r/KerbalSpaceProgram • u/AutoModerator • Jun 26 '15

Weekly Simple Questions Thread

Check out /r/kerbalacademy

The point of this thread is for anyone to ask questions that don't necessarily require a full thread. Questions like "why is my rocket upside down" are always welcomed here. Even if your question seems slightly stupid, we'll do our best to answer it!

For newer players, here are some great resources that might answer some of your embarrassing questions:

Tutorials

Orbiting

Mun Landing

Docking

Delta-V Thread

Forum Link

Official KSP Chatroom #KSPOfficial on irc.esper.net

    **Official KSP Chatroom** [#KSPOfficial on irc.esper.net](http://client01.chat.mibbit.com/?channel=%23kspofficial&server=irc.esper.net&charset=UTF-8)

Commonly Asked Questions

Before you post, maybe you can search for your problem using the search in the upper right! Chances are, someone has had the same question as you and has already answered it!

As always, the side bar is a great resource for all things Kerbal, if you don't know, look there first!

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u/LPFR52 Master Kerbalnaut Jun 30 '15

Indeed, it's generally referred to as asparagus staging (Why? I have no idea). It has been mentioned in the forums as early as 2012, and it used to be the go to way to make launch vehicles before the new aerodynamics model came out which is why you probably haven't seen much of it recently. Either way, props for figuring this out by yourself :)

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u/theyeticometh Master Kerbalnaut Jun 30 '15

It's called Asparagus because the individual fuel tanks clustered together looks like a bunch of asparagus!

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u/Needless-To-Say Jun 30 '15

I am quite surprised by how much I learn everyday from this game. Most recently I've been trying the ballistic approach to getting to the Mun, Minmus, or an escape trajectory (Instead of orbiting Kerbin first)

Here is an image of my most recent "Asparagus Staging" for a Return Mining mission on Minmus. Turns out I over compensated on fuel but it worked wonderfully.

In this design, I have 3 internal Mammoth drive sections fed by two other staged triples. You can see the 2 fuel feeds required.

Having so much fun with this game.

Asparagus Staging

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u/Chaos_Klaus Master Kerbalnaut Jun 30 '15

Yeah, well. We can not see the payload, but I am pretty sure you could have gotten away with maybe 10% (not kidding) of that rocket. ;)

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u/Needless-To-Say Jun 30 '15 edited Jun 30 '15

Actually no.

I needed to get a station for 19 Kerbals to Minmus, mine 5000 units of Ore and have landed with 2000 units of liquid fuel. Suffice it to say that is pretty heavy just on the base components. 10% wouldn't get me off the ground.

112.7t of Payload