What are your "must have" mods?

[SGroskam]

Hey guys. I just got the game a few days ago and I think mods could add a lot to the whole experience while waiting on the devs for new content. What are your favorite mods and/or mods that improve the game to the point you would't want to play without them?

on another note, I'm kind of a simulation geek so I would like to find some mods that make the game more realistic and challenging. I also like the idea of low orbit staging and construction beyond what's already there. Any suggestions on mods that do this kind of stuff?

Thanks for your input

[AngryGiant]

For more realistic and challenging, Ferram Aerospace and RemoteTech Relay. One makes the aerodynamics more realistic in flight. The other makes satellites have a use for communication. Anything unmanned has to have either a powerful enough satellite and line of sight to KSC, or line of sight to another satellite.

As far as must have, at least until the next update, Kethane was doing the resource thing when it was still just a long term goal of the devs.

[Hooligan Labs]

MechJeb is a great tool. It helps with design and can automate many things. Great for learning techniques reducing time lost to trial and error.

I also recommend my mods in my signature.

[Kerba Fett]

Subassembly Saver/Loader would be the first one to add. It saves a lot of time in the build stage once you figure out what works best.

http://kerbalspaceprogram.com/subassembly-saver-loader/

Mechjeb would be a close second.

http://kerbalspaceprogram.com/mechjeb/

When You're ready to try docking the Lazor Docking Cam is very helpful.

http://kerbalspaceprogram.com/lazor-docking-cam/

Other than that, just browse through the spaceport under top rated add ons and see what looks interesting to you.

There's mods to add life support systems and deadly re-entry heat, but you might want to get a few sucessfull missions before adding those.

http://kerbalspaceprogram.com/0-19-1-planetes-corporation-heatshield-collection-with-deadly-reentry/

[hyperformer]

My must have mods would be mechjeb(only for smart A.S.S. and orbit ascent for realism) H.O.M.E.(for colony building) Subassembly loader/saver(realism again) KW rocketry(just to have a bit more engines and SRB's to mess around with, B9 aerospace(prettyness and function) and the latest is the fire spitter parts pack(to build ROFLCopters, they actually make you rofl... Or at least they should)

[Francesco]

must have: kerbal engineer (you are what you build ), maneuver node improvement (so simple, yet so useful)

should definitely have: subassembly loader

recommended: protractor, mechjeb, crew manifest, hyperedit