Ion Engines and Interplanetary Transfers

[Jodo42]

I have an ion-powered probe that needs to get to another planet, but the ejection angle places the node very much on the dark side of Kerbin. Is there any way to work around this? Will warping to the next transfer date work?

Edited March 15, 2015 by Jodo42

[Deutherius]

I'm afraid not, if you have the probe in orbit already. If you don't, just add a whole lot of batteries - the radially attachable ones are massless.

EDIT: Warping would probably be useless, as the same transfer trajectory will always have the same ejection angle (which is relative to Kerbin's own trajectory) - thus always being on the dark side of Kerbin. You could, however, start from a higher orbit, and if that doesn't work then you can just start the burn earlier and then correct the escape trajectory to your liking. Not exactly efficient, but might work.

Edited March 15, 2015 by Deutherius

[StrandedonEarth]

Given how long ejection burns tend to be with ions, I'd say having a kick-stage using conventional engines is the best option. The upper stage of your launcher should be sufficient. You'll get a much quicker, more precise burn. It doesn't have to be enough to escape kerbin, just enough to kick the Ap out past the Mun or farther, getting you out of Kerbin's shadow to where the ion can take over. As a bonus the trajectory will be straighter at that point, meaning less inaccuracies during the long ion burn.

Heading to the outer planets the burn will alway be across the dark side, and the opposite heading towards the inner system

[RainDreamer]

If you have enough batteries and charge, you might be able to burn yourself off the darkside of kerbin before it is out of power. Also, it might be possible to do slight course correction as soon as you catch sunlight again. Not going to be as nice as doing a proper burn at first, but it is an option if you have no other.

[Tank Buddy]

I have the best solution for you:

When you launch, turn west, into a retrograde orbit. This will cost an extra 200 m/s or so, but the ejection angle necessary now puts you on the opposite side of Kerbin (the sunny side ).

[StrandedonEarth]

I have the best solution for you:

When you launch, turn west, into a retrograde orbit. This will cost an extra 200 m/s or so, but the ejection angle necessary now puts you on the opposite side of Kerbin (the sunny side ).

Now that's thinking outside the box!

[Tank Buddy]

Now that's thinking outside the box!

I actually just figured this out. I am yet to use it.

[Mesklin]

Also you can use polar orbit above terminator line, but you need to start to fly close to transfer window