Tutorial:Moon landing using mods

Landing on the Mun is no easy task. With a reasonable gravity well, and no atmosphere, the rocky natural terrain make a rocky grave for Kerbanauts. This tutorial provides tips on how to land on the Mun using MechJeb.

Specifications

• Length: 5–10 minutes
• Difficulty: Moderate
• For version: 0.19 and above
• Mods Required: Mechjeb

Steps

Step 1 - Getting MechJeb

Get MechJeb from [1]. MechJeb is an autopilot plugin that allows you get into orbit, and go to the moon in the fastest and efficient way possible.

Suggested mods to find include:

• MechJeb Command Prods & Probes [2]. This extra mod enables MechJeb on all the command pods.

Step 2 - Building the Mun rocket

Since MechJeb doesn't use much fuel you may use Kerbal X which is included with KSP, add two extra Rockomax X200-32 Fuel Tank at the middle section at the bottom and add one Rockomax X200-32 Fuel Tank on the lander stage. Add more ladders if you cant reach the bottom. If you don't have the MechJeb Command Prods & Probes you need to add a MechJeb AR202 case.

Step 3 - Launch the rocket using Ascent Autopilot

Open Ascent Guidance from the MechJeb menu.

Make sure the following settings are as listed:

• Orbit altitude should be 100 km.
• Corrective steering is checked.
• Autostage is checked (do not check if you are unsure of the staging setup).
• Auto-warp is checked.
• Prevent overheats is checked.

Press engage and hit the space bar to launch.

Step 3 - Going to the Mun

• After you have a stable orbit, close Ascent Guidance and open the Maneuver Planner from the MechJeb menu.
• In the Maneuver Planner use the arrows to select 'Hohmann transfer to target'. Then, click 'Create and execute'.
• If you see your landing spot on the Mun or just want to land anywhere, skip to Step 4.
• After you enter the Mun's Gravity well, wait until you reach around 400 km above the Mun, then use the arrows to select 'Circularize' and click 'Create and execute'. This will put you in the Mun orbit.

You are now in the Mun orbit. Close the Orbital Operation. Follow step 4 to land on the moon or follow step 5 to return to Kerbin.

Step 4 - Land on the Mun

• After you entered the Mun orbit, open the Landing Autopilot from the MechJeb menu.
• Ensure "Deploy Parachutes" is UNchecked.
• Press Select target on the map and choose where you want to land.
• Press LAND at target.
• MechJeb will fast forward to the deorbit burn point.
• Warp till 20000m (don't warp more than 3x).
• Extend the gear once it says executing breaking burn.

You have now landed on the moon. You can extend the ladder and EVA(optional). Follow step 5 to return to Kerbin.

Step 5 - Return to Kerbin

In Career Mode, this is no longer optional unless you plan on sending a rescue mission.

Open the Ascent Autopilot from the MechJeb menu.

Make sure the following settings are as listed:

• Orbit altitude should be 100 km.
• Auto-throttle is checked.
• Auto-stage is checked(do not check if you are unsure of the staging setup).
• Auto-warp is checked(to speed time up).

Press enable to take off.

After you have achieved stable orbit, pull up the Maneuver Planner again.

• Cycle through the arrows until you see "Return from a moon" then click "Create and Execute"
• Once you are back in Kerbin's gravity Well, close the Maneuver Planner and open the Landing Assistant.
• Ensure "Deploy Parachutes" is CHECKED.
• Depending on how much fuel you have, pick KSC, a landing point, or just "Land Someplace." You may have to ditch your landing section somewhere along the line if you run out of fuel.

Finishing word

Flying to Mun is a great achievement and one which all aspire to accomplishing. This guide should help you to achieve your goals and begin to look at even more challenging possibilities in KSP!

If you feel you have anything to contribute to this tutorial, please feel free to add, as this is still very short!

Thanks for editing the rest of this PD.~Longmvu]