What are you supposed to do with an unused launch escape system?

[THX1138]

Are you meant to attach it with a port or decoupler so you can decouple it in orbit when it's no longer required? Shouldn't it include its own built-in decoupler?

[Janos1986]

TBH in 400+ hours on ksp I never ever used it, so I don't really know.

[THX1138]

Indeed, it's kind of pointless since I always just revert to VAB to fix the problem (I'd have been bankrupted long ago otherwise) but I wanted to use one anyway.

[Reactordrone]

The few times I've used it I've just put it on top of a docking port and set up an action group to decouple the node and fire the LES motors when I was at a safe altitude.

[kidolvski]

Yeah, just decouple and launch it away when you reach space.

[Scarecrow88]

The few times I've used it I've just put it on top of a docking port and set up an action group to decouple the node and fire the LES motors when I was at a safe altitude.

That's what I do, but I agree that it should have it's own built in decoupler, as it looks rather inelegant when sitting on a docking port on top of your rocket.

[Skorpychan]

IRL, it's jettisoned when no longer needed. So, do the same and include an upside-down decoupler under it once you don't need the extra thrust to get the capsule away.

[Superfluous J]

Can a part have 2 stageable things, and have them be staged separately of each other? I can't think of any so don't know if it's possible or not.

Though granted you don't have to stage the actual purpose of the escape system, just tuck it into your abort sequence.

I can't really speak on this because other than just trying it when it first came out, I don't bother with it.

[MircoMars]

I don't use LES either, but you could:

- use the thrust of the LES on ascent, then jettison on suborbital trajectory

- shoot it at the stage you just staged off

- build LES as a satellite (if you use RT2)

- use it as seismic impactor (if you use Interstellar mod)

[Taki117]

Can a part have 2 stageable things, and have them be staged separately of each other? I can't think of any so don't know if it's possible or not.

Though granted you don't have to stage the actual purpose of the escape system, just tuck it into your abort sequence.

I can't really speak on this because other than just trying it when it first came out, I don't bother with it.

Kinda? I know all the other LESs in other packs (NovaPunch specifically) have an integrated decoupler so when you hit space it fires the LES motors and decouples it at the same time.

[Rhomphaia]

Generally what I do is place a radial parachute on top of the pod, attach a docking port to the node on the top of the pod so that it covers the parachute, and the LES onto the docking port.

Abort action group to separate the pod and fire the LES. another action group decouples the docking port and fires the LES usually once in orbit and pointing retrograde-ish (to account for LES off-center thrust