SimpleRockets News

This past week I finished adding a new Photo Library feature to SR2. This makes it easy for players to take screenshots of their crafts at any time (in the designer or in flight) and use those screenshots when uploading their crafts and sandboxes. It also keeps track of when and where you took the photo and you can write a description if you're a fan of keeping a journal of your craft's journey across the solar system.



I've also taken some time to improve the screenshot tool. Now you can switch between landscape, portrait, and square orientations. You can also enable a depth of field effect so that you can snap nice looking photos of your craft like you're using a big expensive camera. You can drag the focus point around to focus on specific parts of your craft.



I'm really excited about this feature. It was a lot of fun to work on and I think it will make it easier for players to showcase their content in the best way possible.

*Note: Check the FAQ here before asking questions.*

We've just completed development of the second engine in SR2. The Pixie engine is a much smaller alternative to the Mage engine with far better gas mileage. This makes it suitable for those second stages destined for Smoon. With an accordingly lower thrust, it is also a lot easier to land on a low-G planetary body without getting into an endless cycle of up-and-down that I often find myself in when trying to land with a Mage engine.



Here are the details:

• Thrust: 50 kN
• Mass: 75 kg (165 lbs)
  
• Price: $150k
• Height: 1.0 m (3.2 ft)
  
• Diameter: 0.7 m (2.3 ft)
  
• Max Gimbal Angle: 10 degrees
• Fuel Consumption: 15 L/s
• [wiki]Specific impulse[/wiki]: 339 s
• Max Torque: 5 Nm

Here's a bonus shot of it in action.

Also, I just wanted to let everyone know that I'm going to start posting blog updates every other week instead of every week. It's been fun, but these posts take a lot of time to put together and as we continue to slip further and further behind schedule, I need to use any extra time I can find to focus on development. I hope you understand!

Last week I finished up implementing the fairings for SimpleRockets 2. Fairings are a great way to cover your sensitive belongings while you send them up to space. They are like the groin protectors of the aerospace industry.

I designed the fairings in SR2 to be completely procedural, just like the fuselage pieces, so they can be resized and re-shaped into an infinite number of combinations.



They are actually composed of three separate parts that link together.



The fairing-base is the part that responds to the stage activation and separates the fairings. The first fairing part must connect directly to the fairing-base. Any number of fairings can then be connected in series. The nose cone is optional, but some people like it because it looks cool. Also, it helps to minimize drag.

SimpleRockets 2 is currently under development. We are hoping to release on Steam Early Access in June. You can read more about our development here and also read our FAQ here.

Last week I finished up implementing the fairings for SimpleRockets 2. Fairings are a great way to cover your sensitive belongings while you send them up to space. They are like the groin protectors of the aerospace industry.

I designed the fairings in SR2 to be completely procedural, just like the fuselage pieces, so they can be resized and re-shaped into an infinite number of combinations.



They are actually composed of three separate parts that link together.



The fairing-base is the part that responds to the stage activation and separates the fairings. The first fairing part must connect directly to the fairing-base. Any number of fairings can then be connected in series. The nose cone is optional, but some people like it because it looks cool. Also, it helps to minimize drag.

SimpleRockets 2 is currently under development. We are hoping to release on Steam Early Access in June. You can read more about our development here and also read our FAQ here.

Enjoy ;)

.

SimpleRockets 2 is currently under development. We are hoping to release on Steam Early Access in June. You can read more about our development here and also read our FAQ here.