Kerbal Space Program Doesn't Teach....
I like doing these deep dives on rocket science related subjects, they take a lot of work to put together and cross reference all the sources. I have a few options for the next one, most with lots of supporting research already in the bag.
Which of these would people like to see?
Or do you have other details that you think would make for a good story?
Comments (16)
guidance, especially interplanetary guidance (if this is automated in the space craft itself at all).
Would be interesting to know more about rocket software, error checking and handling, etc.
This is actually a good idea for a "Why rockets fail" video. The first Ariane 5 launch failed because of a bug in the software.
How you actually construct and test rockets. Kerbal jumps straight from design suite to launchpad. Even the Martian and Apollo 1 3 skip over most of the logistics of assembling the most complicated, precise and expansive machines ever built, and all the testing and validation that goes in across a country to then assemble it all in one place and put it on a launch pad.
Thermal control systems
Redundancy? Kerbal does not punish pushing the edge of the envelope, but many of the shuttle missions only made orbit because of careful design handling failures (and erroneous failure detection) and conservative planning, to the point of STS-3xx mission being a complete spare shuttle.
Docking ports would be rather interesting too.
aerodynamics and thermodynamics? Rockets and Space Planes?
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLHo9ZM3Bis&t=399s" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLHo9ZM3Bis&t=399s</a>
Guidance and navigation, the primitive computers they used in the early days are always fascinating. I'd like to know more about how they locate a spacecraft without GPS. One story I remember from the "Right Stuff" mini series (I think) was how they initially had problems not being able to read the dials on ascent because of the shaking. To fix it they oscillated the display on/off at a frequency in time with the rocket vibrating at that meant the astronauts were then able to read the numbers.
This was a really tough decision. I want to know about all of them! I hope you cover them all eventually.
propellant and injectors might be something to see, as Copenhagen Suborbitals is building something like this with very nice detail shoots etc. Would be fun from a community perspective.
even if propellant injectors doesn't get coose PLEASE do an episode on tihs topic.
Pay loads
Guidance and Navigation in space has always fascinated me the most. Especially how they did it in the days when computers "only" took up an entire room
"all of them" *sheepish grin*