Difference between revisions of "How to Build a Basic Satellite"

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== Building a Basic Satellite ==
 
== Building a Basic Satellite ==
Do you want to launch your first permanent, sustainable satellite? Are you bored and want to litter space with a billion small objects? Do you just want to practice deploying payloads into orbit? Then this tutorial is for you!
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Are you new to Kerbal Space Program and don't know where to start? Do your rockets tumble, flip, or generally disintegrate before reaching orbit? Do you want to launch a permanent and sustainable satellite? Do you want to practice the basics of deploying payloads into orbit? If so, then this tutorial is for you!
  
 
===Specifications===
 
===Specifications===
Line 8: Line 8:
  
 
==Steps==
 
==Steps==
===Step 1 - Build your satellite===
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===Step 1 - Building a satellite===
# First, you'll need to actually make your satellite. Take the most advanced probe you have- a [[Probodobodyne HECS]] should do. Check to see if it has a reaction wheel- you'll need one if you want to move it. If it doesn't have one, add one.  
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;Starting from the ground up!
# Next, add some batteries- it doesn't matter which type, as long as it fits- and a few solar panels. Without power, you won't be able to control your satellite. If you want to be fancy, add a [[Thermal Control System (small)|thermal control system]] and/or some [[2HOT Thermometer|scientific equipment]]. To finish, add an antenna- a [[Communotron 16]] or two should do. The farther away from Kerbin you are, the stronger antenna you need.
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# The first step is to build a satellite. Just about any probe body will work, however, if possible, the [[Probodobodyne HECS]] is a good first choice. It is important to verify the probe body includes a reaction wheel as you will need one if you want to move the satellite. If the probe body does not include a reaction wheel, go ahead and add one.
# Next, put a decoupler or separator below that, and a fairing below that- make sure to have it cover the whole satellite! Build a rocket that can get your brand-new satellite into orbit. Attach it below the decoupler.
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# Next, to power the satellite, add batteries. There are multiple types of batteries with different storage capacities, ensure you add enough to meet the needs of the equipment on the satellite. While an engine can provide limited power, it is best to outfit solar panels to also aid in replenishing power to the batteries when the satellite is on the sunward side of a planet. If all the power drains from the batteries, the satellite will not be able to move or communicate. To add variety to the satellite, consider adding a [[Thermal Control System (small)|thermal control system]] and/or [[2HOT Thermometer|scientific equipment]] to conduct testing while in orbit. The final touches should include an antenna. If the satellite is in orbit close to Kerbin, then a [[Communotron 16]] or two will be ample to transmit data to the ground control. However, the farther away from Kerbin the satellite orbits, the stronger (and typically larger) antenna the satellite will require.
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# The final parts to add to the satellite will be to install a decoupler or separator at the base along with a faring module below that. It is important to ensure the faring covers the entire satellite as atmospheric friction during launch can destroy satellite parts during the ascent stage.
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# Finally, build a rocket that will carry the new satellite to the designated orbit. Lower orbits at around 80,000 m will not require as substantial of a rocket and boosters as a satellite destined for and orbit of 200,000 m and above. Test different rocket and booster combinations to figure out which will be best to use for the satellite you built. If possible (due to funds and weight), add a remote control unit to the rocket to allow for deorbit after getting the satellite to its destination.
  
===Step 2 - Launch your satellite into orbit===
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===Step 2 - Launching the satellite into orbit===
Launch your satellite in the traditional way- straight up, then a gravity turn past 10,000-20,000 meters. Once you pass 70,000 meters, deploy the fairing and extend the antennae. You should know how to get into an orbit by now. Circularize at or above 75,000 meters.
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;Launching a satellite in the traditional method includes a few critical steps
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# Begin the launch by heading straight up
 +
# When passing between 10,000 and 20,000 m, begin a gravity turn
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# During the ascent, if the rocket has different stages, ensure to remove spent stages to lighten the rocket for maximum efficiency
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# Around 70,000 m the faring housing the satellite can be deployed (blown off)
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# At any point above 75,000 m, circularize the orbit of the satellite
  
===Step 3 - Finishing===
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===Step 3 - Deploying the satellite===
Decouple the satellite from the final stage. Extend all your antennae/solar panels/thermal control systems and admire your glorious creation!
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; Situating the satellite in orbit
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# Decouple the satellite from the final stage of the main rocket
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# Extend all antennas, solar panels and thermal control systems on the satellite (if they were added)
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# If a remote control unit was added to the rocket body, switch to the rocket and set it up to deorbit (crash back into Kerbin), once the rocket body is on its way back down, switch controls back to the satellite
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# Fine-tune the satellites' orbit and orientation to the sun (for maximum solar panel gathering)
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# If the satellite contains any science experiments, you may now begin to gather data and transmit it back to Kerbin
  
 
==Finishing word==
 
==Finishing word==
Congratulations! You've built a small satellite. You can launch more, or save time and credits by doing something worthwhile.
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Congratulations! You've built a small satellite and put it into orbit. This is only the beginning, experiment with other configurations or larger satellites and rockets. Eventually, you will progress to orbiting satellites around moons and other planets, even sending Kerbals on adventures. Only your imagination limits you!
  
 
[[Category:Tutorials|How to Build a Basic Satellite]]
 
[[Category:Tutorials|How to Build a Basic Satellite]]

Latest revision as of 14:14, 30 May 2022

Building a Basic Satellite

Are you new to Kerbal Space Program and don't know where to start? Do your rockets tumble, flip, or generally disintegrate before reaching orbit? Do you want to launch a permanent and sustainable satellite? Do you want to practice the basics of deploying payloads into orbit? If so, then this tutorial is for you!

Specifications

  • Length: 5–15 minutes
  • Difficulty: Easy (Requires basic knowledge of orbital mechanics)
  • For version: Every version

Steps

Step 1 - Building a satellite

Starting from the ground up!
  1. The first step is to build a satellite. Just about any probe body will work, however, if possible, the Probodobodyne HECS is a good first choice. It is important to verify the probe body includes a reaction wheel as you will need one if you want to move the satellite. If the probe body does not include a reaction wheel, go ahead and add one.
  2. Next, to power the satellite, add batteries. There are multiple types of batteries with different storage capacities, ensure you add enough to meet the needs of the equipment on the satellite. While an engine can provide limited power, it is best to outfit solar panels to also aid in replenishing power to the batteries when the satellite is on the sunward side of a planet. If all the power drains from the batteries, the satellite will not be able to move or communicate. To add variety to the satellite, consider adding a thermal control system and/or scientific equipment to conduct testing while in orbit. The final touches should include an antenna. If the satellite is in orbit close to Kerbin, then a Communotron 16 or two will be ample to transmit data to the ground control. However, the farther away from Kerbin the satellite orbits, the stronger (and typically larger) antenna the satellite will require.
  3. The final parts to add to the satellite will be to install a decoupler or separator at the base along with a faring module below that. It is important to ensure the faring covers the entire satellite as atmospheric friction during launch can destroy satellite parts during the ascent stage.
  4. Finally, build a rocket that will carry the new satellite to the designated orbit. Lower orbits at around 80,000 m will not require as substantial of a rocket and boosters as a satellite destined for and orbit of 200,000 m and above. Test different rocket and booster combinations to figure out which will be best to use for the satellite you built. If possible (due to funds and weight), add a remote control unit to the rocket to allow for deorbit after getting the satellite to its destination.

Step 2 - Launching the satellite into orbit

Launching a satellite in the traditional method includes a few critical steps
  1. Begin the launch by heading straight up
  2. When passing between 10,000 and 20,000 m, begin a gravity turn
  3. During the ascent, if the rocket has different stages, ensure to remove spent stages to lighten the rocket for maximum efficiency
  4. Around 70,000 m the faring housing the satellite can be deployed (blown off)
  5. At any point above 75,000 m, circularize the orbit of the satellite

Step 3 - Deploying the satellite

Situating the satellite in orbit
  1. Decouple the satellite from the final stage of the main rocket
  2. Extend all antennas, solar panels and thermal control systems on the satellite (if they were added)
  3. If a remote control unit was added to the rocket body, switch to the rocket and set it up to deorbit (crash back into Kerbin), once the rocket body is on its way back down, switch controls back to the satellite
  4. Fine-tune the satellites' orbit and orientation to the sun (for maximum solar panel gathering)
  5. If the satellite contains any science experiments, you may now begin to gather data and transmit it back to Kerbin

Finishing word

Congratulations! You've built a small satellite and put it into orbit. This is only the beginning, experiment with other configurations or larger satellites and rockets. Eventually, you will progress to orbiting satellites around moons and other planets, even sending Kerbals on adventures. Only your imagination limits you!