Mun Race

[Impatience]

So after my quick success with getting into orbit around Kerbin, things have become much more challenging.

My first next step after getting into orbit around Kerbin was to place a probe into orbit around Kerbin which I was able to do now without too much issue, so feeling really good about that.

However, this is where the quick rewards in KSB stopped. I made a few changes to my gameplay. First, I decided I would start building my own rockets instead of using other peoples builds from tutorials or forums. Let me tell you it has been very difficult for me to create ships that have enough delta-V to get into orbit and then to the moon and also not have the the rocket start spinning as I try and get into orbit. The rocket spin makes my gravity turns fail miserably time after time, so by the time I do get my apoasis where I want it, I'm ending up with a really messed up orbit if I'm able to achieve it at all.

The second change I made aside from building my own ships, was to start using Kerbal Engineer Redux to make rockets in a smart and efficient manner. So the learning curve has gone up with trying to build my own ships and do them efficiently at the same time. Then add in the fact that I'm trying to use maneuver modes to get into orbit and then plan my burn to the moon. I'm pretty slow at setting up the nodes, so trying to use this for setting up my initial orbit around Kerbin has resulted in many aborted orbit attempts with just returning the capsule to Kerbin.

So did I make it to the Mun? Yes, I finally did. It was getting late, and I was determined to get SOMETHING to the moon. So, I went back to my probe build (someone else's rocket design) and did my own orbit burns without using maneuver nodes. Whew...okay, orbit around Kerbin achieved again. Then after a few attempts I setup the maneuver node to the Mun and executed my burns (poorly, but successfully).

With much delight I got to transfer into the sphere of influence of the moon, whip around it, then transfer back into Kerbin's influence and sail safely home. I MADE IT! To the Mun and back without getting into orbit, or landing, but it's all about baby steps right?

Now it's time to spend some more time making my own rockets and try and get these spin and gravity turn issues resolved. It's okay to use other peoples designs, but my real accomplishment will be when I can build one from scratch and get to the Mun!

[Taki117]

If I might make a suggestion: Worry less about where your Apoapsis ends up, and worry more about getting your Periapsis above 70km. You can always change your apoapsis if you're in a stable orbit.

[Impatience]

If I might make a suggestion: Worry less about where your Apoapsis ends up, and worry more about getting your Periapsis above 70km. You can always change your apoapsis if you're in a stable orbit.

Hmm, okay, I'll give that a try. I've been trying to always get a circular orbit. Kinda building on my skills and considering that a base skill, but I suppose that will come more naturally with time. Thanks for the advice! That should greatly reduce the stress level of orbit

[Taki117]

Hmm, okay, I'll give that a try. I've been trying to always get a circular orbit. Kinda building on my skills and considering that a base skill, but I suppose that will come more naturally with time. Thanks for the advice! That should greatly reduce the stress level of orbit

What I like to do is put my apoapsis about 1km above where I want to end up (Generallly it's 81km) then plop a maneuver node at apoapsis and drag prograde until I get my periapsis out of the atmosphere (As you get close to circular the markers will move, when they are about 90 deg from start is usually good) then just point my ship at the blue maneuver node marker and split the burn time in half. This way you end up in about the right spot. I also suggest getting This mod which adds very useful information to the Navball.