Planet rotation preview

[Kasuha]

It would be really nice if it was possible to preview how my destination celestial body will be rotated when I get to it after interplanetary transfer to allow me planning where exactly will I land.

My idea is: When I hover the mouse above trajectory line (of my intercept), a small circle appears to notify me that if I click, I will be able to add a maneuver there. When such circle is displayed and I press and hold certain key (Ctrl or Alt, for example), the central body in the current SOI would be displayed rotated how it will be at the moment when my ship will be at the highlighted point. That could work for whatever trajectory on which I can place a maneuver node, i.e. both real and planned. If I move mouse away or stop pressing the key, the planet would switch back to its actual real rotation.

[technicalfool]

Rather nice idea.

Maybe have the planet preview in its own little pop-up miniwindow off in a corner of the map view?

[Kasuha]

Maybe have the planet preview in its own little pop-up miniwindow off in a corner of the map view?

The point is in seeing it rotated in relation to the trajectory and the highlighted point. I don't think a pop-up window would do the trick.

[pizzaoverhead]

Alternatively, allow switching the conics draw mode to the planet's rotating frame of reference.

[Kasuha]

It would do the trick but I think it would look rather crazy sometimes. On an interplanetary intercept, Kerbin can rotate several times between entering the SOI and getting near the surface. The orbit would look like some crazy spiral.

[Atoning Unifex]

I like the idea, although rather than rotating the planet around so you can see where you intercept, how about a simple x marks the spot on the surface where you are likely to land? Basically the same that mechjeb does.

[boomerdog2000]

The point is in seeing it rotated in relation to the trajectory and the highlighted point. I don't think a pop-up window would do the trick.

The pop-up window might work. Just a small simulation of the planet at the time of your maneuver node. Showing its orientation like you want. I'm a little concerned about memory issues from simulating a planet twice though.