Communication Sat orbits

[Zedwardson]

Some questions about Communication sats.

-- What are some good builds for comsats?

-- I understand the KEO orbit, but how do I make sure it over a set location on the planet?
-- What are some examples of a Molniya style orbit in KSP?

 

[Curveball Anders]

When it comes to comsat orbits then Resonant Orbit Calculator comes to mind.

One launch, 3 sats, minimal fuss

 

Edited October 13, 2019 by Curveball Anders

[Stone Blue]

though I prefer this one:

https://ryohpops.github.io/kspRemoteTechPlanner/

Can still be used without RT installed in your game... just the RT distances wont be applicable

Has a nice visual and other info for single or multi-launch  resonant orbits

 

[AHHans]

15 hours ago, Zedwardson said:

What are some good builds for comsats?

Anything with relay dishes, a probe core, solar panels, and maybe some batteries. Some means of propulsion is usually also included. I typically build my comsats around a FL-T400 (-T200, or -T800) tank with a terrier engine because I move them to their orbits from a suborbital trajectory under their own power. Others use a delivery vehicle and only include some RCS.

I also usually stick two or four of the largest dishes I have available onto them, in extreme cases also up to eight (e.g. when I only have the HG-5 available) but there are diminishing returns, see the wiki article.

In my career games I also start building my comm-network by using the "Put a satellite in a specific orbit" contracts. Do enough of those and you don't need to worry about specific orbits. The exception is lat in the game, when I place my long-distance constellation of three satellites with four RA-100 each into orbit. Those I want to have spread out reasonably evenly. I do that by putting them all in about-equatorial orbits at about-120 degrees phase angle to each other, but make sure that the orbital period that is displayed in the maneuver view (since 1.7) shows exactly the same (1 Kerbin day) for all three of the satellites. That way they stay in their relative positions over time, and while the positions might not be perfect they are good enough.

Another thing I do is that I stick some relay antennas onto everything that is designed to stay in orbit anywhere. (And many on things that aren't.)

[Curveball Anders]

3 hours ago, AHHans said:

Anything with relay dishes, a probe core, solar panels, and maybe some batteries. Some means of propulsion is usually also included.

Don't forget to make sure it has some ordinary antenna too. Even the one in the chosen probe core often is enough.

 

[AHHans]

48 minutes ago, Curveball Anders said:

Don't forget to make sure it has some ordinary antenna too. Even the one in the chosen probe core often is enough.

Why would you need another antenna when you have relay antennas? They work perfectly well to control the craft as well.

(The single exception if if you only have HG-5s: they need to be deployed before they work, so you probably need something else for your launch until you are out of the atmosphere.)