Airbreaks? Alternatives to parachutes?

[Technical Ben]

Is there a method at the moment to deploy an airbreak? I'm considering it for some builds as the new effect of the nose cones causes most craft to point towards their vector (is that the correct term?). Where as for a powered landing, I want rocket down and nose cone up. Parachutes would give the desired result, but are less re-usable and less reliable (IRL at least) than using the crafts own aerodynamics.

So basically I'd want something that has no drag, that I can deploy to give a little drag to re-orientate the craft on an atmospheric descent. Like a radar dish, but as a wing I guess. I suppose I can just add extra wings, but it won't really be the same effect...

Edited November 10, 2013 by Technical Ben

[Tex_NL]

Both the Firespitter and B9 Aerospace mods have airbrakes.

Both work (nearly) identical and attach to any surface. Folded up they have almost no drag, once deployed a few of them can stop a small plane dead in its tracks.

I don't think there is a 100% stock solution to this.

[astropapi1]

B9 and Firespitter have airbrakes.

EDIT: And that would be what you call a Ninja.

[Rhomphaia]

You could try backward facing intakes. They have zero drag when facing opposite the direction of travel, but high drag when facing towards it. won't look pretty though.

Just did a little test.

With no SAS or control input other than throttle, launched up to 3000m then cut throttle.

with those intakes it would come straight back down engine first, without them it would tip over to come down nose first.

Edited November 9, 2013 by Rhomphaia

[Hodo]

FAR has settings which let you set up control surfaces as airbrakes.

[Technical Ben]

Both the Firespitter and B9 Aerospace mods have airbrakes.

Both work (nearly) identical and attach to any surface. Folded up they have almost no drag, once deployed a few of them can stop a small plane dead in its tracks.

I don't think there is a 100% stock solution to this.

Thanks. I'll hope it gets added at some point then.

Thanks Rhomphaia! I'll do one or two similar tests.

PS, works! Thanks! No idea how well it works, but a similar craft that was before nose diving on a return landing, stayed just far enough upright to land. Well, attempt to land, ran out of fuel as I overspecked the payload.

Edited November 10, 2013 by Technical Ben