Square parts?

[Everten P.]

Should there be square parts? If not, why? If yes, why?

[Seret]

There are square parts. You've got all manner of cubic and rectangular structural bits like the micronode, struts and the RoveMate.

[Vanamonde]

Edited because I apparently cannot read.

Edited May 2, 2014 by Vanamonde

[Red Iron Crown]

If you mean instead of cylindrical parts, it's for a couple of reasons they're used instead of squared off parts:

Cylinders are the most efficient stackable shape in terms of volume per unit surface area. So a cylindrical tank of a given volume will be dimensionally smaller and have less structural mass than a cube- or rectangular prism-shaped one.

Cylinders are very strong in the axial direction. A flyweight aluminum beverage can can support the weight of a smallish adult. This is the usual direction that rockets endure loads.

Cylinders minimize frontal area and thus drag.

Edit: Vanamonde, SQUARE parts, not SPARE parts, lol.

Edited May 2, 2014 by Red Iron Crown

[vger]

If this is a game question, why is it in Science Labs?

[Everten P.]

Like fuel, thrusters, etc.

[sgt_flyer]

for fuel tanks, i think this hold the answer http://www.howcast.com/videos/510858-How-to-Do-the-Paper-Book-Tower-Experiment-Science-Projects