Integrated science gameplay - Landing ellipse

[allmhuran]

In the spirit of trying to make science be a more integrated part of the gameplay, I suggest that the space program should be able to learn how to predict the landing point of a craft on an atmospheric or atmosphere-less body by performing relevant achievements/research. This would provide the player with a graphical landing ellipse (which they can turn on or off) which is drawn on the surface of the body in map view if a trajectory is suborbital, and which *does* take account of the atmosphere (or lack thereof) of the body.

For example, on your first launch from Kerbin you have no data about the atmosphere, so you do not get a landing ellipse for Kerbin.

Once you have gotten into orbit and landed at least once, the game should reward you with a landing ellpise... but a big, inaccurate one. As you perform further landings the ellipse should be refined down to some maximum accuracy.

To make it more accurate still, you would need to use the atmospheric ysis (Edit: LOL profanity filter. a.n.a.l.y.s.i.s) part to perform ysis on the atmosphere. This would then give you the most accurate landing ellipse possible for that particular body.

On bodies without an atmopshere the same mechanic would still apply.

Edited July 19, 2014 by allmhuran

[Sky_walker]

Sounds like a good idea.

Though theoretically - you can pinpoint the location - no need for ellipse, as atmosphere is a perfect gradient, there are no turbulences that could push you off the course.

[allmhuran]

The game could calculate a pinpoint landing location and show it, but then you wouldn't be able to improve it over time with more research. It would also be good to leave a bit of the flying in the hands of the player even with the best ellipse (my opinion only there).

[Pulstar]

This is one of the utility features I rather see unlocked via using a Kerbal with a high piloting skill or with an unlocked ability to do so through experience.

[Kegereneku]

I support this as a feature to be unlocked through science/parts/Kerbal training.

Along with a DeltaV reader in the VAB.

Because, what the point of having Giant planet far away if you are not given the means to plan your mission with the precision required.

In fact you could even have Maneuver Nodes as something to unlock early.

Anyway you need a way to explain to the player how to use it, so you could do it when you unlock them.

Unlocking those features would invite you to try the various tutorials.