SLS Liquid Boosters

[Funkocide]

So I noticed the bottom of the new SLS-style liquid boosters seem to have a visible fuel tank. It looks a little off to me, and i usually put something underneath it. Are there any real-life equivalents with a visible fuel tank at the bottom of the booster?

[Dkmdlb]

Like this?

[Kurtvw]

Not that the photo above requires any additional explaination -- But Yes, there are lots of examples. The back end of the rocket isn't the end that needs to be pretty. I suppose bringing it in with a nice fairing would improve the aerodynamics a bit, but at what cost in extra weight?

Every decision made in the real world of rocketry is about cost vs benefit. The very first space shuttle launch had that beautiful white main fuel tank, then NASA figured out they could save about 600 pounds of weight by leaving the white paint off of it... It wasn't about aesthetics, it was about practicality.

[MockKnizzle]

Additionally, at the speeds rockets travel in the atmosphere an aerodynamic back end isn't even necessary. Here's a rule of thumb: if you don't absolutely need it to not explode, it doesn't belong on a rocket.