The Asparagus Thread

[shynung]

Let me illustrate with some diagrams. Apologies for their crudeness, I'm not very good at image manipulation. Red dots indicate the centers of mass for each side of the asparagus ring.

Starting:

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/61004449/KSP/AsparagusCoMs.png

When down to the last boosters:

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/61004449/KSP/AsparagusCoMs2.png

If left unchecked, the rocket will rotate clockwise to keep those red dots in line with each other, and no more.

Ah, I see. Thank you for your illustration.

[rkman]

Even just a single asparagus stage like this

(with no fuel feeding into "S2") would be worth it in terms of fuel efficiency, and would not have the rotation problem. Also the number of asparagus separation events would be kept to a minimum.

[shynung]

Even just a single asparagus stage like this

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/61004449/KSP/AsparagusCoMs2.png

(with no fuel feeding into "S2") would be worth it in terms of fuel efficiency, and would not have the rotation problem. Also the number of asparagus separation events would be kept to a minimum.

I think that's more of a crossfeed than asparagus, but your argument makes sense.

Also, this is what SpaceX envisioned in their Falcon Heavy launcher.

[Moar Boosters]

I think that's more of a crossfeed than asparagus, but your argument makes sense.

Also, this is what SpaceX envisioned in their Falcon Heavy launcher.

Aye. A lot of people in this thread don't seem to know what asparagus staging is. Boosters which feed a central core is onion staging. It only becomes asparagus when you've got boosters feeding boosters and dropping off in pairs.

[Yoha]

I just realized: moving a mass of propellant (several tons at least) amongst the external tanks of the aspargus should apply non-negligible torque. I'm too lazy (and sleepy) to do the math right now. I don't think KSP takes it into account any way.

[Dkmdlb]

Yes. This issue has been addressed on the very page your post is on, even.