From One Newbie to Other Newbies

[Korbit]

I've learned a valuable lesson today. I'm just starting and haven't even attempted my first orbit of Kerbin yet. While trying to rack up some science credits I accepted the Mk16 Chute Test Contract. That should be an easy 4 credits I thought. Ha!

All I need do is release the Mk16 between 18,000m and 24,000m while going 300m/s to 1200m/s. After designing a rocket that would get me to just over 2.4km so that I hit the lower threshold of 300m/s velocity in the prescribed altitude window, I repeatedly lost the chute to "aero forces and/or heat". Mind you the test was successful; I would've gotten my 4 science credits, but I'd have lost my astronaut and I was almost resigned to do just that.

So the lesson I learned is to make a beeline to the KSP Forums and/or Wiki when one finds oneself stumped. In short order I learned that the minimum pressure and altitude for release of the Mk16 is tweakable from the VAB. Ten minutes later I had Jebediah safely back on Kerbin with 4 science credits in the bank!!

This is a great "sandbox" game that is both challenging and fun. What a great community! Special thanks to the posters and contributors of both the Wiki and this Forum.

[Starwhip]

Oh, that's a point I had not thought of before!

You may have just saved a Kerbal of mine from certain doom in my next Career game.

Welcome to the Forum!

[Hobbes Novakoff]

Welcome to the forum! You'll do just fine here, especially considering you taught one of the forum vets something about KSP already!

[2001kraft]

Oh. Ok. Thanks. lol