Difference between revisions of "Control surface"

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(Control isn't just for winglets anymore!)
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[[File:Control surface tweakables.jpg|thumb|adjusting the reaction to the different axises]]
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[[File:Control surface tweakables.jpg|thumb|adjusting the reaction to the different axes]]
 
A '''control surface''' is an aerodynamic part that provides reactive force when in motion relative to the surrounding [[atmosphere]]. Control surfaces provide greater control and stability to [[rocket]]s and [[plane|aircraft]], though they are of no use outside of an atmosphere.
 
A '''control surface''' is an aerodynamic part that provides reactive force when in motion relative to the surrounding [[atmosphere]]. Control surfaces provide greater control and stability to [[rocket]]s and [[plane|aircraft]], though they are of no use outside of an atmosphere.
  
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Each of the control surfaces is [[tweakable]] in the game - can be adjusted by the [[axis]]es. It can prevent the craft from the overreactions, gives better control by ensuring "free" control surface for the given axises. These can be set off in the [[SPH]] or [[VAB]], and even after the [[launch]] of the craft.
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Each of the control surfaces has [[tweakable]]s to enable or disable each control [[axis]]. Disabling undesired axes can prevent the craft from over-reacting to control inputs. These can be done in the [[SPH]] or [[VAB]], and even after [[launch]] (except State).
  
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The state of the control surfaces' (and its symmetrical pairs) reaction to the control of the axises can be adjusted by the buttons next to the names of the axises in a popping up window by right clicking ion the selected control surface.
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To provide a good level of control in a given axis, they should be placed far away from the center of mass in the appropriate direction:
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*'''''[[Pitch]]''''' : lits and lowers the nose of the craft and can be controlled with a horizontal control surfaces far from the [[center of mass]].
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*'''''[[Pitch]]''''' (elevators): lifts and lowers the nose of the craft around the pitch axis, running from left to right through the center of mass. Typically placed on the horizontal tail fins.
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*'''''[[Yaw]]''''' : turns the craft left and right. It can be controlled most efficiently with vertical control surfaces far from the center of mass.
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*'''''[[Yaw]]''''' (rudders): turns the craft left and right around the yaw axis, running up and down through the center of mass. Typically placed on the vertical tail fin(s).
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*'''''[[Roll]]''''' : rolls the craft around the longitudinal axis of the craft, can be controlled most efficiently with symmetrical control surfaces far from the longitudinal axis (like at the end of the wings).
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*'''''[[Roll]]''''' (ailerons): rolls the craft around the longitudinal axis, running from nose to tail through the center of mass. Typically placed at the end of the wings.
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The  '''''Active/Inactive''''' label by the axis indicates the relation of the control surface to the given axis.  
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The  '''''Active/Inactive''''' label by the axis indicates whether the control surface responds to input in the given axis.
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*'''''State''''': The default state of the control surface - '''''Normal/Deployed'''''
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*'''''Deploy''''': The direction of the extension - '''''Normal/Inverted'''''
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The control surfaces can be also controlled by [[action group]]s:
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*'''''Toggle'''''
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*'''''Extend'''''
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*'''''Retract'''''
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This retraction represents extending flaps, which increases lift and drag, thus reducing stall speed. This is useful for reducing speed and altitude while maintaining a level attitude for a landing approach. It may be a good idea to start with flaps deployed and bind toggling them to the "gears" action group.
  
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''(As the [[KSP/hu|KSP]] aerodynamic model is not very realistic now ({{check version|0.25}}), the crafts can be controlled quite "well" without adjusting too)''
 
  
 
{{clear}}
 
{{clear}}
 
== Table of Control Surfaces ==
 
== Table of Control Surfaces ==
 
{{Stats Table Control Surfaces}}
 
{{Stats Table Control Surfaces}}
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== See also ==
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* [[Reaction wheel]]s
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* [[Reaction Control System|RCS thrusters]]
  
 
[[Category:Control surfaces| ]]
 
[[Category:Control surfaces| ]]
 
[[Category:Parts]]
 
[[Category:Parts]]

Latest revision as of 18:46, 17 March 2017

adjusting the reaction to the different axes

A control surface is an aerodynamic part that provides reactive force when in motion relative to the surrounding atmosphere. Control surfaces provide greater control and stability to rockets and aircraft, though they are of no use outside of an atmosphere.

Each of the control surfaces has tweakables to enable or disable each control axis. Disabling undesired axes can prevent the craft from over-reacting to control inputs. These can be done in the SPH or VAB, and even after launch (except State).

To provide a good level of control in a given axis, they should be placed far away from the center of mass in the appropriate direction:

  • Pitch (elevators): lifts and lowers the nose of the craft around the pitch axis, running from left to right through the center of mass. Typically placed on the horizontal tail fins.
  • Yaw (rudders): turns the craft left and right around the yaw axis, running up and down through the center of mass. Typically placed on the vertical tail fin(s).
  • Roll (ailerons): rolls the craft around the longitudinal axis, running from nose to tail through the center of mass. Typically placed at the end of the wings.

The Active/Inactive label by the axis indicates whether the control surface responds to input in the given axis.

  • State: The default state of the control surface - Normal/Deployed
  • Deploy: The direction of the extension - Normal/Inverted

The control surfaces can be also controlled by action groups:

  • Toggle
  • Extend
  • Retract

This retraction represents extending flaps, which increases lift and drag, thus reducing stall speed. This is useful for reducing speed and altitude while maintaining a level attitude for a landing approach. It may be a good idea to start with flaps deployed and bind toggling them to the "gears" action group.


Table of Control Surfaces

Image Part Radial size Cost
(Funds)		 Mass
(t)		 Max. Temp.
(K)		 Tolerance
(m/s)		 Tolerance
(g) 		Lift Deflection
Range
(°) 		Deflection
Surface Part
(%)
Av-r8 winglet.png
 AV-R8 Winglet Radial mounted 640 0.1 2 400 12 50 0.5 15 95
Standard canard v2.png
 Standard Canard Radial mounted 720 0.1 2 400 12 50 0.5 15 100
Advanced canard v2.png
 Advanced Canard Radial mounted 800 0.08 2 400 12 50 0.4 10 100
Delta-deluxe winglet.png
 Delta-Deluxe Winglet Radial mounted 600 0.078 2 400 12 50 0.65 25 20
Tail fin.png
 Tail Fin Radial mounted 600 0.125 2 400 12 50 0.61 25 100
FAT455TailFin.png
 FAT-455 Aeroplane Tail Fin Radial mounted 1 000 0.36 1 200 15 50 2.69 15 37
BigSTailFin.png
 Big-S Spaceplane Tail Fin Radial mounted 2 500 0.45 2 400 15 50 3.49 25 29
Elevon 1.png Elevon 1 Radial mounted 400 0.05 2 400 15 50 0.25 20 100
Elevon 2.png Elevon 2 Radial mounted 550 0.06 2 400 15 50 0.30 20 100
Elevon 3.png Elevon 3 Radial mounted 650 0.08 2 400 15 50 0.42 20 100
Elevon 4.png Elevon 4 Radial mounted 400 0.04 2 400 15 50 0.18 20 100
Elevon 5.png Elevon 5 Radial mounted 800 0.08 2 400 15 50 0.4 20 100
BigSElevon1.png
 Big-S Elevon 1 Radial mounted 950 0.15 2 400 15 50 0.77 25 100
BigSElevon2.png
 Big-S Elevon 2 Radial mounted 1 300 0.23 2 400 15 50 1.16 25 100
FAT445ContolSurface.png
 FAT-455 Aeroplane Control Surface Radial mounted 800 0.17 1 200 15 50 0.86 15 100
Airbrake.png
 A.I.R.B.R.A.K.E.S[Note 1] Radial mounted 1000 0.05 1 200
(2 400) 		8 50 0.38 70 100
  1. ↑ A.I.R.B.R.A.K.E.S are classified as an "Aero Surface" in the part configuration files and in-game.


See also

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