What is rcs in kerbal space program

Even shorter explanation: SAS changes the angle of your ship, and doesn't need fuel. RCS uses tiny rockets, and can change angle as well as position. RCS is cheaper and stronger, but sometimes you just want to spin in place, without accidentally drifting or using up precious fuel.

Vectura View Profile View Posts. Sadly, unlike Vectura, Cycon and Artifice continue to spread the misconception - SAS and reaction wheels are different systems. SAS and the player use reaction wheels.

Yes, the same modules that contain SAS also contain torque wheels. Originally posted by Cycon :. Thanks for the explanation. Originally posted by The Derper :. Maestro View Profile View Posts. Originally posted by amnesia :. It is used mainly for attitude control rotation of the ship and translation going sideways.

RCS is more powerful, and has the added advantage of allowing movement in all directions. Edited May 4, by Plusck. Superfluous J Posted May 4, Venusgate Posted May 4, Starhawk Posted May 4, RCS thrusters are also used to translate the vessel while docking.

Happy landings! Edited May 4, by Starhawk. Wemb Posted May 4, I'm not sure if someone asked this question before,but what is the RCS for. Servo Posted May 4, RCS has two main purposes: control and docking. Foxster Posted May 4, Posted May 5, Wemb Posted May 5, Plusck Posted May 5, Posted May 5, edited.

This thread is quite old. This way it is usually much easier to fly because this simple autopilot keeps you most of the time 'on track' while you can do adjustments to your wished course. It's like driving a car down a straight road and only touch the steering wheel during the curves. Advanced feature of trained pilots or better probe cores allow you to automatically change your vessels orientation by clicking asymbol next to the navball to easier do orbital maneuvers.

Happy crashin I mean,. Langkard View Profile View Posts. One warning about using SAS that I didn't see mentioned above. The reaction wheels require electric charge to operate. Many of the engines generate electric charge while thrusting, which is fine. But when the engines are not firing and you don't have a way of generating power, such as solar panels or stored power in batteries, you will quickly run out of electric charge using SAS.

So, make sure you have batteries and that you include enough for the mission, until you have the tech for power generation options like solar panels or fuel cells. It really sucks when you get into space and want to make a maneuver but you can't turn the rocket to the maneuver direction because you ran out of electric power.

Proper placement of RCS thrusters is also vital for the system to work properly. Keep the crafts center of mass in mind when placing them, the same goes for reaction wheels. You'll get emailed updates for this mod. Cut at 90, 60, 45 and 30 degrees, that can be placed everywhere on your spaceship and not harm aerodynamics. License: MIT.

Game Version: 1. Downloads: 17, Author: nesd. Mod Website: Forum Thread. Followers: