Uncontrolled Rocket Challenge!!!

[GraviTykillz]

the orange bomb

****edit cause i have a hard time following rules

Edited December 17, 2013 by GraviTykillz

[Rhomphaia]

it means exactly that! no sas and no probe! just a missile.

the orange bomb

probododyne core attached, I will detach from rocket after launch

1,040,830 m Ground distance covered.

Now try without SAS. which it seems works even without a probe core.

[MilkToast]

Found a bug to disqualify SRBs as a single part rocket. They fly perfectly straight as if they have a built in SAS. Stock SRBs also have the same bug. (The old short one blows up about 15 seconds from overheating.)

<snip>

Place a nosecone on them and they will arc over into the ground unless counter balanced by the ant engine.

I'd suspect this is due to the way that the game treats ships - that is, as a point mass.

For physics calculations, each part is assumed to have weight concentrated at a specified point. Likewise, thrust (and I'd assume lift) are calculated off a specific point.

If these points coincide (which I suspect they do), the game would treat it as a point ship that would never rotate. Adding a nose cone moves the overall CoG away from the CoT, allowing a rotation.

An interesting bug. Wonder how to exploit this? Mass-stacking SRBs for maximum range?

[GraviTykillz]

Now try without SAS. which it seems works even without a probe core.

Thanks for pointing that small detail out!

So..reworked

This screen the rocket has 5 or 6 rotational motors..pared it down to 2.

They act the same way rifling works in a gun barrel to keep the bullet flying straight.

I released the core right after take off

swimming for some altitude

got pretty high:sticktongue:

Final Distance

Total Distance Traveled 1,045,185

Edited December 17, 2013 by GraviTykillz

[CodatheSpaceFox]

Thanks for pointing that small detail out!

So..reworked

This screen the rocket has 5 or 6 rotational motors..pared it down to 2.

They act the same way rifling works in a gun barrel to keep the bullet flying straight.

I released the core right after take off

[snip Snip.]

Not a bad idea, I tried it myself when building other such projectiles. Issue is though that it only aids keeping it straight relative to pressure of the air it's breaking, so I have found it doesn't do too much as far as KSP's rocketry goes. Personally I'd suggest a few curved winglets pair with straight ones for a similar affect, a slight aid against gravity, and for better fuel efficiency.

Can't say it'd do better, because I haven't put it to the test, but it usually fairs well for small missles with a cross of small lifting surfaces in my experience.

EDIT: Just a rule check, are we aloud to adjust things like trim for lifting surfaces before launch? Since they'll lock as an input and not be controllable in flight, I figure it'd be a good method to fine tune atmospheric trajectories.

Edited December 17, 2013 by CodatheSpaceFox

[GraviTykillz]

doesn't do too much as far as KSP's rocketry goes

really?? i beat all the scores by over a millon km

And i did try fins, not the same. Give Your missile the GraviTyTwist:wink:

Edited December 17, 2013 by GraviTykillz

[dgershko]

Not a bad idea, I tried it myself when building other such projectiles. Issue is though that it only aids keeping it straight relative to pressure of the air it's breaking, so I have found it doesn't do too much as far as KSP's rocketry goes. Personally I'd suggest a few curved winglets pair with straight ones for a similar affect, a slight aid against gravity, and for better fuel efficiency.

Can't say it'd do better, because I haven't put it to the test, but it usually fairs well for small missles with a cross of small lifting surfaces in my experience.

EDIT: Just a rule check, are we aloud to adjust things like trim for lifting surfaces before launch? Since they'll lock as an input and not be controllable in flight, I figure it'd be a good method to fine tune atmospheric trajectories.

Why would you do that when you can just adjust them in VAB/SPH?

But i think i haven't got anything against that.

Also, why isn't anybody building plane mounted rockets?

Are you people scared of my mighty record of 7.2 KM???

[dgershko]

hey everyone! i've updated the scores and rules.

on a side note, ive been running into a weight disbalance problem when building small missiles.does anyone know how to equalize the fuel in several fuel tanks?

i'm using the probe sized tanks and there aren't any longer ones.(right?)

[SRV Ron]

I'd suspect this is due to the way that the game treats ships - that is, as a point mass.

For physics calculations, each part is assumed to have weight concentrated at a specified point. Likewise, thrust (and I'd assume lift) are calculated off a specific point.

If these points coincide (which I suspect they do), the game would treat it as a point ship that would never rotate. Adding a nose cone moves the overall CoG away from the CoT, allowing a rotation.

An interesting bug. Wonder how to exploit this? Mass-stacking SRBs for maximum range?

I noticed one SRB wobbled for a second after hitting the launch clamp. Otherwise, it did not change orientation during the entire duration of the flight.

I suspect that stacking will not result in any range gain. That can only work with stacks of fuel cans on a big liquid engine balanced against gravity.

I tried spin stabilization with fins which was not enough. I may try rocket spin with either small SRBs or ant engines.

Note, the rocket used needs to have a picture on the launch pad to verify it has been tilted 5x9 or 45* for launch. If quick, you can save a screenshot as the launch clamps drop with the Navball verifying the starting trajectory. Less then 45* from vertical greatly affects how it will fly. What it does after launch from a 45 is fair game for interplanetary flight. Get it to orientate itself vertical with enough fuel and it will go interplanetary. Otherwise, the lower in the atmosphere the flight the shorter the distance flown.

[SRV Ron]

Tweakables extended the range of single SRBs by about 35%

Tried spin stabilized. Didn't work. Then, tried dual angled small engines to counter drop. Still get the yaw to the left. However, got in a good flight with the Mainsail and two orange tanks.

Results of stock only;

Edited December 18, 2013 by SRV Ron

[RadHazard]

Behold, the ROCKET MISSILE BOMB, contender for the airplane-launched-rocket leaderboard:

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Link to the album for higher-resolution pictures

EDIT: Oops, forgot a VAB pic as per the rules. Here's one:

Edited December 18, 2013 by RadHazard

[GraviTykillz]

Plane launched.

Final Distance

111,173

Surface launched

54,048

Edited December 18, 2013 by GraviTykillz

[dgershko]

well...

this thread died quickly...