[WIP] Fusion Engine

[razorblade75]

dear kerbonauts, i've made a mod about a fusion engine, based on the spherical torus design (check here https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CB8QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fntrs.nasa.gov%2Farchive%2Fnasa%2Fcasi.ntrs.nasa.gov%2F20050160960.pdf&ei=pToGVM2lLYXqaPnXgEA&usg=AFQjCNHr4WmiFh-4lKyQeFmD_fZHohuq0A&sig2=wEIljfO3dMNMZulJJgWQ8A&bvm=bv.74115972,d.d2s)

it will have variable isp (because you can vary the amount of H2 that pass through the reactor) and variable output power (for use as power generator)

it work reasonably well for a pre-release, but i need two important things:

1) a modeler to make, guess it, the model

2) because it has low thrust and high isp, it will be good at long burnings. but we all know how long burnings are quite painful; so i need some kind of shortcut (i can give it higher thrust and lower isp, but it will be not realistic)

this is the alpha: http://www./download/1q139axjzbp0cpc/release.rar

i have to explain

first you need to add this code to an engine cfg file to test :

MODULE {

name = FusionEngine

minOutputPower = 0.5

maxOutputPower = 5

resourceRate = 5.072463768116e-7

}

RESOURCE

{

name = Deuterium

amount = 25

maxAmount = 25

}

RESOURCE

{

name = Tritium

amount = 5

maxAmount = 25

}

RESOURCE

{

name = Lithium

amount = 1000

maxAmount = 1000

}

second, if you have KSP interstellar, you won't need NucleatFuel.cfg, so delete it

test the engine and let me know what do you think about

Edited September 4, 2014 by razorblade75

[scottpaladin]

dear kerbonauts, i've made a mod about a fusion engine, based on the spherical torus design (check here https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CB8QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fntrs.nasa.gov%2Farchive%2Fnasa%2Fcasi.ntrs.nasa.gov%2F20050160960.pdf&ei=pToGVM2lLYXqaPnXgEA&usg=AFQjCNHr4WmiFh-4lKyQeFmD_fZHohuq0A&sig2=wEIljfO3dMNMZulJJgWQ8A&bvm=bv.74115972,d.d2s)

it will have variable isp (because you can vary the amount of H2 that pass through the reactor) and variable output power (for use as power generator)

it work reasonably well for a pre-release, but i need two important things:

1) a modeler to make, guess it, the model

2) because it has low thrust and high isp, it will be good at long burnings. but we all know how long burnings are quite painful; so i need some kind of shortcut (i can give it higher thrust and lower isp, but it will be not realistic)

Can't help with #1 but if #2 is a concern, you could either look into implementing some portion of the Time Control mod to allow for faster than 4x physics warping (looks like its license is permissive) or encourage downloaders your mod to get that one as well if they don't like the long burns.

On a more general note: if your choice is between fun and realistic, I vote fun.

[razorblade75]

you could either look into implementing some portion of the Time Control mod to allow for faster than 4x physics warping (looks like its license is permissive).

i've already tried, it's too laggy. what i really need is some kind of "on rail" warp

[Xaiier]

i've already tried, it's too laggy. what i really need is some kind of "on rail" warp

There exist methods to apply thrust while on warp. The main issue you have is that there is no way to direct the vessel while in warp. I know someone made a mod to keep rotation while warping, so maybe it would be possible to make something that allows you to direct your craft while warping.

[razorblade75]

There exist methods to apply thrust while on warp. The main issue you have is that there is no way to direct the vessel while in warp. I know someone made a mod to keep rotation while warping, so maybe it would be possible to make something that allows you to direct your craft while warping.

maybe yes, but my knowledge on this subject is quite....lacking to say at best. I like to learn new things, but in my country we used to say "time is a tyrant"

[NathanKell]

Use HoneyFox's Orbit Manipulator plugin, which allows thrust on rails.

[razorblade75]

nathan, i've already tried, it works for the thrust part, but the ship won't face prograde because it gradually shift away from it.

[RoverDude]

I thought someone had some nuke engines that looked very similar to that design - may want to see the model licensing or get with that modder.

[razorblade75]

I thought someone had some nuke engines that looked very similar to that design - may want to see the model licensing or get with that modder.

yes i know, it's a very beautiful model. But even if i can use his model, wouldn't the two engines look too similar? i would like a complete new model, to avoid confusion, because my plugin is a semirealistic one, his plugin is on the not-so-realistic side.

[razorblade75]

i've uploaded the alpha, test it

[Angelo Kerman]

I thought someone had some nuke engines that looked very similar to that design - may want to see the model licensing or get with that modder.

Yup, check my sig for the Nuclear Engines mod. I have modeled the Supernova fusion engine based on NASA's design. I have some finishing touches to do with the liquid droplet radiator, then the Supernova will be done. It is open source licensed too.

Edited September 4, 2014 by Angel-125