Best game ever!

[jos vermeule]

Hallo all,

I just started with kerbal space program and think that this is the best discovery i made in ages.

There is one thing i was wondering about.

Is there any logic/physics behind moving your rocket in space with the wads keys even when you don't have RCS trusters?

I just dont see how this would be possible.

[joppiesaus]

Welcome to the forums!

[Eric S]

Is there any logic/physics behind moving your rocket in space with the wads keys even when you don't have RCS trusters?

I just dont see how this would be possible.

People don't understand that often enough it's often called magic torque, but really, it's a gyroscope that can be manipulated in such a way to produce torque. Quite real, though the KSP versions can be more powerful than real life, I think.

[inigma]

them gyros are special Kerban-developed gyros. Kerbans are actually a century or two ahead of Earth in regards to gyroscopic technology.

[Margaul]

Yup. Gyroscopic motion is a real thing. While the Kerban versions are really powerful, it is actually used in real satellites and spacecraft. In fact, the Kepler telescope, which has been used to identify planets in other star systems has become almost useless because its gyroscopes have begun to fail.

Wiki has a good article

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Control_moment_gyroscope

You can see in this video how a bicycle wheel can be spun and used to spin a guy on a rotating stool.

It's a simple demonstration, but you can see how its done.

[jos vermeule]

Quite cool, didn't know you could do that.

Thanks for explaining!

[PassengerIRL]

Sorry for butting in here, I understand gyroscopic force (as i use gyros with my rc helies) but how does Ksp apply the force without gambling/vectoring/ailerons? is it simply magic force?

[DaRocketCat]

Sorry for butting in here, I understand gyroscopic force (as i use gyros with my rc helies) but how does Ksp apply the force without gambling/vectoring/ailerons? is it simply magic force?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reaction_wheel

Nothing magic, just excessive .

[PassengerIRL]

Thanks for clearing that up for me DaRocketCat . One last question, do all ksp parts undergo reaction wheel affect or is it just major parts like capsuals? In other words, what parts can influence reaction wheel affect?

Edited June 7, 2013 by PassengerIRL

[Capt'n Skunky]

Happy Launching!

Arrr!

Capt'n Skunky

KSP Community Manager

[The Destroyer]

Thanks for clearing that up for me DaRocketCat . One last question, do all ksp parts undergo reaction wheel affect or is it just major parts like capsuals? In other words, what parts can influence reaction wheel affect?

It always moves the entire vessel, however the reaction wheels are only in capsules, and probe bodies (but are much weaker)