Timers

[mattig89ch]

I had an idea today that I thought might be use full. A timer part, quite heavy (to make sure you can't just put on 80 or so). Next they'd have to be on the stage your using them on. Then, each timer could only do 1 thing. Finally, a timer could only be used on parts that require no user input (so you can only use them on parachutes, or srb's, no science stuff)

This part would trigger certain events to happen, much like an action group. this could be good if your trying to reduce debris on kerbin, after you separate a large stage, a timer starts, when that timer finishes it deploys parachutes. or, if your trying to land 3 different command pods, you separte them, a timer starts, then deploys parachutes. Or eve on duna, you can land multiple craft, by first using a timer to get a lander into the atmosphere, then use another one to allow chutes to deploy.

[Charzy]

Why would you make it heavy?

[Kasuha]

Even if timers were implemented I'm afraid you'd not like the result. Any object more than 2.5 km from the active ship is "on rails" and no physics emulation is done on it. If it happens to be in Kerbin's atmosphere below 23 km altitude it is immediately terminated (considered destroyed in crash).

To reduce debris, it is possible to use the Terminate mission function in Tracking station. It is the most effective way to deal with debris and unwanted ships and you can always imagine they are using some powerful lasers.

If you want to land several pieces at once, it's best to land them together and keep them as close as possible as long as possible and only detach them low enough above the ground so they don't land on top of each other.

If you want to land several things in different spots you need to do so from orbit and land them one by one, or you need to use a low and slow flying plane deploying them sufficiently low so they are safely landed before the plane gets more than 2.5 km away. Deploying the chute at once with decoupling is usually the least problem.

[Atoning Unifex]

I'd certainly like to be able to have greater control over the various action, such as by adding them into staging etc. Timers, maybe. There's a mod that provides this functionality but I don't really find much of a use for it.

Check it out: http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/64227-0-23-22-Jan-Smart-Parts-V0-3-NEW-Fuel-Valve-and-Detail-Improvements