Extraplanetary Launch Window Guide?

[dbmorpher]

Hi dbmorpher here, I've played on ksp for quite some time but have never really been able to go to any other planets besides Duna and Eve without help from mods. I've seen some videos where people are able to burn once from an LKO and intercept with the planet of their choosing (albeit with minor corrections) but I have no idea when to time a maneuver like that. Normally I escape kerbin first and then set up a maneuver node but that is very delta-v intensive. If someone knows of a good launch window guide I'd love to see it.

Thanks!

Edited April 2, 2014 by dbmorpher

[mhoram]

You might try

http://ksp.olex.biz/

or

http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/33023

to get information when to burn for other planets.

http://i.imgur.com/UyIX5Rl.png is a nice chart about phase angles for departure.

[Starstrider42]

The second of mhoram's links is quite good, since it also gives you a sense of how precise your timing needs to be. A standalone program for slightly more advanced use (including gravity assists, which are nearly impossible to do "winging it") is http://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/threads/36476.

[dbmorpher]

Thank you very much for your help

[moonboy13]

My favorite tool for this is the Protract mod below. Gives you a countdown to the launch window, a countdown to when you should start your escape burn, and once you have an orbit that will enter the SOI of a planet it gives you the inclination you will have (very helpful when trying to set up rendezvous).

http://kerbalspaceprogram.com/protractor-for-ksp-0-18/