Post stage sub staging with timers that would work after decoupled

[marqush]

Hi you awesome dev crew!

I would think it would be cool if you could set stages to have sub stages with timers.

There would propably have to be a some sort of time limit for the timers?? If you are taking rocket to orbit the separated part would not be in game engine rendering range for too long wouldn't it?

Example1:

You launch a rocket. First stage decouples. After few seconds of the decoupling the retroburners turn on, gracefully separating the stages hopefully without killing too many kerbals.

(yes, I know you can just set the retroburners to fire instantaneously)

After that the separated first stage could automatically set the parachute etc.

Ex2:

You want to set multiple payloads in to orbit. You could strap maybe 4 payloads around the rocket. After decoupling small separation rockets fire to set the payloads away from the main rocket. After those have burned, secondary burn could activate automatically sending the payloads to different orbits.

Ex3:

Separation at 0:15.. burn at 0:19

I think there would be a lot of possibilities..

[DAVIDESCOTT]

You could probably design parts that delay their stages. So your retro burners are set to fire the moment you decouple but take a moment to engage.

As for launching multiple payloads what is needed there is some facility to automate objects that are not the focus. Some way to let a MechJeb like tool (or a trained kerbalnaut) control an object when you are not focused on it.

This would solve a lot of problems. Slow burns to distant planets. Placement of sattelites in regular repeated orbits. Multiple launches... etc.

My guess is we get something like this once we have astronaut training, but I do hope it appears.

[LeadMagnet]

..is some facility to automate objects that are not the focus. Some way to let a MechJeb like tool (or a trained kerbalnaut) control an object when you are not focused on it.

Like a "flight control computer" part. Something you could program with the flight plan you want it to take, after staging, autonomously.

Yup, love this idea!!