AtomicRocketBooster Posted September 2, 2011 Share Posted September 2, 2011 So, I've taken to building ridiculously, cartoonishly oversized rockets and shooting them off into orbit. What I'm trying to do is see how fast I can shoot my Kerbals into the void. So, I was wondering: what is the optimal technique to set some speed records?Specifically, when I pass escape velocity, my velocity vector keeps creeping up the gimbal. Is it better to follow the velocity vector, or keep it horizontal? Logically, horizontal should be better, as you're no longer fighting gravity. But when I try it, it just doesn't seem to work as well.I've attached the Katurn 1, what I'm using at the moment. Tops out at a little over 10.1 km/s. Needs the Sunday Punch Parts and Nova Siliko's Parts Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xivios Posted September 2, 2011 Share Posted September 2, 2011 Terms like horizontal start to loose meaning in anything but a roughly circular orbit, for straight speed I'd probably suspect a straight-out approach would work best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foamyesque Posted September 2, 2011 Share Posted September 2, 2011 Depends a lot on the distance you want to travel and if you're measuring time to a distance or final velocity. The shorter the distance the better thrusting straight up is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jahwillprovide Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 The best I ever got was 75 km/s but I had no control and couldn't turn it around even if I reverse thrusted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millitron Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 Horizontal is best if you're below escape velocity; once you're past Vesc, follow the velocity vector. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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