Spin stabilisation, is it possible? (with or without a plugin)

[SpannerMonkey(smce)]

Hi I'm working on a replica of a long forgotten British rocket(damn UK apathy!!) Anyway, on my researches I have learnt that the thing used spin stabilisation, rather to the same effect as a rifle bullet i suppose, so my question to you bright sparks out there, is it possible to create in KSP? If i have to learn how to code and make a plugin I will, and I know and can get it spinning like a top but it's not exactly beneficial at this present time.

So a re phrase of the question.

Is spin stabilisation a valid option for non manned craft or should they and I just bite the bullet and go with canards? Because without some help its a mare to fly as com changes during first stage burn

[NathanKell]

Most satellites, and *certainly* most early satellites, use spin stabilization. And yes, it works decently in KSP, although max rotation allowed in KSP is far lower than the thousand-RPM stabilization something like that would use. Also, time warp kills rotation unless you have skykooler's Time Warp Rotation fix.

Wait. You're talking about during *launch*? Satellites are spin-stabilized in *orbit.*

Spin stabilization during launch is for sounding rockets and the like that travel straight up, or in ballistic arcs. Not launch vehicles that actually need to control (and vary) their pitch!

Just add some non-moving fins to the bottom of the rocket. Rockets are like planes only moreso: you want the CoM far ahead of the CoL. If you're worried about the CoM changing, make sure the CoL is as close to the bottom of the rocket as possible.

Edited July 9, 2014 by NathanKell

[DMagic]

Oh it works in stock all right. It might not be so practical because it makes things really hard to control, but it's fun to play around with.

The one thing it's actually useful for is very small probes with little torque.

I launch those little things from a cube sat carrier and it puts little satellites in a pretty good orbit two at a time with no need to control them.

If you want to be able to actually steer it I imagine you would need a plugin, otherwise your inputs are mostly just cancelled out. And the problem with launch stages is that it might be difficult to get it spinning fast enough to really help.

Edited July 9, 2014 by DMagic

[NathanKell]

Just grab a fin from the list, put symmetry on, tap ALT-Q before you apply to rocket (IIRC Q/E are the ones that will twist them correctly; might be S or A). That's what they did for, i.e., the Honest John rocket.