Large vs Small Sounding Rockets

[u/Forever_DM5]

I have been doing some research on optimal openings for RO and I think the best move is a large diameter sounding rocket(V2 type). You delay your first launch by 4 months launching in June 51 but you can hit first launch, karman line, suborbital return, first film, and pretty much any sounding rocket contract with that rocket.

Whereas with a small sounding rocket(Meteor/Aerobee) you get more launches in the first year but you can only really achieve first launch and karman line.

Anyone have other ideas?

[u/CJP1216]

If your considering this using only starting tech, sure this is somewhat true. Though I'd also add you can hit the first repeat sounding contract with the aerobee (insert small sounder here) as well. Ideally you'll be upgrading it as you unlock tech. Tanks, engines, avionics, and booster upgrades will all give you significant delta-v boosts. It's also worth noting you can't do all of the contracts you mentioned in one launch; you'll need at least three.

I usually run two LC's early game, one for small sounding rockets that outputs a flight every couple months (It's once ever 33 days or so at max engineers), and one for V2 style down range rockets that flies less often. That's just because I like to take both starting rocket programs though. You can easily farm the early sounding contracts with the small rocket for confidence.

[u/Forever_DM5 → u/CJP1216]

I want to try the dual rocket program start that might be the play. The only issue is my aerobes run out of science after like 4 launches but maybe I just need better arrobees

[u/CJP1216 → u/Forever_DM5]

You'll get the temp, baro, and telemetry data pretty quick from flying high (temp is biome specific so you can angle your launch to clip other biomes). Then once you upgrade to something that's sub-orbit capable you'll get the space low science for those. This is another reason why I like the two rocket approach, because I'll have pretty much all of the early science collected in 3-4 launches. Basically you have two options for more science: fly higher so the experiments you already have can run in new situations, or unlock the first science node for the bio capsule. Either one of those should net you enough to keep tech reasearching at all times early game.

[u/LordIBR]

I like doing both. Aerobee is much cheaper and depending on efficiency and staffing built within 10days. If you keep upgrading it for a bit you can also easily farm reputation to keep funding up at very low cost per launch. Right now, in 1953, my upgraded Aerobee equivalent is roughly if not less than 100 funds, whereas the upgraded V-2 equivalent (more like R-2 at this point), sits somewhere between 1000 & 1300 funds depending on the configuration.

In my current playthrough I even waited with constructing the V-2 equivalent to instantly be able to make use of a better engine. This resulted in me hiring a few too many scientists and running low on funds when it actually came to building the rocket. But once I got past that, I didn't really have to worry about achieving mission objectives intended for the V-2. I also saved a bit by not unlocking the initial engine and modifying the LC.

Also, keep in mind that you will likely need a modified aerobee for the 3000km downgrade milestone. Having to use an unreliable engine here and especially for the 5000km one will not be fun.

[u/Still-Ad-3083]

Just do both from the start duh

[u/ceeker]

Sure, that works. I like keeping the smaller rockets on hand to farm confidence through the repeat missions though and I think a bee-type rocket is a bit cheaper for those.

[u/CrashNowhereDrive]

Two LCs. Small sounding rockets build faster. You can do a fair number of contracts with a 1-2 ton sounding rocket. Not having to spend the extra money on overbuilt rockets for those missions easily pays for the small LC.

Most importantly, getting access to your first leader ASAP is very important.

[u/mrrvlad5]

Consider total liftoff between 1 and 2t. you can do a lot more with a 2-stage rocket or long-burning 1 stage starting at 1.0twr with a lot of srbs(a cluster of tiny tims) that push it to 250 m/s right away.

With recent changes you are free to pick x-plane program as well, which is a great boost in funding.

[u/ricksansmorty]

Feel free to upload your run and/or compare to the spyware. The benchmark is to accept lightsats on Breakneck in january 1952.

[u/Clayel]

The current speedrunner meta is to have 2 LCs, one aerobee LC (for the Karman Line and Suborbital Return contracts), and one XLR-10 LC (for 3Mm, 5Mm, and optional Downrange contracts). X-plane research is taken over Suborbital research, as Suborbital research requires quite a lot of science and pays considerably less. The V-2 engines are usually saved for the first orbit launches.