In game protractor!

[crazyewok]

Ok I want a tool in game that allows me to work out the exact angles orbits and craft positions.

Fed up of doing it by eye. The whole idea of doing it by eye is just stupid. I What to know my exact angles.

[Balto-the-Wolf-Dog]

I've wanted something exactly like this for quite a while. A full on calculator (possibly associated with the planned observatory) would be wonderful and probably appropriate for the game. Using third party software is obnoxious and I doubt having users guess their phase angles could be considered a picture of realism. Presently mechjeb will give you the phase angles in degrees (I have a window devoted to it), but it really strikes me as something too fundamental too be third party. Frankly I wouldn't mind something as detailed as Orbiter's TransX serving as an MFD based alternative to maneuver nodes, but TransX, while capible of being extraordinarily accurate in transfer plotting, is pretty complicated.

[Guest]

This is sorely needed in the stock game along with a lot of other information that is present but not displayed.

[Queeg]

To simply it further, why not just add a Kerbal Kalendar?

Day 17 - Launch Window for Duna.

Day 23 - Launch Window for Eve.

etc.

At the heart of it, that's what we as players are interested in.

Unless you like protractors, slide rules and calculators.

[Guest]

To simply it further, why not just add a Kerbal Kalendar?

Day 17 - Launch Window for Duna.

Day 23 - Launch Window for Eve.

etc.

Proper tools to plan an interplanetary transfer do not involve MechJeb-esque automatic planning. Taking advantage of disadvantageous launch windows is just as important as the optimum launch windows. The problem is that the information exists and is quite easy to get at (I know...) but is not available to stock players. This is bad.

Edited January 11, 2014 by regex

[Queeg]

Proper tools to plan an interplanetary transfer do not involve MechJeb-esque automatic planning. Taking advantage of disadvantageous launch windows is just as important as the optimum launch windows. The problem is that the information exists and is quite easy to get at (I know...) but is not available to stock players. This is bad.

I'm not sure from your reply if you'd be in favour of a "launch window kalendar" or not. I can see you'd want a protractor.

As is my usual reply, I'm questioning whether people's reticence for new ideas is because the idea is bad... or just because people have a "well, it's always been like that" attitude.

For me, a protractor is half the tool required to plan a launch window. Guides I've seen and read tend to point to websites and addons which will interpret the phase angle for you and give you the information you need for a launch window.

All I'm suggesting is that if the idea is to include within the stock game all the information you need to be able to play without referring to 3rd party addons or tools/websites, then just including a protractor doesn't do that. Although maybe a protractor like window in game and recommended phase angles included in the science archives or some form of codex about each planet might be a compromise?

I understand that existing players have always taken pride in the fact they can calculate interplanetary transfers based on phase angles or estimated phase angles done visually. But invariably, that is a result of those experienced players knowing that the phase angle to Duna is {xxxx}, that the phase angle for Eve is {yyyy}. And that information (in a lot of cases) came from wiki's and websites and isn't within the game either.

[pigletx2]

We have a protractor mod, but it's a guidance system for getting between planets, not an actual protractor, so that won't help .

[Guest]

All I'm suggesting is that if the idea is to include within the stock game all the information you need to be able to play without referring to 3rd party addons or tools/websites, then just including a protractor doesn't do that. Although maybe a protractor like window in game and recommended phase angles included in the science archives or some form of codex about each planet might be a compromise?

I dislike your initial idea because it locks the newbie into the frame of mind that you can only ever make a transfer at the given times. I'd much rather see more information presented than see a watered-down calendar showing a few launch windows. I am also not objecting to third-party information; one of the best things about this game is the learning potential and how it leads you to outside research. The problem, IMO, is that KSP doesn't present enough information to perform the more complex or exacting maneuvers that a user might have learned about through outside research.

I like this particular suggestion I quoted here. Give the user the tools, don't baby them.

[Luckless]

I dislike your initial idea because it locks the newbie into the frame of mind that you can only ever make a transfer at the given times. I'd much rather see more information presented than see a watered-down calendar showing a few launch windows. I am also not objecting to third-party information; one of the best things about this game is the learning potential and how it leads you to outside research. The problem, IMO, is that KSP doesn't present enough information to perform the more complex or exacting maneuvers that a user might have learned about through outside research.

I like this particular suggestion I quoted here. Give the user the tools, don't baby them.

I agree. More information and tools in the hands of the player is a good thing, and the information on how to use them.

I would like to see tools added in game to help plan missions, including being able to 'simulate' advances ahead of the current game time so you can check things. Want to plan a trip somewhere using a gravity assist? Simulate time ahead, apply the tools, and check that stuff is actually where you think/want it to be. Gravity boosting off a planet only to find your target isn't where you estimated it was going to be by then.