Calculation tools
From Kerbal Space Program Wiki
This page lists various fan-made tools that can help calculations related to the gameplay of Kerbal Space Program. Unlike addons, they do not directly influence the game, as they are run separately.
The table cells that are shaded blue are links to the KSP Forums, to indicate open source tools and compatibility with the latest version of KSP. Conversely, tools who's last known compatible version is too far into the past are shaded red as are non-free tools and websites gone missing.
The KSP forums have a section dedicated to such tools here, which is where it is most likely that new tools and versions will be announced.
Contents
Online tools and calculators
Orbit and maneuver calculators
| Title | Developer | Description | Last Update | KSP Version compatibility [note 1] | Notes | Forum post | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KSP MGA Planner | Krafpy | Calculates a (potentially) optimal interplanetary trajectory with multiple gravity assists. | July 2022 | GPL-3.0 License, GitHub repo | forum post | https://krafpy.github.io/KSP-MGA-Planner/ | |
| KSP Visual Calculator | Blaarkies | Interactively visualizes delta v and communication networks on a KSP universe map. | 2021 | MIT License, GitHub-repo | forum post | https://ksp-visual-calculator.blaarkies.com/ | |
| Sat-Net Spacing Calc | jwarner87 | Calculates deployment orbit for an evenly spaced satellite network in a single launch bundle. Supports alternate sized solar systems. | 24 April 2016 | 1.0.5 | Based on Ens-Gijs spreadsheet. | https://jwarner3412.github.io/kerbility/ | |
| Interactive illustrated interplanetary guide and calculator | Olex | Calculates Δv and angles for orbital transfer between celestial bodies | 2013 | 0.22 | Based on this forum post | forum post | http://ksp.olex.biz/ |
| Launch Window Planner | alexmoon | Provides a total Δv calculation for orbital transfer based on launch parameters | 6 Apr 2014 | 0.23.5 | open source
(License: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0) |
forum post | http://alexmoon.github.io/ksp/ |
| KSP Aerobraking Calculator | alterbaron | Calculates a maneuver to perform the intended aerobraking | 20 Nov 2013 | 0.90 | open source | forum post | http://alterbaron.github.io/ksp_aerocalc/ |
| Kerb Calculator | Abeck | Calculates Δv based on fuel remaining in stage. Really useful if you're already in flight. New coming soon! | 06 Feb 2016 (V0.2) | 1.0.5 | MATLAB .m file | forum post | Get it at the forum post |
| Lead angle calculator | Tuupertunut | Calculates the lead angle to reach a target orbit | 6 Sept 2018 | https://instacalc.com/51180 | |||
| Resonance orbit calculator | Calculates periapsis based on orbit height and the requested orbital resonance | based on wiki information and this forum post | http://www.ksp.interrutt.com/ | ||||
|
Simple Orbital calculating spreadsheet |
drewmacrae | Detailed calculation spreadsheet for Hohmann transfer orbits | 21 Mar 2012 | See forum post for usage details | forum post | Google Docs link | |
| Browser based orbit calculator | cjameshuff | Interactive orbit shape and property calculator | 18 Jul 2011 | forum post | http://files.arklyffe.com/orbcalc.html | ||
| Satellite Deployment Calculator | Ens Gijs | Makes precisely deploying evenly spaced satellites easy! | 8 Aug 2015 | Protected spreadsheet, you are free to edit any YELLOW fields. | Google Docs link | ||
| KSP Orbital Sooper Calculator | madbadger2742 | Mutli-functional calculator including satellite arrangements | 4 Dec 2013 | Google Docs spreadsheet - Usage details on the first page of the spreadsheet | forum post | Google Docs link | |
| Orbit Night/Darkness, Req. Battery Capacity, Satellite Relay Coverage | Peppe | Calculate orbital darkness time and corresponding battery capacity needed | 9 Oct 2013 | Google Docs spreadsheet | forum post | Google Docs link | |
| KSP Un-Orbiter Caclulator | SharpCoder | Calculate roughly when to burn retrograde to achieve the most efficient landing | 20 Oct 2016 | forum post | http://sharpcoder.github.io/KspUnorbiter/ |
Part and construction calculators
| Title | Developer | Description | Last Update | KSP Version compatibility | Notes | Forum post | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reusable Rocket Calculator | cy4n | Calculates the cost to put 1 ton of payload into orbit on any given launcher. | 31 Oct 2016 | 1.2 | Google Docs spreadsheet | Google Docs link | |
| Rocket Calculator | avylazyboy | Calculates and saves values for DeltaV, Isp, Thrust, and TWR for multi-stage rockets | 7 July 2016 | 1.1.3 | Open Source, written in C# | forum post | https://github.com/AveryPratt/RocketCalculator |
| kspalculator | Determines the best rocket propulsion designs for one stage of a rocket, given a set of constraints and preferences | 8 Aug 2016 | 1.3 | Open Source, written in Python | forum post | https://kspalculator.appspot.com/ | |
| KSP Optimal Rocket Calculator | GaryCourt | Generates a rocket design optimized for the given parameters | 6 May 2015 | 1.2 | open source (License: permissive) | forum post | http://garycourt.github.io/korc/ |
| KSP Optimal Rocket Calculator Updated Version | MJungnickel | Generates a rocket design optimized for the given parameters | 17 September 2021 | 1.12.2 | open source (License: permissive) | https://mjungnickel18.github.io/korc/ | |
| KSP Signal Strength Calculator | Westbrooke117 | Calculates the minimum and maximum signal strengths between planets for communotrons and relays | 5 Apr 2024 | 1.12.2 | reddit post | https://westbrooke117.github.io/KSPSSC/ | |
| KSP Parachute Calculator | check | Calculates the needed mass and type of parachutes for landers | 19 Sep 2013 | 0.21.1 | forum post | http://ksp.freeiz.com/ | |
| Engine Cluster Calculator | blizzy | Generates an engine layout for a given payload (asparagus staging) | 8 Apr 2014 | 0.23.5 | Based on this forum post | http://blizzy.de/asparagus/ | |
| KSP Calculator | Cameron Hessler | Escape velocity and stage Δv calculators | 2012 | 0.16 | http://www.kerbalspacecalculator.net16.net/index.php | ||
| Thrust calculator | Calculate TWR based on engines, fuel, payload and gravity | http://iyates.co.uk/ThrustCalc/ | |||||
| KSP Planner | eschatonic | Staged rocket planner and Δv calculator | 0.22 | reddit post | http://dhmholley.co.uk/ksplanner/ | ||
| Craft Fixer | Ezriilc | Fixes duplicate ids in .craft files and can optionally remove add-on parts | 27 Apr 2015 | 1.0 | forum post | http://www.kerbaltek.com/craftkitchen | |
| Delta-V Calculator | JellyGoggles | Calculates Δv per stage | 15 Feb 2012 | 0.13.2 | Google Docs spreadsheet | forum post | Google Docs link |
| Optimal Single-stage Lander Design Tool | tavert | Calculates engines and fuel needed for a single-stage landed based on payload | 14 Dec 2013 | Wolfram-based (Requires Wolfram CDF Player Plugin) | forum post | dropbox (.html) |
Science
| Title | Developer | Description | Last Update | KSP Version compatibility | Notes | Forum post | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KSP Science Calculator | Calculates amount of science gained in different environments | 0.23 (see notes) | data based on the wiki article on science - Does not include Kerbol (16-04-2014) | reddit post | Google Drive link | ||
| Remaining Science | acalculus | Reads save file and displays remaining science for all celestial objects and experiments in a large table | 5 May 2014 | 0.23.5 | open source | forum post | http://kerbal-science-remaining.s3-website-us-east-1.amazonaws.com/ |
| Simple Science Summary | Oarc | Provides an overview of science done and remaining based on a save file and science definitions file - support for mods that affect science [WIP] | 27 Mar 2014 | 0.23.5 | open source (entirely client-side javascript) [note 2] | forum post | http://oarcinae.us/ScienceParser/kspScienceParser.html |
| Science Checklist | celem | Generates a table for each celestial body showing what science is available | 6 Mar 2014 | 0.23.5 | open source (entirely client-side javascript) (License: customized BSD, see forum post) | forum post | http://www.celemsoft.net/kspsci.html |
| KSP Checklist Generator | nobody44 | Generates an simple online mission checklist including science gathering | 14 Feb 2014 | 0.23 (version agnostic) | open source (License GPL v3) | forum post | http://pweingardt.github.io/kspchecklist/ |
| Printable Complete Stock Science Checklists | JAFO | Spreadsheet with individually printable sheets for every body in the Kerbin system. Experiments which need to be performed more than once to obtain max science can be checked off twice. | 12 Sept 2018 | 1.4.x | Includes versions for MS Office and Open/Libre Office. | forum post | https://drive.google.com/open?id=1boxrIH8NZt8sarvIzCwnEo-2KX-PdlOC |
| Jacke's KSP Science Checklists | Jacke | Spreadsheet with individually printable sheets for every body in the Kerbin system with all available experiments. | 6 March 2019 | 1.6 | forum post | https://www.dropbox.com/s/fj0bewwh7elea47/KSP-Jacke-Science_Checklists.20190306a..161.ods?dl=1 |
- ↑ This indicates the version of KSP that the tool is known to work for, or was the latest version when the tool was last updated. Most tools will work fine on later versions.
- ↑ To view javascript source, go to the url and either select "View Source" from the right-click menu or use the browser's developer tools.
Deprecated
The tools in this table are known but are un-maintained, they websites are gone missing or the tools are too old to be relevant to recent versions of KSP
Deprecated tools
| Title | Developer | Description | Last Update | KSP Version compatibility | Notes | Forum post | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairing Factory | Nathan Nifong | Generates a downloadable fairing based on the given design | non-functional (16-04-2014) | lost | http://nathannifong.com/FairingFactory/ | ||
| Where can I go? | GavinZac | Calculates possible destinations based on given Δv | link dead (28-06-2020) | forum post | http://www.gavingolden.com/wherecanigo.php | ||
| MrFibble's KSP Calculators | MrFlibble1978 | Tools to calculate information on orbits | Feb 2014 | 0.23 | Dropbox link dead (28-06-2020) | steam community thread | Satellite Distribution Calculator Orbital Period Calculator KSP Multi Calculator |
| Delta V Calculator | interwound | Gives Δv required to reach a celestial body with or without a round trip | link dead (28-06-2020) | http://deltavmap.com/ | |||
| Fuel Tank Calculator | opensesame11 | Calculates the amount of fuel tanks for a given Δv | 23 Oct 2013 | link dead (17-04-2014) | forum post |
Offline applications
These tools can be downloaded and used offline. Keep in mind that the presence of an application here does not mean it has been tested or is otherwise trustworthy - apply reasonable caution when downloading and running the below applications. Generally, if something is widely used, it should be safe.
| Title | Developer | Description | Last Update | KSP Version compatibility | Notes | Platform | Forum post | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KSP Trajectory Optimization Tool | Arrowstar | Contains tools for computing gravity assist maneuvers, rendezvous maneuvers, and full end-to-end mission planning with the Mission Architect and Launch Vehicle Designer tools. | 20 Aug 2021 | Requires MATLAB Runtime Compiler. See forum post for usage details. | Windows/Linux | forum post | https://github.com/Arrowstar/ksptot/ | |
| KSP Utilities | ROFLCopter64bit | Utility collection primarily for save file handling and analysis | 4 Apr 2014 | 0.23.5 | open source (License: LGPL v3+) | Windows (pre-compiled) (author reports partial cross-platforming from source) | forum post | (multiple downloads - see forum post) |
| KSP Rocket Calculator | VRGhost | Calculates rocket properties and aids in the design process | 31 Oct 2012 | 0.17.1 | open source | Python | (python script - use source) | |
| De-orbit and Staged Ascent Simulators | Shane Colton | Calculate a de-orbit maneuver to land on a specific part of a celestial object - Evaluate whether a staged craft can reach orbit | 22 Dec 2013 | 0.23 | Scilab scripts | Scilab (see external tools section) | blog post | (see blog post for .sce files) |
| Zord's KSP Multi-calculator | Lord_Zord | Calculate Δv, effective Isp, TWR and acceleration | 23 Feb 2014 | 0.23 | binary and python components (License: MIT) - author informs that Avast AV gives a false positive with the file (16-04-2014) | Windows (possibly cross-platform, see downloads provided) | forum post | http://sourceforge.net/projects/zordskspcalc/ |
| KSP Calculators | Jonv4n | Semi-major axis and orbital period calculations | 18 Jul 2013 | 0.20.2 | LibreOffice Calc and MS Excel spreadsheets | LibreOffice Calc (cross-platform) / MS Excel | forum post | (multiple downloads - see forum post) |
| Fix my docking | Alo | Finds and fixes bugs with docking ports from a quicksave | 16 Apr 2014 | 0.23.5 (unclear) | open source (License: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0) - written in Pascal | Windows | forum post | dropbox (.exe) |
| Delta V Calculator | freeskier93 | Calculates Δv for target celestial body with orbit height, inclination, angle and launch height are used to compute the final value | 22 Mar 2014 | 0.23.5 | open source (License: GPL v2) Matlab-based - large dependency (MCR) | Windows | forum post | dropbox (.exe) |
| KOrbit | SchildConstruct | Orbital calculator and plotter | 28 Oct 2011 | 0.11.1 | open source (License: Permissive) - inspired by Warringer | Windows | forum post | dropbox link (.msi) github downloads |
| Vessel Viewer | Chrison | Allows viewing of .craft files outside of KSP | 4 Oct 2013 | 0.10.1 | open source (License: GPL v3) | Windows | forum post | http://kerbalspaceport.com/ksp-vessel-viewer/ |
| KSP Part Lister | cybutek | Lists parts used in .craft files | 2 Sep 2012 | 0.16 | open source (License: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 GB) | Windows | forum post | http://cybutek.net/ksp/part_lister/1.0/KSP%20Part%20Lister%20v1.0.zip |
| Handy DV, TWR and orbital velocity Calc | pizzaboy150 | 25 Oct 2013 | Windows | forum post | Google Drive (.exe) | |||
| Kerbal Tools | RockyTV | TWR, Δv and Isp calculator | 15 Nov 2013 | Google Chrome extension | forum post | Chrome Web Store | ||
|
Transfer Stage Design Helper |
RadHazard | Helps design interplanetary transfer stages | 9 Oct 2013 | open source (License: Permissive, included in forum post) | Java | forum post | dropbox link (.zip) | |
| FireMarshal | draeath | For a given Δv and vessel information provides maneuver, fuel and mass change details | 9 Jan 2014 | open source (License: CC BY 4.0) | Python | forum post | (python script - use source) | |
| Delta V Calculator | sneakytreesnake | Calculates Δv per stage | 15 Jan 2014 | MS Excel (.xlsx) (LibreOffice Calc can probably parse it as well) | forum post | |||
| Printable Complete Stock Science Checklists | JAFO | Spreadsheet with individually printable sheets for every body in the Kerbin system. Experiments which need to be performed more than once to obtain max science can be checked off twice. | 07 Aug 2015 | 1.0.4 | LibreOffice Calc and MS Excel spreadsheets | LibreOffice Calc (cross-platform) / MS Excel | forum post | https://app.box.com/s/rrb117aiuhubmb4e0fehtx12e9odp57a |
Deprecated
Deprecated tools
| Title | Developer | Description | Last Update | KSP Version compatibility | Notes | Platform | Forum post | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KSP Orbital Calculator | Warringer | Calculates orbital speeds for circular orbit injections | open source (License: LGPL) | Java | forum post | Google Code (zip file) | ||
| KSP Orbit Mechanic | WX_Echo | Optimizes orbits | 19 Aug 2012 | Java | forum post | |||
| Weight calc | zweerify | Calculates weight per stage | 24 Oct 2011 | 0.11.1 | .xls spreadsheet (can be parsed by MS Excel or LibreOffice Calc) | forum post | dropbox link (.zip) | |
| KSP Orbit Calculator | Zeno | Calculates Δv and angles for orbital transfer between celestial bodies (see notes) | 27 Jul 2013 (google play) - 12 Aug 2013 (source) | 0.22 (see notes) | Android (2.3.3+) | based on Olex's calculator - open source (License: WTFPL]) | forum post | Google Play link |
| KSP Orbit | Eric Meythaler | Calculates orbit characteristics | 20 Jul 2011 | 0.8.5 | Android (2.1+) | Google Play link | ||
| KSP Delta-V Calculator | Iodyne Labs | Calculates Δv per stage | 10 Apr 2014 | 0.23.5 | Android (4+) | Google Play link | ||
| KSP DeltaV Calculator | Julien Quartier | Calculates Δv required to reach celestial objects | 2 Jan 2014 | 0.23 | Android (2.2+) | Google Play link |
Online
| Title | Developer | Description | Last Update | Notes | Forum post | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta-V Calculator and Rocket Simulator | Joe Strout | Calculate Δv - Simulate rocket flight | 14 Oct 2009 - 29 Jan 2000 | Intended for Earth-based craft - Java source available | Δv calculator Rocket simulator | |
| Δv calculator for LEO/MEO/GEO injection | Eric Johnston (Satellite Signals) | Calculate Δv to transfer to various orbital levels based on initial low orbit | 20 Nov 2013 | Intended for Earth-based craft | delta-v-geo-injection-calculator.htm |
Offline
| Title | Developer | Description | Last Update | Notes | Platform | Forum post | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scilab | Scilab Enterprises | General scientific computing software - contains aerospace and celestial mechanics modules (ATOMS) | 2013 | open source (License: CeCILL GPL-compatible) Can convert Matlab scripts to its own format | Cross-platform (Windows, MacOSX, GNU/Linux) | http://www.scilab.org/ | |
| GNU Octave | John W. Eaton (and others) | General scientific computing software - no specific related modules or packages, but might be preferable for some | 2013 | open source (License: GPL v3) Syntax is highly compatible with Matlab | Cross-platform (Windows, MacOSX, Unix/Unix-like) | http://www.gnu.org/software/octave/index.html | |
| Sage | William A. Stein (and others) | General scientific computing software - utilizes other computational software as part of its backend | 30 Jan 2014 | open source (License: Multiple (FOSS)) Very practical for python users | MacOSX, Unix/Unix-like (binaries), Windows (virtualization) | http://www.sagemath.org/ | |
| Anaconda | Continuum Analytics | General scientific computing software - primarily a python scientific computing frontend | 9 Apr 2014 | (License: EULA) An alternative to Sage on Windows for python computing | Cross-platform (Windows, MacOSX, GNU/Linux) | https://www.anaconda.com/ |
