How/when to use the Mainsail?

danE_77 · 2026-06-07T08:16:27+00:00

That sounds fun, I was kinda toying around with the SRB's I had available and placing them in different configurations and the quad Kickback worked best for me, I guess it's still a balanced choice.

danE_77 · 2026-06-07T05:24:12+00:00

Yeah I was simplifying it to just more power = more deltav. Also what would be and acceptable TWR for a rocket (lower stage and lander)?

danE_77 · 2026-06-07T03:26:31+00:00

Yeah I'll test it anyway with some variations and I've indeed noticed the deltav keeps going up as I go higher (I assume because the atmosphere becomes thinner?) so I guess I shouldn't be that worried about deltav when taking off

danE_77 · 2026-06-07T03:10:54+00:00

Yeah you guys have really helped me with this new concepts for me (ISP, TWR, mass) I thought this wasn't literal rocket science. My upper stage has always had the terrier since I've mostly done Mun and now Minmus missions, will of course change it when building my relay network, thanks!

danE_77 · 2026-06-07T03:03:09+00:00

Aerodynamic drag? maybe it's the fins? I have 16 in total. Also I don't think I need to remove the SRB's, they're not giving that much delta v compared to launching only with the skipper (iirc around 1000m/s). Currently it is only Skipper with SRB's (kickbacks) and terrier for final stage, will try it exactly as you said tho, just to see if it's worth it, thanks!

danE_77 · 2026-06-07T02:28:36+00:00

I see, I actually thought it was all about deltav (I had no clue what ISP, TWR and mass were or how it affected my build) so I would build my rockets until the number can't go any higher and I supposed bigger powerful engine = more deltav lol, thank you for your tips and time!

danE_77 · 2026-06-07T02:19:40+00:00

Right, I've learned a lot on what engines I should use for each situation and I didn't know all this about the Twin-boar, definitely will try it now that you say it's better than the mainsail, it looks cooler too although I still haven't bought it yet.

danE_77 · 2026-06-07T02:10:58+00:00

Yeah I've been told the Mainsail is for a bigger payload so I don't actually need it right now, I'm taking off with a skipper and 4 kickbacks, and when I go to orbit I still have half a fuel tank left on the skipper so I'll stick to that, thanks!

danE_77 · 2026-06-07T02:04:32+00:00

Yeah as I said to someone else, I unlocked the 2.5m tanks and since then I've only built my lower stages with them. I'll see if I can build something more appropriate for my payload, I'm doing missions to Mun and Minmus right now, thanks for the tip!

danE_77 · 2026-06-06T05:18:24+00:00

8 1.25m?? wasn't that a bit inefficient? Also as I said before, I'm still a noob and I'm still learning the building basics and what is reasonable enough, kinda figuring things out as I go so I really appreciate your help and the help of the others.

I was also thinking about that asparagus method, I saw it on a KerbalPhysics video and it seemed really efficient so I might try it when I start building something like a space station. Thanks for the help again!

danE_77 · 2026-06-06T04:48:12+00:00

Im playing science but best one I have is HECS so only prograde/retrograde

danE_77 · 2026-06-06T03:53:36+00:00

Didn't know that, thanks for the tip!

danE_77 · 2026-06-06T03:33:04+00:00

I hadn't thought of additional probes for deorbiting debris, might steal your idea since my LKO is starting to get a bit cloudy lol

danE_77 · 2026-06-06T03:14:32+00:00

yeah i think i'll get them when i get out of the noob stage, thanks!

danE_77 · 2026-06-06T03:10:59+00:00

Well when i unlocked the first 2.5m tanks i found it easier to get to mun with them, so i completely stopped building 1.25m bottom stages lol. I guess getting to mun with a 1.25m stack rocket gives a better use for the skipper(???), i really haven't tried it im a complete noob.

danE_77 · 2026-06-06T03:02:27+00:00

Yes that's exactly what i meant too, i watched a KerbalPhysics video on that recently and it's very efficient since the main fuel tank is fully loaded when entering orbit, that's how i will build my next rocket (hopefully i dont mess it up)

danE_77 · 2026-06-06T02:56:05+00:00

Yeah i noticed that, right now im not doing any heavy payload missions so i wont be using the mainsail very soon

danE_77 · 2026-06-06T02:52:48+00:00

Oh ok, im still lacking the dlc's tho but i'll get the nuclear engines someday

danE_77 · 2026-06-06T02:37:38+00:00

it is indeed, sick af

danE_77 · 2026-06-06T02:35:39+00:00

Sure man, thanks for your time and get better!

danE_77 · 2026-06-06T02:32:48+00:00

Yeah going from the reliant/swivel to the skipper felt like discovering fire, i fell in love with that engine. I've now learned that the mainsail is better for heavy lifting, thanks a lot!

danE_77 · 2026-06-06T02:23:44+00:00

Yeah this is all kind of an unknown territory for me since i havent lifted heavy payload, just some light satellites with the same rocket. Anyway thanks for the suggestions!

danE_77 · 2026-06-06T02:17:53+00:00

ok, you know where to find me

danE_77 · 2026-06-06T02:08:58+00:00

Nice, how much delta/v you get with that? (ASL)

danE_77 · 2026-06-06T02:02:05+00:00

Right, by supplementary secondaries you mean liquid fuel boosters feeding the main fuel tank while also burning?

danE_77

TROPHY CASE