To the mun Part 2

[Overflask]

I always run out of fuel.

I full throttle out , point to Kerbin, wait until I get out of Mun's gravity into Kerbin's orbit (~3000000m pe) to kill my engines. then I drift to pe, point retrograde and throttle up. But no matter what I do, I run out of fuel before making 300km pe orbit.

[Reactordrone]

From Munar orbit you have to set your manoeuvre node so that when you escape the Mun you're also reducing your periapsis around Kerbin. If you get your periapsis into the atmosphere drag will slow you down and bring your apoapsis into the atmosphere.

 

[Rhomphaia]

This tutorial is pretty bad, even by KSP tutorial standards, teaching you about the worst way to get back from the moon.  For your own Mun missions follow Reactordrone's advice instead.

 

If you follow the instructions about pointing at Kerbin, you will end up going the wrong way entirely and if you aren't quick enough you may escape Kerbin altogether.  (good luck trying that too, if you land on the opposite side of Mun)

 

You can still make it back though.  What you have to do is burn retrograde at Apoapsis, drop your periapsis to below 300km and then burn at Periapsis to circularize.

Edited February 21, 2016 by Rhomphaia

[Snark]

8 minutes ago, Rhomphaia said:

This tutorial is pretty bad, even by KSP tutorial standards, teaching you about the worst way to get back from the moon.  For your own Mun missions follow Reactordrone's advice instead.

This.

The good news is that Squad's aware that the tutorials are borked, and they're giving them a major overhaul in 1.1.  So hopefully this sort of confusion will be alleviated soon.

In the meantime, follow @Reactordrone's excellent advice.

[Overflask]

Oh ok, got it. In other words get into munar orbit first then "slingshot" yourself from the mun into Kerbin's orbit as opposed to rocket toward the planet itself. Thanks a lot!!