RSS Config Edits and Config Request Threads

[Sauron]

So, I thought that since RSS doesn't always have everything you need, and since it's a bit silly to duplicate effort, I figured it might makes sense to have a single thread devoted to rescales and config edits so that we can all share, make requests, etc.

I'll start with a few thoughts--I can probably make config changes with MM but I don't have the science chops to determine realistic stats:

-Methane and kerosene fueled Sabres (easier) and scramjets (requires all sorts of fuss) for RSS would be good.

-Larger Aerospikes wouldn't hurt--I'll be working on this myself

-B9 S2 rescales--I may do this myself.

-A wider range of small engines in the 2-20 kN range (we really don't have a lot of choice here and it makes small probes and landers really irritating. I'd need some help with establishing stats.

-A wider range of lander engines (stat help here too please!)

-Some Methane/LOX engines starting with SpaceX's stuff

-Smaller nuclear-thermal engines

I'm also a bit puzzled by Deadly Reentry's modules--a 5, 6, and 8m heat shield and 12.5m inflatable heat shield would all be nice but I'm unsure how to do it right.

[R0cketC0der]

Most of those configs would be nice, however SABREs using non-cryogenic fuels are unrealistic - the precooler of the SABRE engines use the LH2 for cooling the air down.

[Sauron]

Fair point and good call (is methane cryogenic enough?)

Also, does anyone have a list of smaller rocket engines for reference?

[NathanKell]

Cool!

Do you mean a list of available-for-KSP engines, or a list of real engines?

For KSP, small engines are in: AIES, RLA Stockalikes, Space Shuttle Engines (the two OMS engines actually work better as ~5kN engines, given their size)...can anyone think of anything I'm missing?

We can of course rescale parts down.

[Sauron]

I didn't realize the small OMS engines were a thing--I'll download that now! And yeah, I mean a list of real engines. Wikipedia's list has the big ones more or less well enough, but smaller engines and speculative but realistic proposals would be interesting (like the proposed J-2 engine converted into an aerospike. For example

But in particular there are a few categories where I feel like RSS is a bit short:

-Lander engines (I realize there's not a whole lot to go on in RL here), but the large size and low power of the LM engines is problematic for Duna/Mars landings

-Low profile and low diameter (but high weight and power) engines for rocket planes representing an engine that's mostly hidden inside the fuselage. Same issue with lander engines here. It takes a lot of irritating finagling to get LM ascent and descent engines to fit on KSP style tanks

-Methalox engines in general

-Monoprop engines in general (the ~1 kN range in particular) that are beefier than regular RCS and function like regular engines with respect to throttle and DV readouts.

-Smaller first stage engines 75-750 kN (not a lot of choice here at the moment--they're nice for smaller boosters and larger landers)

-Smaller and larger NTR engines and aerospikes

Non engines:

-Landing leg rescales are urgent. Currently they're useless on all but the smallest landers. I need to make sure I've got MM down, but I'm going to test that I have with this since it's fairly easy.

-Heat shields need a few more sizes and a bigger inflatable one

-B9 cargo bays in multiple sizes

-Larger KW fairings

Also, while I've got your attention, Nathan, how do you add RealFuels to tanks (I like the NFP tanks and want them for other fuels)--I'm not 100% clear how making tanks pressurized/insulated is handled

[R0cketC0der]

Totally forgot that methane is cryogenic when I made my last post *facepalm*. I guess it would be possible to build a SABRE using methane.

For a small lander engine I would recommend you to use the Gemini lander engine from FASA with REDAVE8Rs realism pack.

Also the reason why there aren't any methalox engines for RSS is that they don't exist in real life. The only methalox engine of that we know enough about to make it is the Morpheus lander engine. The only other methalox engine we know some stats about is the raptor engine from SpaceX, but we only know the specific impulse and that is has a thrust of over 1,000,000 lbf or 4,400kN.

[Sauron]

Well, the goal as far as I'm concerned is to expand into some speculative engines that are still well within the bounds of both realism and balance. In particular, since we are visiting places like Duna and Laythe there are design requirements that aren't really filled by RL engines at present.

[NathanKell]

Sauron: a couple suggestions.

First, could you rename this Realism Overhaul instead of RSS? The 6.4x scale RSS config, for instance (let alone the kerbal-scale real solar system) users don't necessarily go for realistic parts.

Second, per suggestion from Aazard, could you add a public google spreadsheet where parts needing patches can be listed, along with people who volunteer to do the configs?

This would not be for "parts RO needs" per se, but more like "look at this cool engine design blackheart made--will someone volunteer to do an RO config for it?"

Now, as to engine lists, you could look at Encyclopedia Atronautica (astronautix)'s engines list or this site which has tables for the LF engines of most space powers (probably more accurate ones than astronautix, too).

Regarding adding RF support to a tank, see this helpful guide by TaranisElsu. It's for MFT, but works for RF as well.

Tank type choice: first, select the construction of the tank.

Normal, balloon, or service module.

*If normal, use Default or Cryogenic. (This is the normal tank that most rocket lower stages will use).

*If balloon, use Balloon or BalloonCryo (this is the "stressed skin," "must be kept pressurized" type of tank that early Atlas and Centaur used. Fragile, but much higher propellant fraction and lower dry mass.)

*ServiceModule is used for service modules and upper stages where tanks need to be pressurized (and plumbed for O2, H2O, and electricity, in the case of spacecraft service modules). It is insulated, too, so there's only one choice here.

The only methalox engines I'm aware of are those you mentioned, the notional Mars Direct ones (way over-specced, IIRC), and the Russian conversions (see here).

I find nothing wrong with adding speculative engines; heck, you can increase an NTR's techlevel well beyond what we have...

[Sauron]

Still here but busy--I'll start on a spreadsheet with parts and whatnot as soon as possible.