Difference between revisions of "User:XZise/test"

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{{:Advanced Grabbing Unit/Box}}
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{{:PB-ION Electric Propulsion System/Box}}
  
The '''Advanced Grabbing Unit''' (AGU), or '''The Klaw''', is a medium-sized [[docking]] device which can couple to any surface without the requirement of another docking device on the target to mate with. This is a virtual necessity for redirecting [[asteroid]]s, though the AGU can be used to grab onto much more than just asteroids. In fact, it can grab just about anything, even [[Kerbal]]s.  
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The '''PB-ION Electric Propulsion System''' is a tiny-sized engine which runs on [[electricity]] and [[xenon gas]] propellant. It's modeled after the real-world [[w:Hall effect thruster|Hall effect thruster]]. Although it is a propulsion system, it can be found in the utility tab of the [[VAB]] and [[SPH]].
  
== Use ==
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== Usage ==
[[File:AGU.jpg|thumb|left|Extended Advanced Grabbing Unit on a [[Command Pod Mk1]]]]
 
The AGU is the primary means of capturing and redirecting asteroids. It's also useful for craft-to-craft docking or for exchanging resources with [[craft]] or [[debris]] without a docking port.
 
As with docking ports, [[resource]]s ([[liquid fuel]], [[electricity]], etc.) can be exchanged with the target. And objects connected by claws are controlled together as a single entity. It's like a docking port, but without the complexity of aligning with a receiving port on the target. Kerbals grabbed by the AGU's claw will go limp in a ragdoll state and can be carried with the craft.
 
  
Operation is simple. Its state toggles between '''Armed''' or '''Disarmed'''. While disarmed, it behaves like any other [[part]]. Once armed, approach perpendicularly to the target surface at no more than a few m/s and the extended claw will automatically grab anything it collides with (or that collides with it), docking the target to the current vessel.<ref>Unofficial fan-made video "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5X--a3ZJH8&t=4m29s How to Capture an Asteroid (Kerbal Space Program)]" by YouTuber Harv of HOCgaming</ref> To undocking from the target, right-click the AGU and choose '''Release'''.
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This engine has a phenomenal fuel efficiency (4200 s I<sub>sp</sub>), but very low thrust and requires an immense amount of [[electricity]] to operate. Xenon gas is provided by xenon containers like the [[PB-X150 Xenon Container]]. Electricity can be obtained using [[solar panel]]s and radioisotope batteries. The amount of electricity needed to keep one ion engine running at full thrust is roughly equivalent to half the output of one [[Gigantor XL Solar Array]] (however one array will not power 2 engines), 12 [[PB-NUK Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator]]s, or 7 [[OX-STAT Photovoltaic Panels]].
  
Once the AGU is attached, its claw's pivot can be toggled. The pivot is locked whenever armed and not attached, but can then be unlocked by right-clicking the AGU and choosing '''Free Pivot'''.
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Batteries can be used to store the electricity since there may be times the solar panels will be blocked from [[Kerbol|the Sun]] by objects or the dark side of [[Celestial body|celestial bodies]].
While freed, [[reaction wheel]]s or [[RCS]] can be used to alter the craft's pitch and yaw (from the AGU's perspective) relative to the target, but not roll; the claw turns, not twists. This is vital when attached to asteroids, as thrust must be aimed directly at the center of mass to keep the asteroid under control while moving it. Note that controls may ''feel'' reversed; the opposite end of the craft from the claw will be moving. Note also that the range of motion the pivot provides is bounded by a circle, like the AGU itself, essentially drawing a conical area.
 
  
After aligning the craft, the '''Lock Pivot''' command can be used to fix the craft's orientation relative to the grabbed target. Note that even when locked, with sufficient lateral force the pivot ''can'' be bent, though once the force is removed it will bend back to its locked orientation. It is also possible with pre-assigned Action Groups to “Disarm” the AGU while attached ''without'' releasing it − a merely visual effect.
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The ion engine is good for fine tuning of orbits. It is also a popular propulsion method for planes on planets on which [[jet engine]]s don't work. Due to its great fuel efficiency it is also well-suited for interplanetary travel, but maneuvers take a long time to complete due to its low [[thrust-to-weight ratio]] - it is advised to use it for very small craft, and to use [[Time warp#Physical Time Warp|physics-warp]] while propelling with it.
  
== Product description ==
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It is practically impossible to build an ion-rocket which can defeat gravity on [[Kerbin]], because the engine isn't even strong enough to lift itself against gravity, let alone itself and its fuel, a battery and a probe core. But when on a low-gravity moon like [[Minmus]] or [[Gilly]] it is possible to land, start, enter orbit and reach escape velocity with ion-propulsion alone. As of 0.23.5, it is technically possible to create an ion-powered probe, albeit with a minimum of parts,
 +
which will be able to defy [[Mun]] gravity. With that in mind, it is also possible to resist gravity with lightweight Ion craft on Duna, Moho, Dres, Eeloo, and every in-game moon with two exceptions: Laythe and Tylo have too high gravity for a single ion thruster, xenon tank, probe core, and battery.
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Ion-powered "ferries" may also be useful for moving fuel, oxidizer and/or kerbonauts between two larger vessels, by keeping the large craft at such range that only one of them is within draw distance from the "ferry" at any moment, performance loss can be avoided. It is generally more fuel-efficient to move fuel and oxidizer between two ships using a ferry than it would be to dock the larger crafts together using their own engines and RCS.
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Because it uses only about 0.485 units of xenon per second, one [[PB-X50R Xenon Container]] with 400 units of xenon can supply the engine for almost 14 minutes. The other larger tank [[PB-X150 Xenon Container]] with 700 units of xenon has enough to supply the engine more than 24 minutes.
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=== Electrical consumption ===
 +
The part.cfg lists the electrical consumption as 1.8&nbsp;E which is the electricity consumed for 0.1&nbsp;xenon. This is a ratio, and to propel 1&nbsp;xenon an electricity of 18&nbsp;E is required. As seen ingame, the fuel flow is 0.0485&nbsp;kg/s or 0.4849 xenon/s. The electricity consumption is 8.7285&nbsp;E/s.<ref>Answer in the forum to [http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/showthread.php/26354-Ion-Engine-consumes-more-energy-than-it-should?p=321868&viewfull=1#post321868 Ion Engine consumes more energy than it should].</ref> As the I<sub>sp</sub> given in seconds needs to be multiplied with a slightly higher acceleration (9.82&nbsp;m/s²) than g<sub>0</sub> (= 9.81&nbsp;m/s²) the actual I<sub>sp</sub> in m/s is higher and therefore the xenon and electrical consumption is lower.<ref>In [[:File:10X Xenon.png]] 10 PB-Ion engines are running at full power and consuming a lower value that 10× the theoretical value.</ref>
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== Description ==
 
{{Quote
 
{{Quote
|Kerbal Motion engineers have long struggled with the problem of how to extract dropped tools from complicated machinery. After observing an intern cleaning out his shoes by turning them upside down and shaking them in the lab, our team was hit with a stroke of inspiration! Why not turn the rocket parts upside-down and shake them? The grabbing arm perfectly filled this niche, and is quite capable of lifting heavy machinery. It has since found other uses, besides delicate tool extraction operations. AKA "The Klaw!"
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|By emitting ionized xenon gas through a small thruster port, the PB-ION can produce incredibly efficient propulsion, but with a downside of very low thrust and high expense. The general perception of this engine as being powered by "witchcraft" has unfortunately given it a sour reputation.
}}
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|Ionic Protonic Electronics}}
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{{Quote
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|By emitting ionized xenon gas through a small thruster port, the PB-ION can produce incredibly efficient propulsion, but with a downside of very low thrust and high energy usage. According to ISP Electronics sales reps, the rumours of this engine being powered by "dark magic" are largely exaggerated.
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|Ionic Symphonic Protonic Electronics}}
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== Gallery ==
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<gallery>
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Solar ion engine plane.png | A Solar Glider Ready for take-off. This ship uses ion engines.
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Solar ion engine plane flying.png | The Solar glider in action.
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IPSP orbit.png | The [[Ion-Powered Space Probe]] stock craft, powered by an ion engine.
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</gallery>
  
 
== Changes ==
 
== Changes ==
;[[0.23.5]]
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;{{Version|0.23.5|}}
* Initial release
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* Ionic Protonic Electronics renamed Ionic Symphonic Protonic Electronics, description changed, thrust increased from 0.5 to 2, relative electricity reduced from 12 to 1.8.
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;{{Version|0.18|}}
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* Initial Release
  
 
== References ==
 
== References ==
<references/>
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<references />
 
 
 
{{Parts}}
 
{{Parts}}
[[Category:Docking ports]]
 

Revision as of 17:33, 4 August 2014

XZise
Part image
Ion engine by
Ionic Symphonic Protonic Electronics

Radial size Tiny
Cost (total) 8 000.00 Funds
Mass (total) 0.25 t
Drag 0.2
Max. Temp. 2000 K
Volume  ?
Impact Tolerance 7 m/s
Research Ion propulsion.png Ion Propulsion
Unlock cost 16 800 Funds
Since version 0.18
Part configuration ionEngine.cfg
Ion engine
Maximum thrust (1 atm) 0.05 kN
(vacuum) 2.00 kN
Isp (1 atm) 100 s
(vacuum) 4200 s
Fuel consumption 0.486 Xenon unit/s


Thrust vectoring No
Electricity required 367.098 ⚡/s
8.740 ⚡/s
Testing Environments
On the surface No
In the ocean No
On the launchpad No
In the atmosphere No
Sub orbital Yes
In an orbit Yes
On an escape Yes
Docked No
Test by staging Yes
Manually testable Yes

The PB-ION Electric Propulsion System is a tiny-sized engine which runs on electricity and xenon gas propellant. It's modeled after the real-world Hall effect thruster. Although it is a propulsion system, it can be found in the utility tab of the VAB and SPH.

Usage

This engine has a phenomenal fuel efficiency (4200 s Isp), but very low thrust and requires an immense amount of electricity to operate. Xenon gas is provided by xenon containers like the PB-X150 Xenon Container. Electricity can be obtained using solar panels and radioisotope batteries. The amount of electricity needed to keep one ion engine running at full thrust is roughly equivalent to half the output of one Gigantor XL Solar Array (however one array will not power 2 engines), 12 PB-NUK Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators, or 7 OX-STAT Photovoltaic Panels.

Batteries can be used to store the electricity since there may be times the solar panels will be blocked from the Sun by objects or the dark side of celestial bodies.

The ion engine is good for fine tuning of orbits. It is also a popular propulsion method for planes on planets on which jet engines don't work. Due to its great fuel efficiency it is also well-suited for interplanetary travel, but maneuvers take a long time to complete due to its low thrust-to-weight ratio - it is advised to use it for very small craft, and to use physics-warp while propelling with it.

It is practically impossible to build an ion-rocket which can defeat gravity on Kerbin, because the engine isn't even strong enough to lift itself against gravity, let alone itself and its fuel, a battery and a probe core. But when on a low-gravity moon like Minmus or Gilly it is possible to land, start, enter orbit and reach escape velocity with ion-propulsion alone. As of 0.23.5, it is technically possible to create an ion-powered probe, albeit with a minimum of parts, which will be able to defy Mun gravity. With that in mind, it is also possible to resist gravity with lightweight Ion craft on Duna, Moho, Dres, Eeloo, and every in-game moon with two exceptions: Laythe and Tylo have too high gravity for a single ion thruster, xenon tank, probe core, and battery.

Ion-powered "ferries" may also be useful for moving fuel, oxidizer and/or kerbonauts between two larger vessels, by keeping the large craft at such range that only one of them is within draw distance from the "ferry" at any moment, performance loss can be avoided. It is generally more fuel-efficient to move fuel and oxidizer between two ships using a ferry than it would be to dock the larger crafts together using their own engines and RCS.

Because it uses only about 0.485 units of xenon per second, one PB-X50R Xenon Container with 400 units of xenon can supply the engine for almost 14 minutes. The other larger tank PB-X150 Xenon Container with 700 units of xenon has enough to supply the engine more than 24 minutes.

Electrical consumption

The part.cfg lists the electrical consumption as 1.8 E which is the electricity consumed for 0.1 xenon. This is a ratio, and to propel 1 xenon an electricity of 18 E is required. As seen ingame, the fuel flow is 0.0485 kg/s or 0.4849 xenon/s. The electricity consumption is 8.7285 E/s.[1] As the Isp given in seconds needs to be multiplied with a slightly higher acceleration (9.82 m/s²) than g0 (= 9.81 m/s²) the actual Isp in m/s is higher and therefore the xenon and electrical consumption is lower.[2]

Description

By emitting ionized xenon gas through a small thruster port, the PB-ION can produce incredibly efficient propulsion, but with a downside of very low thrust and high expense. The general perception of this engine as being powered by "witchcraft" has unfortunately given it a sour reputation.

Ionic Protonic Electronics

By emitting ionized xenon gas through a small thruster port, the PB-ION can produce incredibly efficient propulsion, but with a downside of very low thrust and high energy usage. According to ISP Electronics sales reps, the rumours of this engine being powered by "dark magic" are largely exaggerated.

Ionic Symphonic Protonic Electronics

Gallery

Changes

0.23.5
  • Ionic Protonic Electronics renamed Ionic Symphonic Protonic Electronics, description changed, thrust increased from 0.5 to 2, relative electricity reduced from 12 to 1.8.
0.18
  • Initial Release

References

  1. Answer in the forum to Ion Engine consumes more energy than it should.
  2. In File:10X Xenon.png 10 PB-Ion engines are running at full power and consuming a lower value that 10× the theoretical value.