Project Modify the dragon capsule for horizontal landing?

[richfororbit]

Hey there,

I wanted to know, the capsule that has been used to into orbit on non personnel so far, manufactured by the Space Exploration technologies, SpaceX.

There is a proposed personnel version for a landing using thrusters. Could the addon of the capsule not be edited to get the craft to land using thrusters, even if not quite realistic. Essentially just make it work that way.

The only part that could make that happen if, like hold alttitude, horizontal rule thrusters. And you know RCS translation for manoveuring the craft to a landing site.

An actual capsule wouldn't look like the current one, but since that is all there is for now. It might work?

 

[jedidia]

It depends... if the add-on in question is a dll, and you don't have access to the source code, then no, you can't change it.

If it's just a configfile based vessel, or using Vinkas Spacecraft, then yes, you could add a thruster.

 

[richfororbit]

That isn't something I would know about.

DLL mean, dynamic link library file?

The capsule, could have a rocket engine in place of those thrusters. As it currently stands, the capsule does have a parachute.

---------- Post added 02-14-16 at 01:04 AM ---------- Previous post was 02-13-16 at 05:25 PM ----------

The spacecraft will need a program for it, so to use translation or an engine combined?

How can I determine if the capsule can be changed to add a engine for landing?

 

[Andy44]

FYI, the Gemini spacecraft was once considered for a mod that would allow it to land on a runway using a parafoil and tricycle landing gear. There is a prototype in the Udvar Hazy Center outside Washington, DC:

I don't know about the practicality of doing a horizontal landing using thrusters alone; these capsules are designed to settle into a tail-first (heat shield-first) attitude in atmospheric flight unless you use some sort of aerodynamic device that overpowers this tendency, such as the Gemini parafoil.

 

[richfororbit]

As for the change to the capsule, well, what ever can be done to get it like a personnel capsule that space technologies is working on.

Unless somebody eventually creates an addon just like the one proposed, this is all there is for now.

How would I be able to modify the thrusters to create a powerful engine to slow down the craft, with the use of the parachute, or may be don't even bother with that, since it isn't the purpose of the modification.

 

[PhantomCruiser]

There is an addon for the next gen SpaceX capsule in the works. I seriously doubt he'll be releasing anything until there is more information about said capsule, other than what it looks like.

 

[richfororbit]

Ah right.

So what could I do to get this capsule to work in a way that would do the landing?

Strange, I pressed P to try and get rid of the engine section, but it didn't. Key J does that.

And the parachutes deploy once in the atmosphere. So I guess that could be disabled in a program script? As for this engine addition, is it as simple as just adding syntax to make that possible?

I guess this requires more than just a bit of notepad edits?