A solution to the reverse adapter tree structure problem.

[MsieurDionne]

As a workaround to the tree structure limitations, some people are using multiple docking ports to attach a lifting stage to a spacecraft with two or more engines. I have an more elegant idea that would require a revision of the existing adapters.

The idea is, you replace the multiples fairings that would normally encase each engine separately by a structural fairing that behave exactly like a cargo bay. A part (2.) that would encase the engine cluster, attach to the adapter above (1.) and be jettisoned by a decoupler (3.). The engines would then no more be a part of the rocket's structural integrity, allowing a much greater rigidity.

Meanwhile, when you are testing this concept, a simple cargo bay self destruction button would do nicely

Have a nice day, MsieurDionne

[BudgetHedgehog]

So, stock interstages. Nice idea, would want (until then, there's pFairings).

[CaptainKipard]

Those interstages would have to be procedural. There was a mod that aimed to do something similar, but I can't remember the name.

[BudgetHedgehog]

Those interstages would have to be procedural. There was a mod that aimed to do something similar, but I can't remember the name.

FloatNode - Procedural Engine Housing? No updates for almost a year though.. I'd just use procedural fairings interstages - the thrustplate multi adapter does pretty much the same thing.

Edited January 9, 2015 by ObsessedWithKSP

[CaptainKipard]

Yes, and yes.

[MsieurDionne]

Thrustplate adapter? I will explore this avenue, I always thought that Procedural Fairing was a nose cone plugin.

[Bill Phil]

I remember thinking about this a while back... Having interstages related to a part ABOVE the engines, but my phone back then wouldn't let me post because it was on the mobile site, which for some reason didn't have the button to select a tag for the thread.

[BudgetHedgehog]

Thrustplate adapter? I will explore this avenue, I always thought that Procedural Fairing was a nose cone plugin.

It is, but it also has procedural interstages (similar to what the Lunar Module was housed in for Apollo) and a thrust plate adapter which is a plate with any number of nodes on the bottom to attach engine clusters to, with user defined spacing, too. There's a central node as well to attach the interstage to so you end up with exactly what you're after. Now we just wait for it to be made stock (hey, a guy can dream, can't he?).

[CaptainKipard]

By the way they don't have to be procedural in the sense that the length has to be arbitrary. They could program a system that takes an interstage model section and repeat the model as many times as is necessary. It'd be like the current engine interstages, but better.

[Crimson Sunrise]

I think the problem of tree distribution has to be solved before this could happen. You can't have a single node with multiple sub nodes.