Tech tree expansion?

[Atoning Unifex]

On the lower (beginner?) end of the tech tree I like the idea put forward elsewhere that the thermometer and barometer ( and maybe for gravioli ) have a tech tree of their own

I actually like the idea of multiple different trees (or perhaps linear paths) for the various component types so that you have a clearer tech progression.

[Xavven]

I actually like the idea of multiple different trees (or perhaps linear paths) for the various component types so that you have a clearer tech progression.

Hm, I really like this idea! There is clearly a rockets and fuel tanks line, a construction/adapters/staging line, a spaceplane line, a probe/electrics line, and a landing/parachute/roving line in the tree as it is. Splitting this up into three or more major trees and labeling them so new players can get a general idea of what might be at the end of the tree would enhance the experience.

[bartekkru99]

What about Helium-3/Deuterium nuclear propulsion?

[KerikBalm]

Or P-B11 fusion.... the problem is.. its hard to make it be not either a) OP'd, or useless.

In theory, you could get a much higher ISP with a fusion drive over a fission drive... however, at 70,000 ISP (in theory, a PB11 fusion drive could get roughtly double that), a 1 Gigawatt fusion reactor would only generate 3 kN of force..... so, given that Ion drives are OP'd, it would be like flying with ion drives, except you worry about fuel even less.

Or, you could just generate electricity, and run a plasma thruster, at say... 7,000 ISP, and 30 kN of thrust... but you could also do that with a fission reactor hooked up to a VASIMR drive, and a 1 Gigawatt fission reactor would probably be lighter than a 1 gigawatt fusion reactor at those scales.

Also at those scales, the extra weight of fission fuel needed is irrelevant, given most of the weight is going to be the inert gas used as reaction mass.

Its also more futuristic than everything else in KSP.

everything else in KSP has actually been made, and is science fact, not science fiction.

I hope (soon), that we have dense plasma focus fusion reactors burning P-B11 fuel, and they become science fact, but for the moment.... :/

So, at the real high ISPs that fusion could attain, we have the problem of extremely long burn times.

At lower (but still very very good ISPs), we might as well just use fission and stick to science fact rather than fiction (since no-one in KSP seems to be concerned about what happens to a nuclear reactor if the rocket blows up on the launch pad )

[LordOfTheOrbits]

Which is why that KSP interstellar mod that adds the Alcubierre drive goes way to far IMO.

You don't want it to be: point ship at target, fly there, drop out of warp. If that is what you want, there is eve-online.

The Alcubierre drive from the interstellar mod actually isn't OP at all, because when you get out of the warp, you have the same speed relative to the sun as before the warp so unless you calculate your warps perfectly, you often have to use more fuel for circularization than you would need if you would travel there using a non-warp rocket. It also uses really much energy which requires you to use some pretty heavy reactors.

Also the interstellar mod adds a solar sail which is in my opinion are not OP because they only generate a realistic amount of acceleration but also work in time warp.

And if there will ever be other solar systems, getting there without some kind of warp drive will take millennia.