Smaller RCS tanks?

[GoSlash27]

This is probably a first, but I'd like to request the addition of some smaller RCS tanks. I'm finding that on an average flight with 20t payloads and 2 docking evolutions, I only need maybe 10-15% of the amount of propellant provided in the probe- sized RCS tanks.

I realize that I can unload unnecessary propellant before the flight, but that still leaves the tanks themselves, which are fairly chunky.

Thanks!

-Slashy

[sal_vager]

Heh, I also hardly use any RCS, usually what's in the pod is enough, also it's possible to partially clip the tanks into other parts so they aren't so noticeable.

[Random Tank]

I wouldn't mind a mini tank with 10 units of monoprop in it, 7.5 in the Mk1 and 2 cockpits sometimes isn't enough for my 30t SSTOs. I know RLA stockalike adds a radial one, but I want a stock one too.

My SSTOs rarely have 0.625m parts, so that tank doesn't work, I don't really like to clip things, and the radial is a bit awkward with FAR

[PlonioFludrasco]

Interesting, I'll try to scale down some of the radial ones.

[LethalDose]

Well, it's not a smaller tank, but you can always tweak down the volume of RCS your vessel launches with.

Since we got tweakables in 0.23, the only reason I can really see for getting physically smaller tanks would be if the probe sized tanks were too heavy when dry (they're 1/20th of a ton dry which is negligible, IMO) or they were so large that they interfere with vessel design (there are smaller, radial options, so that's kinda moot). So, if you're structurally okay with the probe-sized tank, just launch with less MP loaded. It'll save you up to 0.2 mt.

Maybe I just crank through it, but I feel like I never have enough surplus MP on my stations. I'm always happy when I have "left over" MP in my delivery stages when they dock with my stations, because I can the excess to my orbital storage tanks.

[GoSlash27]

Well, it's not a smaller tank, but you can always tweak down the volume of RCS your vessel launches with.

Since we got tweakables in 0.23, the only reason I can really see for getting physically smaller tanks would be if the probe sized tanks were too heavy when dry (they're 1/20th of a ton dry which is negligible, IMO) or they were so large that they interfere with vessel design (there are smaller, radial options, so that's kinda moot). So, if you're structurally okay with the probe-sized tank, just launch with less MP loaded. It'll save you up to 0.2 mt.

Maybe I just crank through it, but I feel like I never have enough surplus MP on my stations. I'm always happy when I have "left over" MP in my delivery stages when they dock with my stations, because I can the excess to my orbital storage tanks.

That's just it; When I'm designing upper stages, every Kg counts. I'd much rather not have to lift that additional 50 kilos if I don't have to. I'd prefer a 10Kg tank empty and would really love to have it "small" radius instead of "tiny". Maybe the height of a Z1K battery. That'd be about as close to perfect as I could ever want.

Just to clarify, I'm not asking to get rid of any bigger RCS tanks. I'd just like a smaller stackable option.

Best,

-Slashy

[nli2work]

you can duplicate the RCS cfg files to get smaller stack mono tanks. set the rescale factor to half of the original one you are copying from, adjust the weight and mono amount accordingly.

[Starwaster]

Modular Fuel Tanks.

[Red Iron Crown]

Apparently in 0.24 there will be liquid fuel powered maneuvering/attitude thrusters, so you might be able to go without monopropellant at all.

For now, I've gotten good enough at docking that I rarely need more than a command pod contains for reasonably sized craft. For bigger ships I like to carry more, but for them the tank mass isn't really significant.

[Sky_walker]

+1 to op.

I got some tiny moon lander probes propelled with RCS and even FL-R10 RCS Fuel Tank is too large. It'd be great to have something half the size. Be it radial or linear - doesn't matter (radial would probably be more versatile, but if you'll make it linear - how about something in a shape that fits Probodobodyne QBE?)

[PlonioFludrasco]

Look, what do you think about?

They aren't balanced at all, as they are scaled 0.5 but carries a quarter (10 units) of the fuel of the standard one.

Should I make them with half the propellant (5 units) or the same amount but bigger?

Ovviously I'll mantain the original fuel mass/empty tank mass rate as the stock one, because I don't like overpowered parts.

[Random Tank]

Look, what do you think about?

They aren't balanced at all, as they are scaled 0.5 but carries a quarter (10 units) of the fuel of the standard one.

Should I make them with half the propellant (5 units) or the same amount but bigger?

Ovviously I'll mantain the original fuel mass/empty tank mass rate as the stock one, because I don't like overpowered parts.

Oh that looks cool, good work!

I don't think the volumes for Mono Tanks are balanced anyway, so I dunno... How much dV does that probe have do you know? Just as a reference...

[Jouni]

Most of the probe cores are quite big. There should be plenty of room for RCS fuel in them.

[PlonioFludrasco]

Oh that looks cool, good work!

I don't think the volumes for Mono Tanks are balanced anyway, so I dunno... How much dV does that probe have do you know? Just as a reference...

About 800 dV.

Can be easily improved because you don't really need 4 thrusters, and are half of the weight.

[Red Iron Crown]

About 800 dV.

Can be easily improved because you don't really need 4 thrusters, and are half of the weight.

RCS thrusters are massless, they don't affect dV.

[PlonioFludrasco]

RCS thrusters are massless, they don't affect dV.

Kod, you are right!

So it has plenty of DV to perform a munar transfer and landing.

[xcorps]

You could just mod the probe to carry mono...