Any good transfer windows here?

[DaElite101]

So, I'm thinking about launching a mission, not sure if it'll be manned or unmanned, but I wonder if there are any good transfer windows here.

http://imgur.com/a/nFiMY

How do I determine a good transfer window? Where should the planets be relative to Kerbin?

[Plusck]

Right now, or anytime in the next 10 days or so, going to Eve should be doable.

None of the other planets are right. Jool looks to be next up, in about 80 days or so, maybe a bit more.

 

The "easy" way to judge windows is simply to remember that you will be meeting the other planet exactly on the opposite side of the sun from where you are now. Since Jool has a 12-year (roughly) orbit, and it takes about 2 years to get there, it has to be roughly a sixth of an orbit behind the point opposite the sun from you...

The best tool to learn about this is probably http://ksp.olex.biz/

The best tool to get transfers spot-on is probably https://alexmoon.github.io/ksp/

[Red Iron Crown]

If you prefer a more visual guide for finding windows, this image is pretty good:

Just rotate map view so Kerbin is at the 3-oclock position and compare to the "Leaving from Kerbin" part.

[DaElite101]

Ah. Okay, thank you. Also, does reaction wheel torque stack? Will more increase the total torque?

[Red Iron Crown]

14 minutes ago, DaElite101 said:

Ah. Okay, thank you. Also, does reaction wheel torque stack? Will more increase the total torque?

Yes, more reaction wheels will grant more control authority. It doesn't even matter where you place them (though they might make your ship bend if they're placed at the extremities).

[Plusck]

6 hours ago, Red Iron Crown said:

Yes, more reaction wheels will grant more control authority. It doesn't even matter where you place them (though they might make your ship bend if they're placed at the extremities).

In addition (and also as a counterpoint to what Red Iron Crown said), bear in mind that adding a torque wheel adds a joint, and joints are the weakest part where craft bend. So while torque wheels at the ends will make the whole craft bend slightly when used, torque wheels in the middle will increase the propensity to bend if something else (steering fins, engine gimbal etc.) causes torque.

IMHO, on large craft, torque wheels are best placed wherever they are quite structurally solid with the controlling pod (i.e. not at the opposite end unless there are very few joints between the two), not too far from the centre of the craft, but never between two long fuel tanks (unless another strutted stack immobilises that joint)...