Cargo bays for rockets and spaceplanes.

[QuadroMan1]

I don't know if a Mk1 cargo bay makes sense, maybe for minimal probes/sats. Mk2 and Mk3 cargo bays would be awesome, and maybe a cargo bay the width of a Rockomax Jumbo tank.

[leax256]

only if the stuff inside doesen't affect areo dynamics.

[edwardc]

I would love this. It's makes space planes so much more appealing.

The tricky part would be on how to handle it in the VAB.

I suppose you could use the sub-assembly system for payloads. But the height and width will need to be checked... I suppose the overlapping system already does this.

Idea:

The part is tube shaped like a fuel tank with attachment points top and bottom as per usual.

The payload door can recess and slides open. (pic attached for visual aid.)

The VAB already has the ability to change the state of landing gear so the same mechanic can be used to open the doors in VAB mode.

Once the doors are open, another attachment point can be seen inside the cylinder on the top face.

Bad part / needs thought:

How do you stop your payload from shaking around in there?

Can the internal attachment point be a docking ring by default or should the first part be one?

[federicoaa]

Some mods like B9 and Bobocat's HOME have cargo bays with animations you ca use inside the VAB to open/close the cargo bay. Something like that in vanilla will be a must when/if proper aerodynamics are implemented

[Capt Snuggler]

yes please! i want stock cargo bays more than any other feature. give space planes a purpose other than just crew taxis.

[KASASpace]

I would love this. It's makes space planes so much more appealing.

The tricky part would be on how to handle it in the VAB.

I suppose you could use the sub-assembly system for payloads. But the height and width will need to be checked... I suppose the overlapping system already does this.

Idea:

The part is tube shaped like a fuel tank with attachment points top and bottom as per usual.

The payload door can recess and slides open. (pic attached for visual aid.)

The VAB already has the ability to change the state of landing gear so the same mechanic can be used to open the doors in VAB mode.

Once the doors are open, another attachment point can be seen inside the cylinder on the top face.

http://arcanum.orgfree.com/payload.png

Bad part / needs thought:

How do you stop your payload from shaking around in there?

Can the internal attachment point be a docking ring by default or should the first part be one?

Umm, not to be a layman, but:

Struts?

Or maybe two connection points? No, the part hierarchy wouldn't make that easy.......

Maybe if they added struts that are place able by Kerbals like in KAS, it could be used to return Satellites?