LF Mentor/Teacher

[XoX]

So, when I first saw KSP I knew right there I had to buy it.

I've had it for a while now and started building some stuff I thought I liked but I'm not doing that well at making anything that gets anywhere. Best I've done so far was getting into orbit around the planet and that's about it.

Now what I would really love is for someone to hit me up on steam or something and help me improve my building skills and teach me how to do more in this game because it has so much epic potential that I want to tap into but I'm not getting there yet.

Steam: xox_1337

Skype: xox1337

[JaySmoka]

Have you checked the Drawing board? Pretty useful.

[Raptor831]

Don't know what I can teach, but I can give you some guidance!

You should check out the tutorial videos all around here. There are some on the wiki, and there are plenty in the forums. Look at reaching orbit and how to do that well. Orbit around Kerbin is literally halfway to anywhere, as far as Delta-V is concerned.

And speaking of that, you should brush up on actual rocket science. It helps a ton to understand Delta-V, specific impulse (ISP), the rocket equation, Thrust-to-weight ratio (TWR). All of those help you build better, more efficient rockets. KSP is designed to act like real life (mostly), so real-life science can help you. If you want the motherlode, check out Nyrath's site. You'll have more info than you know what to do with there.

You'll want to learn docking too. It's not just for stations, as you can assemble larger interplanetary craft in orbit. Then go to the Mun or Minmus. Then maybe try Duna or Eve. Think about how NASA grew. Suborbital flights, then orbital, then rendezvous/docking, then the Moon, then other bodies. Don't bite off more than you can chew right away, because you'll get frustrated! :-)

Honestly, I've learned by trial and error (lots of explosions!), and then by using MechJeb. MechJeb's an autopilot, so if you like flying on your own, I wouldn't use it. But, it can teach you what a good ascent profile looks like, how to rendezvous with another ship, transferring to another planet/moon, etc. Once you've seen it done a few times, you can do it yourself. It also gives you the important numbers (Delta-V, ISP, TWR) for your ships in the VAB/SPH so you aren't guessing about "Can this reach the mun!?" you actually know.

Also, remember, you really want the smallest/lightest vehicle that can do what you're planning. More weight = less travel. On this note, look up asparagus staging. It's the most efficient way to stage, and will help a lot.

Ok, that was a bunch of random thoughts, so I hope that helps!

[XoX]

Thanks, I will definitely check those out. It would just be awesome to have someone around that I can just throw quick questions at like "Hey, I'm in the middle of trying to do X, can you help me with Y?" .

[JaySmoka]

Try to find me on steam (jay_smoka), im not a specialist in anything, but I can help.

[XoX]

Try to find me on steam (jay_smoka), im not a specialist in anything, but I can help.

Added you.

Also, I looked up the Asparagus Staging, whipped up a design and the rocket did better than any before, actually got into a very nice orbit with much more fuel left than ever before. I was adjusting my orbit when I accelerated a bit too fast and the rocket broke into pieces, without that mishap I'm sure I would've made it to the mun. Time to try again!

[JaySmoka]

For even better design (and if you want to do some math), Look a the comments by Temstar on this thread. It give some basic math for better designs. It helped me a lot. Nearly every payload which I have calculated get in orbit quite easily.