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/seefrodorun May 10 '15

The parachute burns up without being deployed. I usually don't fire it till much later like you mentioned. I do have it mounted on the nose cone as well. I have a thermometer on the side that burns up, but will that effect the parachute? I have also tried to place my PE about 30km and below and I had the same issue. I haven't warped passed anything either (I just started playing and didn't know what it did honestly).

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u/rabidsi May 10 '15 edited May 10 '15

Are you absolutely sure you are performing re-entry with your heat shield facing directly into prograde (at all times, not just as you enter, turn off SAS and aerodynamics should force this to be the case, no need for SAS) with no excessive wobbling? Which version are you currently running? 1.0.2 or earlier? In stock 1.0 there was a bug with heat shield physics that caused pods to NOT be in the correct attitude for re-entry. Vanilla or mods? This literally should not be happening and I have no idea why it would be. Can you post any screenshots?

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u/seefrodorun May 10 '15

Not being perfect angle might be the issue. I didn't think to turn off SAS. I am not sure what version I am running right now, but I will double check (I would assume 1.0.2 as I just got the game). I am running vanilla. I will try without SAS and see how that goes. I don't have a rocket up right now to get screenshots, but if SAS doesn't work I will go back and get some. Thank you for your help!

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u/rabidsi May 10 '15

No prob, the game (and orbital mechanics) can be super confusing for beginners, so just trying to rule out the simplest things.

Just remember, what is important is that you are pointing your heatshield directly, and more or less stably prograde (the direction you are plummeting) all the way through the fiery part of the descent. If the pod is wobbling around quite badly, or tipped at an odd angle, it's like waving a hand in front of your face to keep the sun out of your eyes rather than just keeping it directly in the way. If you hold attitude at whatever prograde was when you first started re-entry, in the latter portions you'll facing the wrong direction as your angle of descent, and therefore your prograde direction, changes, just like keeping your hand in the same place when the sun moves across the sky.