What Now?

[RocketScientistsSon]

Hello All!

I just found this game about a week ago and I am absolutely addicted! I have been playing around with some rocket design trying to figure out efficient designs and such. I have gotten a few probes in orbit around Kerbin. I have figured out how to turn on all science devices (though I presume they are useless right now?) I have figured out what RCS thrusters are for! (That one took a good day or two). I have even successfully gotten some Kerbals in to orbit around the planet! (Super proud of that one!) But my biggest achievement I think is getting a probe to the mun! (That took a few tries and a youtube video!).

So that leads me to my question finally....What should I do now? I want to build a space station. I want to get a probe to Minmus. I want to land on the Mun. I want to land on Minmus. And eventually I want to go to Duna I think its called? But what do you guys think would be the next logical step? Another Mun probe? Once could be a fluke but repeats are proof right? Maybe an unmanned lander to the Mun?

Also, forum related, what are with the graphics at the bottom of peoples posts of planets and ships and such?

Again, I am totally enthused to be playing this game and I look forward to collaborating with you fellow space enthusiasts! Astronomy, space, rockets, aerospace engineering has always been a hobby/pastime I enjoyed learning about and now I can live out somewhat.

excitedly!

Douglas

[Aphox]

Also, forum related, what are with the graphics at the bottom of peoples posts of planets and ships and such?

They're ribbons generated by a user-created tool that detail where people have been, with what, and what they did there. Pretty nifty.

You can find it here.

Welcome to the forums! Hope I don't confuse you too much by shoving your post over here to the welcome wagon.

[CopenhagenOriginal]

I'd go for a manned lander on the mun, minmus is on a slightly tilted orbit so achieving that orbit might be a little more difficult.

[Scarecrow88]

Whilst Minmus might be a little more difficult to get to, it's a bit easier to land on due to the lower gravity. Basically it means your craft comes down a bit slower giving you more time to react to any developing situation. There are also big wide open, smooth areas to land on, whereas Mun can be a bit tricky since they updated the surface with more craters in the last patch.

[SRV Ron]

Start out simple. Learn what works. Then build on the design and head further out as you gain the experience. The lighter the payload, the less rocket needed to do the job, the easier it is to fly.

For getting to Minmus, if you do a maneuver burn that places you in the area that Minmus will be when you have reached the distance to its orbit, you can set up a maneuver half way there that will place you into a capture in its inclined orbit using very little fuel. My Minotaur copy of the NASA rocket is in orbit around Minmus since to reach and orbit either of the Kerbal moons takes about the same amount of fuel.

Example of simple, then added to design based upon Nova Punch mods.

This one reaches orbit with sufficient fuel to orbit Mun.

Added to for more range with landing legs;

And, the ultimate design that can go anywhere;

All started with a simple design that was added to.

This can also be done with stock parts in the demo as well.

Have fun and enjoy.

[Mulbin]

I kind of miss the early days when I didn't know how to get to other planets etc... my advice is don't rush it and enjoy each discovery as you make it!

Perhaps you could progress like a real space program? Probe to Munar orbit... manned rendezvous with another ship / target vehicle in Kerbin orbit... manned Munar orbit and return... rover on Mun surface? No need to rush straight to the Mun landing, plenty of landmarks before that! Perhaps write yourself up a list of landmark missions and complete them all!

Edit - to give you some ideas have a look at my recreation of the real space race... each mission takes another step towards the Moon landings and beyond!

http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/44297-The-complete%28ish%29-history-of-rockets!-Recreating-the-entire-space-race-in-KSP!

Edited September 24, 2013 by Mulbin

[RocketScientistsSon]

Yeah I was thinking of getting another probe in orbit. Then landing a probe or two on the Mun first. I like the ideology of single success is nothing but repeated successes are proof.

Next/concurrently I plan working on some docking around Kerbin. I also have to find a more effective way of getting a capsule in orbit too. All the while working on a space station (though this may get put on hold).

This game is just too addictive and I never have enough time to sit down and play!!

[Monkeh]

My favourite early thing to do was to get a rover with a Kerbal in it on the Mun. Wasn't easy:

Got there in the end:

Then I wanted a hover rover:

Just keep setting yourself challenges and trying to complete them, I tried Munbase next:

Then I ran some poor Kerbal over, made me laugh anyway, not sure he was too happy:

Expect yourself to be thinking about stuff to build and make at all kinds of times of day and night, have fun, it's difficult not to tbh.

[SRV Ron]

To show how the Tri Orbiter has progressed in upgrades;

The Hex Lunar;

In orbit around Mun;

The Duna Lander designed for Mun and Minmus landing; Note addition of the booster ring due to the additional weight of the landing modification on the original Hex Lunar.

In orbit;

In orbit around Minmus;

I plan to land it tonight when I get good lighting on the flat sea or a plateau. Then, I will launch a second mission to Mun.

[RocketScientistsSon]

So I got another probe around the Mun. Its actually funny. The second probe I launched to Mun made it there before the first probe because of the placement of the apopasis. I actually got a probe going to Minmus that kinda slingshotted through Muns SOI (accidentally).

I also practiced some landing with probes. Its a hell of a lot easier to do on kerbin thats for sure. I got two probes on kerbins poles. Then I took some landers to Mun and tried landing. I blew one up and I landed one so rough it broke off the landing legs. But it is safely down.

I also practiced with landing manned pods on Kerbin and I have to regret to inform that I lost three kerbals.

A moonbase would be cool but that will have to wait for awhile I think.

[SRV Ron]

Duna Lander made it onto Minmus but lost a landing leg and one descent engine. It was able to stage and bring Bob back home.

[Kerbal01]

Welcome to the forums!

have a nice stay!