Guidelines to setting up a Comm. Satellite Relay

[Fett2oo5]

Personal Introduction:

[Feel free to skip this and go straight to the question below]

I'm new here, and new to playing the game. I've been feverishly going through this site to learn as much as I can. As well as trying to figure out how some mods work. I'm still not too sure I'm getting certain mods to work. But ahwell.

I don't seem to be as bright or educated as a lot of people I see here; but I am extremely passionate about learning all that I can.

If you would, please be patient with me.

Questions:

I'm wanting to set up a communications satellite relay around Kerbin so I can conduct missions on other worlds. (I am correct in assuming I need this?)

So I have some questions:

What should I include on these Satellites? I'd hate to build, launch and orbit objects only to find out later they aren't adequate because I forgot to attach a piece.

Tips for satellite design? i.e.: static panels vs. extendable panels... any tips really

I should put all these satellites in GeoSync Orbit correct? (I'll look up how to put something in GeoSync later)

How do I get a satellite in GeoSync directly above the space station?

How many satellites should I put out there? 4? 6? more?

Once in orbit do the satellites need to be pointed in any particular direction? Back at Kerbin? If so, how is this done as they orbit around? Wouldn't you have to manually adjust where each is pointing constantly? Can this be programmed? Or is it not needed in the game? ..... Multiple communication dishes on the satellite?

How do I place all the satellites the same distance apart to create a symmetrical formation? i.e.: one at the four main compass points.

Any other information I should know about?

I'm really excited about this game, I'm pretty good at physics and math but know that I still have a lot to learn. I have a lot of ideas from real life inspirations and from the things that all of you have done, but it seems my visions and aspirations are just out of the reach of my skill-set and knowledge.

Would you please help me with my questions and if you are willing offer any advice? I will greatly appreciate it.

Edited August 8, 2013 by Fett2oo5

[Burninate]

Communications networks do not exist in the stock game (where for the moment antennas are purely decorative), but are present in several of the mod plugins to the game, most notably the RemoteTech project: http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/showthread.php/16347-0-20-RemoteTech-Relay-Network-%E2%80%93-RemoteTech-2-has-opened-up-for-playtesting

My recommendation is to focus on learning how the rocket launch and orbital mechanics work first, before beginning exploring the Kerbol system, before investing time in comm sats networks.

Aside from that... *dive in*. The fun of the game is in experimentation, not following advice. Failure is the first 99 things you do before you get it right.

Edited August 6, 2013 by Burninate

[Burninate]

-deleted, duplicate-

[Redstone]

Scott manley (who else?) put up a video a while back on how to set up a three-satellite geosyncronous network off one launch vehicle - I used it to set up my own.

Hope that helps,

-Redstone

[dave4002000]

Like Burninate said, you don't need a comm network in the stock game. You only need it if you are using the RemoteTech plugin. If you are looking for the extra challenge, though, i highly recommend it.

If you decide to install RemoteTech, read through it's forum section and most, if not all, of your questions will have already been answered.

[Fett2oo5]

Communications networks do not exist in the stock game (where for the moment antennas are purely decorative), but are present in several of the mod plugins to the game, most notably the RemoteTech project: http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/showthread.php/16347-0-20-RemoteTech-Relay-Network-%E2%80%93-RemoteTech-2-has-opened-up-for-playtesting

My recommendation is to focus on learning how the rocket launch and orbital mechanics work first, before beginning exploring the Kerbol system, before investing time in comm sats networks.

Aside from that... *dive in*. The fun of the game is in experimentation, not following advice. Failure is the first 99 things you do before you get it right.

Thank you for the advice on the mod plug-in I'll check it out tonight!

I've done the in-game tutorials, as well as launched some of the stock rockets into orbit. I have the stock ZMAP Sat. in orbit right now. I also had a successful Hohmann to Mun yesterday. But that is about it. I found Mun trip, even with stock rockets a little more complex than simply putting Sats in orbit, so I thought I would start there. Then work on Mun trips.

Scott manley (who else?) put up a video a while back on how to set up a three-satellite geosyncronous network off one launch vehicle - I used it to set up my own.

Hope that helps,

-Redstone

Thank you very much! I foresee a lot of video watching in my near future.

If you decide to install RemoteTech, read through it's forum section and most, if not all, of your questions will have already been answered.

Thank you for the recommendation. I don't have a ton of time to devote to gaming and to do trial and error in game can be really frustrating when I'm limited on the amount of time I can play. So the more preparation I can do the more enjoyment / hr of gameplay I will get.

[Fett2oo5]

For anyone that comes to this thread later, I've taken the advice of the above members as well as performed some more digging.

I have found these sites to be very helpful and informative.

KSP Forum Thread: RemoteTech Thread + Plug-in + Parts

Wiki Tutorial: Basic Probe And Satellite Building

Wiki Tutorial:RemoteTech

Wiki F:RemoteTech Example.svg

Tutorial:Satellite Coverage

As well as doing a image search for ComSats just to get some real like inspiration.

I hope this helps anyone that comes to this thread.