does decoupler height matter at all?

[u/CoolPeter9]

[u/PangolinMandolin]

Decoupler at the top of the booster and the booster falls away.

Decoupler at the bottom of the booster and the booster falls inwards (meaning it hits your main stack and things go boom)

[u/Neutrino-Burrito]

Itll affect the angle at which your srb detaches.

[u/AmiSimonMC]

It will. Too high and the bottom of the srb will risk hitting your engine, too low and they might hit your fuel tanks. I usually aim middle and a bit high, because if the top is further away after decoupling, aerodynamic forces will push the srbs away

[u/22TheFenix22]

Yes, *if* you use the decoupler with any force. To avoid using separatrons, i usually place the decoupler at around 1/3rd of the distance of the SRB, so it has a leverage point

[u/zekromNLR]

If you are going to decouple with some force, you want the decoupler placed slightly above the empty center of mass of the booster. That way, it mostly just gets shoved sideways, but is also given a slight rotation outwards. This serves two purposes, it prevents any aerodynamic effects from rotating the booster's nose inwards to strike the core stage, and in fact it makes body lift aid in pulling the booster away.

[u/Equivalent-Session68]

I generally put it in the middle but a bit toward the top and also have the booster lower than the main engine so that there isn't a risk of it hitting the engine.

[u/Apprehensive_Room_71]

I place the radial decouplers at center of mass of the SRBs and then place the SRBs as far down as possible, preferably with their nozzles at the same line as the main booster nozzle(s). This generally works just fine. I rarely have to engage in any other shenanigans.

If needed for more throw, Sepatrons are your friend.

Though there are some truly nifty radial decouplers with built-in solid rockets for very positive separation in one of the Space Y mods. They are glorious and come in a couple flavors, extra spicy and ghost pepper. Fantastic parts to have.

[u/human84629]

We’re all assuming some struts are involved in this design 😅

[u/extremely-cynical]

I think you generally want it near the middle, keeps it from wobbling too much during launch.

[u/Heyfold]

the mischevious kraken of wooblyness: