Difference between revisions of "Tutorial: Recovering Rocket Stages"

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* The first stage of your spacecraft will be expendable (not reusable) because it will be separated too low in the atmosphere. I recommend using an [[RT-10 Solid Fuel Booster]] as the first stage because it is very cheap.
 
* The first stage of your spacecraft will be expendable (not reusable) because it will be separated too low in the atmosphere. I recommend using an [[RT-10 Solid Fuel Booster]] as the first stage because it is very cheap.
  
* The second stage will be the stage that you recover. It needs to have enough power to leave the atmosphere after being pushed some by the first stage. I recommend using four [[FL-T400 Fuel Tank|FL-T400 Fuel Tanks]] with an [[LV-T30 Liquid Fuel Engine]] under it.
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* The second stage will be the stage that you recover. It needs to have enough power to leave the atmosphere after being pushed some by the first stage. I recommend using four [[FL-T400 Fuel Tank|FL-T400 Fuel Tanks]] with an [[LV-T30 Liquid Fuel Engine]] under it. '''Remember to add 2 or more [[Mk2-R Radial Mount Parachute|Mk2-R Radial Mount Parachutes]] for recovery!'''
  
* The orbital stage will be used for orbit insertion and general maneuvering. Also this stage will contain most of your science modules. Plan on adding some [[SC-9001 Science Jr]] modules and [[Mystery Goo Containment Unit|Mystery Goo Containment Units]].
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* The orbital stage will be used for orbit insertion and general maneuvering. Also this stage will contain most of your science modules. Add an FL-T400 Fuel Tank and an [[LV-909 Liquid Fuel Engine]]. Plan on attaching some [[SC-9001 Science Jr]] modules and [[Mystery Goo Containment Unit|Mystery Goo Containment Units]] for lots of science!
  
* The return stage will bring your kerbonaut home.
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* The return stage will bring your kerbonaut home. I recommend using a [[Command Pod Mk1]] with some [[Z-100 Rechargeable Battery Packs]]. Don't forget to add your [[Mk16 Parachute]] and a [[Communotron 16]]!

Revision as of 23:11, 4 January 2015

The Space Shuttle and Falcon 9 v1.1 are examples of reusable or partially reusable rockets in the real world. This tutorial will explain how to recover a spent stage so you can get those extra funds!

The Problem

Many users have attached parachutes to their spent stages in the hope that it will parachute gently back to the planet. Unfortunately, this isn't the case. The game will automatically destroy any spacecraft that moves more than 2.5 kilometers away from your vehicle in the atmosphere. Thus, without mods, this feat is next to impossible to perform.

Ship Design

  • The first stage of your spacecraft will be expendable (not reusable) because it will be separated too low in the atmosphere. I recommend using an RT-10 Solid Fuel Booster as the first stage because it is very cheap.