The Wind Tunnel AKA Simulation Mode

[Wjolcz]

So there was this guy, who suggested:

I'd love to see a wind tunnel in KSP. Your craft could float with inand 3D aeros could show forces being applied. The aero size and animation could differ due to the amount of force. Sliders would allow the player to adjust speed, atmospheric pressure, and angle of attack, among other things. Something a bit more visual than FAR's analysis tools. Just a thought. I'm no aerospace engineer but I try!

I think it's a great idea, but would like to modify it a bit.

How I see this is in the VAB/SPH we would have a "Simulation" button, in which the craft would appear in 3D, borderless scene. There would be all the preassure, wind speed and oxygen sliders + the G one. That way we could see if the craft is able to launch from a certain body, or if the RCS is balanced. Something like the NASA pool but with 100% less water. Not sure how the ground should be displayed. Maybe with a laser line which hit, would stop the simulation. You could also record the flight with free camera movement, like it was in IL2 Sturmovik.

I would love to see what you think and how it could be improved.

[klgraham1013]

I give this idea two thumbs up.

[zekes]

I like it -would help a lot.

[andrew123]

They should have a drop test that can simulate an earthquake.

Test the craft to destruction.

[JTG]

This would only be added after better aerodynamics, though. Since they might be revamping it soon, this could happen.

[DiamondExcavater]

I agree, i am having real trouble with the designs of my planes (being, my wings too far back, or too small etc...) just going through the testing stage where i launch the craft and see any problems, but even through that i can't find any small weight imperfections or wheel miss-alignment or thrust/weight/lift ratio etc... without any logistics or some sort of information which could arouse the issue! The aerodynamic system is terrible, i would love to see actual re-entry damage and actual lift (making the game even more difficult for beginners). i want to see Squad work on the aerodynamic system and perhaps add more aviation engines such as helicopter blades, propellers and better rudders, giving possibilities to heavy lifting helicopters or VTOL and other air craft! back to the simulation mode, it would save time and lives from just testing it in actual conditions without any information

Thanks

Edit: actually, scratch the button in the VAB or SPH have a whole separate facility for it, where u can load the build from both SPH and VAB and maybe a quick entry button from the actual buildings

(make the wind tunnel facility be able to adjust pressure, heat and all the rest for re-entry damage and other tests, and make the building be able to be upgraded fitting bigger ships and other options!

Edited January 3, 2015 by DiamondExcavater
realised u wrote about a button!

[andrew123]

I agree, i am having real trouble with the designs of my planes (being, my wings too far back, or too small etc...) just going through the testing stage where i launch the craft and see any problems, but even through that i can't find any small weight imperfections or wheel miss-alignment or thrust/weight/lift ratio etc... without any logistics or some sort of information which could arouse the issue! The aerodynamic system is terrible, i would love to see actual re-entry damage and actual lift (making the game even more difficult for beginners). i want to see Squad work on the aerodynamic system and perhaps add more aviation engines such as helicopter blades, propellers and better rudders, giving possibilities to heavy lifting helicopters or VTOL and other air craft! back to the simulation mode, it would save time and lives from just testing it in actual conditions without any information

Thanks

Edit: actually, scratch the button in the VAB or SPH have a whole separate facility for it, where u can load the build from both SPH and VAB and maybe a quick entry button from the actual buildings

(make the wind tunnel facility be able to adjust pressure, heat and all the rest for re-entry damage and other tests, and make the building be able to be upgraded fitting bigger ships and other options!

And provisions for variable geometry wings. Since this is a scientific game, why not add oblique wings while they're at it?

The current VGW wing systems are heavy monsters. Rockets and landing legs to move wings is ridiculous.

[Wjolcz]

Also a rover playground with ramps and all that rovery stuff. With G slider, of course. Or some sort of line holding it. Like in the Moon landing special of Mythbusters.

[RocketPilot573]

Yes please!

[thereaverofdarkness]

I still remember an old paper airplane design game on the Apple IIe greenscreen, running off a 5¼" Floppy Diskette (a FLOPPY floppy) which had a wind tunnel for testing your aircraft designs. How come this much more advanced game does not have one?

Supported.

[meve12]

I would prefer the first idea, actually. Like RCS build aid, but with aerodynamics.

[Daze]

Yes maybe doing something like RCS aid but with "wind stripes" which moves around our craft in the SPH and with different colours they show the stress, drag, etc.

[Wjolcz]

I dunno about the RCS aid. Cant imagine how would that work. And the air whirls behind the plane wouldnt tell me much, really. I assume thats what you mean by saying "wind stripes", right?

I think that would overcomplicate it a bit, and just flying the plane without any budget hit when crashing it, would work best.

[Daze]

Yes something like that, not much complicated plus the use of different color to underline less "aerodynamic zone" of the craft.