cantab

The first thing to do is to go to the science archives and see if you have the expected figure, more or less, from the experiment in the situation in question.

If you've got two ships both in basically the same orbit - for example 100 km equatorial prograde around Kerbin - then you can use as much or as little delta-V as you want to rendezvous. It's a tradeoff between how much delta-V you want to use and how many orbits you want to wait before you get the rendezvous. Now if you have initial differences in the orbits you'll have some minimum delta-V needed. But as long as you don't launch either ship into an excessively high or inclined orbit, the requirement will be low. A couple of hundred m/s should be more than enough.

I had a few minor issues earlier today. A no part, no mass ship "frozen" in Munar orbit, with the Space Centre button non-functional but not oranged out. I closed the game by X-ing the window, restarted, and terminated the phantom ship from the tracking station. Then later on I found Kerbin seemingly missing from the Space Centre after leaving a flight, with the night sky background filling the screen. I exited the save normally and restarted the game.

The big two are not enough elecricity and not using physics warp. If you can't keep the ions fully powered you'll get even less thrust so it'll take even longer, and of course physics warp would cut that hour long burn down to a more practical 15 minutes.Another factor could be still not being light enough. A 2-ton probe with one ion engine would make the Jool ejection in about 30 minutes. Also a high orbit does increase delta-V requirements, but not by all that much. Going from Alexmoon's planner, even leaving from a completely silly 80,000 km orbit (well beyond Minmus and practically on the edge of Kerbin's SOI) only takes 30% or so more delta-V than a 100 km orbit. Finally, patience. Some people tolerate long burns, others don't. If you can put some TV on another window or screen supervising a long burn isn't so bad.

Clever trick with the landing legs! I wondered why you'd put the capsule under the fuel tanks, then I saw the landing shot.

Excellent, that did the trick thanks!

I have a similar problem that I've not found the solution to. I was driving my rover up a hill on the Mun, hit a bump, bounced down the hill, came to rest with the Kerbal faceplanting in the ground, and now have no control. There's no probe core on this rover, just the command seat. I can't get any right-click menus, I get no response to WASD inputs, I can't even turn the Kerbal's headlamps off with L. Looking through my persistent.sfs, I find the Kerbal in question is still attached to the rover, but in "state = Ragdoll". Presumably this I need to change, but I don't know what to. Full VESSEL section from the persistent.sfs: VESSEL { pid = bc6782a8ca8543bb9a6f0b3780128df3 name = Collins 1 Rover type = Rover sit = LANDED landed = True landedAt = splashed = False met = 3954.73986792564 lct = 849362608.789826 root = 0 lat = -0.987307409199464 lon = -126.945926072385 alt = 2736.82164515374 hgt = 0.6369807 nrm = 8.496642E-05,-0.4788611,-0.8778908 rot = -0.2417473,-0.2834381,-0.9048101,0.2062521 CoM = -0.005457705,-0.106593,0.06720868 stg = 1 prst = False ref = 1000365954 cPch = cHdg = cMod = 0 ORBIT { SMA = 0 ECC = 1 INC = NaN LPE = 36.0394232994385 LAN = 44.6582125066982 MNA = -8.40714670366795 EPH = 849366563.529694 REF = 2 } PART { name = batteryBank uid = 601795323 mid = 1199673181 parent = 0 position = 0,0,0 rotation = 0,0,0,1 mirror = 1,1,1 istg = 0 dstg = 0 sqor = -1 sidx = -1 attm = 0 srfN = None, -1 attN = None, -1 attN = None, -1 mass = 0.05 temp = -46.10883 expt = 0.5 state = 0 connected = True attached = True flag = Thomas/Flags/asteroid rTrf = batteryBank (Collins 1 Rover) EVENTS { } ACTIONS { } RESOURCE { name = ElectricCharge amount = 453.80524365475 maxAmount = 1000 flowState = True isTweakable = True hideFlow = False flowMode = Both } } PART { name = sensorThermometer uid = 697073074 mid = 1199673181 parent = 0 position = 4.8179267650994E-06,0.0933459475636482,-0.446930140256882 rotation = -0.5000002,0.5000002,-0.5000002,-0.5000002 mirror = 1,1,1 istg = 0 dstg = 0 sqor = -1 sidx = -1 attm = 1 srfN = srfAttach, 0 mass = 0.005 temp = -45.79527 expt = 0.5 state = 0 connected = True attached = True flag = Thomas/Flags/asteroid rTrf = sensorThermometer EVENTS { } ACTIONS { } MODULE { name = ModuleEnviroSensor isEnabled = True sensorActive = False EVENTS { Toggle { active = True guiActive = True guiIcon = Toggle Display guiName = Toggle Display category = Toggle Display guiActiveUnfocused = False unfocusedRange = 2 externalToEVAOnly = True } } ACTIONS { ToggleAction { actionGroup = None } } } MODULE { name = ModuleScienceExperiment isEnabled = True Deployed = True Inoperable = False EVENTS { DeployExperiment { active = True guiActive = True guiIcon = Deploy guiName = Log Temperature category = Deploy guiActiveUnfocused = False unfocusedRange = 2 externalToEVAOnly = True } CollectDataExternalEvent { active = True guiActive = False guiIcon = guiName = Take Data category = guiActiveUnfocused = True unfocusedRange = 1.2 externalToEVAOnly = True } ReviewDataEvent { active = True guiActive = True guiIcon = Review Data guiName = Review Data category = Review Data guiActiveUnfocused = False unfocusedRange = 2 externalToEVAOnly = True } ResetExperiment { active = False guiActive = True guiIcon = Reset guiName = Delete Data category = Reset guiActiveUnfocused = False unfocusedRange = 2 externalToEVAOnly = True } ResetExperimentExternal { active = False guiActive = False guiIcon = Reset guiName = Delete Data category = Reset guiActiveUnfocused = True unfocusedRange = 1.2 externalToEVAOnly = True } } ACTIONS { DeployAction { actionGroup = Custom01 } ResetAction { actionGroup = None } } ScienceData { data = 8 subjectID = temperatureScan@MunSrfLandedCanyons xmit = 0.5 labBoost = 0 title = Temperature Scan from the Mun's Canyons } } } PART { name = solarPanels5 uid = 992812985 mid = 1199673181 parent = 0 position = -0.437725782394409,0.0933461636304855,-2.08723804462352E-07 rotation = 0.7071071,0,0,-0.7071071 mirror = 1,1,1 istg = 0 dstg = 0 sqor = -1 sidx = -1 attm = 1 srfN = srfAttach, 0 mass = 0.005 temp = -45.74087 expt = 0.5 state = 0 connected = True attached = True flag = Thomas/Flags/asteroid rTrf = solarPanels5 EVENTS { } ACTIONS { } MODULE { name = ModuleDeployableSolarPanel isEnabled = True currentRotation = (0, 0, 0, 1) stateString = EXTENDED storedAnimationTime = 0 storedAnimationSpeed = 0 EVENTS { Extend { active = False guiActive = True guiIcon = Extend Panels guiName = Extend Panels category = Extend Panels guiActiveUnfocused = True unfocusedRange = 4 externalToEVAOnly = True } Retract { active = False guiActive = True guiIcon = Retract Panels guiName = Retract Panels category = Retract Panels guiActiveUnfocused = True unfocusedRange = 4 externalToEVAOnly = True } } ACTIONS { ExtendPanelsAction { actionGroup = None } ExtendAction { actionGroup = None } RetractAction { actionGroup = None } } } } PART { name = seatExternalCmd uid = 772457356 mid = 1199673181 parent = 0 position = -1.82370945367438E-06,0.293344348669052,0.153198316693306 rotation = 0.7071071,0,0,0.7071071 mirror = 1,1,1 istg = 0 dstg = 0 sqor = -1 sidx = -1 attm = 1 srfN = srfAttach, 0 mass = 0.05 temp = -45.73387 expt = 0.5 state = 0 connected = True attached = True flag = Thomas/Flags/asteroid rTrf = seatExternalCmd EVENTS { } ACTIONS { } MODULE { name = KerbalSeat isEnabled = True occupantID = 1000365954 EVENTS { BoardSeat { active = False guiActive = False guiIcon = Board guiName = Board category = Board guiActiveUnfocused = True unfocusedRange = 2 externalToEVAOnly = True } } ACTIONS { } } MODULE { name = ModuleTripLogger isEnabled = True EVENTS { } ACTIONS { } Surfaced { at = Mun } Flew { at = Kerbin } FlewBy { at = Mun } Orbited { at = Kerbin at = Mun } SubOrbited { at = Kerbin at = Mun } } } PART { name = roverWheel2 uid = 788438500 mid = 1199673181 parent = 0 position = -0.525620639324188,-0.455195307731628,-0.523632526397705 rotation = 0,-2.68221E-07,0,-1 mirror = 1,1,1 istg = 0 dstg = 0 sqor = -1 sidx = -1 attm = 1 sym = 5 srfN = srfAttach, 0 mass = 0.05 temp = -45.6329 expt = 0.5 state = 0 connected = True attached = True flag = Thomas/Flags/asteroid rTrf = roverWheel2 EVENTS { } ACTIONS { } MODULE { name = ModuleWheel isEnabled = True brakesEngaged = True steeringLocked = True isDamaged = True invertSteering = False motorEnabled = True EVENTS { UnLockSteering { active = True guiActive = True guiActiveEditor = True guiIcon = Unlock Steering guiName = Unlock Steering category = Unlock Steering guiActiveUnfocused = False unfocusedRange = 2 externalToEVAOnly = True } LockSteering { active = False guiActive = True guiActiveEditor = True guiIcon = Lock Steering guiName = Lock Steering category = Lock Steering guiActiveUnfocused = False unfocusedRange = 2 externalToEVAOnly = True } EnableMotor { active = False guiActive = True guiActiveEditor = True guiIcon = Enable Motor guiName = Enable Motor category = Enable Motor guiActiveUnfocused = False unfocusedRange = 2 externalToEVAOnly = True } DisableMotor { active = True guiActive = True guiActiveEditor = True guiIcon = Disable Motor guiName = Disable Motor category = Disable Motor guiActiveUnfocused = False unfocusedRange = 2 externalToEVAOnly = True } InvertSteering { active = True guiActive = True guiActiveEditor = True guiIcon = Invert Steering guiName = Invert Steering category = Invert Steering guiActiveUnfocused = False unfocusedRange = 2 externalToEVAOnly = True } RepairWheel { active = True guiActive = True guiIcon = Repair Wheel guiName = Repair Wheel category = Repair Wheel guiActiveUnfocused = True unfocusedRange = 4 externalToEVAOnly = True } } ACTIONS { InvertSteeringAction { actionGroup = None } LockSteeringAction { actionGroup = None } UnlockSteeringAction { actionGroup = None } ToggleSteeringAction { actionGroup = None } ToggleMotorAction { actionGroup = None } BrakesAction { actionGroup = Brakes } } } MODULE { name = FXModuleLookAtConstraint isEnabled = True EVENTS { } ACTIONS { } } MODULE { name = FXModuleConstrainPosition isEnabled = True EVENTS { } ACTIONS { } } } PART { name = roverWheel2 uid = 664192214 mid = 1199673181 parent = 0 position = 0.525640249252319,-0.455195307731628,-0.523632049560547 rotation = 0,1,2.68221E-07,0 mirror = 1,1,1 istg = 0 dstg = 0 sqor = -1 sidx = -1 attm = 1 sym = 4 srfN = srfAttach, 0 mass = 0.05 temp = -45.58066 expt = 0.5 state = 0 connected = True attached = True flag = Thomas/Flags/asteroid rTrf = roverWheel2 EVENTS { } ACTIONS { } MODULE { name = ModuleWheel isEnabled = True brakesEngaged = True steeringLocked = True isDamaged = False invertSteering = False motorEnabled = True EVENTS { UnLockSteering { active = True guiActive = True guiActiveEditor = True guiIcon = Unlock Steering guiName = Unlock Steering category = Unlock Steering guiActiveUnfocused = False unfocusedRange = 2 externalToEVAOnly = True } LockSteering { active = False guiActive = True guiActiveEditor = True guiIcon = Lock Steering guiName = Lock Steering category = Lock Steering guiActiveUnfocused = False unfocusedRange = 2 externalToEVAOnly = True } EnableMotor { active = False guiActive = True guiActiveEditor = True guiIcon = Enable Motor guiName = Enable Motor category = Enable Motor guiActiveUnfocused = False unfocusedRange = 2 externalToEVAOnly = True } DisableMotor { active = True guiActive = True guiActiveEditor = True guiIcon = Disable Motor guiName = Disable Motor category = Disable Motor guiActiveUnfocused = False unfocusedRange = 2 externalToEVAOnly = True } InvertSteering { active = True guiActive = True guiActiveEditor = True guiIcon = Invert Steering guiName = Invert Steering category = Invert Steering guiActiveUnfocused = False unfocusedRange = 2 externalToEVAOnly = True } RepairWheel { active = False guiActive = False guiIcon = Repair Wheel guiName = Repair Wheel category = Repair Wheel guiActiveUnfocused = True unfocusedRange = 4 externalToEVAOnly = True } } ACTIONS { InvertSteeringAction { actionGroup = None } LockSteeringAction { actionGroup = None } UnlockSteeringAction { actionGroup = None } ToggleSteeringAction { actionGroup = None } ToggleMotorAction { actionGroup = None } BrakesAction { actionGroup = Brakes } } } MODULE { name = FXModuleLookAtConstraint isEnabled = True EVENTS { } ACTIONS { } } MODULE { name = FXModuleConstrainPosition isEnabled = True EVENTS { } ACTIONS { } } } PART { name = roverWheel2 uid = 360896697 mid = 1199673181 parent = 0 position = -0.527040600776672,-0.455621212720871,0.526069641113281 rotation = 0,2.68221E-07,0,-1 mirror = 1,1,1 istg = 0 dstg = 0 sqor = -1 sidx = -1 attm = 1 sym = 7 srfN = srfAttach, 0 mass = 0.05 temp = -45.5286 expt = 0.5 state = 0 connected = True attached = True flag = Thomas/Flags/asteroid rTrf = roverWheel2 EVENTS { } ACTIONS { } MODULE { name = ModuleWheel isEnabled = True brakesEngaged = True steeringLocked = False isDamaged = False invertSteering = False motorEnabled = True EVENTS { UnLockSteering { active = False guiActive = True guiActiveEditor = True guiIcon = Unlock Steering guiName = Unlock Steering category = Unlock Steering guiActiveUnfocused = False unfocusedRange = 2 externalToEVAOnly = True } LockSteering { active = True guiActive = True guiActiveEditor = True guiIcon = Lock Steering guiName = Lock Steering category = Lock Steering guiActiveUnfocused = False unfocusedRange = 2 externalToEVAOnly = True } EnableMotor { active = False guiActive = True guiActiveEditor = True guiIcon = Enable Motor guiName = Enable Motor category = Enable Motor guiActiveUnfocused = False unfocusedRange = 2 externalToEVAOnly = True } DisableMotor { active = True guiActive = True guiActiveEditor = True guiIcon = Disable Motor guiName = Disable Motor category = Disable Motor guiActiveUnfocused = False unfocusedRange = 2 externalToEVAOnly = True } InvertSteering { active = True guiActive = True guiActiveEditor = True guiIcon = Invert Steering guiName = Invert Steering category = Invert Steering guiActiveUnfocused = False unfocusedRange = 2 externalToEVAOnly = True } RepairWheel { active = False guiActive = False guiIcon = Repair Wheel guiName = Repair Wheel category = Repair Wheel guiActiveUnfocused = True unfocusedRange = 4 externalToEVAOnly = True } } ACTIONS { InvertSteeringAction { actionGroup = None } LockSteeringAction { actionGroup = None } UnlockSteeringAction { actionGroup = None } ToggleSteeringAction { actionGroup = None } ToggleMotorAction { actionGroup = None } BrakesAction { actionGroup = Brakes } } } MODULE { name = FXModuleLookAtConstraint isEnabled = True EVENTS { } ACTIONS { } } MODULE { name = FXModuleConstrainPosition isEnabled = True EVENTS { } ACTIONS { } } } PART { name = roverWheel2 uid = 353639280 mid = 1199673181 parent = 0 position = 0.527038395404816,-0.455621212720871,0.526070117950439 rotation = -1.341105E-07,1,-1.937151E-07,-1.937151E-07 mirror = 1,1,1 istg = 0 dstg = 0 sqor = -1 sidx = -1 attm = 1 sym = 6 srfN = srfAttach, 0 mass = 0.05 temp = -45.47657 expt = 0.5 state = 0 connected = True attached = True flag = Thomas/Flags/asteroid rTrf = roverWheel2 EVENTS { } ACTIONS { } MODULE { name = ModuleWheel isEnabled = True brakesEngaged = True steeringLocked = False isDamaged = False invertSteering = False motorEnabled = True EVENTS { UnLockSteering { active = False guiActive = True guiActiveEditor = True guiIcon = Unlock Steering guiName = Unlock Steering category = Unlock Steering guiActiveUnfocused = False unfocusedRange = 2 externalToEVAOnly = True } LockSteering { active = True guiActive = True guiActiveEditor = True guiIcon = Lock Steering guiName = Lock Steering category = Lock Steering guiActiveUnfocused = False unfocusedRange = 2 externalToEVAOnly = True } EnableMotor { active = False guiActive = True guiActiveEditor = True guiIcon = Enable Motor guiName = Enable Motor category = Enable Motor guiActiveUnfocused = False unfocusedRange = 2 externalToEVAOnly = True } DisableMotor { active = True guiActive = True guiActiveEditor = True guiIcon = Disable Motor guiName = Disable Motor category = Disable Motor guiActiveUnfocused = False unfocusedRange = 2 externalToEVAOnly = True } InvertSteering { active = True guiActive = True guiActiveEditor = True guiIcon = Invert Steering guiName = Invert Steering category = Invert Steering guiActiveUnfocused = False unfocusedRange = 2 externalToEVAOnly = True } RepairWheel { active = False guiActive = False guiIcon = Repair Wheel guiName = Repair Wheel category = Repair Wheel guiActiveUnfocused = True unfocusedRange = 4 externalToEVAOnly = True } } ACTIONS { InvertSteeringAction { actionGroup = None } LockSteeringAction { actionGroup = None } UnlockSteeringAction { actionGroup = None } ToggleSteeringAction { actionGroup = None } ToggleMotorAction { actionGroup = None } BrakesAction { actionGroup = Brakes } } } MODULE { name = FXModuleLookAtConstraint isEnabled = True EVENTS { } ACTIONS { } } MODULE { name = FXModuleConstrainPosition isEnabled = True EVENTS { } ACTIONS { } } } PART { name = kerbalEVA uid = 1000365954 mid = 1199673181 parent = 3 position = -3.47713939845562E-05,0.35339617729187,0.230216190218925 rotation = 3.394106E-06,-1.4459E-06,-4.447181E-06,1 mirror = 1,1,1 istg = 0 dstg = 0 sqor = -1 sidx = -1 attm = 0 srfN = None, -1 mass = 0.09375 temp = -45.60902 expt = 0 state = 0 connected = True attached = True flag = Thomas/Flags/asteroid rTrf = referenceTransform crew = 14 EVENTS { } ACTIONS { } MODULE { name = KerbalEVA isEnabled = True state = Ragdoll step = 1.208333 packExt = True lightOn = True flags = 0 EVENTS { PlantFlag { active = False guiActive = True guiIcon = Plant Flag [1] guiName = Plant Flag [0] category = Plant Flag [1] guiActiveUnfocused = False unfocusedRange = 2 externalToEVAOnly = True } MakeReference { active = False guiActive = True guiIcon = Control From Here guiName = Control From Here category = Control From Here guiActiveUnfocused = False unfocusedRange = 2 externalToEVAOnly = True } OnDeboardSeat { active = False guiActive = True guiIcon = Leave Seat guiName = Leave Seat category = Leave Seat guiActiveUnfocused = False unfocusedRange = 2 externalToEVAOnly = True } RenameVessel { active = False guiActive = True guiIcon = Rename Vessel guiName = Rename Vessel category = Rename Vessel guiActiveUnfocused = False unfocusedRange = 2 externalToEVAOnly = True } } ACTIONS { } vInfo { vesselName = Neilgee Kerman vesselType = 9 rootUId = 1000365954 } } MODULE { name = ModuleScienceExperiment isEnabled = True Deployed = True Inoperable = False EVENTS { DeployExperiment { active = True guiActive = True guiIcon = Deploy guiName = Take Surface Sample category = Deploy guiActiveUnfocused = False unfocusedRange = 2 externalToEVAOnly = True } CollectDataExternalEvent { active = True guiActive = False guiIcon = guiName = Take Data category = guiActiveUnfocused = True unfocusedRange = 1.5 externalToEVAOnly = True } ReviewDataEvent { active = True guiActive = True guiIcon = Review Data guiName = Review Sample category = Review Data guiActiveUnfocused = False unfocusedRange = 2 externalToEVAOnly = True } ResetExperiment { active = False guiActive = True guiIcon = Reset guiName = Discard Sample category = Reset guiActiveUnfocused = False unfocusedRange = 2 externalToEVAOnly = True } ResetExperimentExternal { active = False guiActive = False guiIcon = Reset guiName = Discard Sample category = Reset guiActiveUnfocused = True unfocusedRange = 1.5 externalToEVAOnly = True } } ACTIONS { DeployAction { actionGroup = None active = False } ResetAction { actionGroup = None active = False } } ScienceData { data = 30 subjectID = surfaceSample@MunSrfLandedCanyons xmit = 0.25 labBoost = 0 title = Surface Sample from the Mun's Canyons } } MODULE { name = ModuleScienceExperiment isEnabled = True Deployed = True Inoperable = False EVENTS { DeployExperiment { active = True guiActive = True guiIcon = Deploy guiName = EVA Report category = Deploy guiActiveUnfocused = False unfocusedRange = 2 externalToEVAOnly = True } CollectDataExternalEvent { active = True guiActive = False guiIcon = guiName = Take Data category = guiActiveUnfocused = True unfocusedRange = 1.5 externalToEVAOnly = True } ReviewDataEvent { active = True guiActive = True guiIcon = Review Data guiName = Review Report category = Review Data guiActiveUnfocused = False unfocusedRange = 2 externalToEVAOnly = True } ResetExperiment { active = False guiActive = True guiIcon = Reset guiName = Discard Report category = Reset guiActiveUnfocused = False unfocusedRange = 2 externalToEVAOnly = True } ResetExperimentExternal { active = False guiActive = False guiIcon = Reset guiName = Discard Report category = Reset guiActiveUnfocused = True unfocusedRange = 1.5 externalToEVAOnly = True } } ACTIONS { DeployAction { actionGroup = None active = False } ResetAction { actionGroup = None active = False } } ScienceData { data = 8 subjectID = evaReport@MunSrfLandedCanyons xmit = 1 labBoost = 0 title = EVA Report from the Mun's Canyons } } MODULE { name = ModuleScienceContainer isEnabled = True EVENTS { StoreDataExternalEvent { active = True guiActive = False guiIcon = guiName = Give Data (3) category = guiActiveUnfocused = True unfocusedRange = 1 externalToEVAOnly = True } CollectDataExternalEvent { active = True guiActive = False guiIcon = guiName = Take Data (2) category = guiActiveUnfocused = True unfocusedRange = 1 externalToEVAOnly = True } ReviewDataEvent { active = False guiActive = True guiIcon = Review Data guiName = Review Stored Data (0) category = Review Data guiActiveUnfocused = False unfocusedRange = 2 externalToEVAOnly = True } } ACTIONS { } } MODULE { name = FlagDecal isEnabled = True flagDisplayed = True EVENTS { ToggleFlag { active = True guiActive = False guiActiveEditor = True guiIcon = ToggleFlag guiName = ToggleFlag category = ToggleFlag guiActiveUnfocused = False unfocusedRange = 2 externalToEVAOnly = True } } ACTIONS { } } RESOURCE { name = EVA Propellant amount = 1.05576678072939 maxAmount = 5 flowState = True isTweakable = False hideFlow = False flowMode = Both } } ACTIONGROUPS { Stage = True, 849361113.398812 Gear = True, 849361274.518658 Light = False, 0 RCS = False, 849338868.503174 SAS = True, 849359331.835915 Brakes = True, 849365803.35042 Abort = False, 0 Custom01 = True, 849365091.171099 Custom02 = False, 0 Custom03 = False, 0 Custom04 = False, 0 Custom05 = True, 849340171.881931 Custom06 = True, 849340170.681932 Custom07 = False, 0 Custom08 = False, 0 Custom09 = False, 0 Custom10 = False, 0 } DISCOVERY { state = -1 lastObservedTime = 0 lifetime = Infinity refTime = Infinity size = 2 } FLIGHTPLAN { } CTRLSTATE { pitch = 0 yaw = 0 roll = 0 trimPitch = 0 trimYaw = 0 trimRoll = 0 mainThrottle = 0 } }

Go into the settings.cfg file and increase the number after CONIC_PATCH_LIMIT. 5 will cover you for most missions.

Well I've built a ship for this and took it on a shakedown run to the Mun. Which hasn't gone well, but that's mainly due to pilot error: the actual ship has the odd niggle but no major issues. Now I just need to get my Kerbal back to the lander, get the lander pointing back at the sky, and test the ascent stage and upper orbital stage (I used a two-stage CSM). Might be a while before my actual challenge entry, since I believe I've got a wait for a good Moho window.

Set the bloody brakes before you release your rover! Otherwise this happens "Collins 1 lander" is where I originally set down. The rover rolled and tumbled 4.4 km downhill, some of it with Neilgee on top but not in the seat, before finally coming to rest. Minus the antenna, seismometer, gravimeter, and one solar panel, but surprisingly with no broken wheels.

The problem for a rocket isn't the engines so much as the tanks. They impose a limit on the fuel mass fraction, which in turn limits the delta-V for a single stage without drop tanks. And the ARM tanks are actually worse than the FL-T and Rockomax tanks in that respect.A rocket plane I doubt will work because of the drag. A proof-of-concept on Kerbin may be instructive: can you reach orbit with a rocket plane (no jets or ions) and use less fuel doing so than with a regular rocket? You heard way wrong. It's more like 2 to 3 times as much. And you need higher TWR as well.

What annoyed me earlier about the Mk-1 lander can: You can attach stuff radially to it, but you can't attach it radially to stuff. So tank-can-tank radially is OK with the Kerbals, but can-tank-can isn't.

Oh yeah, I miss manouevre nodes when in normal time because I decide I'll just make a quick forum post when I'm two minutes from needing to throttle.

I wonder if some mod, or maybe a file being corrupted, has affected the engine. Do some tests back on the pad, simplest possible ships

You missed a transfer so you moved an entire planet. As cheating goes, that is epic.

Let it settle down fully after rotating (or cheat with a burst of timewarp) then make your burn with any corrections needed.

Are you using the circular intakes? I've read that they can actually be counterproductive, costing more in drag than you gain in air. Stick to the rams and maybe the radials. And to save fuel on the rockets, close the intakes when you fire them, that reduces drag.

What's the orion drive mod called? I tried to find it but couldn't. That would certainly be good for this challenge, it makes it possible to have insane amounts of delta-V.

I don't think KSP's meant to be a sim. The basic physics is realistic (with the current exception of the aerodynamics), but it's got loads of aspects where realism has been compromised for gameplay, from the overpowered reaction wheels to the unlimited engine ignitions to the small-scale solar system.

Testing a lightweight lander and rover that will eventually go to Moho. The lander is OK, I stuck it on the roof of the VAB after a few tries, but the rover rolled then ran away from my Kerbal. I think I'll have to add a probe core just so I can apply the brakes to stop it doing that.

Having looked over what the mod offers, I don't think we really need it, hence voted no. The main focus seems to be high Isp, which I don't think we really need for getting about the Jool system (though that said some of the moon-to-moon transfers have higher delta-Vs than I'd initially guessed). Still, if we have a good Kethane infrastructure in place, we shouldn't be hurting for fuel right? Of course there are the space station parts too which might be nice.

What do you want out of the mods? For me so far it's all user-interface stuff. Engineer Redux, Precise Node, Kerbal Alarm Clock, and occasionally TAC Fuel Balancer (I'll have that uninstalled normally and just load it when I need it, because I'm a bit marginal on game performance). I've not generally felt the need for extra parts. Though I love the looks of this mod: http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/74625-0-23-5-Professor-Phineas-Kerbenstein-s-Wonderous-Vertical-Propulsion-Emporium-0-16a and think I'll get it after I've brought my current missions home.

I got out of the bath and went straight back onto the computer to play KSP.

Agreed, you should give some thought as to whether your challenge - or for that matter request, in which case there's another forum for that - is possible. An EVE SSTO is impossible with any chemical rocket, unless you take off from the very highest ground, because the delta-V of a single stage is limited by the full mass:dry mass ratio of the tanks. It's impossible with a jet, because Eve's atmosphere doesn't have oxygen. That leaves the options as: Ion glider. Might work, but getting one off Kerbin is hard enough, never mind Eve. Glitch-powered craft. Infiniglider, kraken drive, kerbal on a ladder, that kind of stuff. Probably will work, but not generally regarded as "legit." Chemical/nuclear rocket hybrid. I very much doubt this will work: carrying the extra engines, especially the nukes, will drop the mass ratio severely. Oh, and Eve doesn't have biomes. There's just the land and the seas. Making a reusable lander less necessary.

Contrary to popular belief, not all Kerbals believe MOAR BOOSTERS is the solution to everything. Just the ones involved in the space program.