Kepler Laws in KSP

[borek555]

Hi, I have just one simple question. Can I use Kepler laws to calculate the orbits, dV etc or do I need to do some corrections to these laws due to the specifics of the KSP universe? I couldn't find any information anywhere.

Thanks for any answer

[JtPB]

Any of the gravitional rules are valid in KSP, except the gravitional constant which i found a little different from the original constant... but yea all the else are same, includes kepler.

[LordOfTheOrbits]

Yes, you can use Kepler's laws in ksp and I think ksp itself uses them to calculate orbits.

[borek555]

And what is the value of the gravitational constant in KSP?

[Red Iron Crown]

The Wiki indicates it is the same as in the real world, 6.67×10^{−11} N·(m/kg)². Link.

The Wiki could certainly be wrong, though. JtPB, would you mind sharing some of the calculations that showed G to be different?

[Jimbimbibble]

G is the same, but the masses of everything are different from the real world counterparts, so the specific constant (G*m) for a planet or moon would be different.

[Claw]

Unless JtPB is referring to g (such as in the delta V equation), which I have seen some claims that it's 9.82 m/s^2 instead of 9.81m/s^2. Whichever one is correct, the 0.1% difference is usually not a factor.