Tutorial: Basic Probe And Satellite Building
Probes and Satellites are two different things so this is a tutorial to help you understand what they are, what they do, and how you can build one in Kerbal Space Program.
A probe is a spacecraft that travels through space to collect science information. Probes do not have astronauts. Probes send data back for scientists to study.
A satellite is something that orbits a celestial body. For example, Earth is a satellite because it orbits the sun. Likewise, the moon is a satellite because it orbits Earth. To differentiate between pre-existing and new satellites, the moon is a natural satellite while a human made satellite is called an artificial satellite. The adjective is dropped when it is clear what type of satellite is mentioned. As this tutorial about satellites launched by kerbals the satellites here are all artificial satellites.
Probes and satellites are generally much smaller than manned vehichles, and thus require less energy to lift them out of Kerbal's gravity well. You can build them in either the VAB or the SPH, but this tutorial will focus on the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB).
Contents
How To Build A Basic Satellite
Probe or Satellite stage: First you need an un-kerbed Command Pod right at the top of the rocket, the Stayputnik Mk. 2 looks cool, but you can chose from the range of un-kerbed Command Pods. Below the Command Pod you should add some Rechargeable Battery Banks I used the Z-500 Rechargable Battery Bank due to its high Electricity Composite of 500 E; Use about three of them together for 1500 units of Electricity. Use two OX-4B Photovoltaic Panels on both sides of the Battery Banks, use the symmetry option (the 'x' key) 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 Monopropellant Tanks on opposite sides to the solar panels and four RCS Thruster Blocks, two Round-8 Toroidal Fuel Tanks and a small Liquid Fuel Engine at the bottom of the probe; use the LV-909 Liquid Fuel Engine.
Although they don't serve a practical purpose yet (as of 0.19.1), you can add some Scientific Antennas. Use one Communotron 88-88 right on the top of your Stayputnik Mk.2 and four Communotron 16. Change the Symmetry Mode to 4 and place them just below the Communotron 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 X200-8 Fuel 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. Just make sure you quick-save your progress with “F5”!
Besides using un-manned Command Pods for probes, you can use them for all sorts of space vessels from un-manned space stations to transporting cargo. At least you’re not killing poor Kerbalnauts when you fail!
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 BACC Solid Fuel Boosters together. Eight Struts on the top, middle and bottom in-between the 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 it is losing attitude quickly you may need to add some Rockomax Mark 55 Radial Mount Liquid Engine on the sides of the craft. A symmetry mode of 3 should be enough to give it extra power.
