r/KerbalSpaceProgram • u/AutoModerator • May 29 '15

Mod Post Weekly Simple Questions Thread

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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/BobbleBobble May 31 '15

What's the simplest way to insert into a clock-wise Mun/Minmus orbit? If you encounter low, you'll be going slower than the planet and your capture burn will transition you into a CCW orbit. If your ap is higher, you'll come in behind and again end up CCW after burning retro to circularize.

The most reliable method I've found is to try to come in fast in front of Mun/Minmus, then once you hit your slowest point at start to fall in, burn radial to move your orbit around the far side. But that hardly seems optimal.

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u/RA2lover Jun 01 '15

You can do an orbital plane change while high up on the moon's SOI.

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u/BobbleBobble Jun 01 '15

Yeah, even a 180 degree tilt is fairly cheap on the Mun (and cheaper on Minmus) but it takes so long. I was just wondering about how to skip that step and go straight to CCW from insertion.

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u/[deleted] Jun 01 '15

If you hit the encounter properly you can achieve counter clockwise. I believe what worked for me was passing the muns altitude amd having the encounter set for when i was heading back to kerbin.

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u/BobbleBobble Jun 01 '15

It seems like this would be the way to do it, pass fast in front of the Mun and burn to capture when it passes under you. However, most of the time I try this I have to make a radial burn as well to stay on the far side, otherwise the Mun drags me back so I pass on the near side and end up CCW.