Double-C Seismic Accelerometer

Double-C Seismic Accelerometer
Environmental sensor by Probodobodyne Inc
Radial size		Radial mounted
Cost	(total)	6 000.00
Mass	(total)	0.005 t
Drag		0.2
Max. Temp.		1200 K
Impact Tolerance		8 m/s
Research		Electronics
Unlock cost		8 200
Since version		0.18
Part configuration		sensorAccelerometer.cfg
Experiment		Seismic Scan
Collectable		Yes
Rerunnable		Yes
Resettable		Yes
Electricity required		0.0075 ⚡/s
Packed volume		5 l

The Double-C Seismic Accelerometer measures how strongly a craft is accelerating. In career mode, it is available with Electronics, at level 7 of the technology tree.

Currently^[outdated], it has "PhysicsSignificance = 1", making it a zero-drag and massless part.

Usage

Attached to the side of an ascent stage this environmental sensor can be used to control your acceleration during launch to provide a better and constant ascent, using less fuel for the same orbit. The Double-C displays 4 significant figures, offering much better precision than the g-meter on the navball. On upper and cruise stages the Double-C Accelerometer can be used to estimate the time needed to accelerate to a certain speed.

Additionally it can be used to measure the spacecraft's current mass indirectly using Newton's second law. To estimate the mass, activate the accelerometer and fire the engines so that the craft isn't rotating.

$m={\frac {F}{a}}$ Given the force F by adding all engines forces together and the acceleration a by the accelerometer the current mass is the division of both. But as the craft is losing mass by this the acceleration is increasing over time. Thus it's only accurate at a low fuel burn rate over a short period of time. This will also change the craft's orbit, so maybe a retroburn afterwards is necessary.

Since version 0.20 this method serves little purpose, because the exact mass of a vehicle can be seen in the map view and tracking station.

While active, the accelerometer drains 0.0075 Electric Charge per second (27 E/h).

Product description

“

This device contains an extremely sensitive acceleration sensor, which when properly settled on a firm surface, will detect and record accurate seismic activity data. The accelerometer will still function while flying, so the Double-C can also be used to measure accelerations during flight. Warranty void if shaken or exposed to vacuum.

”

Changes

0.23.5

• "PhysicsSignificance = 1" added. The part now has 0 mass and drag, despite the listed values.

0.22

• Renamed from Double-C Accelerometer to Double-C Seismic Accelerometer
• Added functionality

0.18

• Initial release