Mercedes Mullins
In the Kerbal Space Program (KSP), fuel tanks are essential for storing and providing fuel to engines and other consumers. Players can utilize various types of fuel tanks, such as liquid fuel tanks, monopropellant tanks, and xenon tanks, to power their spacecraft. One efficient method, known as asparagus staging, involves using external boosters or side-mounted fuel tanks that feed fuel into the main engine or other boosters. This ensures that the main tank remains full during the critical stages of the launch. However, KSP players have reported challenges with fuel transfer and empty fuel tanks, requiring careful configuration of fuel lines and attention to fuel flow between tanks. Mods like TAC Fuel Transfer and Procedural Parts can enhance fuel management and allow for larger custom tanks. Understanding these fuel tank mechanics is crucial for successful space missions in KSP.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fuel types | Liquid fuel and oxidizer, liquid fuel alone, monopropellant, ore |
| Fuel tank combinations | Engine Nacelle, Engine Pre-cooler, and Mk1 Diverterless Supersonic Intake; FAT-455 Aeroplane Main Wing, Big-S Wing Strake, and Big-S Delta Wing |
| Asparagus staging | External boosters feed fuel into the main engine or into boosters that would separate later, keeping the remaining tanks full |
| Crossfeed mechanism | Fuel is transferred from one tank to another |
| Flow priority | Tanks with higher flow priority are emptied first |
| Fuel transfer | ALT-right-click on tanks to transfer fuel between them; pin tanks to fill and click "out" |
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What You'll Learn
Using the 'asparagus staging method
The asparagus staging method is a way to increase the efficiency of a rocket by removing weight as it uses fuel. This method involves radially attached fuel tanks and engines that are dropped before the centre fuel tank is drained. The basic principle is that all engines will initially run off the external fuel tanks, which are then jettisoned, along with their engines, once they are empty. This process is repeated until only the central rocket is left.
The asparagus staging method can be achieved through fuel lines, which connect the stages in the order they will be dropped. The fuel in the outer tanks is transferred to the inner tanks and burned simultaneously, keeping the inner tanks full while they are burning. This optimises the weight-thrust ratio as the empty tanks are ejected. This method is most effective for lifting heavy payloads with a higher mass-to-thrust ratio, for missions beyond the Mun, and for space station launches.
Asparagus staging is most efficient when used with smaller rockets and/or those with lower-flow engines. It is not very practical in reality due to the maximum flow rate possible and the mass movement that would cause the rocket to spin. However, it is a useful method in KSP as it allows for the removal of wasted weight.
A tip for using asparagus staging is to start from a pair of tanks opposite the outer tanks and feed them into the next tank over, and so on, until the last few feed into the centre. This way, instead of having several outer stacks that are partially empty, you will have a few full tanks and a few empty ones, allowing you to drop the empty tanks and lose the dead weight.
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Transferring fuel from multiple tanks at once
To transfer fuel from multiple tanks at once in Kerbal Space Program (KSP), you can try using a crossfeed mechanism. This involves setting up each stage of your rocket with its own set of tanks, ensuring that the tanks are only connected to that specific stage. This prevents fuel from being burned off by another engine or stage earlier than intended.
Additionally, you can use the TAC Fuel Transfer mod, which allows you to transfer fuel from multiple tanks simultaneously to a central tank. This mod is available on CKAN, a modding platform for KSP on PC.
It is important to note that KSP does not handle shared fuel flow between tanks well, so avoid redirecting fuel flow from one tank into another. Always ensure that your fuel lines are properly connected and that the arrows on the lines are pointing in the correct direction, as they only flow one way.
Another consideration is the use of side boosters, which can feed fuel into the main engine or other boosters. This can be achieved through a simple unidirectional valve that allows fuel into the "main" side but never out, ensuring the fuel flows only in the intended direction.
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Using a crossfeed mechanism
The crossfeed mechanism in KSP involves pumping fuel from one tank to another against tank pressure. This requires pumps independent of the engine turbopumps, and it is a challenging task to pump large amounts of fuel quickly and safely. A sudden stop when the tank is empty can lead to a pump explosion, so it is crucial to manage the massive flow without causing a water hammer.
To address fuel imbalances, a crossfeed line can be used to connect the normally isolated fuel tank systems. When two containers with different fuel levels are connected, the increased pressure from the fuller container will push the fuel into the container with less fuel until equal pressure is achieved. This process can be influenced by factors such as the diameter of the crossfeed fuel line and the presence of bypass lines in the fuel pump system.
In KSP, certain parts may not allow fuel crossfeed, and fuel lines might be necessary to enable fuel transfer. To isolate fuel tanks, you can use decouplers or separators, which prevent fuel transfer by default. Advanced tweakables can be enabled to set fuel flow priority and manage crossfeed rules.
It is worth noting that KSP allows for unrealistic configurations, such as the “asparagus staging" setup, where external boosters feed fuel into the main engine or other boosters. However, in practice, detaching side tanks during acceleration can be complex and challenging, and fuel supply hiccups can occur.
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Avoiding circular fuel flow
The Kerbal Space Program (KSP) has a few fuel flow problems, including an overly simplistic top-to-bottom fuel flow model and issues with circular fuel flow.
To avoid issues with circular fuel flow, it is important to ensure that fuel lines are set up correctly. Fuel lines should be run with arrows pointing in the right direction, as the line only flows one way. It is also important to watch the fuel flow to ensure that it is going to the right place.
If you are experiencing issues with side-mounted fuel tanks not working, it may be helpful to post a video or screenshots of your setup to get more specific advice. However, some general tips include checking that the tanks are connected properly and that the correct type of fuel is being used.
One user reported that they resolved a similar issue by adding a fuel tank to their radial engines, which did not have a fuel supply. Another user suggested using the yellow hose in the fuel tank and propulsion section to connect tanks that are not connected and feed fuel to the ship.
It is also important to note that KSP does not react well if your fuel flow is shared between tanks and then redirected into another tank, which can cause fuel supply hiccups. To prevent this, you can secure the "main" side with a unidirectional valve that allows fuel in but never out.
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$139.95
Using a monopropellant
Monopropellant is a resource used by most RCS thrusters and the O-10 "Puff" monopropellant fuel engine. It is stored in separate tanks from liquid fuel or oxidizer and can be transferred around a vessel. Monopropellant, unlike liquid fuel, does not require an oxidizer to burn to produce thrust and requires no additional chemicals to work. A well-known example of a monopropellant is hydrazine.
In the Kerbal Space Program, monopropellant tanks will provide fuel to any engine attached to the rocket, regardless of the fuel delivery path. This is in contrast to engines using liquid fuel and oxidizer, which need to be attached to the tank with only fuel crossing parts between them.
When building a space station, you can attach RCS tanks to the core so that ships can dock and refill on monopropellant. Monopropellant can be transferred between tanks in the same way as any other resource. To do this, select the tank you want to transfer from, hold Alt, and select the destination tank.
The Mk3 Monopropellant Tank stores 2100 units of monopropellant, which is more than enough for a single docking maneuver. The amount of fuel in the tank is tweakable and can be locked while it is in a mission.
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Frequently asked questions
You can transfer fuel between tanks by ALT-right clicking on them. This allows you to transfer into or out of a tank, and the fuel will distribute evenly between the selected tanks.
Asparagus staging is when external boosters feed fuel into the main engine or into boosters that would separate later. To set this up, mount additional fuel tanks radially and transfer their contents to a central tank using fuel lines. Make sure that the outer tanks are drained first and dropped once empty, while still keeping the central tank full.
Some users have reported issues with side-mounted fuel tanks not working. This could be due to symmetry settings, incorrect fuel flow branching, or improper fuel hose connections. Another issue is that fuel tanks may be empty prematurely due to the response system being activated early.
