Difference between revisions of "Control surface"

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(Control isn't just for winglets anymore!)
(rewrite to eliminate redundancy and present information more coherently)
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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.
  
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]].
  
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, you should place them far away from the center of mass in the appropriate direction:
*'''''[[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.
*'''''[[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).
*'''''[[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.
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.
  
 
''(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)''
 
''(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)''

Revision as of 00:41, 29 June 2015

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.

To provide a good level of control in a given axis, you should place them 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.

(As the KSP aerodynamic model is not very realistic now (0.25[outdated]), the crafts can be controlled quite "well" without adjusting too)

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.