Is there a way to set a maneuver node AT apoapsis?

[pincushionman]

...or do I just have to guess? I ask because I tend to rotate my gravity turns too slow and thus my ascending trajectory ends up being long and skinny. I know I can grab a node and pull it along the trajectory, but for skinny trajectories like I'm talking about, I don't have fine enough control over the placement of the maneuver node to get a circular result half the time. Any tips? Besides, of course, "do a better turn"?

Edited April 14, 2014 by pincushionman

[Yasmy]

Without using a mod, no.

Try, for example, http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/47863-0-23-PreciseNode-0-9-Maneuver-Node-Assistant-(update-Jan-27-14)

[MKI]

^this and Mechjeb i know can make nodes pinpoint on Ap and Pe.

I usually make my gravity turns with my nose of the rocket on the Prograde on the NavBall, only once the NavBall automatically switches to Orbit mode. This way you are defiantly giving most of your thrust into your prograde, which will raise your AP more than your altitude. So you should end up with a nice Arc, as long as your rocket isn't to heavy/large and has enough thrust.

This of course is after you hit the 10km mark and start pitching to 45 Degrees.

I use Kerbal Engineer, and i keep track of time to AP and pull up if needed for extra lift so i don't fall back into the Atmosphere. So even my biggest/slowest rockets, make it into space with a nice arc.

[karolus10]

My rule of thumb for starting gravity turns is to lean towards 60* angle just before pro-grade vector (in orbital speed mode) will reach it. If you didn't complete this initial turn just before reaching 10 kilometers mark I would say that You are climbing too slow.

[radonek]

Without mods, no. If you do not want to go with mechjeb, look for PreciseNode mod.

[Kryxal]

The only thing I can think of is comparing time to node and time to apoapsis ... and zoom WAY in!

[Starstrider42]

...or do I just have to guess? I ask because I tend to rotate my gravity turns too slow and thus my ascending trajectory ends up being long and skinny. I know I can grab a node and pull it along the trajectory, but for skinny trajectories like I'm talking about, I don't have fine enough control over the placement of the maneuver node to get a circular result half the time. Any tips? Besides, of course, "do a better turn"?

If your ascending trajectory is long and skinny, then precise placement of the maneuver node won't actually help you -- I'm guessing your circularization burn is something like 1000 m/s? In that case, the length of your burn will be much longer than your error in placing it by hand anyway.

[vger]

I think fine-tuning trajectories is in the next patch. Or at least an improved UI.

As for putting the node directly on the apoptosis, why would you actually want to? Once burn-time gets factored in, something is going to end up being slightly off anyhow.

[pincushionman]

Well, at least I'm not missing something. Thanks for the replies.