Lander help (Balance + rcs pacement)

[annallia]

Ok so I built this lander to go to the Mun and Minmus to drill for kethane and return it to my station where it it will be processed into whatever it is I need currently.

#1 I seem to have a balance issue. I left it on the launch pad and burned the engines until I was over 1.0 TWR at which point it started to list off to the right but I cannot figure out where this imbalance is coming from.

#2 I am unsure of my RCS placement. I have nosels at the top and bottom of each of the three side tanks. Is there a better way to do this? Or should this work for docking? (Wanting to solve #1 before I waste parts on a test)

#3 Any suggestions on how to improve the design are welcome, though nothing that would require mods other than the ones used. (Kethane, NovaPunch, Near Future Propulsion (just he batteries/panels). Namely looking at things towards efficiency, right now I am estimating that about 40% of the kethane it drills will be used to replace the fuel it uses making the trip there and back.

Few additions not sure if important or not... This will be space built as I am using orbital construction mod, its only role is to use gather kethane to store on my station where I can convert it to whatever I need for future space built craft. It is only intended to go to the Mun and Minmus though I do plan on re-designing a similar craft for Duna down the road.

Edited November 6, 2013 by annallia

[LeFudge]

I only used kethane a little bit but I found that some of the drills or converter/refinery(?) pieces are pretty heavy and they made my ships a little awkward. Are the three sides exactly symmetrical?

[annallia]

Yes and in the center where the drill is they are also three of them placed symmetrically.

Edit- Only parts not placed symmetrically is the Mechjeb unit and the space built identifier (which disappears after moving it to orbit).

[Rosco P. Coltrane]

I don't know how much that thing weights but I think RCS thrusters are fine (I've docked 70 tons with only 3 of them at the bottom of the rocket) I assume you'll use mechjeb for docking? If not, I'd put an SAS somewhere to help me with that. Also, I'd put some lights pointing forward, in case I have to dock in the dark.

[Woopert]

My guess is it's from the things on top of the three tanks. Are those the nosels you were talking about? My guess is it's from the things on top of the three tanks. Are those the nosels you were talking about?

[annallia]

I don't know how much that thing weights but I think RCS thrusters are fine (I've docked 70 tons with only 3 of them at the bottom of the rocket) I assume you'll use mechjeb for docking? If not, I'd put an SAS somewhere to help me with that. Also, I'd put some lights pointing forward, in case I have to dock in the dark.

I dock myself mostly mechjeb just plots courses for me. I did just run a test on its docking abilities and while I could do it it felt a bit like trying to thread a needle with a very slow moving thread. Also I do have a SAS on board. As to the lights my station is well lit specially around the docking ports so no worries there.

My guess is it's from the things on top of the three tanks. Are those the nosels you were talking about? My guess is it's from the things on top of the three tanks. Are those the nosels you were talking about?

The little white and black thing on top of the nerva yes those are the RCS thrusters (top ones anyway). If you meant the huge bar type things sitting directly on top those are solar arrays.

That said with my test I landed on the mun, my drift problem seems to be limited to kerbin as I had no trouble taking off or landing on the mun. Though now I am going back to the drawing board slightly to put in a converter unit so I can partially fill my fuel tanks from the kethane I drill rather than refueling from the station as when I did make it back I was running on fumes.

Edit- It seems to be working well enough, I think the RCS could use a little help but I don't know how myself. Since it works as is however I am calling this answered.

Edited November 6, 2013 by annallia