Kerbal Space Program To Add NASA Asteroid Redirect Mission to Game

[SQUAD]

<p><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/95cc1acfb5d983a5592a6a31471c2149/tumblr_inline_n1zcwfGRYG1rr2wit.png"/></p>

<p><em>Collaboration kicks off at SXSW Gaming with first reveal during a live panel on show floor</em><br/><br/> The Planet Kerbin has a new partner in the exploration of its solar system. <strong>NASA</strong> (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) has joined forces with<strong> <em>Kerbal Space Program</em></strong> to create <em><strong>Kerbal Space Program: Asteroid Redirect Mission</strong></em>, a special update that adds realistic <strong>NASA</strong> rocket parts and missions to the award-winning indie space agency sim game.<br/><br/> The mission shares the same name as the<a href="http://1.usa.gov/NwCvwC" target="_blank"> three-part mission</a> which started in 2013 and is currently projected to be completed in 2022 with a manned mission onto an orbiting asteroid beyond the Moon. <strong><em>Kerbal Space Program</em></strong> and <strong>NASA</strong> will <a href="http://bit.ly/1fFfbTn" target="_blank">share the stage at <strong>SXSW Gaming</strong> on Saturday at 12:30 in the Palmer Events Center in Austin, Tex. </a>The panel will offer the first look at the in-game mission as well as discuss the process of taking a real mission that is still highly conceptual and assembling it in <strong><em>Kerbal Space Program</em></strong>.<br/><br/><em>“Kerbal Space Program is about giving gamers the chance to dream big, even if they’re not astrophysicists. This relationship with NASA, the very beacon of big dreams and imagination, is going to give players a real opportunity to learn about the universe we’re living in,†Kerbal Space Program lead developer Felipe Falanghe said. “The Asteroid Redirect Mission is going to be one of the rewarding and challenging accomplishments in all of gaming. We can’t wait to see our current and future players take on this mission and perhaps, teach NASA a few tricks along the way.â€Â</em><br/><br/> The mission mirrors<strong> NASA</strong>’s real operation in many ways. Namely, players will tackle the same three steps as <strong>NASA</strong>:</p>

<ul><li>Identify: Detect, target, distinguish and select the asteroids that you want to move</li>

<li>Redirect: Build a rocket ship and set course to intercept the moving asteroid, then position your ship to redirect the asteroid’s trajectory</li>

<li>Research: Send your Kerbals on EVA (extravehicular activity) around the asteroids to conduct experiments on the object and gather valuable scientific data as it (and you) hurtle through deep space</li>

</ul>

<p><em>“The collaboration with Kerbal Space Program can help drive interest by future explorers in next-generation technology development and deep space exploration, said Bob Jacobs, deputy associate administrator for Communications at NASA. “Having an element of the experience based in the reality of NASA’s exploration initiatives empower players to manage their own space program while getting valuable insight into the reality of studying asteroids as a next step in getting to Mars.â€Â</em><br/><br/> Nearly a dozen new parts, including the game’s biggest fuel tanks, will help players tackle what is the most ambitious <strong>NASA</strong> mission to date. Another new part is the robotic grappling device, which players will use to snare the rock and redirect it into orbit around the Mun, Kerbin or other planets. This new device can also grab things other than asteroids, making it one of the most versatile parts added to the game. These new parts will not only help the <strong><em>Asteroid Redirect Mission</em></strong> but will also offer both new and old players the chance to experiment more in the game’s open sandbox mode.</p>

[Jananton]

Exiting stuff. Any chance of some kind of video coverage of the event for us mere mortals not in the vicinity of Austin Texas?

Greetings from nighttime Amsterdam,

Jan

[Helix935]

Another new part is the robotic grappling device, which players will use to snare the rock and redirect it into orbit around the Mun, Kerbin or other planets. This new device can also grab things other than asteroids, making it one of the most versatile parts added to the game.

these two sentences alone made my day

[kiwiak]

So, stock robotic arms?

At last.

[RocketPilot573]

Robotic grappling devise?! Now my space shuttle will be complete!

[Seshins]

yes!!!!!!!!!

[monstah]

One question popped in my mind. I remember reading somewhere some nebulous time ago that the Dev considered that, in the finished game, we'd have to use telescopes to probe the planets from afar, and so we wouldn't be able to distinguish moons and surface details until we either built bigger telescopes or sent probes to fotograph from close.

I had forgotten about this (and I may remember it somewhat wrongly), but the first stage of the asteroid mission reminds me of that description. Soo... is that coming along too?

[blizzy78]

Grappling device? Yes please.

[Woopert]

This all sounds awesome, can't wait!

[liweih]

Yes! That sounds wonderful.

[Klingon Admiral]

Will it be considered a sucessful mission if we grab the 'roid with a LV-N propelled ship and then go aerobraking around Kerbin? I don't know why, but I don't think that plan would really take off IRL.

And +1 to the grappling part hypetrain.

[Kawisch]

At the announcement of the sxsw gaming participation is was a bit sad about the fact that i´m living in europe and won´t be able to be there.

But after this mindblowing new topics at the event i´m now really sad.

Nice work devs btw

and have fun at the sxsw gaming

[Rowsdower]

Exiting stuff. Any chance of some kind of video coverage of the event for us mere mortals not in the vicinity of Austin Texas?

Greetings from nighttime Amsterdam,

Jan

I don't believe that we'll be streaming this event, but if I hear otherwise, I'll post it up everywhere.

[lincourtl]

I don't believe that we'll be streaming this event, but if I hear otherwise, I'll post it up everywhere.

Will the presentation at least be recorded, then posted afterward?

[Pecan]

What do you get if you put the world's best known space agency with a marketing company and the best (in an opinion I think is likely to be popular here at least) space simulation game?

I'd really like to be too cool to care and say 'yeah, so what?' but I'm really actually pretty impressed and excited about it.

Well done everyone :-)

[robopilot99]

Bigger fuel tanks?

[Deathsoul097]

Hang on, does this mean that the Mission will be part of the game, or will it still be a free DLC?

[cantab]

I wonder if we'll get a new radial size. 2.5m tanks with Mainsails are cool and all, but a 3.75 m radial size would fit the F-1 (just) and also be right for Shuttle SRBs.

Or maybe we'll have LH/LO tanks including a great big one. Then engines like the SSME or J-2 (Saturn V second and third stage engine) to go with it. Bulky tanks, but specific impulse above the regular liquid-fuelled engines.

[Taki117]

Hang on, does this mean that the Mission will be part of the game, or will it still be a free DLC?

. From what I understand the actual mission will be DLC, or included as a scenario (so not part of the "main" game) but the parts, like the robot arm, will be included in the main game (able to be used in career mode). However, this is all conjecture on my part and in no way reflects the views or opinions of the developers.

[Deathsoul097]

. From what I understand the actual mission will be DLC, or included as a scenario (so not part of the "main" game) but the parts, like the robot arm, will be included in the main game (able to be used in career mode). However, this is all conjecture on my part and in no way reflects the views or opinions of the developers.

That's what I thought too, but then I saw this line:

Quote from OP:

-Snip- Kerbal Space Program: Asteroid Redirect Mission, a special update -Snip-

This makes it sound more like a proper update, like 0.25, instead of a DLC.

[Sochin]

Really looking forward to this. Question for Squad, are you looking at further colaboration with other space agencies?

[Deathsoul097]

Really looking forward to this. Question for Squad, are you looking at further colaboration with other space agencies?

Ooo! That would be cool! What If they got together with all of the space agencies that are a part of the ISS and created a station pack based around the ISS, and possibly MIR, with them, like the ARM DLC from NASA?

[One-Way Films]

ASTEROIDS!!! At last!! Soon enough, I'll be able to capture an asteroid on mulitplayer with my brother, and I'll fling the asteroid at my brother's space station!

[HafCoJoe]

Grappling hook, AND new massive fuel tank!

This couldn't be better!

[Boosterspice]

When you think that the game is starting to flatten out, this happens! Squad, you are the best!