Take off from another planet?

[gm537]

Hi all,

so I have been playing around with the idea of taking off from other planets through save file editing but I am not sure of the best way to do this?

At the moment I am most fascinated by the Sun (Kerbol) and was basically trying to see how close to an orbit can I get if I start at 1,000 km. I have figured a way to do it by editing the save file by basically just copying the orbital parameters of a craft I flew out there (with infinite fuel) but that causes me to load in with me falling rightaway and basically making it difficult to throttle up fast enough. Is there a better / more scientific way to do this edit?

Thanks guys!

Edited June 30, 2014 by gm537

[bsalis]

Rather than edit the persistence file to change orbital parameters, you probably want to use the Hyperedit mod. Safer and easier that way.

[gm537]

Rather than edit the persistence file to change orbital parameters, you probably want to use the Hyperedit mod. Safer and easier that way.

Is Hyperedit something many people are familiar with? I was considering using the decided upon orbit as a starting point for a challenge and I want it to be reasonably accessible. (Though I also expect most players who attempt flying into orbit from around Kerbol are pretty darn competent.) Also what makes Hyperedit good / why should I use it?

Also if someone could answer the OP I would still love that info.

[cantab]

Hyperedit just lets you change about anything, and it's reasonably well-known.

However, while it's reasonably easy to use it to set up launches from planets with solid surfaces, trying to do a takeoff from the Sun or Jool is always going to cause trouble. As you've discovered, unless you immediately hit the gas you'll just fall, there's nothing to support you.

[Claw]

Bsalis was trying to answer your OP. You asked if there was a better way to do this edit, and Hyperedit is a mod that will do that.

While typically saying "there is a mod for that" isn't the greatest answer, in this case it's probably a better option. If you simply want to zap something into a random orbit around another body, Hyperedit is more reliable. The parameters in the save file require some detailed orbital mechanic knowledge to set up by hand.

If you don't want a mod, another option is to send up a very simple "positioning" craft into the orbit you want (perhaps even cheating it there with infinite fuel). Then you can copy and paste the simple position craft's orbit info into your new craft's orbit parameters.

[Dedjal]

I use hyperedit frequently. A great way to quickly test vehicles in space without having to launch it first.

[gm537]

Bsalis was trying to answer your OP. You asked if there was a better way to do this edit, and Hyperedit is a mod that will do that.

While typically saying "there is a mod for that" isn't the greatest answer, in this case it's probably a better option. If you simply want to zap something into a random orbit around another body, Hyperedit is more reliable. The parameters in the save file require some detailed orbital mechanic knowledge to set up by hand.

If you don't want a mod, another option is to send up a very simple "positioning" craft into the orbit you want (perhaps even cheating it there with infinite fuel). Then you can copy and paste the simple position craft's orbit info into your new craft's orbit parameters.

Okay in rereading the OP I see that it could have been unclear. I really meant "is there a better / more scientific way to edit the save file?" (I also should maybe have specified 'quicksave' file) Given the last part of your post details the exact process I have been using, I am guessing not?

I will indeed take a look at Hyperedit (but it may be a while as the week has now rolled back around...) to see what is has to offer.

[metaphor]

With Hyperedit, you can go into orbit around the Sun and then use the landing option to set yourself stationary at a certain height. You'll have to press the button again to release your ship so you can accelerate upwards.

If your ship explodes from too many g's or something while changing orbits, you can do it more gradually by first getting into low orbit and then using the velocity option under the orbit editor to lower your speed until you hit 0.