Probodobodyne QBE - Better than the OKTO (normal) now?

[GigaG]

The QBE now weighs just 30kg (0.03t), making it AFAIK the lightest probe core (haven't checked the OKTO2 yet, though.) The QBE doesn't have reaction wheels now, but a QBE plus a Small Inline Reaction Wheel costs 960 Funds and weighs 0.08t. The OKTO and HECS are both 0.1t, and cost 450 and 650 respectively. So for a bit more money, you can use the QBE and the reaction wheel in tandem to create a rather cheap, light probe core. The QBE only holds one Electric Charge, but even a Z-200 battery pack will let the probe be at 90kg. At this point it is more expensive, but still lighter.

The Stayputnik could replace the QBE in this configuration, but it is heavier and has no SAS control. It is 300 Funds, and the QBE is 360 Funds. Saving 60 funds is not worth the hassle of having no SAS.

The biggest con of this is that it will gulp electricity faster than a normal probe core. Also, you will have a very overpowered reaction wheel for a smallish probe.

As for batteries, I didn't use the radial ones because I am not sure about massless parts in this version - a Z-200 is always massed, so this is worst-case. Do massless parts only count for launchpad weight now or do they affect flight physics?

[Signo]

Okto2 f.t.w.

Alas I do not have a serious answer about massless parts.

[Red Iron Crown]

Massless parts count against the launchpad limit, it's checked before leaving the VAB/SPH and the indicator there includes massless parts.

[GigaG]

Are physicsless parts still physicsless in flight?

[Red Iron Crown]

They are. The mass shown in map view at launch does not include massless parts.

[Greep]

They're definitely physicless in flight still. I put 8 O-10 monopropellent engines (.72 "fake" tons) on a .2 ton ship and it flew the same with them on.

[Superfluous J]

QBE is *the* core to put on a ship that won't have a pilot. I stick it on top of the MK1 pod and gizmo it down to almost hidden, and then stick the parachute on top of it. Don't even need to "control from here" to get the benefit.

I've not gotten far enough into the game to need anything other than that. Well, satellite missions, I suppose. For those I've just made dumb debris-like satellites out of a Stayputnik probe, solar panel, and antenna. Drop 'em, collect the cash for completing the mission, and then delete them in the tracking station. Or add a thermometer and keep it around for any "science from space" missions.

But yeah, the OKTO2 is not the only probe core you will ever use for anything ever, now. I think that's a good thing.

[Renegrade]

The OKTO2 is heavier (40kg) than the QUBE (30kg) and requires more power (3.0 vs 1.7), and the RGUs are heavy, reaction-wheel equipped units...making the QUBE the best "I want SAS" module out there.

(Squad's finally getting rid of the "SAS == reaction wheel" nomenclature error, YAY!)

[moogoob]

The weight differences between the Qube and Octo are somewhat minor given the total size of the craft I tend to use them in, but still the Qube + tiny reaction wheel (since they shrunk it I'm using it all the time) work great for my standard lander probe (flt-100, six OX-STATs, six tiny legs, six batteries, some science, an antenna and a tiny orange Rockomax). Part-count-wise it's a hog but its delta-v and TWR are suitable for anything, including Tylo if you burn efficiently.

Edited December 23, 2014 by moogoob
many fixes

[numerobis]

With 10 kg off the probe core, we can put up an even smaller SSTO now!

[Pecan]

With 10 kg off the probe core, we can put up an even smaller SSTO now!

Since Stayputnik, FL-T200 and 48-7S always used to be (up to 0.25) the smallest, lightest and lowest part-count SSTO in what way can we make a 'smaller' one now?

[Specialist290]

Looks like this one is a better fit for Gameplay Questions. Moving

[SaturnV]

Why there are weightless parts? It's really confusing

[Superfluous J]

Why there are weightless parts? It's really confusing

Weightless (or more accurately physicsless) parts don't have physics act on them, and therefore they cut down on the amount of calculations that need done during flight.

[Vectura]

They tend to be the small things like ladders and lights (I don't think either of them have physics)

[Red Iron Crown]

Full list of massless parts is available here.

As I understand it, massless parts are a workaround to Unity not liking parts with very disparate masses. That's why the 3.75m decoupler is massless, the parts it connects are very massive.

[NERVAfan]

But yeah, the OKTO2 is not the only probe core you will ever use for anything ever, now. I think that's a good thing.

Actually I never ever used an OKTO2 for anything because it was so thin that it was hard to click on successfully in the VAB (when I wanted to move the whole ship). The formerly (I think) 0.01 ton difference between it and the much bigger Stayputnik was never worth the inconvenience.

[numerobis]

Since Stayputnik, FL-T200 and 48-7S always used to be (up to 0.25) the smallest, lightest and lowest part-count SSTO in what way can we make a 'smaller' one now?

Smallest and lightest doesn't include a T200. It's a T100, some round-8, and oscars -- and has been since before the 48-7S (and before the T100, it was more round-8s).

Saving 10kg off payload means saving about 45kg in fuel and tanks. Actually more, since you can save a few m/s deltaV by having higher TWR.

[Pecan]

...Saving 10kg off payload means saving about 45kg in fuel and tanks...

Relax mate, I was wondering how many fewer parts you'd be using than '3' :-0 "Smallest" is so small, and has been for so long, I was assuming you were just joking and replied in that vein.

[numerobis]

I'm perfectly calm.

Number of parts required is two, not three. But that was true in 0.25 already (with the LRBs) and maybe earlier with tweakables and SRBs.

Mass required is what is changing. Not by a lot, but some of us play to push the limits.

[tsotha]

Actually I never ever used an OKTO2 for anything because it was so thin that it was hard to click on successfully in the VAB (when I wanted to move the whole ship). The formerly (I think) 0.01 ton difference between it and the much bigger Stayputnik was never worth the inconvenience.

When you want to move the whole ship you can hold the shift key down and click anywhere on the ship. You don't need to click on the root part.