payload Assist Module. The reason why solids are sometimes used for final stage is because:

1. As mentioned, they're compact for the amount of energy they carry so they can fit inside small spaces like payload fairings or shuttle cargo by

2. They're very reliable because they're simple and have few parts that can go wrong. You won't want to have a situation where shuttle has got the payload to LEO but then have the PAM fail to fire

3. They can be designed as "spinners" where no guidance is needed at all and the PAM + payload is only stabilised by gyroscopic forces like a rifle bullet. This makes them very easy to install as an additional stage onto things not originally designed for them. You can't spin liquid stages because the fuel will vortex and behave unpredictably.

The other things about real SRBs like PAMs is that they can be custom made for exactly the amount of thrust required. They aren't limited to "off-the-shelf" standard parts like we are, and can specify exactly how much thrust will be delivered and what the burn-time will be to deliver the precise impulse required for a certain task.

Hmm... maybe somebody can make an "SRB Factory" like the "Fairing Factory" website.

[Tw1]

I once decided I'd make a rocket with no liquid engines.

I had jets for the first stage, and SRB to clear the upper atmosphere, and ion engines to get anywhere else.

[The Ideal Gas Lawyer]

For my ultra-heavy payloads (550tons and up) I've taken to using twelve Jool V SRBs, eight that fire at launch

followed by 4 more that fire after those are ejected.

The first 60 seconds and 8ish Km of flight I use almost zero liquid fuel:D

[llamatoes]

I use four to eight SRBs in my launch stage, which is when I go balls to the wall to make sure I get as much of the thrust in thinner atmosphere.

[Dr. Muttonstache]

Seperatrons are pretty useful for staging, even after stage one.

They're counted as SRBs, so deal with it.

[Scotius]

I use SRBs only when my heavy launcher needs that extra kick to get off launchpad and moving up. Usually in cases where weight of the payload brings TWR dangerously low. Other than that i don't see much use for solid fuel. Hmmm....maybe for spaceplanes as a lift-off helpers: big, heavy plane+couple of small SRBs firing near the end of the runway = profit (also known as succesful start, not a huge fireball).

[KerbinExplorer]

I agree with your statements and yes, I think SRBs only have much value in Stage one. Otherwise you carry dead weight until you ignite them.

[Daze]

Maybe you could use them in an ascent from a planet/moon? (Yes, it's a crazy idea but ehy!... this is KSP!)

[Sandermatt]

Even for the first stage I prefer a tank with an aerospike over a solid booster.

[The Ideal Gas Lawyer]

Seperatrons are pretty useful for staging, even after stage one.

They're counted as SRBs, so deal with it.

I was thinking about pointing out that I didn't mean sepratrons in the OP, but I figured everyone would know what I meant. Oh, and if you really want to get pandantic, they're solid rockets but they're not boosters

[viktorserecros]

I started off with a weird love affair with SRBs. I'm actually doing much better without. My designs with SRBs had issues getting to Mun safely.

As I type this, I'm setting up a Mun base without usage of a single SRB.