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Kerbal Space Progam: Rocket science is harder than it looks!

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Posts

  • Ninja Snarl PNinja Snarl P My helmet is my burden. Ninja Snarl: Gone, but not forgotten.Registered User regular
    The quickest way I do it is to boost out of the atmosphere, then boost to the general area in front of the moon. It's pretty easy to carry enough fuel/thrust to brute force an intersecting trajectory, since you don't need nearly as much fuel/power once you get out of Kerbil's atmosphere. Once you've got a trajectory that even briefly goes into munar orbit, you can just retrograde burn like crazy to kill your velocity if you've got loads of fuel. Just make sure you don't end up fast forwarding time so that you skip right past the mun.

    You can also try to be fuel efficient by doing using orbital mechanics, but that takes longer and involves more trial and error. Doing orbital mechanics right is matter of doing burns at the right moments, knowing the correct orientation to have while burning, knowing retrograde/prograde, the importance of the "high" and "low" points of the orbital trajectory, how burns will alter trajectory, and so on.

    The latter is obviously a harder, slower road. I can brute force a landing pretty easy, but finessing landings has resulted in something like a half-dozen explosive munar impacts since I get impatient and end up smashing the command module right into the moon.

    Zilla360
  • ILMTitanILMTitan Registered User regular
    Foomy wrote: »
    So I got a few successful Mun landings and returns to Kerbin.
    Now I am trying to get a good landing on Minimus, but I just can't seem to find a nice flat place to land, everywhere is all hilly and my landing craft tips over when it touches down,it's happened 5 times.
    anyone know the location of a good flat spot? maybe I'm just super unlucky

    The big blue splotches on Minmus are flat and at sea level and are pretty easy to land on.

  • SynthesisSynthesis Honda Today! Registered User regular
    So, I'm beginning my Minmus initiative for the first time since 0.16 dropped, with an indigenous (unmodded) Progress IIID/IV rocket (because the name is so very important). I'm pretty happy with my ugly-ass tower lander, since it's the right combination of forgiving, tough, and fuel-abundant, but I'm wondering about other things.

    What's people's favorite way of getting to Minmus? My only reliable way was to basically expand my orbit all the way out to Minmus, but I would inevitably miss the actual moon orbit path by a few thousand kilometers because of the moon's tilted orbit (whereas Mun is literally on Kerbal's equator). To make up for this, I typically burn myself to a halt, burn to an interception path, and then painstakingly replicate Minmus' orbit. Eventually I end up running into Minmus almost directly.

    This is, of course, an incredibly inefficient way of getting to Minmus. MechJeb translation never actually seems to get you to Minmus, as far as I can tell, so this is the only way I know how. I guess I'm just no good at managing a tilted orbit unless I'm literally in the orbit path, and almost at a complete halt in space.

  • Sir CarcassSir Carcass I have been shown the end of my world Round Rock, TXRegistered User regular
    Are you using mechjeb 1.9.1? I used it the other day and it transferred me to an orbit around Minmus perfectly. I'd basically use the ascent autopilot to get into a 100km orbit around Kerbal, then use transfer to go to an orbit around Minmus.

    My current rocket is called the Karcass IV.

  • TefTef Registered User regular
    Guys I just watched the Giant Bomb Quick Look and listened o the Rebel FM guys talking about it. I'm gonna be all over it when I fly home from work later this week

    I can't remember the last time I laughed so hard at a video game

    help a fellow forumer meet their mental health care needs because USA healthcare sucks!

    Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better

    bit.ly/2XQM1ke
  • SatsumomoSatsumomo Rated PG! Registered User regular
    Oh man, the first time you build a rocket, it's a definite experience. You are scared of what might happen, excited that it may be a great design after all, and suddenly you're on the floor laughing that it has exploded into a hundred pieces on the launch pad.

    The other day I had no internet access, and I usually run KSP from Steam. Since I was being lazy, I just typed KSP on my Start menu search, and the exe showed up. However it was version 0.11.3x or something like that. Basically: Only Kerbin is there, you have like a total of 10 ship parts and there's no orbital map view, or persistence. You had to actually figure out what your A&P where.

  • TheKoolEagleTheKoolEagle Registered User regular
    I've been attempting to get a rocket into orbit around kerbin that has no less then 30 fuselages. It has been deemed 'Phallus X'

    so far I've built 4 booster towers around it to hold it steady, but usually something goes wrong and blows off half the rocket

    uNMAGLm.png Mon-Fri 8:30 PM CST - 11:30 PM CST
  • FoomyFoomy Registered User regular
    I've been attempting to get a rocket into orbit around kerbin that has no less then 30 fuselages. It has been deemed 'Phallus X'

    so far I've built 4 booster towers around it to hold it steady, but usually something goes wrong and blows off half the rocket

    use a ton of support struts, you can get just about any shaped rocket to work if you strap it together with enough of those.

    In my own personal Kerbal insanity, I've been trying to see if I can do a round trip to the Mun and back with nothing but solid boosters.
    I think this is going to take me forever, but having an insane goal is always fun.

    Steam Profile: FoomyFooms
  • OrcaOrca Also known as Espressosaurus WrexRegistered User regular
    So you're saying the Phallus X has a problem with premature ignition?

    Tef
  • lowlylowlycooklowlylowlycook Registered User regular
    Haha. You made trying that solid rocket challenge myself sound like a good idea until I remembered I can't even land with adjustable thrust.

    Good luck, my friend, good luck.

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  • Sir CarcassSir Carcass I have been shown the end of my world Round Rock, TXRegistered User regular
  • SynthesisSynthesis Honda Today! Registered User regular
    Are you using mechjeb 1.9.1? I used it the other day and it transferred me to an orbit around Minmus perfectly. I'd basically use the ascent autopilot to get into a 100km orbit around Kerbal, then use transfer to go to an orbit around Minmus.

    My current rocket is called the Karcass IV.

    I'm using whatever the oldest version of MechJeb is that works with 0.16. Honestly, that might work, it's been a while since I tried (I usually handle translations manually, since the old software didn't do a good job even with Mun transfer).

  • KhavallKhavall British ColumbiaRegistered User regular
    Ok so worst feeling? When you've set up an orbit, burn to exit it on a munshot.....

    Only to run out of fuel and see that you're going to miss the mun.

  • SatsumomoSatsumomo Rated PG! Registered User regular
    Worst feeling for me was getting a satellite into geostationary orbit, and finding out that you can't use decouplers as a sort of strut for your dish.

    Even though the stage was set later, it still fired the dish off away into deep space, left me with a useless husk floating in orbit.

  • KhavallKhavall British ColumbiaRegistered User regular
    At least then you don't have to stare at the face of your little Kerban when you think "Oh shit that's not going to work"

  • SatsumomoSatsumomo Rated PG! Registered User regular
    I wonder, if I get a long range dish antenna on the north and south poles of the Mun, will it be able to transmit outwards to other planets?

  • TheKoolEagleTheKoolEagle Registered User regular
    edited August 2012
    so where do I actually pick up mods for KSP? I think I might enjoy it more if I can have mods do some of the work for me

    also what mods are fun but not stupidly broken?

    TheKoolEagle on
    uNMAGLm.png Mon-Fri 8:30 PM CST - 11:30 PM CST
  • Ninja Snarl PNinja Snarl P My helmet is my burden. Ninja Snarl: Gone, but not forgotten.Registered User regular
    Satsumomo wrote: »
    Worst feeling for me was getting a satellite into geostationary orbit, and finding out that you can't use decouplers as a sort of strut for your dish.

    Even though the stage was set later, it still fired the dish off away into deep space, left me with a useless husk floating in orbit.

    It's not a failed satellite launch, it's a successful deep-space probe mission!

  • FoomyFoomy Registered User regular
    So here's my work on an only solid booster rocket to the Mun and Back so far.

    it gets into orbit real easy, a little harder to get that orbit circular but I'm learning when to eject rockets to stop the thrust on the main body.
    those 3 radial attached ones at the top stages are each on their own stage, with the radial decoupler another separate stage, so I can fire them for a short while than eject them off. I think I need more of them overall.

    Got it into orbit around the Mun, but couldn't quite make it stable so it either crashes into the surface, or shoots off into an orbit around the sun.

    32 solid fuel booster, 14 stages.
    sdA9n.jpg

    Steam Profile: FoomyFooms
    Zilla360
  • SatsumomoSatsumomo Rated PG! Registered User regular
    You can set boosters facing the opposite direction, can you not?

  • Zilla360Zilla360 21st Century. |She/Her| Trans* Woman In Aviators Firing A Bazooka. ⚛️Registered User regular
    edited August 2012
    I'm surprised you don't have launch stabilisers on that thing, most rockets that big topple over on the pad before you can even lift off.

    Zilla360 on
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  • Zilla360Zilla360 21st Century. |She/Her| Trans* Woman In Aviators Firing A Bazooka. ⚛️Registered User regular
    2012-07-30-episode-12-fighting-spirit.png

    NH844lc.png | PSN | GACSALB.jpg My Blog |🏳️‍⚧️♥️
  • SatsumomoSatsumomo Rated PG! Registered User regular
    Next version, 0.17, to have scenarios and multiple-saves.

    nEMJl.png

  • Sir CarcassSir Carcass I have been shown the end of my world Round Rock, TXRegistered User regular
    Can you link those cool satellite mods? I'd like to try those/it.

  • SatsumomoSatsumomo Rated PG! Registered User regular
    Here ya go!

    http://kerbalspaceprogram.com/forum/showthread.php/16347-PLUGIN-PARTS-0-16-RemoteTech-Relay-Network-Debris-automation-–-V-0-3

    This is a bit depressing, this guy manages to send a Kerbal to the Mun and back safely, by only launching debris.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLv5mdIVrb4

    :(

  • SynthesisSynthesis Honda Today! Registered User regular
    @Foomy, that's a very impressive endeavor. I've noticed a few of my rockets skip solid boosters entirely, because of their very specific utility.

  • TheKoolEagleTheKoolEagle Registered User regular
    Satsumomo wrote: »
    Here ya go!

    http://kerbalspaceprogram.com/forum/showthread.php/16347-PLUGIN-PARTS-0-16-RemoteTech-Relay-Network-Debris-automation-–-V-0-3

    This is a bit depressing, this guy manages to send a Kerbal to the Mun and back safely, by only launching debris.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLv5mdIVrb4

    :(

    I can't even land on the mun with a fully functioning rocket. FML.

    uNMAGLm.png Mon-Fri 8:30 PM CST - 11:30 PM CST
  • lowlylowlycooklowlylowlycook Registered User regular
    edited August 2012
    So I knew that landing a plane would be a bitch in this game but I think it's harder than I imagined. Even my sweet little Fokker always manages to swerve randomly after even a perfect touchdown and breaks apart.

    Fokker.png

    When it had tailfins in the rear it wouldn't fly with a angle of attack less than 15%, but now it flies pretty nicely.

    [edit] Is there a way to break with your landing gear? I seem to remember it but can't find it now.

    lowlylowlycook on
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  • Zilla360Zilla360 21st Century. |She/Her| Trans* Woman In Aviators Firing A Bazooka. ⚛️Registered User regular
    edited August 2012
    Well you can certainly break you landing gear, not so sure how to brake though. :P
    Perhaps add some way to reverse thrust?

    Zilla360 on
    NH844lc.png | PSN | GACSALB.jpg My Blog |🏳️‍⚧️♥️
  • Zilla360Zilla360 21st Century. |She/Her| Trans* Woman In Aviators Firing A Bazooka. ⚛️Registered User regular
    Jeb's Law #69: Any launch you can walk away from, is a good launch (SRB's on my huge Minmus rocket detached and collided on the pad, mushroom-cloud sized explosion, oops...)

    BzEt.png

    Somehow the crew module got clear and survived. You can climb that ladder on the fuel tank, to the Kerbal's left, by the way. :)

    NH844lc.png | PSN | GACSALB.jpg My Blog |🏳️‍⚧️♥️
  • SatsumomoSatsumomo Rated PG! Registered User regular
    Yes, to brake you press the B key.

  • lowlylowlycooklowlylowlycook Registered User regular
    Satsumomo wrote: »
    Yes, to brake you press the B key.

    Thanks. Now I can flip my plane onto it's nose instead of veering off the runway. That's an improvement.

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  • a5ehrena5ehren AtlantaRegistered User regular
    Satsumomo wrote: »
    Yes, to brake you press the B key.

    Yeah. This is apparently part of the standard procedure for getting the larger aircraft off the ground - use B to hold the wheel brakes while the engines spool up so that you can get off the ground before the runway ends.

  • Sir CarcassSir Carcass I have been shown the end of my world Round Rock, TXRegistered User regular
    a5ehren wrote: »
    Satsumomo wrote: »
    Yes, to brake you press the B key.

    Yeah. This is apparently part of the standard procedure for getting the larger aircraft off the ground - use B to hold the wheel brakes while the engines spool up so that you can get off the ground before the runway ends.

    That's also used for real planes.

  • a5ehrena5ehren AtlantaRegistered User regular
    a5ehren wrote: »
    Satsumomo wrote: »
    Yes, to brake you press the B key.

    Yeah. This is apparently part of the standard procedure for getting the larger aircraft off the ground - use B to hold the wheel brakes while the engines spool up so that you can get off the ground before the runway ends.

    That's also used for real planes.

    Yep. Someone needs to make a catapult launcher mod...that would be interesting.

  • lowlylowlycooklowlylowlycook Registered User regular
    Fuck that, I need arresor wires.

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  • FoomyFoomy Registered User regular
    edited August 2012
    So as the next step in my srb only mun rocket, I have begun work on a lander that can survive a 50 m/s+ impact, And still have 2 srbs intact for the return trip. I'm hoping to get it up to 100-150 m/s with some more struts or sacrificial fuselages.
    0ACWr.jpg

    What I really need though is if anyone knows a good design for something to tip it back onto it's bottom legs after it falls over.
    Just extend my hardpoint/lander leg bit at the top to be longer maybe?

    Foomy on
    Steam Profile: FoomyFooms
  • lowlylowlycooklowlylowlycook Registered User regular
    Wait, that whole thing is the lander?

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  • FoomyFoomy Registered User regular
    edited August 2012
    yep, I need 2 srb stages in order to leave the mun and get back to kerbal, and the bottom srb is for the de-orbit/slow down burn before landing on the mun.

    the 2 fuselages just absorb some of the impact. and all the landing gear is for protection if it tips over / trying to tip it back up.

    I've been trying a flatter version, but I can't seem to get it to survive the high impact landings I need. But I may go back to it later if I can't get a reliable system in place to tip the rocket back up for the return.

    and just ignore the decoupler/parachute thing on top, that was just for test drops in kerbal atmosphere to see how much impact it can take.

    Foomy on
    Steam Profile: FoomyFooms
This discussion has been closed.