How do I keep my rockets from blowing up the pad without launch stabilizers?
Since 0.25, it is now possible to destroy buildings at KSC. Unfortunately, this appears to also mean it's now possible to overload your launch pad. On several occasions, even with relatively small craft, I've found that the launch pad simply collapses under the weight of my rocket.
Right now the pad collapses under anything larger than a rocket that's simply made to orbit Kerbin. It doesn't seem right to me that something as relatively small as the one I've made for the first Mun landing of this save should break the pad.
What is it that causes this? Is there now a weight cap for the launch pad - if so, what is it? Later in the game, I know I'll be able to work around the issue with launch stabilizers (I've done so in other saves), but right now that's not an option. Are there other workarounds?
Best Answer
Make your rocket wider, so there's less mass per surface area.
Also makes your rocket more stable, less likely to topple. Of course it can become unstable if it's not properly strutted...
And play the game as it's meant to. If you don't have the launch stabilisers, just make rockets that don't need them to remain stable. You can easily make a rocket that takes you to the Mun or Minmus that's small enough to not need them for example.
Haven't tried rockets going further than that, but I guess Duna should be possible, certainly a one way mission.
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Quick Answer about "How do I keep my rockets from blowing up the pad without launch stabilizers?"
How do rockets stay straight up?
Rockets don't have wings, so all their lift must be provided by the thrust from their engines. And it's obviously much more efficient to have the engines pointing straight down so that the rocket travels straight up, instead of wasting thrust by travelling horizontally along a runway.How do rockets not fall?
Rockets are usually tethered with explosive bolts or big clamps. So thats how rocket assemblies don't fall over. Imagine the huge stresses on these bolts and clamps when those massive engines are firing up to full power, and then the sudden acceleration when they are all let go.What keeps a rocket flying straight?
The aerodynamic shape of the nose cone helps prevent air from slowing the rocket. The fins help guide the rocket to fly straight.Vega-C launch
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