Why the Atlas V uses an asymmetrical booster configuration
In short: To a seasoned Kerbal Space Program player, the Atlas V 411 looks like a mistake. This video explores the technical and design logic behind why this rocket uses a single side-mounted solid booster rather than a symmetrical setup.
As the OSIRIS-REx mission prepares to launch from an Atlas V 411, the spacecraft's configuration presents a striking visual: a single solid rocket booster attached to one side. While this asymmetrical design might seem unstable or counterintuitive to those used to the physics of Kerbal Space Program, there are specific technical and design reasons why the Atlas V family avoids symmetrical booster arrangements.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Asymmetrical Atlas V Launches - Kerbal Space Program
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