Thetownend.com

Moved to own thread to avoid picture spam.

Screengrabs below.

My career 'Ghost' ship, with Mervin Kerman posing for a photo. Note magical lack of engine...

(http://s28.postimg.org/5xsem0qjx/Ghost_1.jpg)

The scope of the problem is realised when a colleague checks on their own craft. (I came in smooth as you like, then for some reason the RCS wigged out and I ended up on my side with one of my four engines knocked off. The engine itself being lost isn't too much of a problem, but the thing being on its side bloody is...)

(http://s30.postimg.org/5tohbj8g1/Frank_and_Mun4.jpg)

Over to sandbox, this is what I did on me lonesome hauling stuff up piece by piece. Took me bloody hours (I didn't use mechjeb for anything other than orbiting, just because that's something I know I can do that's a faff), but it's (nearly) fully fuelled and ready to go explore, just needs a lander (I also need to move the little inspection pod/tug to Olympus station)

(http://s15.postimg.org/qopxaxuuj/Olympus_Station.jpg)

Compare that to this, that I did in the space of an evening (construction to fully assembled) with QuickEdit...

(http://s7.postimg.org/un7gvfmfv/Orpheus_Lander_Alpha.jpg)

This is going to be my 'Olympus station', stopping off point for all missions out of Kerbin orbit for refuelling, lander and rover pickup (they'll all be the same rigorously tested models you can see on the right about to dock- they look a bit ungainly in space, but they're robust and have enough fuel and propellant for pretty much any problem. But I'll probably find things I don't like on them and decide otherwise)

On a similar note to this game, are there any decent flight simulators out there that anyone recommends?

http://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/best-free-flight-simulators/

I still play MFS 2000. With all the community mods and add-ons it's simply the best. Combat Flight Simulator 2 and 3 were good as well (same basic engine but with guns and WW2 pacific/European theatre instead)

Thanks, will give these a go  :)

Nice one for starting the thread, Honkytonk.

Here's Bob Kerman, taking a look at Kerbin after my first sucessfull full orbit.
(http://i.imgur.com/NYo2wLv.png)

Hold on to that ladder there, Bob... Bob!
(http://i.imgur.com/reZNzAf.png)

Oh shit.
(http://i.imgur.com/Am91pwm.png)

It's getting hot in here.
(http://i.imgur.com/U8GxpsY.jpg)

RIP Bob Kerman.
(http://i.imgur.com/3nHFExi.png)

Looks like hello kitty holding onto the top  ;)

MunRescue Part 1

So I had two capsules stuck on the Mun with no hope of return. Three Kerbals (It would have been four, but I'd killed one...) stranded on a desolate lump of orbiting rock for what had already been the christmas period, or whatever they celebrate on Kerbin. Time to mount a daring rescue!

First things first, the tool- started from scratch and built myself a new rocket with some science I'd recently unlocked- nice big Skipper engines!

Mun5 and her vital statistics, courtesy of Kerbal Engineer (I should have added monopropellant tanks and probably another cabin. The first I rectified after launching to orbit and realising, the second I forgot utterly...)

(http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y524/Duncoman/Kerbal%20Space%20Programme-%20Moon%20Rescue%20Part%201/1Mun5vitals_zpsd441d2bf.jpg)

I use relatively similar technology for all my career rockets- solid-only first stage and then liquid once those have burnt off. Keeps the really hard bit (the first 10k) from eating into my liquid fuel too much- I try and have one stage with quarter fuel and one full stage (as well as the pod itself) after making full orbit (so I can alter my orbit and transfer without too much worry). That rarely happens though.

Slightly better view of her sat on the pad awaiting her take-off window.

(http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y524/Duncoman/Kerbal%20Space%20Programme-%20Moon%20Rescue%20Part%201/2Mun5waitingfortakeoff_zps2e8ad7ea.jpg)

After she's taken off and got her orbit sorted (I regularly go for about 90-100km, just so I've got a nice jumping off point for the moon), here's what she looks like (I restarted after remembering the monopropellant and QuickEdited her to orbit for ease- probably a 'little' bit more fuel in her than I would normally have, but not much.

(http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y524/Duncoman/Kerbal%20Space%20Programme-%20Moon%20Rescue%20Part%201/4Mun5monopropellantfixed_zpsda36923b.jpg)

So after I'd burnt to the moon and entered orbit, I set up me landing trajectory, aiming for Ghost 1's vicinity.

(http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y524/Duncoman/Kerbal%20Space%20Programme-%20Moon%20Rescue%20Part%201/10LandingSet_zps3468635c.jpg)

I got close(ish), and after jettisoning my now defunct transition engine, here's e killing some Delta-v at about 150000m

(http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y524/Duncoman/Kerbal%20Space%20Programme-%20Moon%20Rescue%20Part%201/1215000m_zpsd9d6dc0b.jpg)

I'm pretty sure either I am terrible at landing, or my RCS is buggy. Because yet again, when I was about 10m landing, it wigged out and this happened:

(http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y524/Duncoman/Kerbal%20Space%20Programme-%20Moon%20Rescue%20Part%201/13Ooherr_zpsb367daae.jpg)

Was rather displeased. Not only had I lost a bunch of Monopropellant tanks, but I'd also lost my parachute for return to Earth Kerbin. A bit of Apollo 13-style hard thinking later though, and I worked out a way  to rectify my situation- using some of my remaining Monopropellant in tandem with my engine, I raised my gear and rocked myself upright. Hooray!

(http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y524/Duncoman/Kerbal%20Space%20Programme-%20Moon%20Rescue%20Part%201/14Better_zps2c4452fe.jpg)

I decided that as this mission was not going to be wholly successful anyway, I should try and improve my RCS skills- cue a little relocation job (as I was not willing to watch a Kerbal walk for 6.5km...). I crash-landed about 1.7km away from Ghost 1 when my monopropellant ran out (I stayed upright this time, so small victories and all that)

My first Kerbal went on EVA to try and make contact, and I underestimated his ability to stop. So he died. RIP Marten Kerman.

I switched to one of Mun 4's two remaining Kerbals who was on EV, to find the Mun 4 pod mysteriously alone, without fuel tanks, landing gear or anything, other than the single engine that had fallen off when it landed. Something is definitely happening to these craft when I leave them alone for too long. (Or there's a space ghost. I reckon Space Ghost.)

Anyway, I meandered over to Ghost 1, transmitted the science that had been left behind by its previous occupant, and then planted a flag to make the area easier to avoid in future (WARNING: SPACE GHOST). Then I had a dilemma. Two Kerbals, only one seat in the ship...

(http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y524/Duncoman/Kerbal%20Space%20Programme-%20Moon%20Rescue%20Part%201/17TwoKerbalsoneseat_zps694f2d23.jpg)

By the wholly fair method of picking the nearest one, I made my journey to the Mun5 pod. Kelwin Kerman climbed aboard after one of my most successful Jet-pack-assisted journeys yet, and I blasted off for orbit. Poor old Frank and Hefrid were left behind, for what could be a very long time...

(http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y524/Duncoman/Kerbal%20Space%20Programme-%20Moon%20Rescue%20Part%201/18KelwynAboard_zps15aafc1c.jpg)

(http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y524/Duncoman/Kerbal%20Space%20Programme-%20Moon%20Rescue%20Part%201/19Launchfromthemun_zps7b51022c.jpg)

Things I'd learnt:

- If you're going to mount a rescue mission, PUT ENOUGH SPACE IN THE SHIP FOR THEM TO SIT.  :doh:
- Something is deeply wrong with that area of the mun as far as the RCS physics go.
- That I can actually use jetpacks properly now without it being a death sentence for the Kerbal involved.

I suppose the only thing left to do for the chaps left behind is explore Ghost 1 and try to work out if there really is a Space Ghost, or if my program's just buggy.

(http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y524/Duncoman/Kerbal%20Space%20Programme-%20Moon%20Rescue%20Part%201/16Notlettinggoodsciencegotowaste_zpsd9d2bb43.jpg)

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

I notice when you're attempting a landing you're burning retrograde. This will kill surface speed, but you'll still have some horizontal (orbital) velocity. If you burn slightly below the retrograde indicator, it'll gradually move your retrograde point to the top of the nav ball i.e. no horizontal velocity.

At that point, whack on the SAS and either use main engines or RCS to slow your descent speed.

In the Mun tutorial on youtube he always turns off RCS for the last couple of metres

I generally kill my horizontal velocity once I'm sure I'm going to make my target, but that's probably a better way of doing it that I'll try. Still getting to grips with the physics of it all in my head.

Knocking off the RCS is not a bad idea for the last few metres as well cheers jayo.

Will attempt a rescue of the remaining stranded kerbals today.

Do you get a free anorak with this?

No but you get a free FUCK OFF with that pointless comment

Only one you make yourself out of empty crisp packets and stitched together with shame.

Sutton has obviously never watched button moon  :)

What's the best download link for this? I tried using one and my antivirus software kicked off.

Demo is available on Steam, or directly here: https://kerbalspaceprogram.com/demo.php

Ta. Is the demo enough or would it be better to download the full version?

The demo will definitely give you enough of a taste to decide whether it's for you or not. Although, it's not that expensive to buy the full game. It was 40% off on the Steam sale the other day, not sure if it still is.

I am Mr Spoon.. I do like strategy games but maybe I'm missing something with this?

Settle down children, and let me tell you a tale of a heroic Kerbal rescue...

MunRescue Part 2: Blimey, it worked!

So I had two kerbals left on the Munar surface, and three in orbit with little to no fuel. Something had to be done. I had a working rocket and lander in Mun 5, but needed to add some more pods to bring everyone back home safely in one go if possible. Cue the music-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyz_2DEah4o

After a bit of tinkering, here's what I ended up with:
(http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y524/Duncoman/Kerbal%20Space%20Programme-%20Moon%20Rescue%20Part%201/KSP-%20MunRescue2/0Mun5SRbuild_zpsb6f54b85.jpg)

As I lacked docking ports or similar (because I haven't worked up the science to research those yet) my essential idea was thus:
1. Launch with three kerbals in the main capsule atop the lander
2. Once my orbit over Kerbin was established, EVA two Kerbals so there was one in Sidepods1 and 2.
3. Rendezvous with the stranded lander once I got to the orbit of the Mun
4. EVA Transfer two of the three Kerbals aboard said lander into Sidepod 1 (which would then be full), and the last into Sidepod 2 (which would have one space left).
5. Return Sidepod 1 to Kerbin.
6. Land the S+R lander on the Mun, pick up the two stranded Kerbals, and then return to orbit.
7. Send the S+R lander back to Kerbin, hopefully with enough fuel to make the journey.
8. Send the Sidepod back to Kerbin, rendezvousing with the S+R lander along the way if necessary to try and get it into Kerbin orbit/rescue a Kerbal.

All went to plan, minus a very nervy EVA between two ships 500m apart because trying to rendezvous whilst keeping in the same plane and orbit is still difficult)

I burned my tanks dry with the S+R lander to get into an orbit where aerobraking would slow me down, and managed to (just!) get below 70,000ft. Terrifyingly, on my last (landing) orbit, I overshot Kerbal Space Center by only a matter of miles!

(http://i1279.photobucket.com/albums/y524/Duncoman/Kerbal%20Space%20Programme-%20Moon%20Rescue%20Part%201/KSP-%20MunRescue2/Couldntbemoreperfect_zps1aa792b8.jpg)

Well chuffed with all the science I'd collected, and the fact all my Kerbals were now back at home, safe and sound, I have decided that the Mun is dead to me and it's time to start thinking bigger.

Those planets look awfully close...

Good job.

I had to abort my Mun rescue mission. Got all the way to Munar orbit then realised I didn't have enough fuel to land and get back to Kerbin, so to save any more stranded Kerbals I just headed straight back.

my rockets just blow up 11000 or run out of fuel and crash into the sea.

I'm really tempted by this game, like I am by Uplink (http://store.steampowered.com/app/1510/), which is supposed to be superb, but I've only recently managed to remove all time sinks from my computer/life and I don't fancy introducing a new one. Hmm, maybe I could put my PC to use...

I present to you Furberry Kerman, Kerbal Space Program's newest hero who made it all the way to the surface of Minmus... and back!

He looks so happy! Note engine still attached (and yes, there's still fuel in that tank too).
(http://i.imgur.com/QheSILd.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/D7bOmc2.png)

Goin' home.
(http://i.imgur.com/hWzKNwP.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/o5faoBV.jpg)

Success! Awaiting splashdown.
(http://i.imgur.com/oF8CjYb.png)

I'm clearly missing a trick here......

He does look very happy.