Simulator facility

[GoSlash27]

I have a crazy suggestion that I think would make the game awesome:

Have a very simplified version of KSP inside KSP for use as a mission simulator.

It wouldn't perfectly replicate the physics of the "real" KSP univers, but would allow players to test their vehicles and practice their missions/ procedures within the framework of the career game.

Users can do this now to their hearts content simply by using the sandbox mode, but how cool would it be to have a "simulator facility" that looks and acts like a sim, where users can adjust the date, place their craft on the munar surface (or in orbit), etc.

It could cost a certain amount of funds per hour to operate.

Best,

-Slashy

[zekes]

hmmm, would be cool, and would save money testing...

[Tw1]

This is something I would like to. I use hyperedit's planet editor to test things currently. Just a box like zone, where you can vary the gravity, atmo properties, and maybe ground slope, them we could test stuff. A stock delta V counter would be nice too.

[magico13]

Kerbal Construction Time has similar functionality (if you only want to use the simulation feature, just turn build times off in the settings). It's going to go through a bit of a revamp soon, but currently you can do simulations for a large range of time limits (with increasing costs), can start them at any time, and can start them either landed on Kerbin or in orbit around any planet/moon you've visited. When I rework them in the next update you will also be able to start simulations landed on any planet.

Simulations cost funds based on the time, celestial body chosen, and cost of the vessel (smaller ones are cheaper), and anything that happens during a simulation doesn't get kept. The only limitations are the time limits and that you can't quicksave or quickload.

[drewscriver]

It's been suggested before, but I agree with the idea wholeheartedly (I almost wrote a post about it myself). I'd also like to see it tied in with science - the more information you have on a planetary body, the more accurate the simulator becomes. For example, in planning an Eve mission, you might initially just have very rough guess about the gravity and atmospheric dynamics, but if you sent a probe out and reported some readings back, the simulation would become much more accurate.

[klgraham1013]

The visuals should be 3D wireframe on a monochrome screen.

Only kind of joking.

[klgraham1013]

Seriously though. Simulation of some form should be built into the stock game. I don't necessarily need the physics to be any different. Just a way to play iron man mode without self imposing whether a flight is a simulation or the real thing.

[Vallius]

So you want to have kerbal within kerbal? Talk about metagaming.

Just kidding though. Having a sort of "simulated launch" would be extremely helpful for career mode saves. It would let us test out some of the more pricey rocket designs without destroying our programs if something goes horribly wrong.

[Stargate525]

All I want is a box that will mimic gravity and atmosphere of the different planets. My most rage-inducing moment was landing on Laythe and discovering I was JUST shy of proper TwR.

[Alias72]

I would like to see a landing simulator for spaceplanes. It is incredibly hard to land something with the maneuverability of a brick, the stability of a jenga tower, and the speed of a ballistic missile on a runway that has no supporting equipment (such as compass rows lights and signals.)

[mattinoz]

The visuals should be 3D wireframe on a monochrome screen.

Only kind of joking.

And there should be visible fishing line to hang the craft from the top of the screen.

Maybe that could be level 1 simulator?