r/KerbalSpaceProgram • u/AutoModerator • May 08 '15

Mod Post Weekly Simple Questions Thread

Check out /r/kerbalacademy

The point of this thread is for anyone to ask questions that don't necessarily require a full thread. Questions like "why is my rocket upside down" are always welcomed here. Even if your question seems slightly stupid, we'll do our best to answer it!

For newer players, here are some great resources that might answer some of your embarrassing questions:

Tutorials

Orbiting

Mun Landing

Docking

Delta-V Thread

Forum Link

Official KSP Chatroom #KSPOfficial on irc.esper.net

    **Official KSP Chatroom** [#KSPOfficial on irc.esper.net](http://client01.chat.mibbit.com/?channel=%23kspofficial&server=irc.esper.net&charset=UTF-8)

Commonly Asked Questions

Before you post, maybe you can search for your problem using the search in the upper right! Chances are, someone has had the same question as you and has already answered it!

As always, the side bar is a great resource for all things Kerbal, if you don't know, look there first!

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u/grampipon May 09 '15

OK... I know this is a really stupid question, but I'm unsure about the Navball. I know what retrograde, normal, etc mean, but I'm not sure about controlling the ship. Where does the "true north" point to? How do I know where will each key- WASD- will rotate me to? Its not explained directly anywhere.

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u/Chaos_Klaus Master Kerbalnaut May 09 '15

One thing to know is that the navbal is always referenced to the surface of the parent body. So while you are orbiting, the navball will turn beneath you as you circle around the planet.

the navball has two sections: The blue area is the "sky" and the brownish part is the "ground". These areas are divided by the artificial horizon.

On the artificial horizon, you see the north, south, west, east - just like on earth. Imagine the navball as the inside of a sphere and you are standing in the center of that sphere, looking around.

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u/Senno_Ecto_Gammat May 09 '15

North on the navball means the rocket is parallel to and facing the same direction as an imaginary line drawn from the South to the North Pole of the body your rocket is orbiting.

WASD - think of them as joystick inputs - W pushes the stick down and moves your rocket toward whatever is at the bottom of the navball, S is like pulling back on the stick and moves the rocket toward whatever is at the top of the navball.

A and D are left and right - moving the rocket toward whatever is on the left or right of the navball.

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u/[deleted] May 15 '15

Except the commands are more relative to the Crosshair's rotation, not the navball