First no-mechjeb Lunar Landing!

[Tigermisu]

So after getting a kerbal to Duna using Mechjeb and a lot of other probes, I've decided to start a new save without any mechjeb at all! (Actually, I'm just going to use it to calculate my vessel's Delta-V)

Progress so far:

Took me 3 tries to get the gravity turn right, but I got it! Equatorial orbit was all set and now I'm on intersect course with the moon:

Update #1

Apparently my SkyCrane is blocking the solar panels...

Now I've just replaced the solar panels with some generators to avoid this problem.

Here goes attempt #2

(Wish I could have some spoiler tags in this forum)

There, I'm ready for landing:

Oh god, I'm scared now, this has always seen by far the hardest part D:

Edited May 7, 2013 by Tigermisu

[Custard Donut (In Space)]

Congratulations! I still remember how happy i was on my first landing, Kerbin hung over the ghostly Mun landscape like a giant lampshade in the sky and i felt as if time had stopped in this desolate but awe-inspiring landscape.

[Canopus]

Congratulations! I still remember how happy i was on my first landing, Kerbin hung over the ghostly Mun landscape like a giant lamp-shade in the sky and i felt as if time had stopped on this desolate but awe-inspiring landscape.

That sounds almost like poetry! You should write a short story:D

[Custard Donut (In Space)]

That sounds almost like poetry! You should write a short story:D

This game certainly brings out the bad poetry in me lol If i was a good poet i could do the game justice.

[Canopus]

No kidding i really liked it:)

[RawChicken]

Awesome!

Thou I think you would have enjoyed it more if it wa your first landing EVER!

BTW; arent you using too much mods for being a begginer? I mean its ok, but you cant really see the real KSP with so meany mods! hahaha

[Tigermisu]

I did have my vanilla fun a while ago, but the most I managed to do were unstable orbits around kerbin.

Since I installed mechjeb I learned almost all of the maneuvers by just watching him doing it, so I felt I was ready.

Question: How do real space pilots/agencies know when to start burning and stop? I mean, is there a way for them to check their current "orbits" and plan ahead? If everything is planned before the launch, how do they make sure everything is going accordingly?

[Tigermisu]

ok, I finally got around to landing, it was quite challenging...

That was quite fun! What should be my next goal?

[Holo]

Land a manned craft on the Mün next to the rover and take Jeb for a joyride perform some sensible science.

[Feldynn]

... perform some sensible science.

For some reason that quote reminds me of the ending song from Portal...

This was a triumph!

I'm making a note here,

HUGE SUCCESS.

It's hard to overstate my satisfaction.

Kerbal Space Program!

We launch all these things because we can,

for the good of all of us except the Kerbals that died.

But there's no sense crying over every mistake,

you just keep on trying 'til you run out of cake.

And the science gets done and you make it to Mun

for the Kerbals who are still alive!

[Specialist290]

Nicely done!

Question: How do real space pilots/agencies know when to start burning and stop? I mean, is there a way for them to check their current "orbits" and plan ahead? If everything is planned before the launch, how do they make sure everything is going accordingly?

From what reading I've done on the subject, there's usually a series of tracking stations on the ground that monitor the craft's trajectory and take readings relayed by the craft's instruments. They also typically cross-check their data by asking the astronauts to give the readings on the cockpit instruments as well if it's a manned mission.

[Tigermisu]

Jeb was too busy playing Human Space Program to be willing to go, so I sent another kerbal :B Right now I'm a kinda-circular orbit around mun trying to figure out how to land near the rover...

Made it without any issues! I remember my first manual try before mechjeb and before learning any orbital mechanics... it was so hard!!!

Question, I have almost exactly 1000 Delta Vs left in that tiny pod, is it enough to get the kerbal back to its planet?

Edited May 11, 2013 by Tigermisu

[Deadpangod3]

More then enough as far as I know

[carmics]

very well is much more interesting and fun to play without Jep.

[sadron]

In some weird arbitrary way my Minmus landing was a lot easier than my Mun landing.