Am I doing it wrong?

[tsakali]

So I've been using the map to check up on my trajectories etc. and after getting the hang of it, it all seems pretty easy. Is there a way I can do this without looking at the map? Are there information i can use that will allow me to try and do it without the map, for a little more challenge or is that crazy talk?

If there is, some guidance to the right info and gadgets would be appreciated!

[John Bedlam]

In vanilla KSP, that is the only way to be sure you're going where you think you're going. You could install Mechjeb, which has panels displaying this information.

[Tommygun]

There is the MechJeb Autopilot. It has little pop up screens with orbital information.

But if you are talking about complete instrument flying, I don't know how without the help of the auto pilot.

http://kerbalspaceprogram.com/forum/showthread.php/12384-PLUGIN-PART-0-16-Anatid-Robotics-MuMech-MechJeb-Autopilot-v1-9

Edited August 30, 2012 by Tommygun

[Commander Zoom]

Note that the pop-up info screens can be used without actually engaging the autopilot, which would probably be going in the opposite direction of what you want.

[jayther]

I saw a live stream of someone making it to the moon and back without instruments, let alone a map. So yes, it's definitely possible.

[Markus Reese]

To do it without the map the hardest part is getting the initial kerbin orbit exact. So if you want to go to Mun, you can either plan a direct launch trajectory. That is wait until Mun is in a position where direct straight up liftoff will bring you there, or you can manually get what you think is an approximate speed. Do a standard horizon de-orbit burn to reach the approximate orbit. In terms of challenge, it really is more about looking up charts or slowly burning your way out to an approximate orbit path, then orbiting kerbin counter orbit to what you are aiming for then just some fine tune flying until you get gravitational capture.

[tsakali]

Hey, thanx for all the replies. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy the KSP, and even if the map makes it somewhat straight forward, I still appreciate the overall knowledge I gained from understanding the principles of physics that go into it. Anyway, I guess it's logical to imagine that with out any landmarks on the way with such huge distances in question , it's really not a surprise that we need to depend on automated computations. I wonder how they originally went about doing these things IRL.

[tsakali]

also, as for people getting it done without looking and no instrumentation, I'm guessing it's just a matter of repetition and basically going through the passes...which in my opinion, is not very impressive considering one has to have done it before, with a map and basically regurgitate the required steps. Sorry, I would have edited my above post, but I'm still not a trusted member of the community. DAMN YOU bad apples!

[Nibb31]

Hey, thanx for all the replies. Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy the KSP, and even if the map makes it somewhat straight forward, I still appreciate the overall knowledge I gained from understanding the principles of physics that go into it. Anyway, I guess it's logical to imagine that with out any landmarks on the way with such huge distances in question , it's really not a surprise that we need to depend on automated computations. I wonder how they originally went about doing these things IRL.

Basically, they used these:

Edited August 30, 2012 by Nibb31

[Arkasai]

I got to the mun and back by looking at the sky and using the pro-grade/retro-grade markings on nav ball. Virtually every important maneuver can be performed with the provided instruments but I installed mechjeb once I started shooting for minmus. That off-axis orbit is really tricky to line up manually, especially when using a powerful engine. While there is a strong argument for playing without assists and there will always be a few situations were Kerbal control is necessary, the computer makes all those tedious and repetitive tasks a non-issue.

[The Joker]

Basically, they used these:

On the Apollo space program, they did use a form of sextant, but your picture is misleading. Here's an article I found http://www.ion.org/museum/item_view.cfm?cid=6&scid=5&iid=293. It shows how the real sextant looked and a little bit more about it.

[cardgame]

Getting to Minmus without establishing an orbit is one of the funner parts of it, IMO.

I shoot straight for it, miss several times, and chase it around until I can establish orbit.

Inefficient? Hell yes - but much more challenging and fun than a predetermined path.