Overview
The first step to traveling the universe is to get into orbit around Kerbin, this guide will show you how.
A Simple Build For Beginners
A good pod to use while you are practicing getting into an orbit is the “Command Pod Mk1”
Below the Mk1 pod put an SAS module, FL-T800 fuel tank, and a LV-T45 Engine
This rocket will be the section that will put us into orbit after we get it high enough
Below the engine place a TR-18D Stack decoupler
Below the decoupler, place a Jumbo-64 fuel tank, a X200-a fuel tank, and a Mainsail engine
Next we need to assure that the ship doesnt come apart on us, so turn your symmetry mode to 4 and attach the struts like the picture below.
Last step in the build is to add some wings so that the SAS can keep the ship from rolling. With symmetry mode on 2, you can just use the Standard Canard to match the picture below
Now set up your stages to match the ones below
1) Mainsail Engine
0) Decoupler + LV-T45 engine
Launch Time, Orbit, Here We Come!
From the launch pad activate your first stage, and turn SAS on, from here just drive your throttle all the way up.
Now for the important part. When you get to 11k meters above Kerbin, deactivate your SAS and turn your ship to face 45Degrees west so that your ship is facing the number 90 on the blue hemisphere of your navball, activate your SAS again once you have the right angle.
This rocket is built so that the Jumbo will run out of fuel at nearly the perfect time, but idealy you want to cut the mainsail engine when your Apoapsis marker hits 110k meters above kerbin. This number does not have to be exact at all.
Move on to your next stage and cut your engines. Now open your orbit map by pressing [M] and locate your Apoapsis marker. Accelerate time until you are getting near that marker and bring time back to normal speed.
Turn your SAS off and aim your ship before hand so that it is 45Degrees further west so that your ship is facing the line in between the blue and orange hemispheres and activate the SAS again. Next, right when you hit the Apoapsis marker, throttle up all the way.
We are in the home stretch of getting into orbit, open your orbit map and given you have followed the instructions, your trajectory arch should be getting wider and wider. Continue burning until the arch becomes a nice circle around the planet and then cut your engines.
And Beyond…
Getting an orbit from other planets is almost exactly like this, but with lower gravity planets, the timing and angles will change.
I will be working on a series of guides to come, including:
Modifying and Changing orbits – this guide will be a walkthrough on going to Mun
Landing – this guide will be a short walkthrough on how to land on low gravity planets, as well as the planets with kerbin-like gravity
Thanks For Reading, Don’t Forget To Rate, And Good Luck!
Check Out My Other Guides!
Check out my other guides!
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Building And Managing A Probe (Coming Later)