Transfer Windows

[Nick]

I have reached the point in my Career save which I now have the right parts to reach other planets.

The thing is, in order to reach said planets, I have to launch during a certain timeframe, which I have zero clue when to launch.

Does anyone know how to?

[czartraktheprotogen]

MechJeb

[Manwith Noname]

https://alexmoon.github.io/ksp/

Edit: And this one...

http://ksp.olex.biz/

Another edit: You don't have to wait for the windows, you can go any time, you just need more delta V to do it.

[czartraktheprotogen]

Usually I just go for it because I don't understand or pay attention to delta v very much yet.

[howardsheard]

for the first five years

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1TOTvHIGdhWzK3FJC-DPzM1dQjXYcS_Mlbfs6rFD0hnU/pub?single=true&gid=0&output=html

[jhendriks87]

there is a mod called kerbal window planner couple that with kerbal alarm clock and you wont have any issues

[czartraktheprotogen]

Seriously. MechJeb is beast

[Manwith Noname]

I prefer TWP with Precise Maneuver and KAC but whatever floats your boat.

[Phalanx]

I'm using Flyby Finder for my interplanetary missions as it is possible to plan crazy stuff like multiple slingshots. It is also useful for planning Opposition-class missions to Duna, or low-dV trips like Kerbin-Eve-Moho or Kerbin-Eve-Kerbin-Jool. There is also a RSS Version which I'm using. It is out-of-game and a bit clumsy but you will like it once you get the feeling right. But it's up to you, Mechjeb is is more simple but I wouldn't trust it all the way, let it plot the course and fire the rockets manually.

[corisai]

Originally posted by Manwith Noname:

Another edit: You don't have to wait for the windows, you can go any time, you just need more delta V to do it.

Be carefull here - sometimes you will need so many dV that vanila engines simply can't provide.

Vote too for kebal alarm clock together with MechJeb - very usefull (MechJeb is wonderfull for ion-based probes that using prolonged burn times, doing this manually is too boring).

[howardsheard]

Originally posted by corisai:

Originally posted by Manwith Noname:

Another edit: You don't have to wait for the windows, you can go any time, you just need more delta V to do it.

Be carefull here - sometimes you will need so many dV that vanila engines simply can't provide.

Vote too for kebal alarm clock together with MechJeb - very usefull (MechJeb is wonderfull for ion-based probes that using prolonged burn times, doing this manually is too boring).

quite true also if you randomly force an encounter you tend to arrive at the target body with a massive velocity requiring sever breaking, especially difficult if the body in question does not have an atmosphere thereby preventing you from using areo-breaking

[andylaugel]

Originally posted by howardsheard:

Originally posted by corisai:

Be carefull here - sometimes you will need so many dV that vanila engines simply can't provide.

Vote too for kebal alarm clock together with MechJeb - very usefull (MechJeb is wonderfull for ion-based probes that using prolonged burn times, doing this manually is too boring).

quite true also if you randomly force an encounter you tend to arrive at the target body with a massive velocity requiring sever breaking, especially difficult if the body in question does not have an atmosphere thereby preventing you from using areo-breaking

Not necessarily. You can leave Kerbin's orbit using a minimum of dV, and wait until you're in the sun's SOI before planning the intercept. You may just be waiting a long, long time to do those maneuvers. KAC is good as reminding you when you need to do those though. But you shouldn't enter the destinations SOI any faster than you would otherwise.

[GeneralVeers]

Here's how to figure it without using any of that sissy cheaty "mod" crap. :)

Start with a ship outside Kerbin's SOI, in Kerbin's orbital path, and ahead of it. (You CAN do this with a ship orbiting Kerbin, but that's a little more complicated)

Now create a maneuver node ahead of the ship. Use this to experiment. Add prograde burn time to the maneuver node until the planned path intercepts, say, Duna. When you get a "closest approach" marker, note whether you're going to end up ahead of Duna or behind it. That will tell you whether your burn will be early or late.

And that gives you an idea of when you should burn. If you get an intercept? Voila! At that point, note where Kerbin and your target planet are in their orbits. Draw a wedge from Kerbin to the Sun to the target planet, and note the angle. To reach that planet, that angle will always need to be (approximately) the same.

When you can do that without using a mod, you'll feel like a real Rocket Scientist. @:)

[Operation40]

setting up intercept from Solar orbit costs more dv, but also costs more time -- you may end up waiting longer than you would've it you just waited for the window...

Kerbal Alarm Clock can automatically put transfer windows up for you (use "model" method and est alarm as re-ocurring) .. oddly I've found KAC transfers to be more accurate the TWP's, especally for Moho and Dres.. though they are both by the same author.

[Manwith Noname]

Originally posted by RoofCatA:

Can Kerbal Alarm Clock, Transfer window planer or ANY other mod teach you to use Eve gravity assist to reach lowest point on Moho orbit and also change inclination a bit more with that gravity turn, then go back up for the highest inclination node on your new orbit, do final adjustment on your inclination, then go back to inital Moho periapsis and adjust your Ap, so you intercept Moho on the next orbit or 1..2 after in the perfect spot?

Somehow I doubt that :)

No, but a bit like when I said you can go anytime without waiting for the ideal window, people are still required to apply their grey matter and common sense to problem solve and evaluate situations.

The mods aren't designed to do everything for you, just take the pen and paper math or trial and error away.

[Toastie Buns]

I prefer to use double glazed transfer windows, because less energy is wasted as heat.