Katherine Johnson Memorial Challenge - No Computer Assist

[Jetski]

Today we mourn the passing of Katherine Johnson at age 101, she was famous for performing orbital calculations by hand in the early days of the space program.

  Read her Wikipedia article here

In honor of her amazing abilities as a member of the (in her words) "computers who wear skirts" let's try a challenge in keeping with her skills.  Our brave Kerbals have become a little TOO dependent on our modern computerized tracking data and maneuver nodes. 

Let's see how far we can get without upgrading our tracking station, and flying ENTIRELY in F2 "screenshot mode".  To distinguish this from our popular Caveman Challenge, we can upgrade anything we like except the Tracking Station. Any and all informational mods are forbidden, and the stock dV display in the VAB and in flight must be selected Jool->Sea Level for the duration of your career. 

Points will be awarded according to the funds acquired (Normal difficulty) for World-First Contracts. 1.5 points multiplier for impressive launches in the spirit of the challenge. For example, a single-burn launch into a free-return Mun trajectory is worth more 1.5 times more than a flight with dozens of correction burns.  A gravity slingshot would be quite an accomplishment as well.  Impress me!

The point here is to demonstrate skill in orbital mechanics and flight without computer assistance, in honor of a woman who helped make the space program what it is today.

Generally non-OP mods are permitted, including extra planets (a good way to boost your score), but any and all mods that help you calculate or display information are forbidden.  No KER, no KAC, no Transfer Window mods, etc. For those of you who are so inclined, paper and pencil calculation is encouraged   Not mandatory, but I suggest starting a new career save, to make sure you get those tasty World-First points.

So far, I've only made it to the Mun.

All submissions will be scored and ranked. Technically the challenge could be considered "completed" when you have gotten all World-First Contracts for all bodies, if you are really hard-core. Duplicate missions are fine, but only one will count towards your score. Feel free to message or comment if rules aren't making sense or you need clarification.

Specific Rules:
1) Hit F2 on the launch pad, and leave your screen in screenshot mode for the duration of the mission.  You can switch to Map mode which will show trajectories but not data in F2 mode.
2) No helpful info mods, and Stock dV while in VAB must be set to Jool->Sea Level so it does not show any useful info.
3) No tracking station upgrades or usage.  Possible exception if you are running multiple missions and need to switch ships - might be impossible without tracking station but minimize your use and NO upgrades
4) No IVA flight mode unless landed, as the instruments there show the computer data we are trying to live without.
5) See how far you can get in a new or existing career game! 
 

UPDATED RULES: You can now switch out of F2 screenshot mode if your ship is landed and not moving (to allow science and EVA fun).  Note this is the ONLY time it is permitted, all other times it must be in Screenshot mode.  This includes Map mode, docking, launch, everything.  Good luck!

Edited February 25, 2020 by Jetski

[Jetski]

Here's a list of World's First Contract values - helpful for calculating your score.  Thanks @Cunjo Carl

Note you will not be able to perform science unless you hotkey it in VAB, and EVA/fuel transfer will also be impossible, so spacewalks are not happening unless someone figures out a workaround.

Edit: Modified rules to allow switching away from F2 screenshot mode while landed

Edited February 25, 2020 by Jetski

[oAsAo]

14 hours ago, Jetski said:

and the stock dV display must remain on Jool->Sea Level for the duration of your career (unless anyone knows a way to disable it). 

That's kinda annoying cuz all it does is wastes my time.

14 hours ago, Jetski said:

You can switch to Map mode which will show trajectories but not data in F2 mode.

this makes it a lot easier, but i guess we get this ability. If you can pause the game then, for example, you can screenshot your trajectory and measure your speed.

14 hours ago, Jetski said:

Note you will not be able to perform science unless you hotkey it in VAB, and EVA/fuel transfer will also be impossible, so spacewalks are not happening unless someone figures out a workaround.

Perhaps you just can f2, but only when you are landed on the surface and not moving or docked with another space ship for brief periods of time or something?

[Jetski]

5 hours ago, oAsAo said:

That's kinda annoying cuz all it does is wastes my time.

I just realized all you have to do is unclick the boxes to display dV and TWR.  So skip the part about setting it to Jool lol.

Also, I'll allow an Easy Mode if you can't live without dV info in the VAB, but it will be on a separate leaderboard.  Assuming you make an entry

I'm actually enjoying it right now - reminds me of the early days of KSP without any dV info, no manouver nodes, and figuring everything out from scratch.  Does anyone else remember using an actual protractor held up to the screen to figure out transfer windows?

Also F2 switching while landed is a good idea,.  This takes out a bunch of unnecessary annoyance around EVA and science.  Updating rules now.

Edited February 25, 2020 by Jetski

[Jestersage]

What about info from IVA? (orientation and speed, I think?)

[Jetski]

15 minutes ago, Jestersage said:

What about info from IVA? (orientation and speed, I think?)

Thats a great question.  Just did some testing.  Unfortunately several of the IVAs have a complete navball, altimeter, and speed, which would defeat the point of this challenge.  While I appreciate the skill it would require to pilot missions using IVA, if I allow IVA data to be used this challenge will essentially just become an IVA flight competition.  You can easily switch in and out to get the computer data that is forbidden for the purposes of this challenge.  Thanks for the idea/feedback, I'm updating rules again

Also, I'm playing through this right now, and learning a lot!  I highly recommend not accepting any part test contracts that require a specific altitude/speed.  I just spent an hour trying to get a Thumper in flight contract and finally gave up and took the hit to cancel it.  This is hard if you make bad choices lol!

Edited February 25, 2020 by Jetski