Overview
how to get to the mun without using those darn manuver nodes.
Building your rocket
i will not show how to build a rocket from scratch, because i always use the stock ship “PT-series Munsplorer”. i reccomend upgrading the astronaut complex to level 2, so you can do EVA’s. (you should also upgrade the tracking station so you can see your encounter with the mun)
Step-1 Getting to orbit
once you have made your rocket, you can launch it at the launchpad. before you launch, turn SAS on. after that, start the engines and watch your rocket fly. press M to check your map, and keep watching until your apoapsis reaches ~80000 meters. when that happens, cut your thrust. when you reach your apoapsis, turn 180 degrees so you are flying sideways. then you can start your engines again. watch as your orbit line slowly goes around kerbin, and wait until your perapsis is ~80000 meters. congrats, you got to orbit of kerbin!
Step-2 getting to the mun
once you are in orbit, time warp to your apopsis, then burn prograde. your orbit line will grow, and wait until the orbit line intercects the mun’s orbit. you will tell this will happen because your orbit line will change color at one point, then go back at another point. it may also curve n between the points. warp until you enter the colored area, then warp to your mun perapsis. burn retrograde at the perapsis until you have an orbit. congrats! you orbited the mun!