Gravity Assist

[EasyAce]

My Space Program is still about putting a Kerbal on the Mun.

Every mission is done the safe way; first establishing communications (RemoteTech), then send probes to test systems, landing, ground etc.

Status now is that I have a Relay network fully operational around Kerbin, Mun and Minmus.

Time for building and testing Rockets with Kerbs. No Kerbs dead yet.

This is the third time I am at this stage of my Space Program. Usualy a new update of KSP is launched and I have to start over.

Again, I am making a digression.

The question I'd like to ask is if whether or not you are using gravity assist when you send Kerbs to Minmus and Beyond?

I've noted that when I use the gravity of the Mun, my orbit around Kerbin changes from eliptical to near circular without using any dV. I am also able to change the probe speed from just reaching the Mun to actualy gain enough speed to leave into Kerbol orbit, without using any fuel.

Shouldn't it then be possible to save alot of dV by using the gravity og ex Duna when traveling to Jool or Eeloo?

And if so, are you using it, or is it just to much waste of time?

[EmissionGeneration]

Well, it sounds like you enjoy playing the Game in a more Real sense, and due to the fact that Gravity assists are used in RL, then I'd suggest you do it. It's only a waste of time if you don't enjoy doing it.

Scott Manley made a Video of this:

Personally, I haven't been out of Kerbin influence yet, but once I decide to finally move on [will wait for .21] then this is how I'll most likely do my Jool and Eeloo visits aswell.

[roosterr]

That is also called the Oberg effect. And I guees you could try it, but I dont think you should. Keep in mind the gravity on minmus is tiny and you really should slow down because it is very easy to overshoot the SOI

[Accelerando]

A long time ago, I flew one of Giggleplex's flyby probes (New Horizons) to Eve, Duna, and Jool primarily using gravity assists. First Eve to boost me back out to Duna, then Duna to boost my orbit out to near-Dres, and Eve again to set up for a Jool capture. Gravity assists can indeed propel you across the solar system with a small amount of setup ∆V, but unless you plan them out (which I do not know how to do), they can take years of waiting to set up. Setting a planet as target helps tremendously, though.