Is it possible to save this Pod?

[ReeVolt]

Hey, so i was new to this game and sent a manned MK1 Command Pod into orbit..

Is it possible to save Jerbediah?

Ok so the image upload is broken for me.

Its basically a MK1 Pod with a Parachute and nothing else in orbit around the earth. Can i send something up there to rescue my astronaut?

Edited December 25, 2015 by ReeVolt

[cantab]

Sure. A bare pod can safely re-enter from Low Kerbin Orbit without needing an extra heatshield. So you just need to give it a push. You can EVA out and use the Kerbal jetpack to push the pod, launch another ship with a claw to grab the pod and deorbit it, or launch another ship that just physically pushes the pod.

Or do a straight rescue mission sending up a new re-entry vehicle to bring your Kerbal down.

In all but the EVA-push case you will need to learn orbital rendezvous. It's one of the key skills in spaceflight and gives most people trouble the first time they try, NASA included! But it's just another technique to learn and practice really.

[Aethon]

Make sure to push the pod retrograde with the jetpack.

 

[AeroGav]

I don't recommend this, but you can still jump directly from a low orbit on Kerbin.

Make a small retrograde burn with RCS to bring your lowest point into the atmosphere,    then save the rest of the RCS fuel to burn UPWARDS and RETROGRADE at the altitude where the atmosphere starts to bite hard.   I did it at 55km and ran out of RCS by 50km, so that was a bit early, but he survived the re-entry without burning up.    For some reason the impact with the surface itself is not a problem, so long as you're not under time acceleration.