Sylvie Willis
In Kerbal Space Program (KSP), players often face the challenge of managing fuel efficiently to reach orbit. While there is no definitive answer to the number of fuel tanks required, players have shared their experiences and strategies for achieving this feat. Some players suggest using liquid fuel rockets with simple staging, which can result in a 10:1 payload ratio, meaning ten tanks of fuel are burned to get one into orbit. Others have experimented with different tactics, aiming for a 50% reusable design, but have yet to find a consistently successful method. Mods like Kerbal Engineer Redux are recommended for calculating delta-V, the amount of acceleration before running out of fuel, and optimizing ship designs for fuel efficiency. Achieving orbit in KSP involves a delicate balance of fuel management, staging, and strategic maneuvers, with players sharing their insights to help each other reach this milestone.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Liquid fuel rockets with simple staging on Kerbin | 10:1 payload ratio |
| Liquid fuel rockets with fancy staging | 7:1 or 8:1 payload ratio |
| Delta-V calculation | Thrust to weight ratio with fuel usage taken into account |
| Fuel transfer methods | Fuel duct, multiple fuel tanks connected by pipes, or auxiliary vehicle |
| Recommended mods | Kerbal Engineering Redux, Mechjeb, KW mod |
| Example ship design | 449 parts, 7 large orange tanks, 2 large RCS tanks, all engines burning at max throttle until drop |
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What You'll Learn
- Liquid fuel rockets with simple staging burn 10 tanks to get 1 into orbit
- Use a lifter stage of 2 jumbo tanks tall, with 6 more in asparagus
- Use Kerbal Engineer Redux to design ships with finely tuned ΔV per stage
- Use a fuel duct to connect multiple fuel tanks within the same rocket or aircraft
- Use the 'Resource Manager' in the toolbar to transfer fuel between two spacecraft
Liquid fuel rockets with simple staging burn 10 tanks to get 1 into orbit
Liquid-propellant rockets, or liquid rockets, use a rocket engine that burns liquid propellants. Liquids are desirable propellants because they have reasonably high density and their combustion products have high specific impulse (Isp). This allows the volume of the propellant tanks to be relatively low. Liquid rockets can be monopropellant, bipropellant, or tripropellant, with monopropellant and bipropellant being more common.
Liquid-fuelled rockets combine liquid fuel and liquid oxidizer, which is necessary unless the engine is air-breathing or nuclear-powered. Thousands of combinations of fuels and oxidizers have been tried over the years, with some of the more common and practical ones being liquid oxygen (LOX, O2) and liquid hydrogen (LH2, H2).
Liquid-fuel rockets with simple staging on Kerbin usually reach a 10:1 payload ratio. That is, one can expect to burn ten tanks of fuel to get one into orbit. This ratio does not factor in the engine weight, and fancier staging methods can increase efficiency.
In Kerbal Space Program (KSP), liquid fuel tanks are necessary for reaching orbit. One method involves using a lifter stage of two jumbo tanks tall, with six more in asparagus, and then a middle stage for docking the payload. This usually gets the whole tank to orbit without using any fuel from the payload tank.
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Use a lifter stage of 2 jumbo tanks tall, with 6 more in asparagus
To reach orbit in KSP, one user recommends using a lifter stage of 2 jumbo tanks tall, with 6 more in asparagus. This is known as asparagus staging, which is a technique that can help you get good power and reach orbit. Asparagus staging involves attaching several fuel tanks (usually in sets of two) around a central stack of tanks, with each set of tanks having its own engine. This configuration allows for more efficient fuel usage and can help you lift heavier payloads into orbit.
When using asparagus staging, it's important to consider the thrust-to-weight ratio (TWR) of your rocket. Ideally, you want to maintain a TWR of close to 2 throughout the ascent. However, as you shed fuel tanks during ascent, your TWR will naturally decrease. To counter this, you can use more powerful engines on the first stage of your asparagus design to raise the TWR well over 2, and then stage and drop these engines when the rocket reaches terminal velocity.
Additionally, when designing an asparagus-staged rocket, it's crucial to ensure that all the engines and fuel tanks on the outer rockets are the same. This helps ensure that the fuel is used efficiently and that the rocket doesn't buckle under its own weight. It's also important to set your symmetry mode to 2 when designing the rocket to ensure that all the parts are attached correctly and symmetrically.
One example of a successful asparagus-staged rocket design involved using a central stack of two orange tanks with twelve tanks (six stacks of two each) around the sides, all set up in asparagus style. Each asparagus booster had a mainsail engine, while the central tank had eight or twelve 200-thrust high-efficiency engines. This design was able to lift crafts weighing as much as two or three orange tanks into high orbit.
Another user shares their successful design, which involved using a lifter stage of two jumbo tanks tall, with six more in asparagus. They used a middle stage for docking the payload, and this configuration allowed them to get the entire fuel tank into orbit without using any fuel from the payload tank. This design seems to align with your specific request, and it might be a good starting point for your own rocket design.
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Use Kerbal Engineer Redux to design ships with finely tuned ΔV per stage
To design ships with finely tuned delta-V per stage, Kerbal Engineer Redux (KER) can be a useful tool. KER provides delta-V readouts for each stage, allowing you to see if you have enough delta-V to complete each stage of your mission. This information can help you decide if adding extra fuel or thrusters is necessary and beneficial.
- Determine your target: Calculate the delta-V required to reach your target from Kerbin. This will be your baseline for ship design.
- Use the KER window: The KER interface provides the stage delta-V and the cumulative delta-V. The stage delta-V shows the maximum change in velocity that each stage can achieve, while the cumulative delta-V gives the total delta-V up to a particular stage.
- Design your ship: Utilize the KER readouts to design your ship's stages accordingly. Ensure that each stage has sufficient delta-V to accomplish its specific mission leg. For example, you may have separate stages for launching to orbit, travelling to the Mun, and returning to Kerbin.
- Optimize your design: Play around with different staging configurations to maximize delta-V. Consider using asparagus staging to potentially increase delta-V without adding more fuel.
- Check return trip requirements: Ensure that you have enough delta-V for the final stages of your mission, especially if you need to make a return trip.
- Consider other factors: When designing your ship, also take into account factors such as thrust-to-weight ratio (TWR) and orbital information, including eccentricity and inclination.
By following these steps and utilizing the information provided by KER, you can design ships with finely tuned delta-V per stage, ensuring that each stage of your mission is successfully executed.
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Use a fuel duct to connect multiple fuel tanks within the same rocket or aircraft
When it comes to reaching orbit in KSP, the number of fuel tanks required can vary. Typically, liquid fuel rockets with simple staging on Kerbin achieve a 10:1 payload ratio, meaning ten tanks of fuel are burned to get one into orbit. However, this ratio can be improved with more advanced staging techniques.
Now, let's discuss using fuel ducts to connect multiple fuel tanks within a rocket or aircraft. This is indeed a viable method for transferring fuel in KSP. By employing fuel ducts, you can connect multiple fuel tanks within the same vessel. This setup allows for greater flexibility in fuel management and can enhance the efficiency of your rocket or aircraft.
Here's how it works: imagine your rocket has a central fuel tank and two additional fuel tanks positioned laterally. By utilizing fuel ducts, you can link these lateral tanks to the central tank using external fuel pipes. This configuration ensures that the lateral tanks continuously refuel the central tank, providing a steady supply of fuel to the engine.
The use of fuel ducts offers several advantages. Firstly, it allows for more efficient fuel utilization, as the engine can draw fuel from multiple tanks simultaneously. Secondly, it provides redundancy, ensuring that if one tank is damaged or runs out of fuel, the engine can still draw fuel from the other connected tanks. This enhances the overall reliability of your vessel.
Additionally, the use of fuel ducts can simplify the design of your rocket or aircraft. By centralizing the fuel supply, you can reduce the complexity associated with managing multiple isolated tanks. This can lead to a more streamlined and efficient vessel design. It's important to note that proper fuel duct design and installation are crucial to ensure uninterrupted fuel flow and maintain the safety of your vessel.
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Use the 'Resource Manager' in the toolbar to transfer fuel between two spacecraft
To transfer fuel between two spacecraft in Kerbal Space Program (KSP), you must first dock your vessels. This can be achieved through the use of docking ports or by employing a "grabbing unit", often referred to as the "claw". Once the vessels are docked, you can initiate the fuel transfer process.
The fuel transfer interface can be accessed by right-clicking on a fuel tank or through the Resources tab in the resource panel. With this interface open, you can manually transfer fuel between different parts by adjusting the sliders. It is important to monitor the fuel transfer process to ensure a successful transfer. You can switch between the vessels using the [ or ] keys or by selecting them in the tracking station. Keep an eye on the fuel levels and adjust the transfer amount as needed.
Additionally, you can use the Resource Manager in the toolbar to transfer fuel between two spacecraft. Here is a step-by-step guide:
- Click on the right icon in the toolbar (App bar).
- Select the 'Resource Manager'.
- Choose the two tanks involved in the fuel transfer.
- Designate the 'in' (receiving fuel) and 'out' (losing fuel) options.
- Click 'Start' to initiate the fuel transfer.
Note that resource transfer is not possible in career mode until the R&D facility reaches level 2. Crossfeed, however, is always possible. Also, keep in mind that fuel transfers only work when the two vessels are docked together. If they become undocked during the transfer, the process will stop.
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Frequently asked questions
It takes 10 tanks of fuel to get one into orbit.
There are various ways to transfer fuel in KSP. You can transfer fuel between two spacecraft by docking your vehicle with another vessel. You can also connect two fuel tanks with a pipe or use a fuel duct to transfer fuel.
Delta-V is a calculation of thrust to weight, with fuel usage taken into account. It is the "effect" of the fuel and is subject to diminishing returns.
You can calculate the amount of fuel needed by using the delta-v method. You will need at least 4400m/s delta-v to reach LKO.
