My rockets lose stability when trying to launch
I've been playing KSP since about 0.22. I've been having a bunch of problems since 1.0 though, where I cannot even get into orbit.
The major issue is that with every rocket design, when it comes to gravity turn, the rocket goes into an uncontrollable spin in that direction- the command pod torque seems to do nothing now. I tried adding several reaction wheels (like, 10 at the top of the rocket), but it had no measurable effect. I added some of the wings, which seem to help keeping the craft stable but only when it's going up- when trying to stably turn the rocket in-atmosphere they don't seem to help.
It seems somewhat to me like the controls just aren't working properly. If you're going straight up, and you push left or right, the whole craft wobbles tremendously because 10 consecutive reaction wheels are not a good structural element and you're applying a lot of torque. But when the craft is spinning, there's no wobbling at all and pushing the keys has absolutely no effect.
What's the cause of this huge change in stability mechanics and how can I adapt my older rocket designs?
Best Answer
Winglets way at the back. The center of lift should be behind (i.e., below) the center of mass, otherwise it's aerodynamically unstable. That's jargon for "any maneuver is likely to overshoot," what you've seen. An airplane is the same: moving its CoM aft (by adjusting ballast, easier and safer on a model than on something you sit in) makes it twitchier and more agile, but once the CoM moves aft of the CoL, the airplane becomes uncontrollable.
If stages after the first are still in atmosphere, sure, give them winglets too, but not so large as to destabilize the first stage.
Pictures about "My rockets lose stability when trying to launch"
How do you make a rocket more stable?
If the rocket wobbles, or the tail points in the direction of rotation, the rocket is unstable. You can increase the stability by lowering the center of pressure, increasing the fin area, for example, or by raising the center of gravity, adding weight to the nose.Why are all rockets unstable?
Because the motor is pushing in a different direction than the rocket wants to move; it causes it to go unstable. 22. Off-axis thrust lines. This is different than a canted thrust line, but the effect can be the same.How to Stop Rocket Flipping | KSP Beginner's Guide
More answers regarding my rockets lose stability when trying to launch
Answer 2
Alternate solution: Increase available delta V by 1.5x, add verner engines, turn on RCS, and start your gravity turn at 35k.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.