totm june 2018 Work-in-Progress [WIP] Design Thread

[Rune]

Hi Kurotenshi,

I have just started to update my constellation mission with the new wing parts.

Your ascent module payload lander shown looks to be a similar size to my one. So it will be what I have done here:

http://cloud-4.steampowered.com/ugc/532875304925862488/75BAC5C0925E404D7FE0945639184CE5775E73CB/

This is the new fairing for the propulsion stage but I just reused the same fairing for the aeroshell landers but shortened.

And for the craftsmen out there, can you spot why this faring was harder than it looks?

MJ

If I had to bet, I'd say the same reason I had problem with mine: the wings that would be easy to place like that in two halves generate lift and screw with the ascent, so you have to first build a two-part ring (whose dimensions are difficult to calculate, too) that you can attach the other kind of rectangular wings to. Did I get it right?

Rune. You sure did, looks very good.

[Redshift OTF]

I saw one the other day, it had bombs and stuff, looked quite good

Do you mean mine?

Also I'm trying out the new parts for an outpost setup.

[Majorjim!]

If I had to bet, I'd say the same reason I had problem with mine: the wings that would be easy to place like that in two halves generate lift and screw with the ascent, so you have to first build a two-part ring (whose dimensions are difficult to calculate, too) that you can attach the other kind of rectangular wings to. Did I get it right?

Rune. You sure did, looks very good.

LOL, yup you are right mate. I was too eager to show my fairing and I hadn't tested it properly..

I was struggling to get the wings to line up so I made an off center frame from the bottom to the top of the payload so I could attach the wings so they where centered.

Turns out those wings are, as you said, not good for fairings! Huge explosions followed.

Yup the bottom (still off center) ring then the other type of wings seems the only way.

*Reminder to self* test before posting.

MJ

[Giggleplex777]

For smaller fairings, I used structural panels to create attachment points for the panels. I beams were used instead for larger fairings.

[Majorjim!]

For smaller fairings, I used structural panels to create attachment points for the panels. I beams were used instead for larger fairings.

Yeah been trying that. any kind of bottom ring of parts to build up from. Panels where so much easier!

[Kurotenshi]

I guess everything comes with a price Wings have less weight and result in lower part counts for fairings, but placement and aerodynamics complicates things. It's a worthwhile trade-off though, IMO

[Majorjim!]

I guess everything comes with a price Wings have less weight and result in lower part counts for fairings, but placement and aerodynamics complicates things. It's a worthwhile trade-off though, IMO

Yup, there's always a compromise..

I will make a faring for my constellation aeroshell landers and report back.

[Rune]

Yup, there's always a compromise..

I will make a faring for my constellation aeroshell landers and report back.

Those are going to see some wind in the direction that matters... I predict a fairing that wants to point to the sky instead of staying under the payload, I think. It might work to increase drag, though, if you can keep it stable with, say, more reaction wheels torque. It would be stable in principle, too, but only if things were shadowed by others in stock KSP (I ran a quick stability analysis in my head, might have gotten it wrong but I think it's an unstable configuration of forces).

For smaller fairings, I used structural panels to create attachment points for the panels. I beams were used instead for larger fairings.

I actually used cubic struts to get finer control on the distance and placement. And I only built a couple of "wings" around the decoupler that holds the fairing, you only need to get halfway to the last panel's position, no need to close the circle. I think I used something like three on each side to get a 3.75m straight fairing (no bulge). The best part about them is the thickness allows you to hide small defects, too.

Rune. Actually, if you don't care that your faring peels like a banana, you can always build with x8 symmetry from the tank itself much easier. But the best part about a fairing is how it opens up!

[Giggleplex777]

But the best part about a fairing is how it opens up!

You can say that again!

[Majorjim!]

Those are going to see some wind in the direction that matters... I predict a fairing that wants to point to the sky instead of staying under the payload, I think. It might work to increase drag, though, if you can keep it stable with, say, more reaction wheels torque. It would be stable in principle, too, but only if things were shadowed by others in stock KSP (I ran a quick stability analysis in my head, might have gotten it wrong but I think it's an unstable configuration of forces).

I'm not exactly sure what you are saying Rune. Are you talking about wind effects on a Duna bound aeroshell?

The payload will be pointed along its direction of travel for most of the reentry. If it causes odd effects I will stick to the panel fairing as it works so well and

zero wind effect.

Edited October 26, 2014 by Majorjim

[Rune]

I'm not exactly sure what you are saying Rune. Are you talking about wind effects on a Duna bound aeroshell?

The payload will be pointed along its direction of travel for most of the reentry. If it causes odd effects I will stick to the panel fairing as it works so well and

zero wind effect.

Yup, I meant at the end, when you have bled off most of the horizontal velocity, the fairing will be falling mostly horizontal, right? Or at least with an appreciable angle of attack. In those cases, they will see some air (the component of velocity perpendicular to the long axis, in this case vertical speed) and create lift. Anyhow, Duna's low air density, a few reaction wheels, and you shouldn't have much trouble. Perhaps the worst thing will be to get rid of them, since they will be lifting and the rest of the craft won't. The end result, if I get the force diagram right in my head, is half a fairing would like to stay on top during the descent, not under. Two halves should give symmetrical forces (additional drag only on the vertical axis! I think that's the good part) and solve it... ditch the top and bottom at the same time, maybe?

Rune. With separatrons! The effects on those looks really cool now.

[Majorjim!]

Yup, I meant at the end, when you have bled off most of the horizontal velocity, the fairing will be falling mostly horizontal, right? Or at least with an appreciable angle of attack. In those cases, they will see some air (the component of velocity perpendicular to the long axis, in this case vertical speed) and create lift. Anyhow, Duna's low air density, a few reaction wheels, and you shouldn't have much trouble. Perhaps the worst thing will be to get rid of them, since they will be lifting and the rest of the craft won't. The end result, if I get the force diagram right in my head, is half a fairing would like to stay on top during the descent, not under. Two halves should give symmetrical forces (additional drag only on the vertical axis! I think that's the good part) and solve it... ditch the top and bottom at the same time, maybe?

Rune. With separatrons! The effects on those looks really cool now.

Yeah they are cool looking now!

I see what you mean. I was thinking that too. Only a test will tell. I changed out the wings for the other ones and no issues now.

Just need to choose how many separating pieces now. The animation I saw had the engine payload fairing separate into four. And three for the aeroshells.

[Roflcopterkklol]

It is no way near finished yet but i think i have it right, Opinions?

It is a SR-72

[Redshift OTF]

Oh yes, I'm liking that design a lot. I love how you've hidden the engines inside the housing. In case you didn't know you can hide almost all of the jet engine inside other structures. The thrust from a jet comes from the centre of the jet but is extremely thin, like the equivalent of 1 pixel thick so as long as that is showing the rest of the jet can be hidden.

[Gue__1]

A start at a X-33 rocket/plane thingy. It is very early testing, might be a dead end

It is supposed to have a vertical liftoff and land like a plane.

Is there a show content code in this forum, images are very big?

Gue

[Roflcopterkklol]

An update on the SR-72 i am working on, i am keen to see high it will go lol, i managed to give it something like 28 shock cones

[SpaceXray]

A start at a X-33 rocket/plane thingy. It is very early testing, might be a dead end

It is supposed to have a vertical liftoff and land like a plane.

http://i.imgur.com/yDA8GOj.png

http://i.imgur.com/WuKxjBb.png

Is there a show content code in this forum, images are very big?

Gue

Holy cr*p that is se*y as hell....

[Roflcopterkklol]

Sub orbital, i am sure someone will get it to orbit

2400m/s at 38km, could probably get it up to 2500m/s

Edit:

It is uploaded now

http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/98308-SR-72-White-Bird-replica-capable-of-over-8600km-h?p=1505285#post1505285

Edited October 27, 2014 by Roflcopterkklol

[ScriptKitt3h]

X-37B inspired spaceplane, launched on top of a rocket. However, I keep having issues when attempting to land (mainly in lack of glide control, and the fact that it drops like a rock at low alt.)

If I can fix that issue, it might turn out as a great mini-shuttle (with a cargo bay to boot!)

[Majorjim!]

Working on a new aeroshell fairing for my constellation landers.

[FishInferno]

Working on a new aeroshell fairing for my constellation landers.

http://i61.tinypic.com/rgx7o3.png

nice:) ayyyyyy

[Rune]

Working on a new aeroshell fairing for my constellation landers.

http://i61.tinypic.com/rgx7o3.png

Looking good! But wouldn't you want more of a smooth joint with the nosecone on top?

Rune. Just my usual nitpicking so it is even more awesome when you are done with it

[Majorjim!]

Looking good! But wouldn't you want more of a smooth joint with the nosecone on top?

Rune. Just my usual nitpicking so it is even more awesome when you are done with it

Thanks man. Yeah the top isn't finished yet.

Also the fairing will be moved inwards a little which will improve that a bit.

When done it should be the same width as the current one. Hopefully!

[ScriptKitt3h]

I finally decided to buckle down and finish that sleek SSTO I'd made when 0.25 first came out.

Javascript is disabled. View full album

Uses a traditional air-hogger type flight plan, and has these AGs:

1-Jet

2-LV-N

DL:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/g2zedekkuhpc0wi/MU%20Kitt3h-Class%20SSTO.craft?dl=0

[LABHOUSE]

http://imgur.com/a/S3qZy#0 I will make it be a bit smaller in next version though and take away some fuel in the boosters.