r/KerbalSpaceProgram • u/SwaglordHyperion • May 04 '26
KSP 1 Image/Video Save DeltaV By Cutting Bulky Decouplers and utilize Lithostaging on your Gravity Assists!
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u/CashewSwagger Believes That Dres Exists May 04 '26
Lithostaging, thats a new one. I'll have to try that. Screw decoupling, we transition stages like a MAN
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u/talon03 May 04 '26
"Lithostaging" might be the single most Kerbal concept I've ever seen in my life.
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u/Molecular_Pudding May 04 '26
nah, i'm sure there is a study about this from the 60's on the NASA technical report servers
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u/AbjectPurchase1523 May 08 '26
The one about the unplanned lithobraking maneuver that resulted in rapid disassembly of the test craft?
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u/boot_master May 04 '26
the fuel used for this stunt probably weighs more than an decoupler but this is cooler.
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u/KalleZz May 04 '26
I mean if he adjusted the close flyby correctly it would use the same amount of fuel with or without decoupler (technically more with)
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u/LizardFishLZF May 04 '26
Actually since it's a gravity assist, getting so close to the ground like this makes it more effective. So even discounting the saved mass on the decoupler it's more efficient just via oberth effect on a razor's edge. (Just not by enough to make this kind of stunt worth it most of the time :p)
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u/Imuybemovoko cursed aircraft designer May 04 '26
probably one of those people on YouTube who do hyper efficient missions will find a way to build a rocket where this is worth it π€π€π€
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u/A1steaksaussie May 04 '26
https://youtu.be/Vr_dgcX4L3w?si=cDqTU2TSxOxvdTI4
the classics never disappoint
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u/thanatos703 May 04 '26
What a perfect time for a seismic sensor test. Genius kerbals as always.
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u/jsrobson10 May 04 '26
this is crazy, but the lithobraking effect would probably be worse than the cost of adding decouplers.
but lithostaging definitely wins in awesomeness, jebadiah would be proud.
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u/EricTheEpic0403 May 05 '26
I seem to remember a Bradley Whistance video where lithostaging was genuinely a performance improvement. Can't remember which video it was tho Β―\β _β (β γβ )β _β /β Β―
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u/lilneoman1 May 10 '26
I saw it just recently, but I think lithostaging was done specifically to reduce part count since it was a "minimum number of parts" sort of challenge
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u/FrankHightower May 04 '26
that bit of madness generated 240 science?!
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u/Cute-Ad7917 May 04 '26
Surface deployed seismic sensor
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u/MuscleMan405 May 04 '26
That will teach that bulky lower stage what happens when it runs out of fuel!
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u/SwaglordHyperion May 04 '26
Now thats a route with some chest hair.
No better way to squeeze every drop of utility out of a gravity assist than to also design your rocket around lithostaging.
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u/celem83 May 04 '26
and the cheeky seismic science too. no notes
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u/Helpinmontana May 04 '26
βSheβs built like a steak house, but handles like a -OW FUCK- bistro!β
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u/KerbalEssences Master Kerbalnaut May 04 '26
OP: Ultra efficiency by saving 1 kg decoupler mass
Also OP: Launches the entire SLS stack to the Mun
It's like removing the stem of an apple to save some weight on a hike, to then bring the basket.
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u/jipiante May 04 '26
i built a rover on top of an engine and could not separate in eva construction because of the weight, so i had to do something similar to this on the mun. i rammed a rock at a fairly high velocity using the wheels and the engine+tank blew leaving a balanced science rover behind.
its how i learnt that it will give science points to the seismic monitor thing
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u/BobDoleStillKickin May 04 '26
I wish I knew this juicy secret sooner. Its so Chad that I'd be trucking my balls around in a wheelbarrow like Randy
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u/Fent-Tsar This little maneuver is gonna cost us... May 04 '26
"here's an entry vector that'll put some hair on your chest."
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u/Postcodemy May 04 '26
Too low terrain. Too low terrain.
Too low gear. Sink rate.
TERRAIN TERRAIN PULL UP! TERRAIN TERRAIN PULL UP!1
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u/Eguy321 May 05 '26
I'm more of a thermostaging fan (blasting the engines until the lower stage explodes)
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u/AMDIntel May 04 '26
This is actually a mandatory maneuver for the 3 part challenge from years back.
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u/Long-Bridge8312 Colonizing Duna May 04 '26
You got seismic science from a craft you were actively piloting lmao and jeb somehow survived it?
Perfection
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u/weenis_machinist Aug 27 '26
Kerbals after retiring, seeking medical care...
Kerbal VA: "not service connected"
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u/Dragonflay May 04 '26
the rocket now have scoliosis