Summary of Orbiting Kerbin
- How to achieve orbit kerbal space program?
- What counts as orbit in KSP?
- How do you get into orbit?
- What does NASA think of KSP?
Search Results
AI Overview
AI Overview
To achieve orbit in Kerbal Space Program, launch vertically, then begin a “gravity turn” eastward (90° heading) at 100 m/s, reaching 45° pitch by 10–15 km altitude. Keep pushing toward the horizon (0° pitch) as you ascend to 70 km, then burn Prograde (orbital velocity
≈
2300
m/s
≈
2
3
0
0
m
/
s
) to raise your periapsis above 70 km.
This video shows the steps for achieving an orbit in KSP:
34s
The Modish Gamer
YouTube • May 21, 2022
Key Steps to Orbit
Preparation: Ensure your rocket has a Thrust-to-Weight Ratio (TWR) of at least 1.3 to 1.5, and roughly
3400
—
4500
m/s
3
4
0
0
–
–
4
5
0
0
m
/
s
of
Δ
v
Δ
𝑣
(delta-v).
Liftoff: Activate SAS (T key) and full throttle (Z key).
The Turn (Gravity Turn): When you reach 50–100 m/s, tilt your rocket 5–10 degrees towards the East (
90
∘
9
0
∘
on the navball).
Ascent: Continue to lean east gradually. Aim to be at a 45-degree angle by 10–15 km altitude, and nearly horizontal (0° pitch) by 40–50 km.
Map Check: Press ‘M’ to check your map view. Watch your Apoapsis (Ap – highest point).
Circularization: When your Ap reaches >70 km, stop engines. Coast to Ap. At Ap, burn Prograde (forward) until your Periapsis (Pe – lowest point) is also above 70 km.
Essential Tips
Why East? Launching east (
90
∘
9
0
∘
on the navball) takes advantage of Kerbin’s rotation, providing a free speed boost.
Atmosphere: Kerbin’s atmosphere ends at 70,000 meters (
70
km
7
0
k
m
). You must be above this to maintain a stable orbit.
Troubleshooting: If you cannot reach orbit, add more fuel tanks or reduce payload weight.
ELI5: How do I orbit in career mode? : r/KerbalSpaceProgram
Jan 21, 2014 — There’s lots of ways to get into orbit, but this is considered the most basic: * Fly your ship straight up until you reach 10,000 …
Reddit
How to reach orbit. For beginners. – Kerbal Space Program Forums
Aug 2, 2018 — You have a working, flying rocket. You have to get jeb to orbit. Assuming you have more than enough fuels, this guide is for you. …
Kerbal Space Program Forums
Getting into orbit : r/KerbalSpaceProgram – Reddit
Mar 24, 2022 — A key to getting into orbit is speed. Low kerbin orbit requires the craft to be traveling about 2300 m/s. As you ascend, you need …
Reddit
Show all
Show more
Orbiting Kerbin
A coworker recently recommended the game Kerbal Space Program (KSP) to me. I’ve been enjoying it.
I don’t spend a lot of time gaming, but from time to time I like to get into one. I especially like open-ended games (where you choose what to do instead of following a linear storyline—Crusader Kings II is another one like this) that verge on being simulators. Often these kinds of games have steep learning curves; KSP is no exception. The game involves designing rockets then launching and piloting them. With a little bit of trial and error, I was able to get into space. But just up and back, like some space tourism companies have proposed. Getting into a stable orbit was a completely different matter. After playing the in-game tutorial, reading some tips, and more practice piloting, I finally achieved it. Getting into orbit is really only the first step, as the game includes moons and planets to explore, and new spacecraft components that are unlocked as you play.
The first image below shows a rocket in KSP shortly after launch. The next image shows the map mode, where you can plan navigational maneuvers to adjust your orbit.
The graphics are cartoonish, but the physics in KSP is quite realistic*. The website even includes some reference equations, although you don’t need them to play the game.
A spacecraft (or anything else) in orbit has a constantly-changing position and velocity. These are both in 3 dimensions, for a total of 6 dimensions. Alternatively, 6 orbital elements can be used to define the shape of the orbit and the progress around it. Changing an orbit involves firing a rocket to adjust speed (Δv) at a certain point. This point will still be on the orbit while the shape of the orbit is most affected at far away points; for example, maneuvers at apsis have the biggest impact on periapsis. I’m looking forward to trying some various maneuvers in KSP, once I can get a ship into orbit with fuel to spare.
I’ve written before about watching ‘The Expanse’. Season 2 just finished, and it is still going strong. One of the neat things about that show is its realism. When there are navigational screens shown (e.g. the still shown below from this clip) they display curved orbits, for example. And ships flip around and burn their engines while travelling in reverse to decelerate.
Finally, here are a couple of thoughts to end this post:
- This is a discussion of the rocket engines used in The Expanse. And this clip is an epic launch sequence from the show.
- I’ve also started to read a science fiction novel that was translated from Chinese, called The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu; it is really good so far.
* There are some simplifications in the simulation. To bring this post full circle, the three-body problem wouldn’t occur in KSP, since each area of space is assumed to only be under the influence of one celestial body at a time.