Basic Booster Design - KSP Beginner's Tutorial

[@MikeAben]

Up Next: To the Mun and Back - kzbin.info/www/bejne/b4Cwp6OJga2garM

[@logank444]

Hey man theres a youtube subscribe logo in all you're videos when you watch horizontally, it blocks the view of your delta V

[@Dexbox]

Hi Mike, I put on the swivel engine and then took off one of the fuel tanks, but now my TWR is 2.03, instead of your 2.07, is there a way to fix this?

[@MikeAben]

@@Dexbox I don't see why it should matter.

[@Dexbox]

@@MikeAben It did matter, my rocket blew up at the launchpad.

[@MikeAben]

@@Dexbox If it's blowing up on the pad then it can't be the Swivel as it shouldn't be lighting until the SRBs are gone.

[@TheRealAndaar]

Ok, folks, we HAVE to get this guy's name out there. I have watched a TON of KSP tutorials; I just recently found Mike and they are BY FAR the best explanations out there! Well done, sir.

[@Dying2play12]

Agreed... Just found the game recently, and discovered this channel

[@JackFox-in6xi]

I agree hole heartedly!! I just discovered this game and was thinking about getting it and watching these videos really made me want to get it!!!

[@Tractorfuture]

Best tutorials ever!

[@luzzyommm]

This is exactly what i need because Scott manley hasn't update his tutorials fo years. I hope you will be the next scott manley!

[@MikeAben]

No one is the next Manley, but I shall do my best.

[@lr8198]

@@comfortableovertones Ok

[@zorbix3652]

@@comfortableovertones That is correct

[@Shiftry87]

​@@MikeAben Having watched u both i would say that Manley´s videos are better for a beginner that have atleast some playtime but are having problems getting to that next lvl of spaceflight. While your videos are better for the first time user/total beginner becouse u go more into specific detail on most things rather then the faster pace that Manley does in he´s videos.

[@Iain31313]

19:37 I like to use two decoupler units. One at the top of the booster and one at the bottom. I then give the top decoupler slight more force so that they aerodynamically move away from the booster core in flight.

[@Alfredodasfrog]

These videos have really helped me get into KSP. I appreciate how you can convey tricky to understand concepts in a digestible manner. Many Thanks 👍

[@MikeAben]

You are very welcome, and thank you for the support.

[@nlbuescher]

Just found these tutorials, and the meticulous fiddling with different configurations and seeing how the numbers change is exactly what I needed to understand how to build the rockets. Great job 👍

[@bennettjames3461]

I'm going to parrot everyone else. These videos are splendid. The amount of detail, the clear steps and recaps are so helpful. For the longest time I was stuck on KSP, I could do some things like get into orbit and crash on the mun. These videos have helped me out so much. I can actually rendezvous correctly and will be trying to launch a mun observation base soon. Keep up the great content!

[@omaracevedo4784]

Dude the way you explain things is so user friendly, i think you can make a NASA engineer out of anyone, even me. Thank you for your easy to follow lessons.

[@matthewcarter104]

Great tutorials. I appreciate that you explain the rules of thumb for TWR, dv, etc. instead of just building the rocket without any explanation. Thank you!

[@perfilden]

Got back to KSP just because of this series, you're the man :)

[@macthegenius2703]

Best KSP tutorial on KZbin, for sure. Well explained and easy to understand. Always excited to watch an episode !

[@ThewL]

I like very much how you summarize your tutorials at the end. That keeps me from having to rewatch and rewind. Thank You for your dedication to quality.

[@randallbestrcb]

Just found your channel as I’m getting back in to ksp. I definitely need to brush up on the basics. Really great descriptions and tutorial :)

[@jonathanjones5776]

Yep. Best KSP tutorial I have yet seen on KZbin. I am going through all the episodes. Your explanations are great!

[@CZEPolice]

Great that I came across your videos. I have no problem with playing science mode in KSP. But now that I've started hard career from the beginning, it's good to know some details that I missed.

[@Apollo-Tracks]

I have 200+ hours on this game but always done it by trial and error.. I've only ever got to the min and back. With these tips and math lessons I expect I'll be able to get further and feel way more confident doing so. All adds to the enjoyability of the game. I'm playing along to these in career mode so I have some extra things to manage but so far these tutorials are amazing!

[@Supershade9421]

Oh my God you are a quality of life saver. My tactic was just trail and error. Your awesome!

[@joshuamattson6114]

Your videos are awesome. Been playing the game for years, and these are very useful. Learned a few new tricks, especially after taking a break from the game. They have made some changes to the game with 3.10 though. Followed the build in this video, even using 6 BACC booster, you only get a total of 3402 m/s. TWR at takeoff is 1.73. Still seems to work, just with a lost of thrust.

[@MikeAben]

Hi. I just pulled up this rocket in 1.10.0 and it still has the exact same stats as in the video, so there hasn't been any changes. I replaced Hammers with the BACC Thumpers (which I actually suggest doing in the next video) attached nose cones and struts, and got a booster vacuum delta-v of 3934 m/s. Here's a few things to check. 1. Make sure the delta-v tools is set to vacuum. 2. Make sure the boosters are on the radial decouplers. It's very easy to stick them to the side of the central booster. 2. The staging should exactly the same as the rocket in the video, with 4 BACCs going off at launch, then 2 BACCs for the next stage, and then the central Swivel engine. Yes, the thrusts of the BACCs will need to be adjusted. I set the four at launch to 75%, and the two in the next stage at 83.5% giving a second stage vacuum TWR of 1.95. I hope this helps.

[@joshuamattson6114]

@@MikeAben Thanks for the quick reply, and I see where I made the mistake. Too much clicking around, I set the delta-v back to atmosphere and didn't realize it (never used that button before today, lol). Got it set back up, and it does match again, and I'll follow the tips above. Thanks.

[@MikeAben]

@@joshuamattson6114 You bet.

[@2001CoolVideos]

your videos are an absolute blessing, astonishing quality!

[@M167A1]

Useful video, I've been playing for years and never knew about advanced tweakables.

[@maxwilson7001]

This video is fantastic. You *definitely* earned a subscriber

[@rumguk]

Awesome video, thank you for this series it`s absolutely fantastic!

[@Dying2play12]

Wasn't even aware that this was a thing, lol. I always wondered why so many boosters but so little delta-v. I knew how to asparagus stage with liquid fuel tanks, but yeah. Thanks for the video man.

[@TwistedHunt]

Great tips, also thanks for explaining how to do simple stuff like copying parts and whatnot

[@MikeAben]

Many of these shortcuts are far from obvious.

[@MrDoctorDen]

Thx a lot! Best tutorial on YT!

[@glieb]

absolute best beginner series thanks a ton!

[@normalhuman9260]

I seen your profile pic and immediately thought "oh shit,here we go again".

[@glieb]

@@normalhuman9260 oh shit here we blonde again

[@glieb]

@@normalhuman9260 it’s gta san andreas version of frank ocean blonde cover art

[@dewolfeFSP]

One of the best I've seen!

[@major_kukri2430]

This was great. Can't wait for the next.

[@majnkrafcio6550]

This is how to make a perfect tutorial

[@sol2588]

Another great tutorial, Mike!

[@Selatapey]

Remember everyone, stiffen your rockets using struts to increase performance and thrust

[@qoekeur]

Thank you. I wish you were my physics teacher

[@drewoid138]

Fantastic tutorial!! Did you ever do Dwarf Fortress?

[@irfanawan978]

This helped me alot.Thanks

[@Atlessa]

1400 hours, and I've never built a second stage with (close to) 2.0TWR. In fact, my second stages usually hover around 0.8, since I like to use the (relatively weak, but efficient) Terrier or Poodle class engines. Of course, those need to be at least 15km high before you stage them, and already going with quite some sideways velocity (>800m/s) to really work.

[@MikeAben]

Interesting. Gotta try that.

[@keithrushforth4019]

Me too. I agree the first stage wants a TWR of about 1.3. But the second stage TWR should be more like 0.8.

[@HenriqueSantos-qt9dm]

Thanks for the tutorial bro

[@georgec.5184]

Awesome video, I learned so much! Quick question: why do we want 1.33 TWR when launching? Why not have it as high as possible so it goes up faster?

[@MikeAben]

Higher thrust generates more air resistance and drag, which at some point will reduce efficiency despite going faster. The ideal TWR will vary depending upon the design of the rocket. There's nothing special about 1.33 other than it is similar to many real world launches. You can play around with the number to see if it works better for you.

[@ryannieves4354]

Hey Mike, your videos are awesome! I can actually play the game how ir was intended now lol. I was wondering if you could clarify why you get more delta-v when changing the staging in this manner? Thanks again for all the great videos!

[@MikeAben]

It's because the thrust of those later stage engines are being saved for when the vessel has less mass.

[@ryannieves4354]

@@MikeAben makes perfect sense! Dumb question lol

[@MikeAben]

@@ryannieves4354 It's not at all a dumb question.

[@stephanusswanepoel6015]

Another new problem. Maybe to do with the last KSP patch. The dV calculation bugs out/doesn't calculate when you do staging like this in the VAB. You're left with no data/figures to tweak the thrust limiters for optimal TWR for each stage.

[@SephStuff_]

To the moons and beyond!

[@atsommers]

Another great video!

[@gr3g0snz]

how do you click booster onto the decouple, make it look so easy with them lining up straight and not at some random angle let alone most of the time they snap onto the dang ship itself WTFFF thats right just skip to them locking in place absolutely ferferfectly

[@IRONSIDE_RS]

i built my rocket the same as in the video and same with the top part from the last video and the TWR at the first stage is 1.03 instead of 1.30, i don't know why it is different then in the video here

[@1rlysens]

Similar issue here. The delta-v of my BACC boosters is also much lower.

[@Lt_Lysergic9]

Steadily increasing twr up until you are above 70km?

[@Kelwisch]

I can not wait for the next episode. I wonder, is it possible to calculate in which height we get MECO? If we push our Periapsis with the SRB's to high (> 120 KM) it would be sub optimal.

[@MikeAben]

Can it be worked out, probably, but aerodynamics is not something I've studied a lot. I remember doing a bit in a differential equations course, but the situations were somewhat idealized (for example, air pressure was a constant), but even that was a bit messy. Changing air pressure and engine ISP's, different drag components on parts. There's a lot of variables.

[@Atlessa]

The problem with calculating the heigh of MECO is that it heavily depends on the trajectory you're flying*, and that is ultimately dependent on player input (=attitude control) during ascent. *To exaggarate: If you fly straight up, your MECO will be extremely high. Let's say 350km. If you fly straight horizontal (and somehow avoid crashing into the ground) your MECO could theoretically be at 1m. For every possible trajectory inbetween those extremes you get a different altitude for MECO.

[@michaelpitts2319]

why is it so hard to get the boosters centered on the radial coupling?

[@L0r3n201986]

Where do you get values for the required delta v for orbit? In the map you showed there were only those related to circularization and transfer

[@MikeAben]

The map shows 3400 m/s for low Kerbin orbit. That's doable but tight so a little more like 3600 m/s is a good idea. If this isn't the number you're referring to, let me know.

[@L0r3n201986]

@@MikeAben thanks! I don't know how I missed it...

[@errob7006]

when i try to put the fins onto the srb it parents the symmetry onto the srb not the main rocket i have tried to change the placing from parent to vessel however it has not changed. love the tutorials btw this has helped me get much better at the game.

[@MikeAben]

Yes, it will match the symmetry of the SRB, though you should still be able to go to single symmetry. The same thing happens in the video at 21:00. The winglets are on two way symmetry because the SRB is on two way symmetry. It has nothing to do with the parent part.

[@dancavin703]

I don't understand my problem. As soon as I add any SRB's to my rocket, my Delta V for my liquid engine drops 400. I can play along, and be right with your numbers, until I add on any SRBs. And then my swivel engine drops about 400 m/s. Yours doesn't. What am I doing wrong?

[@MikeAben]

All I can suggest is to check your staging and make sure the delta-v tool is still on vacuum.

[@dancavin703]

@@MikeAben It ended up being some kind of issue with the 6 way tail fins. I tried multiple things, and the only thing that worked was placing the boosters before the tail fins. If the fins were there first, the liquid engine somehow lost about 25% of it's Delta-v.

[@christophermyers8869]

No matter what i do, the decouplers for my boosters don’t jettison;they stay connected. What am i doing wrong?

[@MikeAben]

My guess is that you are attaching the part to be staged directly to a previous part rather than the decoupler. This is particularly easy to do with radial decouplers.

[@theamericandemocracyausers513]

You say a TWR in the 2.0+ range is good for upper stages. My upper stages tend to be in the 0.8-1.2 TWR bracket, and I feel like I have no trouble achieving LKO with ~3500-3700 m/sec of fuel (depending on how draggy the payload is)... What am I missing that you're using for this recc? Does your "upper stage" begin much earlier than mine? (I tend to kick mine between 10km-30km altitude depending on whether or not it's stage 2 or 3). Is this a safety/control authority thing for newer players? Could I be squeezing another drop of dV out of my ascents? I tend to be throttling my engines WAY down as it is, spending the last two or three minutes of flyout at 0.1 to 0.3 TWR of actual thrust...?

[@MikeAben]

I'm making this one as simple as I can. Reducing thrust in the upper atmosphere is addressed in a later video.

[@theamericandemocracyausers513]

@@MikeAben Got it!

[@MckennaSpotsAviation]

So why is my delta V not adding up properly? I have the same exact build as you.

[@MikeAben]

Two things come to mind. One, make sure of the staging, and two, make sure the Delta-v Tool is set to vacuum.

[@kameruni]

Great stuff!

[@gofastER]

was hoping to find out if there were any tricks to getting the SRBs to actually attach to the decouplers instead of the fuel tanks. Instead that part was entirely edited out...😕

[@errob7006]

i had this issue for a while. try hover where your mouse is over the srb on where you think the decoupler is. you will see it come out a little when it happens. then just use the move tool to get it where you want from there.

[@teemuleppa3347]

i tried to follow this tutorial, but as soon as i launch...my rocket starts to turn to east and it ends up crashing because i can not counter it....any idea how i should troubleshoot this :)

[@errob7006]

sas could help if you are not using it and don't turn till about 50m/s i had this trouble but try this and it might make it better, not fixed but for now better

[@baftnationgaming]

yeah, im not getting the same numbers on console... i had to remove 2 boosters to get off the ground, also this build tips over whatever i do when i reach upper atmosphere... Edit: the vehicle assembly cant support vessels over 30 parts, fml.. im playing science mode...

[@sneil7879]

i made my rocket with the same stuff and the same way as you and i got less of a monies cost and a higher m/s thingy on the bottom right corner monies: 19397 m/s: 5600 (used to be 4120) now its 5799

[@starwarsfan9362]

hey my CoM and CoT are not centered even though i followed the tutorial perfectly edit i fixed it i just needed to turn the overlay on and off

[@MikeAben]

It can get flaky sometimes.

[@compromisedreality8827]

Whenever i attempt this (i don't have the same parts as you do.), the first 2 thrusters have a TWR of 0.99, how do i raise this?

[@MikeAben]

You can see the thrust limiter by right clicking on the engine. If that is at 100% then there is no more thrust to be had with adding more, or bigger, engines.

[@compromisedreality8827]

@@MikeAbenI've tried to remake the exact same rocket, same placements, with minor tweaks to parts. yet, when i fire the first 2 thrusters (i use the BACC SRB), i can barely make it off the ground. (i do have the rocket clamps.)

[@MikeAben]

@@compromisedreality8827 I have all four BACCs firing at launch. Sorry if I didn't make that clear in the video.

[@compromisedreality8827]

@@MikeAben oh

[@laneweatherbee2232]

Have they nerfed the Thumper booster? when I have 4 in a stage it only gives me 1175 DV, instead of the 1865 it gives you. Or maybe I'm just not understanding something, is DV effected by the amount of mass the engine is moving?

[@MikeAben]

Dv is definitely affected by how much mass you are moving. Also, make sure you've selected 'vacuum' under the dV tab. The default is 'surface'.

[@user-rc2ev6cl7u]

Thanks

[@MrSevenEleven]

I built the exact same configuration and ended up with less than 3000m/s after removing the whole service bay, and a TWR of only 1.61 on the main rocket. Anyone have any ideas? Did they just nerf everything over the past year or 2?

[@MikeAben]

Sounds like you have the dV menu on Altitude or Surface. Make sure it's on Vacuum. If that doesn't work, check the staging. The parts have not been nerfed.

[@MrSevenEleven]

@@MikeAben Ahh of course, I totally forgot. Man you've been unbelievably helpful to me thank you

[@MikeAben]

@@MrSevenEleven It's easy to do. I wish the default was vacuum.

[@V081WLBlue]

Super!

[@theriddler8375]

:| i cant get an orbit consistently and have extra fuel for the way back and it wont let me use the rocket in this one cus of tech tree things :(

[@MikeAben]

Try this one. I think it's a better rocket. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oqS5i6dmaamjrK8

[@Davidwv97]

I don't get it. I have built the EXACT same setup. And all of my stats differ from yours. And I think you have unlocked much more options than I have at the point when you first try to get to the Mun. The game must've had some kind of update that changed all kinds of stats

[@MikeAben]

No, there aren't any updates that would affect those stats. Make sure the Delta-v Tool window in the VAB is set to vacuum. That is likely the problem.

[@Davidwv97]

@@MikeAben I've made sure to put it on vacuum. I guess I'm doing something wrong but I have no clue.

[@whynots-ol6lx]

The rocket doesnt work It always falls to the side mid-flight

[@StarKerb]

look at the url

[@MikeAben]

Can you help me out? What URL? The craft file? I checked it out and it's fine.

[@MikeAben]

Lol ... literally 😂

[@robinsonner5461]

Mike 'we like stiffness' Aben

[@SirRemingtonBeowulf]

Giggity

[@ItzDregor]

I have a max of 30 parts and it's physically impossible to build a rocket to get to the moon with that limitation

[@MikeAben]

I'm not sure it's impossible, but you should likely upgrade the VAB. Tourist contracts are an easy way to raise the cash if you need it.

[@ItzDregor]

@@MikeAben ty

[@yodibear1356]

Instructions unclear: Orbited the sun

[@errob7006]

XD

[@richardplunkett8492]

For the folks who did what I did and left the snap ON when he started translating the big thumper boosters MAKE SURE YOU TURN IT OFF. I have been sitting here for the last 2 1/2 hours trying to figure out what the hell happened and why my craft is so unstable, it's because all 6 of my boosters were just s smidge out of whack and not at all symmetrical to the craft itself.

[@blakemilligan5337]

Just tell us how to get the spore drive!?!?

[@redheadjarhead]

You switched to smaller boosters and didn't tell us what they are. Following along as been getting harder and harder

[@errob7006]

they are the rt-10 hammer ones i think he said it in the video (don't know if this will be helpful after a year but anyways)

[@TheBigBaguetteMan]

My fuckin boosters are flooppyy👹👺

[@TomQuixoteDeLaGanja]

i hate the 30 parts max part , i don't the mone money money for upgrade! XD

[@wreckervr5769]

Contracts. Farm tourist Contracts in Mission Control.

[@TomQuixoteDeLaGanja]

@@wreckervr5769 i always want to take those contract, but i don't know " how to build " for having tourists aboard :-(

[@wreckervr5769]

@@TomQuixoteDeLaGanja Crew cabin or take command pods and stack them

[@wreckervr5769]

I might make a video on my youtube channel to show people how

[@TomQuixoteDeLaGanja]

@@wreckervr5769 ty ! if you make it, explain even how to impost and reach the coordinates they give you for contractt

[@calebbrown4004]

this makes no sense can u please help

[@a7xfan778]

Warning to all new players like myself: you'll need to upgrade your VAB before building this, as it looks like it exceeds 30 parts

[@vlodek69]

Nobody likes limp rockets!

[@laytonaymond6530]

My left ear feels left out...

[@assailant8722]

I give up. No matter how many tutorials I watch, no matter how many articles I read, no matter how many conversations I have, I just can’t get anything done in this game. I don’t get how so many people make it look so effortless, but after 200+ hours logged in this game, I still haven’t made it back from Mun. Nothing helps.

[@themaslorock11b98]

CTRL+Z... Are you kidding me!!!????

[@ChumpkinsProductions]

Please change your profile and banner

[@fatmike5038]

Is there a way to pan in map view and scroll in and out or can you recommend a good mod for that?

[@MikeAben]

You can scroll in and out with the mouse wheel. The camera is always centered on a specific object, but you can switch the center of the view by just clicking on another object, or hitting the Tab key.