Making jets move

[technion]

Hey guys,

I'm just having my first play with jet engines. I've set them up as the first stage of this launcher. However, I can't seem to make anything move.

I can see a glow that suggests they are firing, and fuel seems to be going down, but this thing won't take off until I move to the next stage.

The configuration is a "Mk1 fuselage - Jet fuel" with a turbojet underneath and ram air intake on top.

[Vlk]

I think you need more. Jets are primarily for horizontal takeoff, and they dont have too much thrust especially so low in the atmosphere.

[Black_Tomcat]

The problem seems to me that your craft is too heavy for the jets.

Try to either make your craft lighter or put more jets on there. You could also fire the main engines alongside the jets and then test out if it gives you a boost or not.

[technion]

Thanks guys. It just seems unusual. When I activate my aerospikes and click on them, this rocket roars into the sky and hits terminal velocity fast. When I right click those four aerospikes, it tells me they are thrusting at 175kN. With 111 in the above screenshot, I really thought I'd get moving.

[700NitroXpress]

Thanks guys. It just seems unusual. When I activate my aerospikes and click on them, this rocket roars into the sky and hits terminal velocity fast. When I right click those four aerospikes, it tells me they are thrusting at 175kN. With 111 in the above screenshot, I really thought I'd get moving.

Well, if you're using an air lifter design, it's better to go with the basic jet engine and not the afterburners. Aerospikes are different, they don't use air intake, they're liquid fuel oxidizer. I've used air lifters on a lot of small designs but the best option is asparagus, either regular or with drop tanks.

Here's an air lifter that shows you what it takes to lifter something else. This is a extremely light payload with an orbital engine/transfer stage in the middle. Take this as a reference on how many jet engines you need to lift a payload. Also, you're using way too much fuel for the max height of the engines. The maximum fuel you'll need is in the small fuel tank that has 45 liquid fuel oxidizer.

Here's what it takes to lift a heavy payload, note that these are the different jet engines and there's a lot of them. Payload weight is 66 tons.

Edited November 16, 2013 by 700NitroXpress