Jeb's Snake Monster

[westjet]

Okey, I discovered this by accident. I don't know if this is something well-known or not, but it sure was a surprise for me!

This was supposed to be an electrical module for my space station... maybe I should tie it with struts.

The amazing thing is, the snake never broke until it hit the ground.

And, any suggestions for a better electrical module design?

Edited September 23, 2014 by westjet

[Renegrade]

My advice for that is to attach the batteries outside of the core column in some manner.

They could be radially attached via cubic octagonal struts (or similar, like those half-docking-ports) or by stacking them above/below radially attached tanks, or you could use the rockomax six-node hub to attach them in lines going outwards. They'd still flop around, but at least they wouldn't cause the ship core to wrap around like that.

Using a smaller number of the 2.5m batteries would reduce the flex too, if available.

[BagelRabbit]

What you see is a product of the iffy joints in KSP. This problem has been relatively well documented, especially with the infamous toroidal fuel tanks. To give you a sense of how bad toroidal springs can be, I will now shamelessly promote one of my videos. (Sorry.)

Generally, short squat bits in high numbers will cause this. You can strut the thing extensively to solve the problem, or you can just use different parts. (I would personally recommend some long structural connectors with battery packs on the outside of them. It's worked for me.)

By the way, unless you're trying to fire an enormous cluster of ion engines, you probably don't need that much ElectricCharge on any station you build. Just a heads up.

[cantab]

Snake? Snaaaaaaaaake!

But yeah, this is a fairly well-known effect. The archetypical part for demonstrating it is the doughnut tank.

[EdFred]

Ever try pushing a rope?

[Thomas988]

Wobbly rockets are KSP, man!

This happens a lot when you put tons and tons and tons and tons of small parts on top of each other. People will put dozens of radial decouplers on each other to make bendable joints.

[Fiddlestyx]

“Enough is enough! I have had it with these MF'm snakes on this MF'n rocket!â€Â

[TheFlyingPigs]

“Enough is enough! I have had it with these MF'm snakes on this MF'n rocket!â€Â

Cool Story Bro