My Munar Landing Profile Plan

[AncientAstronaut]

So one thing I like to do is to write up flight plans and diagrams and things when I get bored. And I just made this Descent Plan. If someone gets the time to use it, let me know what you think. Did it work for you? What needs to be fixed?

ENTERING MUNAR ORBIT:

http://i.imgur.com/ZOiUA.jpg (page 1)

http://i.imgur.com/Y6Avc.jpg (page 2)

LANDING:

http://i.imgur.com/9bU2d.jpg (page 1)

http://i.imgur.com/xjomV.jpg (page 2)

http://i.imgur.com/Lb65I.jpg (page 3)

Next I am working on a Munar Surface - Orbit Rendezvous because I always use a lander that is not capable of coming back and then doing a crew transfer in Munar Orbit.

Finished the Munar Ascent/Rendezvous Plan. Coincidentally, it is also 3 pages...

http://i.imgur.com/KPcdt.jpg (page 1)

http://i.imgur.com/yQSd6.jpg (page 2)

http://i.imgur.com/of3Fv.jpg (page 3)

Edited September 14, 2012 by AncientAstronaut
Added more Flight Plan Pages

[Tim_Barrett]

Might be over thinking it, but that should work.

I was just like "f**k it" and landed on the first try, but I kind of wish I failed for the first few times. Kinda seems that it would be more rewarding that way, wouldn't it?

[AncientAstronaut]

My first Mun Landings were horrible. lol.

I thought retrograde meant pointed at the surface (this was back in January) so I always burned radially and couldn't figure out why I was ascending. Then I would crash into a mountain or something.

Now I'm really quick and easy with my Mun Landings and I use a joystick (bought it last night.) It's really fun to get to learn to use it.

As for the flight plan. I don't know. I always love the realistic approach and I plan to litter this thing with notes in pencil during a flight (which is why I scanned the pristine version first.)

[jenskerman]

First time to moon wasn't easy, I was VERY underfueled. I thought it would be a small step, but actually it were a giant leap.

[Martonaut]

It always amazes me how people do this kind of plans.. I always eye ball all ... After watching tutorials cuz IM to dumb to do that kind of planning myself

[AncientAstronaut]

The planning isn't too hard. The best thing you can do is to actually write the flight plan while you go on the mission. If that's not an option, though, use calculations and math.

[EvilotionCR2]

same,thats why i'm making only spaceplanes

[erkha343]

Might be over thinking it, but that should work.

I was just like "f**k it" and landed on the first try, but I kind of wish I failed for the first few times. Kinda seems that it would be more rewarding that way, wouldn't it?

Some people that play this game, are scientists and engineers, so they take this stuff very seriously

I'm not a scientist, but I'm studying astrophysics...

[Ekku Zakku]

This is a great flightplan for my ship, since I have a Munar orbit rendezvous plan. I usually go for a higher altitude, but considering efficiency, a lower orbit altitude of 10 km is much better. I just like to have more flexibility by having a slower descent, and not have to time the descent more accurately XD

I'm quite the capable pilot though, so once I figure out the needs of my ship, I just go by feel. There's usually plenty of fuel left over for any variance lol.

[PakledHostage]

I think this is great! Nicely laid out plans. I haven't done much lately but I've found that role-playing adds a lot to the game. While my sketches aren't as good and my writing isn't as neat, I'll be planning my first missions to the new planets in v0.17 in much the same way. The goal will be to get there the first time I try, and without killing any Kerbals.

[Ekku Zakku]

Oh yeah, I'm definitely going to make flightplans with .17 and the new planets. I want to minimize my chance of manned failures after I do my unmanned tests XD

[AmpsterMan]

It's truly wonderful how this game can cater to those that plan to the last detail and those that fly by the seat of their pants

[EndOfTheEarth]

These plans are all very good, but there are a number of reaction-time elements involved that may not work the first time and the real munar surface altitude is not the same as the altitude that you'll get from the stock altimeter. Aim for a landing zone in one of the seas/mares for the closest possible landing, and do everything in your power to kill off your horizontal motion above 500m. You'll know that you did it right when the retrograde circle is centered on the vertical blue part of your Nav Ball.

[Randox]

I can't say I normally put this much effort into my flight plans. I like to work in my head, mostly because a lot of the work I do is more focused on the design, and testing it, and I prefer to work practically. I get an idea, throw it together, test it, then refine it beased on what I learned during testing. Most of the numbers stuff I already know in my head, so I am fine just winging it, though I do sometimes do some pre flight math, occasionally even writing numbers down if there are a few to remember. An example you be calculating how much Minimus will move though its orbit in the time it takes my rocket to reach that altitude, so that I know where to aim.

For a mission I am doing now, as both a rescue op and preparation for more capable return craft, I might need to do some power to weight calculations, and for once build a craft that can do exactly what it is supposed to, and nothing more, which might require a more specified flight plan.