Decoupler and separator
Decouplers are parts that separate stages of craft either vertically or radially. They don't transfer of liquid fuel and oxidizer automatically, preventing that the upper stages are drained first. All commands in the same stage as the decoupling are executed too, even when they are on then detached stages without a command module or above the decouple command (but in the same stage!).
Types
Decouplers, like the Rockomax Brand Decoupler, remain attached to one side of the rocket. That direction can be determined by a small arrow facing away from the side it stays attached to. Separators, such as the TR-XL Stack Separator are a special type of vertical decouplers, which separate from both sides, leaving three crafts: Both sides of the separator and the separator itself.
Radial decouplers, such as the TT-70 Radial Decoupler, attach to the sides of a rocket and eject stages horizontally. This can be useful for setting up asparagus staging, among other uses. As the ejection force may not be enough to avoid collision afterwards Sepratron I can be used to push detached stages away.
The TT18-A Launch Stability Enhancer can also be classified as a decoupler, although one side is fixed to the ground. But the sound effects are similar and they share the same functionality, separating two parts. It was also be officially defined as a decoupler, but was changed into strut.
Decouplers
Image | Part | Radial size | Cost () |
Mass (t) |
Max. Temp. (K) |
Tolerance (m/s) |
Tolerance (g) |
Ejection impulse (kgF∙s)[Note 1] |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TT-38K Radial Decoupler | Radial mounted | 600 | 0.025 | 2 000 | 8 | 50 | 250 | |
TT-70 Radial Decoupler | Radial mounted | 700 | 0.05 | 2 000 | 8 | 50 | 260 | |
Hydraulic Detachment Manifold | Radial mounted | 770 | 0.4 | 2 000 | 8 | 50 | 450 | |
TD-06 Decoupler | Tiny | 150 | 0.01 | 2 000 | 6 | 150 | 50 | |
TD-12 Decoupler | Small | 200 | 0.04 | 2 000 | 6 | 150 | 100 | |
TD-25 Decoupler | Large | 300 | 0.16 | 2 000 | 6 | 150 | 150 | |
TD-37 Decoupler | Extra large | 375 | 0.36 | 2 000 | 6 | 150 | 200 | |
TS-06 Stack Separator | Tiny | 215 | 0.01 | 2 000 | 6 | 150 | 50 | |
TS-12 Stack Separator | Small | 275 | 0.05 | 2 000 | 6 | 150 | 100 | |
TS-25 Stack Separator | Large | 400 | 0.21 | 2 000 | 6 | 150 | 150 | |
TS-37 Stack Separator | Extra large | 500 | 0.48 | 2 000 | 6 | 150 | 200 |
- ↑ In the game the values are without unit, but by the physics their "missing unit" is equal with 1 kgF∙s.