"Kerbalized" Rocket Science

[shadragon]

The game may have simplified physics, you could even say "Kerbalized", but it's still rocket science and quite the challenge. 

I'm currently working on my first manned mission to the Mun. I went home last night intending to spend a few minutes knocking together a rocket and heading off, but I spent an hour just designing a rover full of science gear along with a deployment system. Then I had to mount it under a lander with enough clearance underneath to drive off before discovering the landing struts were in the way, the struts were too short and on top of that I'd forgotten to add actual rockets and fuel to get it down to the surface. Then there were size limits to accommodate the fairing. What followed were several iterations and configurations of parts in various combos as I compromised, hit walls, deleted entire sub-assemblies and moved toward a complete design at a snails pace.   

By the time I had the entire rocket assembled, three hours had passed and I had no time to actually fly it. And I loved every frustrating moment of it. You have to wonder at the amount of work NASA engineers had to do even during the relatively simple Gemini program. I'm really starting to enjoy myself. 

Thanks to the devs and the community who supported this excellent game in its formative years. It's a cracker. 

[Pecan]

Ha, the addiction bites!
This is what most of us have found, and why PC Gamer said in KSP it's about the journey, or even the journey to the journey, rather than the destination.
It is also, I think, the reason that you, personally, get a feeling of satisfaction from KSP when you achieve something.  Everyone else might have done <whatever> before but no-one else has gone through the exact process you have to get there.  And you know you've learnt something and made something when it works.

No-one says it better than xkcd: https://xkcd.com/1356/

[Snark]

9 hours ago, Pecan said:

No-one says it better than xkcd: https://xkcd.com/1356/

Curiously enough, it was precisely that strip that pushed me over the edge and made me go out and get KSP. 

[steedcrugeon]

13 hours ago, Pecan said:

Ha, the addiction bites!
This is what most of us have found, and why PC Gamer said in KSP it's about the journey, or even the journey to the journey, rather than the destination.
It is also, I think, the reason that you, personally, get a feeling of satisfaction from KSP when you achieve something.  Everyone else might have done <whatever> before but no-one else has gone through the exact process you have to get there.  

I agree with this statement hole-heartedly. I enjoy reading about other's excursions and ships designs. I've been dabbling in Sandbox mode recently with some atmospheric craft and a couple of boats. I am most excited however to find out how my Duna missions fairs, I sent my first manned vessel that way a few game days ago and by the time it gets there a probe should have landed I the surface, and the mission's bespoke lander will be waiting to rendezvous with the crewed vessel. The crewed vessel was thrown together sort of adhoc, the only considerations given proper thought were the food and EC supplies. Just like @shadragon the bespoke lander I built for the mission took many hours (more so than the crewed science vessel) and it was launch a couple of evening after I had originally planned as a result.

You are right though, the building is so much fun!

[Pecan]

7 hours ago, steedcrugeon said:

...I enjoy reading about other's excursions and ships designs...

http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/index.php?/forum/51-mission-reports/ is the place to put and read all the gory details.
The joy of VAB is also why "first manned mission to the Mun" stories are welcomed here, unlike many games/forums where it might be met with "newb" comments ;-)