MechJeb in Career Mode – Out of Date, Use as Rough Guide Only

Overview

This is a short guide outlining where aspects of MechJeb are unlocked in the tech tree of career mode as of Version 0.22. It should continue to be accurate beyond 0.22 as long as a) the file structure of the game doesn’t change and b) mechjeb doesn’t switch the positions around in an update. Please rate this guide if it was helpful, and check the comments for additional info.

The Tech Tree

MechJeb controls are split up among multiple parts of the the tech tree.

Important information: If you have been playing the game and have already researched these techs before installing mechjeb, you won’t experience the benefits of mechjeb. It’s weird, but the solution is simple – just research the previously researched techs again, it may indicate a cost, but it will be free and then mechjeb will be enabled.

Flight Control

Unlocks:

Custom Window Editor
Smart A.S.S.

Advanced Flight Control

Unlocks:

Maneuver Planner
Node Editor
Translatron
Warp Helper
Attitude Adjustment
Thrust Window
RCS Balancer Window

Field Science

Unlocks:

Rover Window

Unmanned Tech

Unlocks:

Ascent Guidance
Landing Guidance
Spaceplane Guidance

Advanced Unmanned Tech

Unlocks:

Docking Guidance
Rendezvous Autopilot Window
Rendezvous Guidance

Position on the Tech Tree

Troubleshooting

This section contains fixes and and answers to questions I found in the comments. Be smart about which solution is best for you, and if you find a better way please post it in the comments.

I’ve re-researched the parts, but MechJeb still won’t show:
Try deleting ‘Mechjebs settings global in C:Program Files (x86)SteamsteamappscommonKerbal Space ProgramGameDataMechJeb2PluginsPluginDataMechJeb.

if this doesn’t help, you may have incorrectly installed mechJeb.
(Navigate from your gamedata => MechJeb folder => “Plugins” => “PluginData” => ‘mechjeb_settings_global’)
I clicked on the research group but I still don’t have the Mechjeb tech:
Click on the Tech Group icon, then go click on the individual mechjeb tech that appears in the right-hand window. Click the research button.
Do I have to unlock Mechjeb in Sandbox mode?
No.
I unlocked the Mechjeb part, but many of the options are greyed out in-flight:
You unlock the Mechjeb part early on and the part never changes, but the features will get unlocked (not greyed out) as you research the new mechjeb technologies, they’re not all immediately available.

Kerbal Space Program Guide

Overview

The Tech Tree

Position on the Tech Tree

Troubleshooting