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You can add a second one by selecting it from the menu and adding it at the right position, but there’s a simpler way: turn on the Symmetry mode. To correct this problem, you’ll need to add a second Mystery Goo Containment Unit to balance it. If the rocket is lop sided, as it is right now, then the rocket will tip over during flight. When you’re flying a rocket, distribution of weight is important. Click the Mystery Goo Containment Unit, and attach it to the side of the command pod (see Figure 1-6). We need a parachute.Īttach the Mk16 parachute to the top of the command pod.įinally, we’ll add the science experiments. However, there’s a very important part that needs to be added to the rocket if we want our pilot to be able to safely walk away from the mission. We now have everything we need to launch a rocket: a command pod, an engine, and fuel. Click the RT-5 engine and attach it to the bottom of the rocket.
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The Pods tab of the Parts menuĪt the moment, there is only one engine: the RT-5 “Flea” solid booster. The spacecraft will have an Mk16 Parachute, which will allow the pilot to survive landing.įigure 1-5. The spacecraft will have two Mystery Goo Containment Units, which you’ll use in flight. Solid fuel boosters come with their own fuel, so we won’t need an additional fuel tank. The engine will be an RT-5 “Flea” Solid Fuel Booster. The command pod will be an Mk1 Command Pod, which seats a single crew member. The rocket we’ll build in this chapter will have one of each of these: There are many, many other types of parts available for you to use in your spacecraft designs, but these three are the most critical ones. This is a pod that’s filled with…well, filled with something, and your science team believes that they can learn more about the universe by observing it in different situations. When you begin the game, one such experiment is available: the Mystery Goo Containment Unit. In Kerbal Space Program, most of the rockets that you fly aren’t launched purely for their own sake typically they bring equipment to use in orbit, such as landers and science experiments. In addition to these minimum requirements for getting a rocket off the launch pad, it’s good to bring along something to do while you’re in the air. You need to bring enough fuel for your engine to burn for long enough to get you to where you want to go. Solid engines provide more thrust, but once they’re lit, they cannot be shut down.Ī fuel supply. Typically, the more powerful the engine is, the less efficient it is. Different engines have different sizes, weights, efficiencies, and maximum levels of thrust. Several different kinds of engines exist in KSP: liquid engines draw their fuel from fuel tanks, while solid boosters have built-in fuel supplies. If your craft runs out of electricity and has no way of generating more, your craft will stop working.Īn engine. Uncrewed command pods (also called probe cores) are much smaller and lighter but typically require electricity to operate. They also don’t require any electricity to operate. Rockets need at least three things in order to fly:Ī command pod, which can be either crewed or uncrewed:Ĭrewed command pods are bigger and heavier but can carry Kerbals on missions. This mode offers a fun challenge, because it gives you a number of constraints to push against. In this chapter, we’ll be playing in Career mode. There are no funds, contracts, or reputation, but you do need to earn science points to unlock parts. Science games are a halfway point between Career mode and Sandbox mode. You will also need to earn reputation points in order to get access to more complex and rewarding contracts.
KERBAL SPACE PROGRAM PROGRADE UPGRADE
In addition, your Space Center will begin at a very rudimentary point, and you’ll need to upgrade it to enable your crew and spacecraft to perform certain tasks. In Career games, you must purchase your rocket parts with funds you’ll earn by accepting contracts, and accrue science points to research technologies that unlock new parts.
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There are no funding restrictions, and all parts start unlocked. You’ll be prompted to choose what type of game you want to play. Launch the game, and you’ll be treated to a view of the main menu, shown in Figure 1-1. Let’s begin by starting a new game of Kerbal Space Program.
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