Landed... but still orbiting???

[LordFerret]

This is the first time I've seen this. Searched the forums, but didn't find anything relating to it.

I put my lander down on Minmus, south of the Greater Flats, in the Highlands. Even though I've landed (altitude 5003m), it still says I'm orbiting at 4.4m/s ... huh? Is there something wrong with this (a bug) or that just the way life is?

Edited March 9, 2015 by LordFerret

[Destroyer713]

If I had to guess, I'd say you're getting an orbital velocity because of what mode your speedometer is in. The way you have it right now, it's likely taking Minmus's rotation into account, and giving you an orbital velocity.

Just click on the speedometer so it says Surface, and that should make it say you're not moving anymore.

[AlexinTokyo]

The navball doesn't automatically switch from orbit mode to surface mode until (I think) 4500 m datum altitude on Minmus.

Since you've landed at a point where ground level is higher than this, it's still in orbit mode and showing your speed relative to the center of Minmus. The speed is, therefore, the rotational speed of Minmus at your latitude and altitude.

You can change this, as Destroyer713 says, by clicking on the speed readout of the navball to change the mode to surface manually.

[LordFerret]

I've already lifted-off back to my Minmus station to process the science, but I'll return to the same spot and try that.

Thank you both for responding.