Satellite Contracts (Newb)

[Giygus]

I just took my first "build a satellite and put into X orbit" contract, and found myself completely lost.

I get that the map shows you the circle it should be in when your done, but I have no idea of how to get there.

Right now, after a bit of testing, I think I should:

1. Burn to get my current AP to match the contract's orbits PE.
2. Change inclination to the specified one (maybe on the way to AP (which will be PE)?)
3. Burn to switch current AP to match the contract's orbits AP.  This would leave my old AP as the new PE

Is this at all right?

If there are any tutorials you know of, please point me at them.  The Tutorial Library here did not seem to have any. (I don't want to watch a 30 min video though, too boring )

P.S:  I am VERY interested in using MechJeb to assist me, I just couldn't figure out how.

Thanks for your time

[FancyMouse]

You should generally directly launch to that inclination, especially when the inclination is larger than a few degrees - think of a retrograde orbit, you probably don't want to launch prograde and burn all the way back to retrograde.

In general, if it's just one satellite for one contract, what I usually do is:

1. Calculate and warp to the launch time, and launch to the inclination. (not needed if inclination is close to 0 or 180).

2. Perform the usual Hohmann transfer as you mentioned - burn your apoapsis to the contract periapsis, and match the contract orbit.

3. Inclination error should be within 2 degrees if you do step 1 correct - then you can just fix it anytime during step 2 in your Hohmann transfer when you arrive at ascending/descending node (AN/DN). Since it's just a small inclination change, it shouldn't change too much of your Hohmann transfer. You can always use maneuver node to see the result orbit of a series of burns.

 

And I don't use MJ - can't help with that part.

[Ferdoni]

9 hours ago, Giygus said:

P.S:  I am VERY interested in using MechJeb to assist me, I just couldn't figure out how.

You have to attach the mechjeb part first. If you are on the launch pad, open the mechjeb menu and select 'Ascent guidance'. Enter the apoapsis and periapsis and optionally the inclination. Make sure the staging is correct, hit 'engage autopilot' and hit spacebar. Mechjeb wil automatically stage for you the rest of the launch. It wil disengage the autopilot when the requirements are met and voila! Your contract should be complete. 

My advice is to test this first in sandbox mode!

Greetings,

Ferdoni

[Hodari]

9 hours ago, Giygus said:

Right now, after a bit of testing, I think I should:

1. Burn to get my current AP to match the contract's orbits PE.
2. Change inclination to the specified one (maybe on the way to AP (which will be PE)?)
3. Burn to switch current AP to match the contract's orbits AP.  This would leave my old AP as the new PE

Is this at all right?

If there are any tutorials you know of, please point me at them.  The Tutorial Library here did not seem to have any. (I don't want to watch a 30 min video though, too boring )

P.S:  I am VERY interested in using MechJeb to assist me, I just couldn't figure out how.

Thanks for your time

That's more or less correct.  To add a couple more very important details though:

1.  Review the contract very carefully.  Especially pay attention to which direction the orbit is supposed to be going in and to what parts the satellite needs to have.  You don't want to get it up there and then find out you're orbiting backwards or that you're missing one of the parts.

2.  If the orbit is inclined at all, you'll want to wait until the KSC is directly underneath it before you launch.

3.  Try to launch as close as possible to the required inclination so you don't have to do a huge burn later to fix this.

4.  Get into orbit.

5.  If you do need to correct your inclination at all, do so at either the ascending or descending node.

6.  Match the periapsis and apoapsis.

[Ferdoni]

Also bear in mind that you have to attach some parts to the satellite like a antenna, solar panels or sometimes science equipment. You are not the first to find out why the contract is not accepted that you miss a thermother for instance

[Giygus]

Got my first sat into designated orbit.  Was easier then I thought, which is the very first thing in this game ever to turn out that way.

On 3/26/2016 at 9:02 PM, FancyMouse said:

You should generally directly launch to that inclination, especially when the inclination is larger than a few degrees - think of a retrograde orbit, you probably don't want to launch prograde and burn all the way back to retrograde...

 

I was unsure of how to set inclination at orbit.  I did set Mechjeb to make a node for me, but it was on the other side of the planet.  In the future, I guess that warping to that maneuver point would be a smart move.  However, I took enough fuel along that I had plenty of Dv to change inclination after.

14 hours ago, Ferdoni said:

... Enter the apoapsis and periapsis and optionally the inclination. Make sure the staging is correct, hit 'engage autopilot' and hit spacebar. Mechjeb wil automatically stage for you the rest of the launch. It wil disengage the autopilot when the requirements are met and voila! Your contract should be complete...

Ferdoni

Don't have the tech unlocked that upgrades mechjeb to do this, but nice to know it will be easy when I do.

[Loren Pechtel]

And note that if a specific orbit isn't specified (or is easily attained) you can sometimes use a rocket that's actually doing something else to fulfill a satellite contract.  I just did that with one that wanted a satellite around Minmus--I slapped one part on a rocket hauling tourists and completed the satellite contract.

[Spheniscine]

1 hour ago, Loren Pechtel said:

And note that if a specific orbit isn't specified (or is easily attained) you can sometimes use a rocket that's actually doing something else to fulfill a satellite contract.  I just did that with one that wanted a satellite around Minmus--I slapped one part on a rocket hauling tourists and completed the satellite contract.

That's probably a mod contract; stock satellite contracts specify that your vessel must be unmanned, and always specifies an orbit.

[Loren Pechtel]

7 hours ago, Spheniscine said:

That's probably a mod contract; stock satellite contracts specify that your vessel must be unmanned, and always specifies an orbit.

I don't ever remember being offered a contract that specified unmanned.  They always just say how many Kerbals it must support.

[FancyMouse]

6 hours ago, Loren Pechtel said:

I don't ever remember being offered a contract that specified unmanned.  They always just say how many Kerbals it must support.

If it's stock, that's a station contract, not satellite contract.