The Kerbal Space Program (KSP) Thread

[Ruptga]

it finally happened.

I stranded my boys.
On Laythe of all places. Gonna need to rescue them. Must build a better, bigger craft with room for 3 lonely survivors. And it has to come back this time.

I haven't done Laythe yet, but I'd think an SSTO with 2x turbofans and 1x aerospike docked to a nuclear transfer stage should do nicely. Turn on mechjeb's delta-v stats in the VAB and use the delta-v map to make sure you'll have enough fuel in the right stages. That map is just a set of guidelines though; burns often require a bit more, especially for landings or eccentric and off-plane targets. I also hear Laythe is harder for SSTOs than Kerbin is, I think the atmosphere gets thinner quicker so the turbojets aren't as useful.

 

[shortylickens]

it wont be jets, the air is too thin.

It will be controlled with a Poodle or something similar.

 

[shortylickens]

Well, I stopped using landing gear.

From now on its all I-beams and struts.
And maybe RCS maneuvering for low-grav planets.

 

[shortylickens]

Got my kerbals back!

Made 5 orbits, landed within 300 meters of the crew. Had them hop out and jump over.

Got all three of them back safely, and with plenty of science too.

 

[Chaotic42]

KSP is on sale on Steam for $17.99 (40% off) until 10am PDT, Friday 2014-10-10.

 

[norseamd]

KSP just got a huge patch with some more spaceship components and some more gameplay mechanics.

 

[DigDog]

so ... do you ever get anywhere in this game, or do you just fly up and then back down?

 

[Chaotic42]

so ... do you ever get anywhere in this game, or do you just fly up and then back down?

People have built bases on other planets, space stations, and cool space planes. It's definitely not easy though.

 

[QuantumPion]

so ... do you ever get anywhere in this game, or do you just fly up and then back down?

There is progression in that you earn money to make larger rockets and earn science to unlock higher tier parts. There is no plot or mode of "winning". It's a sandbox game, like SimCity/Minecraft/etc.

 

[shortylickens]

so ... do you ever get anywhere in this game, or do you just fly up and then back down?

You havent "just fly up and then back down" for years.
You can go to moons and planets and conduct multiple types of research, make ground bases, make orbital bases, transfer astronauts, and lately you can even push around asteroids for either mini bases or put them in orbit around a body of your choice.

 

[norseamd]

Future features

Current version: 0.25

The entries on the following list must be verifiable. This section lists all planned features for future releases. Entries highlighted in blue are planned for the next update (soon). Entries in yellow have been partially implemented. Entries in green are already in development but are not expected for the next update or are that huge that there are multiple updates incrementally adding that feature.
The next version will most likely be 0.26, but it is possible that an intermediate version might be released.

The entries on the list are not a commitment, and the developer team is not under any obligation to implement them all. These features may be pushed back or implemented on another way then suggested here.

Flight operations

• Enhanced IVAs: Moving and interacting inside of the craft[1]

• Reworked tutorials[2][3][4]

• Kerbal experience[5]

• Repairing: Ability to repair certain things[citation needed]

• Crew tasks: Have the crew take charge of controlling the craft (provided they can handle it)[citation needed]

• More prebuilt crafts, for tutorials or as examples[citation needed]

Space Center

• Observatory: Discover new celestial bodies to visit[citation needed]

Spacecraft construction

• Spacecraft stats: Total weight, loaded resources (per stage?)[6]

• Overhaul of mk3 spaceplane parts[5][7]

• Exploded view: A schematic visualization of the craft, allowing for greater control over the craft's functionality[citation needed]

• Stack extensions: Fairings and solid-booster fuel plugs[citation needed]

• More parts for moon bases and space stations[citation needed]

Celestial bodies

• 3 additional gas planets (Jool being the only currently available, gas planet 2 and gas planet 3), moons and an asteroid belt[4][8][9]
  • The dwarf planet Eeloo would become a moon of the gas planet 2.[10]

• Maxmaps has gone on record with claiming new planets are, "a big maybe."[11]

• Expanded biomes on bodies beyond Kerbin, Mun and Minmus[12]

Physics & dynamics

• Better aerodynamics (priority feature in post-.90)[13]

• Re-entry heat or damage [14]

• Fixed fuel flow and changing maximum thrust depending on surrounding atmospheric pressure (at the moment the fuel flow is changing and the maximum thrust available is fixed)[15]

• Life-support systems (presently not confirmed, but has been considered for future inclusion)[16]

• Wind & turbulence conditions[citation needed]

• Damage effects[citation needed]

• New lighting system with better shadows[citation needed]

Scenery & graphics

• Procedurally generated craters (Mun in 0.21)[17]

• Female Kerbals[18]

• Cities and other geographic points of reference[citation needed]

• Clouds (weather?)[citation needed]

• Static particles (cloudlets)[citation needed]

Game & engine

• New GUI[2][19]

• 64-bit support: Windows (0.24) and Linux are supported

• Multiplayer
  • Squad is committed to add multiplayer to the finished game after the success of the user created mod KMP, or Kerbal MultiPlayer. Squad says “Multiplayer is something we had planned to do after it was all said and done, but it’s time for us to start looking at it now”.[20] With 0.24 Squad specifically states that they working on the first steps to add multiplayer after career is finished.[3]
  • KMP is a multiplayer system that has been replaced with DMP (As of 0.23.5). The mod is no longer available to the public.[21]

• OSC data interface: Connectivity with external applications[citation needed]

Modding

• A more complete SDK and documentation (you can help by adding to the wiki!)[citation needed]

Other

• Expansion packs/DLCs (different from updates, will be purchased separately and include features distinct from the original game's main idea)[22]

• [More] Merchandise[23]

Not planned or shelved

The following features have either been confirmed or suggested to not be in the official game, or have otherwise been paused or shelved due to scope changes or other considerations. A few, such as autopilot systems, weapons, and mining, are already available via mods.

• Steam achievements[24]

• Competitor/rival space agencies[25]

• Realistically sized celestial bodies [26]

• Mining parts for gathering resources beyond current scope (On hiatus until a better method can be found)[27]

• Resources beyond present scope (Fuel, Oxygen, Electricity, etc.)[28]

• New EVA suits (New high-poly model will be used only for cinematics)[29][30]

• Weapons or military features[citation needed] (Available with mods)

• Autopilot systems[citation needed] (Available with mods)

• Alien civilizations[citation needed]

• Terraforming[citation needed]

• Conversion to a different game engine.[citation needed]

• Mobile version.[citation needed]

http://wiki.kerbalspaceprogram.com/wiki/Planned_features

 

[shortylickens]

The new maxi-sized engines and fuel tanks are awesome. As are the new claw, and new body types.

Good stuff.

 

[iamwiz82]

KSP just moved into Beta! This is insanity considering it has fewer bugs than the average EA release

 

[Ruptga]

I'm liking the redone VAB controls, but I'm hating starting with gimped buildings. The crew specializations are a good idea though.

 

[QuantumPion]

I'm liking the redone VAB controls, but I'm hating starting with gimped buildings. The crew specializations are a good idea though.

Yes playing on hard is actually really hard now. Due to the VAB and launchpad restrictions you can't just go to the moon on tier 0 parts to leapfrog into the science tree any more. You can't even grind out science early on because you can't do EVA's. You actually have to do a lot of tests and contracts to get going, more like real life. I like this change as it turns career mode into an actual space program game as opposed to just sandbox mode with a little restriction on the first couple flights.

 

[Harrod]

I've noticed that when I try to do certain contracts I will fulfill all of the requirements then land and it says that I didn't complete it. Can someone explain why that happens?

Ie.
Activate engine at 16000 to 24000 feet
Speed 90m/s to 200m/s
Kerbin
Landed <-Does this mean the part has to return back with the ship to the ground safely?

 

[shortylickens]

yeah, if the part is not an engine or a disconnect, you usually have to get it back safe, anywhere on Kerbins surface.

 

[SoulWager]

I've noticed that when I try to do certain contracts I will fulfill all of the requirements then land and it says that I didn't complete it. Can someone explain why that happens?

Ie.
Activate engine at 16000 to 24000 feet
Speed 90m/s to 200m/s
Kerbin
Landed <-Does this mean the part has to return back with the ship to the ground safely?

For the "test part" contracts, you either have to stage the part when all the requirements are met, or use the "run test" option in the right click menu when all the requirements are met. If it says "landed" then thats where the ship has to be when you activate the part you're testing, or doing the experiment it's asking you to perform. It doesn't mean you have to come back to kerbin after completing the contract.

 

[Ferzerp]

If you display the contract during a launch, each requirement will highlight when it is fulfilled. You have to do the test/stage while all the requirements are lit.

 

[Chaotic42]

It's on sale until Monday morning on Steam

 

[dud]

It's on sale until Monday morning on Steam

... for $17.99 (40% off). Surprised the game is still this expensive as the game was released almost two years ago (March of 2013).

 

[Artorias]

... for $17.99 (40% off). Surprised the game is still this expensive as the game was released almost two years ago (March of 2013).

Its an early access game which just went into beta that has a lot of more features than 2 years ago, they've added 90% more content in the last 2 years. The base price will only keep rising until 1.0 is released.

 

[shaahbzjaam]

nice game to play

 

[JamesV]

I'm not liking the new career. You need hundreds of thousands of dollars to upgrade the center, and you don't even start off with maneuver nodes.

Imo, the devs went full retard with this release. Can you imagine a new player, that never played before, trying the career? So easy to mess up (you can spend all your cash to boost science, then not have enough to launch a ship). But, the worst would have be trying to orbit without maneuver nodes as a new player.

I wish they had taken the time to add another 100 parts, a comprehensive Kerbal Engineer-like mod for easy delta v calcs, and the VAB is still not as user friendly as it could be.

Anyway, haven't played in a couple of weeks, but did send 32 Kerbals to Minmus last time, and have a 64 Kerbal lander being designed for Duna.

 

[Patre]

I'm thinking of getting KSP for my 8 yr old and myself. Should I get it now in Beta, or wait until version 1 is released? Is it too complex to enjoy?

I've only read up on the game and of course will be a complete noob in playing.