jonpfl

All, I don't know what it is but I don't feel like I can accomplish anything in this game. Trying to get 1 VIP into space and back and can't even do that :-( Any tips? Also, can someone point me to a bare bones basic aircraft so I can go from there? Thx jonpfl

All, So I can getting into orbit on occasion (but not at 3.4k but usually around 4k) and now one of my contracts is escape trajectory. I have no clue how to do it? I read I am supposed to get into orbit but once I do, I burn my engines to try and straighten the line out but always run out of fuel. How? Also, I have a space capsule in orbit with two passengers in it, is it stuck there until I rescue it? The contract is still lit up. Thx jonpfl

I am doing career mode, is that something I need to research or upgrade to get? It didn't seem to work for me. EDIT : Never mind, I see I don't have access to it right now in career mode. Thx jonpfl

All, I noticed in some videos of people in orbit, they hit a key and they can drag a colored icon around to provide a "what if" change to their orbit (I think). Is this a mod? It looks similar to when you are in the VAB and you hit the icons in upper left to move/rotate items. Thx jonpfl

All, Is there some trick to get this to show up? I copied the file 'ScienceAlert' to the following location : F:\SteamGames\steamapps\common\Kerbal Space Program\GameData KerbelEngineer and Squad are the only other things located there. When I take off my icons are vertical along the top right side but I have seen this mod in videos with other icons horizontal in top right side (at top). What am I missing? Thx jonpfl

Wow, I finally did it!! I followed a guide that had a link in this thread, got the redux mod and spent countless times when I got home (probably 8 to 10) trying different combinations. I read I should be able to do it delta V of 3,400 but I had to get it much higher to do it (I kept running out of fuel). Or is it one of those things where I got lucky and really should focus around 3,400 and a higher TWR (I don't remember my lowest but I believe it was around 1.5). When I got into orbit I barely had any fuel left (it is crazy watching the path/numbers and how quickly periapsis happens) but waited for apoasis and flew retrograde for probably a few seconds until I ran out of fuel but luckily it got me out of orbit. When I got back into the atmosphere, my goo and temp gauges blew up and lost them. Is there a way to not lose them on reentry? My periapsis dropped quickly from 70k to a negative number, is that normal. Now all my missions are take samples over a specific spot and go to moon. Seems impossible for me at this point, should I just kill those missions so they get replaced? Thx jonpfl

All, What does it mean to test something on an escape trajectory out of Kerbin? I just assumed is have a flight destined for over 70k and then activate engine. i flew out beyond 70k and contract never lit up! Thx jonpfl

Ok, I added the mod to the directory and now I cannot click on it (I did see it in the VAB though). What am I doing wrong? I put it here : F:\SteamGames\steamapps\common\Kerbal Space Program\GameData Thx jonpfl EDIT : Never mind, found the issue!! Can I delete this post??

All, Is there any reason to transmit science? When I look at on screen it says you get < 100% to transmit so why would anyone ever do that? Seems like it is better just to bring it back. Or can you transmit AND bring back and get more science? Thx jonpfl

Wow, just watched some videos on YouTube about this, cannot wait to get home to install! Thanks for the help!!

Is all this info about stats necessary from researching on the web? This is stuff I will learn in time? Thx jonpfl

Wow, great stuff! I still have vanilla KSP but this sounds like a great mod to install huh? Is this information available without the mod or do you have to calculate on your own? Thx jonpfl

So you suggest three FLT-400 tanks and anything else? Do I need a solid fuel rocket to start? Here is my last attempt (with the rocket you pointed out was weak), do you see anything else I need to do? And yes, my math is decent but rusty (got a computer engineering degree in the early 90s). Also, my first job was doing computer work for NASA for a couple of years. Thx

Here is the ship I just built to try and get into orbit. Sorry, I am not in sandbox mode so I don't have access to most of those items (I think). Some of the stuff you typed I didn't even understand. What are fuel priorities? Thx jonpfl

It seems like when I got to planet mode, my camera doesn't freely move by rmb and moving the mouse. It seems to not rotate around the world freely. It seems like it will scroll around to a point and not go further (like it isn't truly freeform). Something seems wonky, would I have some weird setting messing it up? I will post a picture later of my ship, going to try some more. Thx jonpfl

I looked at your ship but I couldn't tell what parts you were using. I am still at the beginning of the game so I am assuming I don't have access to your parts. Anyway, my next mission is to orbit and I have tried about 20 times and keep running out of fuel. I am curious if you could give me a good design with some beginner parts and I can go from there. Should I be using solid fuel rockets to take off and then switch to liquid fuel. I keep adding more liquid fuel but I assume at that point I weigh too much. Getting pretty frustrated (I tried to follow your guide by turning east). Also, I noticed on your screen it says time until you hit the peak, I don't have that on my screen. Also, when I try to move around to view the planet in map mode, it doesn't seem to move on the X, Y and Z axis, I am having problems clicking and moving the mouse. It doesn't seem to be free scroll. Thx jonpfl

All Is there a penalty to hitting escape and starting a mission over in mid flight? Curious as it makes it seem like cheating. If no penalty, is it something most people don't do? Thx jonpfl

I just started and have a bunch of contracts like that. just ignore them?

Ok, I feel really dumb. I got a simple (I thought) contract that says "Take a crew report in flight below 16,700m near Zone 8Z-7LT" but am clueless how to complete it! Use liquid or solid fuel? I found it on the map and clicked it but when I took off and tried to fly to it, I lost control and crashed. Thx jonpfl

Wow, awesome info guys!! Quick question, when designing a spaceship to go into orbit, is it trial and error (in regards to how much fuel, which engines,etc)? Or are there things to look for to help (ie stats for engines, etc)? Thx jonpfl

Can you expand on what you mean by "set the dip in your path"? Thx jonpfl

All, 1) How do you know when you are in orbit? 2) Once in orbit, how do you get out so you can get back to earth? Do you need a rocket? 3) What is the difference between orbit and ground speed? I have been watching various videos by Scott Manley. Thx jonpfl

Thanks for all the help!! I have been an avid gamer since the mid 80s and I have never encountered such a helpful group of people on a forum. Most times you will get snarky comments about "Go do a search" and similar responses. Thx guys!

I ran through about half of the training missions but then I read somewhere where people said it wasn't worth running through them early on as they were not relevant to people just starting out. I can go back and run through them all if you think it will help. When you launch a rocket for a specific spot in space, do you need to sometimes wait so it is above your launch point? Is there way to wait for X hours until that location is above your launch point? Thx jonpfl

Since I am just starting out, should I go get MechJeb? I have seen many people swear by it. Thx jonpfl