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| − | '''Lift''' in [[Kerbal Space Program|KSP]] is a mechanical aerodynamic force generated by an object moving through an [[atmosphere]]. Like [[thrust]], lift has both a magnitude and a direction. The location on a [[craft]] where the sum total of lift generated by all its parts balances out is the [[center of lift]] or CoL. Flight happens when the CoL is in the general direction of “up” and of a magnitude at least equal to the weight of the craft within the gravity of a [[celestial body]].
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| − | == Dynamics ==
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| − | Lift is contrasted with [[drag]], the force directly opposing an object's motion through the air. As of {{version|1.0}}, all [[parts]] generate some lift as well as drag; however the lift-to-drag ratio is much higher from aerodynamic parts such as [[wing]]s, [[control surface]]s, etc. KSP also models drag created as a consequence of lifting force.
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| − | All else equal, lift increases with greater speed and decreases with higher altitude. The faster an object flies, the greater the mass of air it would encounter within a timespan and thus the greater the mass pushing against its own. Atmospheric density, or air pressure, decreases further from the surface of a celestial body, meaning less air to encounter and thus less mass contributing to lift.
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| − | The ratio of lift-to-weight must be equal or greater than “1” in order to successfully counteract the downward pull of gravity. Increasing speed can keep a craft's lift-to-weight ratio from becoming less than favorable while climbing into thinner atmosphere; but once its speed reaches escape velocity, this negates the need for lifting force to overcome gravity. This, in effect, is the goal of [[spaceplane]]s.
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| − | {{See also|w:Lift (force)|Lift (force) on Wikipedia}}
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| − | {{See also|w:Lift-induced_drag|Lift-induced drag on Wikipedia}}
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Revision as of 18:20, 17 March 2017
