Estimating delta-v to orbit using gravitational force?

[mushroomman]

I understand that I could just cheat and look at that map thing or check on the wiki, but I kind of want my probes to have a purpose. So using one of those science pieces to determine the gravitational force of a body, can I roughly estimate the amount of delta-v to get into a 25-50 km orbit?

[PDCWolf]

if the body has no atmosphere I don't see why not, as long as you know the formula that is.

[mushroomman]

if the body has no atmosphere I don't see why not, as long as you know the formula that is.

Oh good. Would you happen to know a formula to use?

[PDCWolf]

Not really sure but I think this could help:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocket_equation

[SkyRender]

The rocket equation is useful for calculating delta-V itself, but not necessarily for calculating the necessary delta-V to reach orbit. That requires you to know the gravity of the body and its actual physical size of that body (ie. its diameter). Unfortunately, I don't remember the exact equation involved, but that's a starting point, at least.

[PDCWolf]

The rocket equation is useful for calculating delta-V itself, but not necessarily for calculating the necessary delta-V to reach orbit. That requires you to know the gravity of the body and its actual physical size of that body (ie. its diameter). Unfortunately, I don't remember the exact equation involved, but that's a starting point, at least.

According to the OP, he knows the gravity. For the diameter, you can go to the wiki. I mean, he's alright with calculating by hand instead of using a mod, so I guess he won't have a grudge against going to the wiki for the missing numbers.

[purpletarget]

You can try this thread...

or you can google Orbital Velocity...that will find you the formula's you seek.

[Tw1]

I consult delta v maps, and pretend the authors are my Kerbal engineers. This helps if things go wrong.

[Fyrem]

I consult delta v maps, and pretend the authors are my Kerbal engineers. This helps if things go wrong.

same, seems we hired the same engineers

[mushroomman]

You can try this thread...

or you can google Orbital Velocity...that will find you the formula's you seek.

Ah thank you. That's a very helpful video.

I have this sudden urge to try to get to the Mun and back with nothing but a slide rule

[Specialist290]

Purpletarget's videos are pretty good, definitely. I personally also cribbed a lot of information from the Atomic Rockets website. It's more oriented towards real-world rocketry, but there's a lot of stuff there that to KSP just as well.

[tomf]

For planets without atmospheres I wrote up a calculation here http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/showthread.php/27171-Calculating-interplanetary-delta-v

[nyrath]

I have this sudden urge to try to get to the Mun and back with nothing but a slide rule

Or a Nomogram

http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/showthread.php/27860-A-Kerbal-Nomogram