# Kerbal Space Program **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [August 23, 2011, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerbal-space-program/593824 "2011-08-23T22:07:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2013, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerbal-space-program/593824/181 "2013-07-01T06:38:03Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > I found it remarkably counterintuitive to realize that although the atmosphere ends at 70,000 metres, I didn’t have to shoot up like - well, like a rocket - for 70,000 metres. In practice I’m actually levelling out at like half of that, maybe 40K… You should start your gravity turn at around 10k. Really. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2013, 9:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerbal-space-program/593824/182 "2013-07-01T09:52:04Z")
About what angle at what height is ideal for getting into orbit? I mean, at 10k, do you go into about a 45 degree vertical inclination, or do you turn harder than that? At what height do you start going 90 degrees/horizontal? ---
**Author:** ![MichaelEmouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michaelemouse/32/101_2.png) [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2013, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerbal-space-program/593824/183 "2013-07-01T13:11:47Z")
Mechanical Jeb considers something like this path optimal: [![](http://simhq.com/forum/files/usergals/2012/08/full-4492-39413-screenshot3.jpg) ](http://simhq.com/forum/files/usergals/2012/08/full-4492-39413-screenshot3.jpg) As you can see, the turns is gradual. The altitude and angle curve looks like the velocity curve of a bullet when it’s picking speed inside a barrel. Mech Jeb is arguably the best mod out there. The orbital information and surface information tabs are quite useful. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2013, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerbal-space-program/593824/184 "2013-07-01T13:35:07Z")
> [@Knorf](#): > > You should start your gravity turn at around 10k. > > Really. Sure, I’m pitching by 10K. But I’m\* levelled out\* at like 40-45K. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2013, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerbal-space-program/593824/185 "2013-07-01T14:03:00Z")
So I started using mechanical jeb and on my first auto-ascent, it starts the gravity turn at 10k, but it flips the entire vessel like a cartwheel before coming back to the angle you’d expect. Does that mean my vessel simply doesn’t have enough control? (I’ve got it into orbit manually without cartwheeling it) or is something else at work? ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2013, 2:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerbal-space-program/593824/186 "2013-07-01T14:33:05Z")
I’m not using any add-ons, so I can’t help you there. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2013, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerbal-space-program/593824/187 "2013-07-01T15:05:11Z")
> [@MichaelEmouse](#): > > Mech Jeb is arguably the best mod out there. The orbital information and surface information tabs are quite useful. I’ve just started messing with it this morning. Holy cow, it is showing me how overbuilt my designs are. My designs were letting my crappy flying get to Mun. With MechJeb I can maybe get to Duna. ETA: Happy to report that the Kerbalverse did not end when Jebediah oversaw the first test flight of MechJeb. ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2013, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerbal-space-program/593824/188 "2013-07-01T15:38:20Z")
Hmmm … maybe I should reconsider the whole add-on thing. MechJeb does seem pretty useful, and I feel I can argue that I’ve accomplished plenty already with the stock game… Computer-aided guidance doesn’t break realism, right? ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2013, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerbal-space-program/593824/189 "2013-07-01T15:43:15Z")
MechJeb is cool even if you never use any of the automated features just because of the extra information it gives you. I like to have a loaded HUD with all kinds of data. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2013, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerbal-space-program/593824/190 "2013-07-01T15:52:27Z")
> [@Knorf](#): > > Computer-aided guidance doesn’t break realism, right? Not Really and you can turn it off or override it at any time. And so far I haven’t done anything with it that I haven’t done myself. I will try manual docking so I know I can do it, but automating it will help build a space station. ---
**Author:** ![MichaelEmouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/michaelemouse/32/101_2.png) [@MichaelEmouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MichaelEmouse)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2013, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerbal-space-program/593824/191 "2013-07-02T01:32:16Z")
MechJeb 2 enables you to customize your HUD to show the information you want in the order you want. This is what it enables you to know at a glance: [http://wiki.mechjeb.com/index.php?title=Manual/Custom\_Windows](http://wiki.mechjeb.com/index.php?title=Manual/Custom_Windows) ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2013, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerbal-space-program/593824/192 "2013-07-02T02:06:04Z")
I haven’t played video games (is that even the right term?) in ages but after reading this thread, I HAVE to try this. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2013, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerbal-space-program/593824/193 "2013-07-02T02:53:16Z")
Okay. I downloaded the free version. Right from the start it seems buggy. I started with the training module. Werner Von what’s his name was telling me to choose a command module from a list but all I could see was an image of one type of command module on the upper left and I couldn’t find any way to display a list. While trying to display a list I somehow accidentally chose the one displayed and Werner said something (I forget the exact words) that led me to believe that I have made a poor choice. So I tried to use the reset button on the bottom right, but it wouldn’t respond. There didn’t seem to be any other to undo my choice or backup so I ended up using task manager to kill it. I’m disappointed. It looks like it would be fun. ☹ Is it something I’m doing wrong or is it just buggy? ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2013, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerbal-space-program/593824/194 "2013-07-02T02:58:45Z")
I think the demo is a much earlier version which may be bugger, I don’t know for sure. As far as selecting components - there are several tabs, command modules, propulsion, control, structure, etc. There are command modules on the first tab, and you should see a list like on the left side [here](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BHhF4fVMbFU/UaO3494qAhI/AAAAAAAAAKY/RvTL4mXqtog/s320/KSP+2013-05-27+20-02-33-22.png). One of those should say command module - there may be several. Cockpit you don’t want because that’s for space planes, if that’s even in that version. I’m not really sure how the demo or instruction goes though. You can probably skip it and just start putting parts together. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2013, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerbal-space-program/593824/195 "2013-07-02T03:00:04Z")
This movie looks fantastic. [Gravity](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AE0KG4b9F2M). Sort of a regular day with the KSP. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2013, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerbal-space-program/593824/196 "2013-07-02T03:08:49Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > I think the demo is a much earlier version which may be bugger, I don’t know for sure. > > As far as selecting components - there are several tabs, command modules, propulsion, control, structure, etc. There are command modules on the first tab, and you should see a list like on the left side [here](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BHhF4fVMbFU/UaO3494qAhI/AAAAAAAAAKY/RvTL4mXqtog/s320/KSP+2013-05-27+20-02-33-22.png). One of those should say command module - there may be several. Cockpit you don’t want because that’s for space planes, if that’s even in that version. > > I’m not really sure how the demo or instruction goes though. You can probably skip it and just start putting parts together. I don’t see anything like that picture. I don’t want to spend any money until I know that it will work for me. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![PacifistPorcupine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7ea924/32.png) [@PacifistPorcupine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PacifistPorcupine)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2013, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerbal-space-program/593824/197 "2013-07-02T03:15:40Z")
So my current goal is a space station, made up of 4 pieces. That means 3 dockings, which are extremely hard if you don’t look up how to do them. After several hours of bumbling around I read an idiot’s guide and voila! [Step 1](http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/46/fjly.jpg/) [Step 2](http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/209/epym.jpg/) Step 3 will be crew quarters, made up of a command module and some of the hitchhiker storage containers. Step 4 will be a fuel depot, made up of one of the big orange fuel tanks and whatever else I think to stick on it. Then I’ll design a small refueling ship and a small crew transport, sort of like a Progress and Soyuz. ---
**Author:** ![Grumman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/43a26b/32.png) [@Grumman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumman)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2013, 9:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerbal-space-program/593824/198 "2013-07-02T09:29:03Z")
> [@davidm](#): > > Is it something I’m doing wrong or is it just buggy? That’s not a bug. You’re in the tutorial in the demo - that’s why there’s only one command module to choose, and why it doesn’t want you going backwards after making the right choice. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2013, 10:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerbal-space-program/593824/199 "2013-07-02T10:35:23Z")
> [@Grumman](#): > > That’s not a bug. You’re in the tutorial in the demo - that’s why there’s only one command module to choose, and why it doesn’t want you going backwards after making the right choice. Ah. Then maybe they shouldn’t have Werner making discouraging remarks about your choice. I think that’s what threw me. I’ll probably work my way through the tutorial then and see what it’s like. ---
**Author:** ![Grumman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/43a26b/32.png) [@Grumman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumman)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2013, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerbal-space-program/593824/200 "2013-07-04T04:07:14Z")
Now that I’ve got a hundred ton rocket with a twenty ton payload to orbit, I’m going to try to use a trio of these to lift an entire space station to orbit in one go. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerbal-space-program/593824.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/kerbal-space-program/593824.md?page=11)