Need cargo bays for vertical rockets

[RocketBlam]

The one glaring problem I see left in Kerbal is that vertical rockets don't have any cargo bays in the stock parts. The problem comes when I try to put a lander and a rover on the same landing platform. There's no easy way to deploy a rover. I keep wishing I had a cargo bay that could be attached at the bottom of the lander that would include the rover.

[FlyingPete]

I guess you could have a part that stores a 'size N' part in a 'size N+1' tank. That would avoid the need to stack the command module on top of a lander and give you a bit more flexibility in your lander design

[SilentWindOfDoom]

Ah yes. Three options remain. Slapping it on the side using KAS or a docking port, which just looks wrong and is problematic in terms of center of mass. Land it separately or use a space plane with a drop ramp from MKIV spaceplanes or B9.

I've often wished for something like that and to be quite honest it shouldn't be too hard to make, in fact i remember an older mod that had a lander with a cargo bay that you could deploy rovers out of.

[mattinoz]

Ah yes. Three options remain. Slapping it on the side using KAS or a docking port, which just looks wrong and is problematic in terms of center of mass. Land it separately or use a space plane with a drop ramp from MKIV spaceplanes or B9.

I've often wished for something like that and to be quite honest it shouldn't be too hard to make, in fact i remember an older mod that had a lander with a cargo bay that you could deploy rovers out of.

Why not the Apollo way?

Rover in a can.

Small cargo bay, rover folded in half. Astronauts used winch and levers to lift the rover out in the low gravity.

Edit: Sorry forgot to add...

Yes please to cargo bays and faring for stock rockets.

[RocketBlam]

Why not the Apollo way?

Rover in a can.

Small cargo bay, rover folded in half. Astronauts used winch and levers to lift the rover out in the low gravity.

Edit: Sorry forgot to add...

Yes please to cargo bays and faring for stock rockets.

Well, I hate to be obvious about this, but there are three problems with your solution.

1. No vertical cargo bay.

2. No way to fold a rover in half.

3. No winches or levers in stock.

[Pthigrivi]

You can use the MK3's vertically. I've done a number of missions with under-mount rovers on a docking port. The launch stage had the rover encased in an MK3 that unsheathed before the transfer to save weight.

But yeah fairings are coming soon Im sure and should help make all that much simpler.

[Maelstrom Vortex]

The one glaring problem I see left in Kerbal is that vertical rockets don't have any cargo bays in the stock parts. The problem comes when I try to put a lander and a rover on the same landing platform. There's no easy way to deploy a rover. I keep wishing I had a cargo bay that could be attached at the bottom of the lander that would include the rover.

I have used both mk2 and mk3 cargo bays for vertical launches. I think you're suggesting Mk1 cargo bays horizontal cylindrical cargo bays that can open from bottom after launch and stage separation.

Suggested Work around for now: Invert mk 2 cargo bay and use a structural radial point connector to attach it facing down. Put another structural radial point connector inside the bay also facing down below the lander or on the ends of the cargo bay. Connect a small docking port to radial connector in either of these locations. Put a small docking port on the rover facing the way you want it to connect inside the bay. Use structural supports to stabilize the rover while inside the bay until you disconnect it if necessary. Use fairly long landing gear or connect the landing gear to the mk2 bay as the bottom of the lander itself to ensure that once you touch down, open the bay, and undo the docking port the rover drops out without difficulty.

Use radial point connectors on the far ends of the bay to connect lower stages to it for launch.

Edited January 8, 2015 by Maelstrom Vortex

[mattinoz]

Well, I hate to be obvious about this, but there are three problems with your solution.

1. No vertical cargo bay.

2. No way to fold a rover in half.

3. No winches or levers in stock.

Well they could add all three while adding the first one.

[klgraham1013]

For rockets, I'd much rather see fairings become stock.