Edutainment - video recording of projectile tests vs structural panels

[allmhuran]

A few notes on this video.

First and foremost, this was done as a legitimate scientific investigation for my own enlightenment. I hope others get some use out of it. Or at least a chuckle or two.

Now, regarding the results: All experiments shown in the video were able to be consistently repeated. Those that had inconsistent results were not included.

The fact that test 4, with the probe "warhead", penetrates whereas test 3 (identical but without the probe) does not is very strange. I am no closer to understanding why some things quantum tunnel (clip) their way through the panels to the juicy innards whereas others do not.

Tests 7 and 8 are also a strange comparison. Both composed of 3 oscar-b's, but the one with three times the mass (actually just under that due to the inclusion of empty tank weight in test 7) and three times the propulsion was less effective.

12 and 13 have identical mass and propulsion, but 12 (the FLT200) consistently destroyed the panels, whereas 13 (two FLT100s) consistently did not.

For those looking for the most efficient penetrator (but NOT panel destroyer), the only part that consistently penetrated using just 2 sepratrons as propulsion was the ibeam 650.

For those looking for the most efficient panel-breaker, I have no good answer for you. FLT200s seem to be the minimum mass required, but the minimum velocity required is hard to determine (gravity tests used to precisely control impact velocity were inconsistent, sometimes the fuel tank did no damage, sometimes it clipped through the panels without any effect, sometimes it destroyed the panels)

[Justin Kerbice]

Very funny video, the "pauses" are very entertaining, poor kerbals

Great video and great job allmhuran, we will never find the limit of KSP after all, there is always some crazy things to do !

For your next experiment, you may try this: