How do you interplanetary?

[DChurchill]

You should see a periapsis if you have an encounter.

[FITorion]

Launch in the correct direction to go in or out.

Once out of Kerbin SOI adjust orbit so one side is on the orbit of the target.

Time warp until an intercept is close. Mess around with the nodes till there is an intercept.

If they ever add aging... or consumables... I'll have to change... but until then... no need.

[Richy teh space man]

Wait for the transfer window, you'll get there with less hassle and less fuel wasted.

[NeMeSiS]

Chill in planetay orbit (hight enough to timewarp fast), and eyeball window/play with nodes.

[Dooz]

i wait for Windows Or Just Dont make Orbit and Go For Transfer to me Chilling in Solar Orbit Wastes my Fuel When Preforming transfers like that But I use this for transfers Even though i Remember All the Windows from Looking at the map Lol so this is what i used for mastering The windows http://ksp.olex.biz/

[viktorserecros]

I play with the nodes until I get an intercept. I only start calculating for the really odd orbits (i.e. Dres). Most of my launchers are overbuilt, so careful calculations are an annoyance.

[fatfluffycat]

I launch, then get out of Kerbin SoI, then I plan a transfer burn in Kerbol orbit

[AntonioAJC]

I just chill out in an orbit around Kerbol, then play with nodes so that I can see where do I have to burn to get to my destination. I have to say, it's better in my opinion since I don't know anything about windows to get to other planets.

[maltesh]

Wait for the transfer window, you'll get there with less hassle and less fuel wasted.

Heck, for certain destinations, (Moho, Dres, Jool, and Eeloo, for instance), the time between Hohmann transfer windows is /shorter/ than the transfer travel time. Time between Hohmann Transfer windows is two and a half times shorter for travels to Jool, nearly four times shorter for the typical Eeloo trip.

In those latter two cases especially, it probably behooves the impatient player to wait for the transfer window. On average, you'll have to wait only about 50-60 days for the next window to Eeloo, and you're going to spend about 400 days or so flying your spacecraft out to that distance anyway.

Edited September 16, 2013 by maltesh

[FlamedSteak]

I'm certain I'm not doing intercepts right. Most of the time I use the maneuver node, but I always land right on the edge of the SOE of my target. So I literally have to drop my speed to almost zero to get captured and have to burn way more fuel than should be necessary.

[Brotoro]

I do windows.

[Merinsan]

Waiting for windows is too much effort. I have to look it up somewhere, although I know when the Duna window is so I often wait for that one (then normally find I missed it by a few days).

Otherwise I just go into a sun orbit, then mess around with the maneuver nodes to go the rest of the way.

I do hope with all the science and stuff coming, there will be some new feature to tell us when the windows are.

[Tidus Klein]

I'm certain I'm not doing intercepts right. Most of the time I use the maneuver node, but I always land right on the edge of the SOE of my target. So I literally have to drop my speed to almost zero to get captured and have to burn way more fuel than should be necessary.

Try moving the nodes and looking at your perabsis ( I can't spell) of the other planet till your some where half way in to the atmos.

Then do nothing ... you'll get a nice surprise. Trust me

[Ralathon]

Back when I was just starting my interplanetary empire I just ridiculously overengineered my crafts, launched them and then checked out where I could go.

Nowadays I tend to develop really small and efficient craft, so I wait for launch windows. This way I can tailor the probe dV to the target body.

[Rjhere]

I use the nerdy way and select correct launch window and return window by using Porkchop plots, calculate burns, estimate needed corrections and safety margins (Mostly due to KSP's inaccurate orbit calculation) and plan a ship to do that.

Porkchop plots can be calculated here.

I am diggin' dat calculator!

[oberlerchner123]

I usually launch a bunch of missions into orbit, then timewarp forwards looking for which phase angles look about right,

then play with the maneuver nodes to see how close I am to being able to do a Hohmann transfer.

I try not to imagine how bored my Kerbals in orbit must be.

[AmpsterMan]

I used to think searching for windows used to be a bit of a hassle. Now I just use broad estimates. Duna at 45°, Jool 90° and Eve at like 30° retro (not really sure since I've only been there twice)

[Tidus Klein]

noob question every one! how do you know what phase angle you are at?

Like posted previously I just launch and mun sling shot and play with the nodes to get to where im going.

in other words how do you know what angle your at, and how do you calculate it?

[Felsmak]

noob question every one! how do you know what phase angle you are at?

You don't really know unless you're using a mod designed to help with that, or if you put a protractor against your screen. It's mostly guesswork and maneuver nodes.

[mellojoe]

Time warp while on launchpad for window. It doesn't have to be perfect and I don't use "protractor mod" or anything. Just look up the chart of phase angle, eyeball it, then maneuver nodes to finish.

[wasmic]

I usually wait for a window, but as I usually overshoot, I launch a little late for my transfer. Which results in playing with nodes anyway. It's only a few tens of delta-V, so it doesn't really matter. What does matter is when I forget to put rtg's on probes and they die halfway to Duna.

[Tidus Klein]

I usually wait for a window, but as I usually overshoot, I launch a little late for my transfer. Which results in playing with nodes anyway. It's only a few tens of delta-V, so it doesn't really matter. What does matter is when I forget to put rtg's on probes and they die halfway to Duna.

yup done that before