Transfer to specific orbit around a moon?

[ronin688]

Hi all, I'm not sure I know how to ask this question using the right terms.

I'm trying to transfer to minmus and enter the orbit on the correct side of the moon to match my stations orbit. (retorgrade/prograde?)

Sometimes when I get to the minmus encounter I will be on a path to orbit opposite of my station, sometimes I'll be on the correct side. I can easily burn to fix that, but I end up wasting fuel. I'm just wondering how I can make that decision during my initial transfer burn, or during transit with a course correction. I've played around with it, but I haven't found a consistent procedure.

Also if someone could let me know what terms I should use I'd appreciate it.

[WanderingKid]

Usually I wait until just after I leave Kerbin's low orbit (say, 300-500k in height) and play with a maneuver node radially to translate what side I'm coming in on. Works for Mun and Minmus, unless the intercept is weird.

[maltesh]

Click on Minmus' orbit, and select "Focus On", I believe it's called. That will show your path through the Minmus SOI (assuming you're intercepting it) in Minmus's frame of reference, so you'll know which direction you're coming into Minmus long before you get there, and can fix the things if necessaryfor cheap.

[Kryxal]

The tab key works too, to change focus, and it doesn't deselect the maneuver node.

[ronin688]

Ohh! I didn't know you could get the SOI display when you focus on Minmus. Perfect.

Is there a term for orbiting different directions or just prograde/retrograde?

Thanks all, much appreciated.