Using Alex Moon's Launch Window Planner

[RoadHazard]

The Launch Window Planner (https://alexmoon.github.io/ksp/) is a brilliant piece of work. However, I'm a bit stupid when it comes to translating his results into KSP maneuver nodes.

For example, he provides numbers for phase angle, ejection angle, ejection inclination, dV, and lots more. But how do I take that information and turn it into reality? Or does it require a mod that accepts those values as inputs?

[Earl]

https://ksp.olex.biz/

Olex's guide/calculator explains what all of those things mean. If your window planner gives you an exact date to perform your burn then you don't really need to worry about phase angle. Also KSP has a built in manuever tool that will plot transfers for you.

[Quizzical]

I've generally used alexmoon's launch window planner just to get the right day to launch. Once you have that, lining up the maneuver is easy.

[WhamyKaBlamy]

Originally posted by RoadHazard:

For example, he provides numbers for phase angle, ejection angle, ejection inclination, dV, and lots more. But how do I take that information and turn it into reality? Or does it require a mod that accepts those values as inputs?

What I do is warp to the day before, so I have some wiggle room on making my node. Zoom out of the map so you can see the direction Kerbin is travelling. When the planner says something like:
Ejection Δv: 1000 m/s
Ejection angle: 150° to prograde

That means that you would take the direction Kerbin is travelling as 0° and make your maneuver node 150° to that. So, somewhere about 5 o'clock, and give it 1000m/s in the prograde direction.

If it said something like:
Ejection angle: 150° to retrograde

You'd do the the same thing but you'd take the opposite direction, ie directly behind where Kerbin is travelling as the 0°, make a node at about 5 o'clock to that but still put all of the Δv into prograde because you want to burn forwards but back along Kerbin's direction of travel.

So, say on the map when you zoom out you see:
-----O----> and kerbin is travelling in the direction of the arrow, then the arrow direction would be where you take as 0° for a prograde ejection, and the opposite side for a retrograde.

That's really all you need to know. I never worry about ejection inclination, I just do a mid-transfer change in inclination if I really need it and zero my orbit inclination with the Mun before making my node. I can't think of any time I've had to worry about my inclination when leaving Kerbin.

Phase angle just tells you how the planets should be aligned, but you don't need that information as you have a date when they're at that phase angle.

[miklkit]

I am at the point where something like this can keep me advancing, as so far I can't get an encounter to any planet past Minmus.

But, it is not on CKAN.

[Quizzical]

Originally posted by miklkit:

I am at the point where something like this can keep me advancing, as so far I can't get an encounter to any planet past Minmus.

But, it is not on CKAN.

It's not a mod. It's a web site where you select that you want to go from this planet to that one, after this date, and it picks the next good time for you to leave.

[Chibbity]

If you're looking for an in game version:

https://forum.kerbalspaceprogram.com/index.php?/topic/84005-17x-transfer-window-planner-v1710-august-19/

Hasn't been officially updated in a while but if you go to the last page there are links for an unofficial update.

[miklkit]

Interesting. Thanks.