Difference between revisions of "Tutorial: Basic Probe And Satellite Building"

Revision as of 07:50, 17 April 2013

Probes and Satellites are two different things so this is a tutorial to help you understand what they are, do and how you can build one on Kerble Space Program game.

A probe is a spacecraft that travels through space to collect science information. Probes do not have astronauts. Probes send data back to Earth for scientists to study.

A satellite is a machine that orbits a planet or star. For example, Earth is a satellite because it orbits the sun. Likewise, the moon is a satellite because it orbits Earth. Usually, the word satellite refers to a machine that is launched into space and moves around Earth or another body in space.

Once you understand what they are, do or look like enter the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB).

A Kerbal Satellite In Orbit

How To Build A Basic Satellite

Probe or Satellite stage: First you need an un-manned Command Pod right at the top of the rocket, prefobly the Stayputnik Mk.2 would be ideal but you can chose from the range of remote-Command Pod. Below the Command Pod you should add some Rechargeable Battery Banks I used the Z-500 RechargeableBattery Bank dew to its high Electricity Composite of 500 E; Use about three of them together for 1500 units of Electricity. Use tow Gigantor XL Solar Arrays both sides of the Battery Banks, use the symmetry option in the VAB and set it to 2.

Now you want to control your probe so add tiny parts for a light weight probe or satellite. Use Two Stratus-V Roundified MonopropellantTanks on opposite sides to the solar panels and Four RCS Thruster Blocks, Two Round-8Toroidal Fuel Tanks and a small Liquid Fuel Engine at the bottom of the probe; use the LV-909 Liquid Fuel Engine. Finally you need to add some Scientific Antennas.

Use one Communotron 88-88 right on the top of your Stayputnik Mk.2 and Four Communotron 16’s. Change the Symmetry Mode to 4 and place them just below the Communotorn 88-88 half way down the Command Pod.

Lastly you will need a Separator so put one just below your engine.

Stage One: This stage needs to be as short as possible so it doesn’t wobble about when you launch and needs to be aerodynamic to reduce drag so attach a Rockomax Brand Adapter below the separator. Use a Rockomax X200-8Fuel Tank and an Advanced S.A.S. Module Large between the Fuel tank and the Adapter.

Put a Rockomax Brand Adapter 02 at the bottom make sure the flat end is pointed up use Ctrl + W,A,S,D,Q,E to rotate the part. Finally add an LV-N Atomic Rocket Engine and another Separator below.

Stage Two: This stage will be your main launch engine add another Rockomax Brand Adapter and below a Rockomax Jumbo 64 Fuel Tank and one Rockomax "Mainsail" Liquid Engine for your centre of thrust.

Add TT-38K Radial Decouplers; eight would do use the symmetry mode and set to 8. Do this with 8 additional Rockomax BACC Solid Fuel Boosters. Make sure they are all programed in the stage bar to the right of the screan when in the VAB.

Make sure you save!

Use a name for an example “Kerbal Orbital Probe Mr1”

Don’t worry if your probe or satellite gets destroyed, damaged or broken make sure you quick-save your progress with “F5” besides using un-manned Command Pods not just for probes but can be used for all sorts of space vessels from un-manned space stations, transporting cargo or Kerbals like remote-control taxi shuttle. Least you’re not killing poor Kerbalnauts.

What if it blows up?

If your rocket blows up on the launchpad you may need to add some EAS-4 Strut Connectors to hold the 8 Rockomax BACCSolid Fuel Boosters together. Eight Struts on the top, middle and bottom in-betweenthe Boosters.

What if it the First Stage doesn’t have enough thrust?

If your Second Stage or "Orbit Stage" is not increasing in speed or itis losing attitude quickly you may need to add some Rockomax Mark 55 RadialMount Liquid Engine on the sides of the craft. A symmetry mode of 3 should be enoughto give it extra power.

Related Links

• Tutorial:RemoteTech