Maneuver Mode, 74k Apo sitting on launchpad?

[khadgarion]

I don't quite understand how this is supposed to work...   I click the purple Maneuver Mode button while sitting on the launchpad, and it tells me my apoapsis is 74km while I am sitting on the launchpad.  Shortly after liftoff, it skyrockets into the 3Mm range.  This is not really at all helpful for launching into a low orbit. 

If I had to guess, I would say my lack of actual maneuver nodes has something to do with it, but I am not really sure.  I was hoping it'd help me with getting into orbit (or at least a good suborbital flight).

What am I doing wrong?

http://prntscr.com/nwnsu2

Edited June 2, 2019 by khadgarion

[HebaruSan]

4 minutes ago, khadgarion said:

it tells me my apoapsis is 74km while I am sitting on the launchpad. 

That says meters, not kilometers.

[khadgarion]

10 minutes ago, HebaruSan said:

That says meters, not kilometers.

Hahaha, oh my!  I guess I am so used to km!  Thanks, it makes much more sense now!

[Snark]

Moving to Gameplay Questions, since this is not about Breaking Ground.