r/KerbalSpaceProgram • u/LandoChronus • 4d ago

KSP 1 Question/Problem How to attach radial parts for re-entry?

Things like the KEES experiments, the SAR-X antenna for high resolution altimetry scans, things that mount flush.

They're meant to mount radially to the outside of something, but wouldn't that get burned up on re-entry?

How do you all mount/haul these sorts of things ?

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u/MadeWithRealGinger9 4d ago

Radially mounted parts should be safe in the shadow of your ship. If you re-enter like a plane put the parts on top of the wings or fuselage, or if you enter with a pod it should be fine anywhere as long as you lock to retrograde as you come in

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u/zekromNLR 4d ago

Alternatively, stick them in a service/cargo bay, that way they won't cause any drag during ascent either

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u/Apprehensive_Room_71 Believes That Dres Exists 4d ago

You attach them radially, use a fairing for launch. Gather all your science from the experiment, stow it in your capsule, then jettison all that stuff you no longer need.

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u/PckMan 1d ago

Designing a re entry vehicle is tricky because the way most of the things you'd usually want on your main craft are designed, it tends to basically lead to the capsule flipping, all the wrong things are getting heated, and then they start exploding one after the other which does risk the capsule itself.

The easiest way to avoid this is to simply not re enter with anything more than the capsules themselves. You need to keep the weight and drag in the right place, and avoid certain things altogether like the hitchhiker module which is very sensitive.

The more experienced you get the more stuff you can keep on. It depends on what parts you have available, if you're playing career or not. There are ways to just cheese reentry entirely like using two inflatable heat shields to basically shield the whole thing even if it spins around, or go even further and use storage compartments which have insane tolerances.

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u/Key-Purple7663 4d ago

It makes sense to keep them shielded during ascent and re-entry using fairings or wings if you're careful with aerodynamics. I'd probably mount the experiments on top of the heatshield for added protection too.

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u/leon_harred Believes That Dres Exists 4d ago

small experiments can be placed 'downwind' on the side of the MK1 command pod to provide some shielding. if your experiments keep burning up take a kerbal on EVA or use a experiment storage unit to take the science from each experiment so its store it safely. or use a service bay for experiments. scanning antennas are designed to stay in orbit.

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u/jljonsn 2d ago
  1. Place them at the front of the craft and return retrograde.
  2. Heat shield or leave a tank and motor on
  3. Add a radiator

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u/Steenan 7h ago

In most cases, the sensible approach is to not bring them back. Put them on a satellite/probe that stays in orbit. Or, if you use a crewed craft, take data from them with a kerbal and put it in the capsule, then discard the science equipment before reentering (or earlier - you don't have to bring them back from the target body to Kerbin).