RocketScientistsSon

So I have been playing KSP since about September last year and I am finally understanding the basic of building a rocket. Because I have been so focused on building and understanding rockets I have entirely neglected space planes. That is all about to change. Once I get the jet fuel parts unlocked I plan on trying my hand and building a plane. So I have come to you all. The KSP community for any overarching tips and advice when it comes to building a spaceplane. I plan on starting small, namely building a plane that can get off the ground, and working up to successfully controlling said plane in the air and finally to getting one in orbit. thanks,

Thanks guys. I got in to orbit today! I have played before and gotten craft around the mun and minus. But, I think that just had more to do with luck. I feel like I am starting to grasp some of the broader points to rocket design and this game has taken on a WHOLE new aspect that I am soaking up and loving. My next goal is to try and refine my profile a little more while messing around with new rocket designs until I find one I like and think I can use when needed. Perhaps I went to school for the wrong engineering degree...

Cool. So more questions then, 1. Is the 10k up and turn 45 degrees the most efficient way of doing it? or is it just the "standard"? The tutorial i watched when I first started playing was at 15k to 30 degrees and burn until your periapsis is in the LKO range. Then set a burn to create an orbit and circulize. Is that a stupid way of doing it? 2. Does your gravity turn profile (is that proper Kerbal terminology?) depend on your rocket? Or can you get the same profile with any properly built rocket? In other words does your delta V or TWR affect how you do your gravity turn? 3. Do you guys have a typical gravity turn profile you use? If so, what is it? thanks.

Thanks for the answers everyone! I have been browsing some other threads and I have another question that may or may not be related. What is a gravity turn? I have a feeling I have been doing this all along and just didn't know it. But, its always nice for things to be explained out.

So I have been doing some research on how to build a proper rocket and I understand the two things you need to get a rocket in to orbit are TWR and delta V. I have a pretty good grasp on TWR as it is just a ratio you want between 1.5 and 2.5. I can generally get my rockets built to inside that window. My problem is understanding delta V. From what I have read delta V tell you if you have enough oomph (fuel? thrust? energy?) to get to where you want to go. For me, since I am in the early stages of the career game (havent gotten to orbit yet) I want to get to orbit. I have read that requires 4500 delta V. But I am not sure how to calculate that in the game from the information given. So on to my questions: 1. is a TWR over 2.5 bad? or just wasteful? 2. Can someone explain a little more on delta V and how to figure it out in game? 3. Is the 4500 delta V just to break out of Kerbin's atmosphere or to get to a LEO? thanks!

So I decided to try and build a space station. What I didn't try before that is docking. It is such a pain in the ass. What is the best way to try and practice docking? I suck so bad at it I think I might be missing something. Also, is there no way to move Kerbals from one module to another without getting them out? Becuase, you guessed it, I suck at manuevering Kerbals in orbit. Sigh.

I have two questions: I have heard talk of using nuclear power? Say what? Where is this in the game? Is it a mod? Have I already asked more than two questions?!?! My second question relates to the science equipment. Whats the deal with it? Is it for later upgrades to the game or is there a functionality that I have yet to figure out? I can turn them on but thats about it...any explanation would be appreciated!

Thank guys. Can you elaborate on docking tugs and give me an example of what one would look like? I am a little confused on it but I like the idea. I think I am going to practice docking first and then start on a basic station to put some kerbals in. Then move to a refueling station. I still have yet to leave Kerbins SOI though I am in the process of shooting a probe in to ther greater system just for fun

I am getting kinda anguish to build a space station. What should my first step be? I know I need to practice docking. Where should I put it? What orbit? What distance? Should I do a circular orbit or more spherical? Is it possible to do some setup where I can refuel from the station? Like if I do separate launches just to get fuel there. Then I get a manned rocket there can i hook up the fuel from the previous launches and take it all with me say to Duna? Any other suggestions or obstacles I have not thought of for building a space station would be appreciated.

So I got another probe around the Mun. Its actually funny. The second probe I launched to Mun made it there before the first probe because of the placement of the apopasis. I actually got a probe going to Minmus that kinda slingshotted through Muns SOI (accidentally). I also practiced some landing with probes. Its a hell of a lot easier to do on kerbin thats for sure. I got two probes on kerbins poles. Then I took some landers to Mun and tried landing. I blew one up and I landed one so rough it broke off the landing legs. But it is safely down. I also practiced with landing manned pods on Kerbin and I have to regret to inform that I lost three kerbals. A moonbase would be cool but that will have to wait for awhile I think.

so i can only get in to a Kerbostationary orbit at 2868.75 m. Which is when my angular velocity is 0. Does it matter if its on a polar or equatorial orbit or any in between?

Thanks for the help all. Now I gotta start playing around with RCS thursters. I havent given them much look because I have mainly been dealing with smaller rockets and probes. Any guidance on that would be helpful! Also, is your 'ground speed' the velocity above the navball or is that somewhere else?

Yeah I was thinking of getting another probe in orbit. Then landing a probe or two on the Mun first. I like the ideology of single success is nothing but repeated successes are proof. Next/concurrently I plan working on some docking around Kerbin. I also have to find a more effective way of getting a capsule in orbit too. All the while working on a space station (though this may get put on hold). This game is just too addictive and I never have enough time to sit down and play!!

How do you get a geostationary orbit? From my understanding this is when a satellite orbits the earth (or Kerbin in this case) in the same position relative to the earth. Thats a horrible explanation I know. So any help or guidance on how to do this would be much appreciated! Douglas

Thanks for the help. Is there any way in the game to see what the angle is?

Hi All! So during the Orbiting 101 Tutorial they had you practice changing your Orbital Inclination, or the angle your orbit is to the equator (i.e. equatorial orbit is 0 degrees and a complete North-South orbit is 90 degrees)?

Hello All! I just found this game about a week ago and I am absolutely addicted! I have been playing around with some rocket design trying to figure out efficient designs and such. I have gotten a few probes in orbit around Kerbin. I have figured out how to turn on all science devices (though I presume they are useless right now?) I have figured out what RCS thrusters are for! (That one took a good day or two). I have even successfully gotten some Kerbals in to orbit around the planet! (Super proud of that one!) But my biggest achievement I think is getting a probe to the mun! (That took a few tries and a youtube video!). So that leads me to my question finally....What should I do now? I want to build a space station. I want to get a probe to Minmus. I want to land on the Mun. I want to land on Minmus. And eventually I want to go to Duna I think its called? But what do you guys think would be the next logical step? Another Mun probe? Once could be a fluke but repeats are proof right? Maybe an unmanned lander to the Mun? Also, forum related, what are with the graphics at the bottom of peoples posts of planets and ships and such? Again, I am totally enthused to be playing this game and I look forward to collaborating with you fellow space enthusiasts! Astronomy, space, rockets, aerospace engineering has always been a hobby/pastime I enjoyed learning about and now I can live out somewhat. excitedly! Douglas