Orbiting Kerbol and back

[MrMadGameplay]

So as new planets are planned for 0.17 I thought I would put in some practice by getting into orbit around Kerbol, orbiting once and then rendezvous with Kerbin and splashdown safely. I found it harder then I had originally thought, I orbited once and then I decreased my periapsis but it didn't work so I had to orbit again and again changing my periapsis by the smallest amount to try and figure out how to meet with Kerbin. But after about 400 Days I finally got it and I only had the smallest amount of fuel left.

So all that said and done, I think it maybe pretty easy to get to another planet but it just needs practice and a lot of fuel.

I thought I would just share my experience on the forums:

BTW Them other ships you see, they used to be my Mun and Minmus satalites but when I time accelerated they seem to have be shot out of orbit lol.

Almost home guys.

About to land just to the side of the south pole, separating from my very cool looking ship. (btw, the mod parts were just for good looks, they didn't help me apart for the external RCS fuel lol)

I splashed down just as the sun was setting.

[PakledHostage]

Nice job. Looks better than my first attempt.

I haven't done much in Kerbol orbit lately but back in January I had a bit of fun trying to plan my missions to minimise the fuel required. I eventually managed it with just a stock RCS tank and thrusters to get me home. I've been looking forward to when planets are added since that time. My first missions to those planets will be robotic missions that will study the planet's physical parameters and atmosphere before I send Kerballed missions there.

Here are some screen shots from my January mission into Kerbol orbit with just stock RCS thrusters to get me home. (I’ll have to try it again with the new parts in v0.16):

Orbital trim maneuver of +4.8 m/s upon crossing Kerbin\'s SOI into inter-planetary space resulted in this orbit about Kerbol

Approaching Kerbin rendezvous after 212 days in space. I sized my orbit so that my spacecraft would complete 3 orbits in 5 hours less time than it took Kerbin to complete 2 orbits of Kerbol. This put me just slightly out in front of Kerbin as I neared Kerbol apoapsis, with Kerbin closing at aprox 1500 m/s.

Jettisoning my trusty RCS tank and nozzles prior to re-entry

Edited August 9, 2012 by PakledHostage

[Fox967]

Nice. Congrats on your first solar orbit (and return). My attempts didn't go so well. RIP Bill!

[MrMadGameplay]

Nice job. Looks better than my first attempt.

I haven't done much in Kerbol orbit lately but back in January I had a bit of fun trying to plan my missions to minimise the fuel required. I eventually managed it with just a stock RCS tank and thrusters to get me home. I've been looking forward to when planets are added since that time. My first missions to those planets will be robotic missions that will study the planet's physical parameters and atmosphere before I send Kerballed missions there.

Here are some screen shots from my January mission into Kerbol orbit with just stock RCS thrusters to get me home. (I’ll have to try it again with the new parts in v0.16):

Orbital trim maneuver of +4.8 m/s upon crossing Kerbin\'s SOI into inter-planetary space resulted in this orbit about Kerbol

Nice job I think you did better then me

Nice. Congrats on your first solar orbit (and return). My attempts didn't go so well. RIP Bill!

lol, have you any images?

[Fox967]

lol, have you any images?

Sadly, no. Bill's rocket ran out of fuel trying to get back, so i was going to send a rescue rocket to try to get him, but i made a noob mistake and ended flight rather than going back to the KSC. Oops.

I will be sure to take some pics the next time it happens

[MrMadGameplay]

Sadly, no. Bill's rocket ran out of fuel trying to get back, so i was going to send a rescue rocket to try to get him, but i made a noob mistake and ended flight rather than going back to the KSC. Oops.

I will be sure to take some pics the next time it happens

lol, I like how you said "...the next time it happens..." almost as if you are 100% sure it will happen again