So are you practicing "Pointy Rockets"?

[LordFerret]

If it doesn't change would you still call it an aerodynamic "overhaul"?

They could change the aerodynamics in ways other than what I'm asking/wondering about. Guess this one is a wait and see.

[regex]

They could change the aerodynamics in ways other than what I'm asking/wondering about. Guess this one is a wait and see.

If nose cones were as terrible as they are now when we get to 1.0, I'd say the "overhaul" would have failed completely.

[OrtwinS]

Using FAR already, so I already need pointy stuff.

[DaMichel]

I totally put nosecones on everything already. (Using FAR)

[KerbMav]

Even with FAR intalled I managed to launch (with low TWR and speeds in lower atmosphere, late and wide gravity turn) an interplanetary ship encased in a proc.fairing with a base as wide as four orange tanks radially attached to another orange tank (so three orange tanks wide) in the middle.

And since I used FAR since forever - although I seem to never manage planes ... - so I suppose stock aero will be not that different for my designs.

Although I am wary of some parts of the dev notes, as it looks like lift will be generated by numbers in the wings part.cfg rather than real physics calculations?

Oh good lord, I messed that up?

Actually, I liked your version.

Edited February 13, 2015 by KerbMav

[ShadowZone]

Since the Mk3 cargo bays I try to construct my lander vehicles so that they can fit inside. Managed to do that with a Tylo lander. Not been able to scale an Eve lander down to that size yet.

[Renegrade]

Although I am wary of some parts of the dev notes, as it looks like lift will be generated by numbers in the wings part.cfg rather than real physics calculations?

That's how it's done in FAR. It's generally better to precompute figures than rely on geometries of meshes etc, as there can be.. infelicities in meshes. So loading values from files isn't a problem..unless the values are precomputed by way of the "arse-pull" algorithm.

Example:

// from FerramAerospaceResearch.cfg:
@PART[R8winglet]:FOR[FerramAerospaceResearch]
{

	// stock values are nullified:
	@module = Part
	@maximum_drag = 0
	@minimum_drag = 0
	@angularDrag = 0
	@dragCoeff = 0
	@deflectionLiftCoeff = 0
	@ctrlSurfaceRange = 0
	@ctrlSurfaceArea = 0

	// FAR values are put in:
	MODULE
	{
		name = FARControllableSurface
		MAC = 1.311
		MidChordSweep = 27.6
		maxdeflect = 15
		b_2 = 1.388
		TaperRatio = 0.611
	}
}

So as long as Squad isn't making up random numbers from the A-P method, we'll probably be okay.

[Jouni]

I started building reasonable-looking rockets in 0.23.5 and switched to FAR soon after that.

Then I learned that trying to achieve aerodynamic stability is a waste of time, and tail fins are pointless, except on small rockets without thrust vectoring.

[cicatrix]

Actually, even with FAR you can build a pancake with no fairings and get it to orbit. Just 'add moar boozterz'

[Flixxbeatz]

I always practice "pointy rockets", since that's how they do it in real life (because of how aerodynamics work), and not to mention for aesthetic purposes (I want my rockets to look sleek and aerodynamic, and not to look like abominations filled-to-the-brim with rocket fuel).

But since there's no payload fairings by default in stock, it can't be done without improvising. Improvising = more parts = more chances of lagging. So my typical stock lifters look something like this:

With mods, they look like this:

So aerodynamics are now getting overhauled... say goodbye to lifters looking more like "stack of boosters" than actual lifters and oversized irregular payloads

Hello realistic looking rockets!

Edited February 13, 2015 by Flixxbeatz
u fookn wot m8? i rek u swer on me mum

[magnemoe]

I started building reasonable-looking rockets in 0.23.5 and switched to FAR soon after that.

Then I learned that trying to achieve aerodynamic stability is a waste of time, and tail fins are pointless, except on small rockets without thrust vectoring.

http://jltsiren.kapsi.fi/ksp/0.90/mushroom_3.jpeg

Yes, the nice thing about that mushroom is that it would fit one of my larger motherships comfortable, might be an bit higher but that is all.

Strutting might be an issue if you can not strut trough the fairing. Anyway an 6+1 asparagus would fit nice in the drag shadow of the mushroom

[Renegrade]

Then I learned that trying to achieve aerodynamic stability is a waste of time, and tail fins are pointless, except on small rockets without thrust vectoring.

Your finless designs intrigue me and I wish to learn more! (unless they involve lots of careful vectoring to keep the AoA under like two degrees, I know that bit already~)

Actually, even with FAR you can build a pancake with no fairings and get it to orbit. Just 'add moar boozterz'

I posted one a couple of pages back. Tanks at right angle to the airflow. Didn't even need moar boosters, took less delta-v to get to orbit than a stock design heh.

Yes, the nice thing about that mushroom is that it would fit one of my larger motherships comfortable, might be an bit higher but that is all.

Strutting might be an issue if you can not strut trough the fairing. Anyway an 6+1 asparagus would fit nice in the drag shadow of the mushroom

I'm pretty sure FAR doesn't have drag shadows (I wish it did, but I think that might require CFD). Not sure about the upcoming aero though. While I'm hoping it's a good deal better than FAR, I'm expecting it to be not as good as NEAR

(Hope for the best, expect the worst, y'know.)

Edited February 13, 2015 by Renegrade

[Daze]

Since I play FAR + RSS I'm already ahead of the curve. No need to practice, I'm already livin' the life.

This.

[Jouni]

Your finless designs intrigue me and I wish to learn more! (unless they involve lots of careful vectoring to keep the AoA under like two degrees, I know that bit already~)

Keeping the angle of attack under 5 degrees is usually enough. The square-cube law also works in your favor: the bigger the rocket is, the less it cares about aerodynamics.

[Rune]

Ahem. Never used FAR, but I play this game to see cool stuff on the screen:

Rune. And those are pre-0.25... now with the gizmos and new wing parts? Every launch is a spectacle.

[SelectHalfling0]

I've always done it the "pointy" way. I'm not going to need anything new, because in my book aesthetics = realism. And I make my rockets aesthetic.

That is exactly what I have done. It will be a very smooth transition for me.

[klgraham1013]

Actually it's vida loca

(returning the favor)

I prefer "Returning the Crazy."

[Robotengineer]

I've always attempted to make my rockets pointy. Sometimes the payload was so huge though that the fairing was 2-3x the diameter of the rocket though.

[klgraham1013]

I should contribute to the actual conversation.

I've been building aerodynamic vehicles for quiet a while (yes, FAR), so it probably won't be an issue.

[Tex]

While I haven't been using FAR (I HAVE dabbled with it in the past, but... I prefer as few mods as possible), I do tend to build my rockets as aerodynamically as I can. Of course, it still does bug me a bit when I have some weird payload at the top. Perhaps I should get into Procedural Fairings just for the sake of fairings.

[JimmyAgent007]

Havent been using flat rockets since i discovered how to A-Stage. That being said, launching rovers and other odd shapes will be balanced by having fairings. Im looking forward to having to relearn how to launch.

[Hodo]

Since I play FAR + RSS I'm already ahead of the curve. No need to practice, I'm already livin' the life.

I am right here with Regex. Both of my installs have FAR+DRE and one is RSS. So well ahead I curve also.

[Frozen_Heart]

I've always done pointy rockets. Not going to be hard for me to adapt.

[Wabbit]

I've been using it most of the time just to make things look pretty. There are some occasions, (i.e. launching a nuke tug + hab module on one launcher) where I just can't, though. And even then I try to make it pointy.

[FishInferno]

I always make pointy rockets with the exemption of career mode (I don't make pancake rockets in career, i just don't put node cones on to save money). I use asparagus often, but it isnt a giant pancake, more like the Kerbal X of FH