How to Get to DUNA | KSP (Not) Beginner's Guide

[@MikeAben]

Up Next: How to Get Back from Duna - kzbin.info/www/bejne/hmm3hGSdhdWbm9E

[@CrazyStranger11]

Hey, really enjoying these tutorials! So far I've got landers on Mun and Minmus, and stranded Bob on Minmus. Just skipping ahead to see the planning involved in reaching other planets. About finding the phase angle, would using CAD software to find the angle on a screenshot be a good option, or is that overkill? Edit: I commented while watching and now understand your method of stopping short and going ahead orbits, so the CAD solution really wouldn't make sense. Thanks again for the great videos!

[@wck]

The game now has an alarm feature that can warn you when you are entering the optimal transfer window with another planet. No need to mess around the phase angles.

[@the_Zinabi]

Maybe a simpler way to know when the phase angle is roughly correct is to grab a protractor and some tracing paper , draw a 44° angle and hold it up to the screen. Not perfect, but likely gets you within a couple degrees in a few moments

[@tiagodagostini]

A huge foresight KSP not have trigonometric tools in the map

[@wav8518]

lmao i did the same thing but with 2 sticks

[@thesickle9006]

Lol I still have a bunch of post it notes I've had to hold up to my TV screen for that

[@twistedyogert]

That's probably what mission planners do to calculate launch windows. Although they probably use supercomputers to do it these days. I don't know how crews would figure out when to burn. The Apollo spacecraft had a sextant and computer to figure out where they were. I would assume they used that.

[@elijahromer6544]

The spice, mined on Duna, is vital to space travel

[@emilpoiss8732]

Dune reference ?

[@M4th3us202]

The spice must flow

[@alejandrodelafuente1803]

Man, your videos are just awesome, I mean, to finally find somebody who really takes the time to calmly explain every part of the game...I think people don't understand how big of a deal that is for us noobs. I logged in in patreon just to support you, I hope you keep up the good work, I really apreciate it!:):)

[@MikeAben]

I appreciate the support. Thank you Alejandro.

[@KioDrak]

Oh my god it's happening! Everybody stay calm! Everybody stay calm!

[@homerocketscience1874]

STAY FU**ING CALM

[@redreviews8542]

I’m so happy to finally see this episode!, got to Duna for the first time a few days a go!

[@MikeAben]

Congrats!

[@Lisdexanfetamine]

And im struggling like sh$t to get to Duna lol, i have been playing on ps4 soo more challenging

[@redreviews8542]

@@Lisdexanfetamine the way I did it was make a small probe that is capable of landing, watch tones of tutorials and makes an Atlas V recreation

[@1414Kai]

You are seriously doing this in the most perfect way. No useless explanations, not to little. Just the right amount, every video. 33 Times now already (as far as I watched).

[@tdlewellyn]

After bumping my head on this mission several times, this has made for several epiphany moments. Thank you.

[@jessiesgolflife2416]

Thank you 🥰 I just got my probe in an almost perfect circular Orbit around Duna :) after just 2 weeks playing! Thanks a lot ☺️

[@FLASK904]

If you get yourself a protractor (they're about 2 bucks) and place the bottom straight part on your screen on a line between Kerbin and Kerbol, the curve part of the protractor will tell you what angle Duna or any other body is at (they even have circular ones if you want to get fancy and know the angle of other bodies simultaneously).

[@Ereysrandomshit]

Me with a curved monitor: ima use mechjeb

[@szymsonik3123]

19:15 i think you can also place manuver node and that will show you if you were in the rocket in that place (but im not 100% sure)

[@cadennorris960]

Just landed my first rover on Duna with help from this video. Great tutorial your videos are very comprehensive.

[@Downhillways]

I've gotten to duna before watching this video, but I learned so much and it's going to make getting to duna even easier!

[@eugenepalmer470]

I been watching all your beginners guides videos and man they a big big help. I like how you take your time in tell us everything so we can understand to. Thanks for all your work in your videos, now let me get back to them 😁

[@bugmaster2k941]

Great Guide! Thanks. I had no idea how to get the encounter with Duna. I 3d printed now some kind of measuring device, that i can put on the screen to measure the phase angle.

[@kylegarretson8124]

Great video! Been anticipating this for awhile as I haven't yet made it beyond the Kerbin System. This gave me all the information I needed to have the confidence. Thanks!

[@MikeAben]

You bet. Let us know how it goes.

[@laipfeux7546]

You and Matt Lowne made me like ksp Thank you !

[@csvaughen]

yes, great timing ! exactly my next goal!

[@scottwilliams846]

I've been able to pretty consistently get Mun assists that boost me up to roughly Duna's orbit. So whenever I go interplanetary, that's what I do. I've only done it a few times, and 3 of the 4 times I reverted a save so it never happened. I think I go out to the Mun when (looking at it from the top with prograde being 12 o'clock position) we'll get there at about 1:30-2:30 position. If you fly your Mun Periapsis down to just above the terrain height of the south pole, (that's where the highest terrain is on the Mun) you are guaranteed not to crash into the Mun, though you will get uncomfortably close to the surface, skimming it so closely that it almost feels like you could reach out and touch it. Oh, and don't go on EVA while waiting for a gravity assist. You will ever so slightly nudge the craft off course and your assist will not be as precise.

[@yaseminisler481]

Thank you so much for this video I’ve been trying forever to reach duna and I’m really happy Your video really helped

[@CMStrong4044]

Mike, thank you for these videos. I've spent the last week binging and learning about KSP and space travel. I'm curious. Did you begin in the same nature of your viewers being only negligibly familiar with space and gravity mechanics and learned this on your own.. or did you study this in school, or are you even in the aerospace/space field? I've spent hours and hours watching your videos and hours more reproducing similar voyages... I can't imagine the amount of hours you'd have to spend to truly learn this to a point where you can teach others with such clarity. Hats off to you man!

[@MikeAben]

I have a physics degree. I didn't study orbital mechanics perse, but my background allowed the ideas to come pretty naturally. So I did have a bit of a leg up. I've always had a personal interest in astronomy and space flight too.

[@CMStrong4044]

@@MikeAben Very cool and makes sense, thanks for the reply! I'd have given up after Mimnus without your help!

[@FLY2KO]

I'm surprised with all the views you do not have more likes? with all your vids, thanks for taking the time........

[@NoblePineapples]

Almost 500 hours into KSP and I just used autostrut for the first time the other day on a new save with the Kerbalism mod.

[@jakobusjohannes2195]

Your vids are the most helpful on KZbin, your the only reason I reached orbit 😂

[@Matt__just_a_guy]

another great video Mike, your level of detail is so great

[@CodyM355]

Thanks!

[@MikeAben]

Thank you, Cody.

[@MA-hd7ds]

I try to use this same ship and setup and im running into fuel depletion issues as I try and make an orbit around Duna.

[@Michael-zm2hv]

Hey Mike! It's me again.... When you took a look at the command vessel at about 5:00, were your delta-v settings set to sea level? Because the vessel just has about 1200 m/s instead of the 2400 m/s, which it has in space later in the video.

[@MikeAben]

No. You can tell because the ISP of 800s tells you it's set to vacuum. At 9:10, you can see the problem. I have most of the fuel gone. Why? I have no idea. It was a while ago I filmed this. What's funny is that at 9:38 where we have the whole rocket, the delta-v of the command vessel is 3364 m/s. I checked in game and this is the delta-v it should have. I have no idea why so much fuel was gone while I was filming the section you are referring to. I certainly launched it fully fueled. I often record segments out of order. It is very possible the segment when I was describing the command vessel was filmed latee (perhaps even after doing the mission), but this was all done a couple of months ago and I have forgotten what actually happened. Edited to Add: I think I have the explanation. I likely took out the fuel to simulate the situation it would be in for the return journey. This is easy to do. Just remove fuel until you've reduced the delta-v by the amount of the Duna insertion and capture. Then take off the lander. I probably recorded myself doing this, but then cut it because of length.

[@Michael-zm2hv]

@@MikeAben Ok, thanks. I have another concern though. I built similar vessels for a Duna mission: The Lander module has a delta-v of about 2200 m/s, the rocket that transports the lander into orbit has about 6500 m/s overall. The rocket that flies to Duna has a delta-v of about 3400 m/s, the rocket that transports it into orbit has about 6900 m/s. So I really should have enough delta-v in order to get to Duna and back safely. But: When both vessels were in orbit and docked together, they only had about 2000 m/s altogether. I did not mind though and flew to Duna, but now I'm stuck with 800 m/s of delta-v remaining in the lander and zero in the transport vessel (I transferred it). So I'm stuck in Duna orbit, but I don't understand why. Both vessels should have plenty of delta-v remaining..... Do you have an idea?

[@MikeAben]

@@Michael-zm2hv Yeah, 2000 m/s for the combined vessel is pretty tight. Mine was 2358 m/s. It sounds like your lander was heavier than mine. I detail the lander in the next episode, but it only has 1853 m/s compared to your 2200. That's why I would recommend putting them together in the VAB first so that you can see what their combined delta-v is.

[@Michael-zm2hv]

@@MikeAben Thanks for the quick response! I just put them together in the VAB and it shows a delta-v of 1717 m/s. Might be too few to get to Duna and back ;-) Anyway, now I need to launch a refuelling rocket.... Btw, you earned a new subscriber :-)

[@MikeAben]

@@Michael-zm2hv Thanks and good luck.

[@richmountain1128]

I prefer to launch the lander with the command module and therefore it's a lot easier to reconfigure and dock Apollo-Style. Or should I put a separate stage for Kerbin departure and have no need to reconfigure like the N1?

[@anthonyspicer9520]

I like how ksp just uses maneuvers to get around having to use rocket science to calculate how to get a rocket to perfectly intercept a tiny rock in the vast of space

[@radiacia_3511]

for the phase angle, just use a protractor on your screen lol, it worked for me

[@TheRealScotch]

So frustrating that I still can't get to Duna. Can you go over the rocket build? How do I get there without using the Apollo type of docking as I still can't dock. Should I work on docking instead of Duna? lol

[@MikeAben]

I would definitely work on docking first. I've always used a separate lander for Duna, though I'm sure there are full ship landing designs out there. There are links to the craft files in the description.

[@leandermorup]

Great video as always, learned so much. But will you also start going to Duna in your livestreams now?

[@MikeAben]

Not yet, no. I still need to get deeper down the tech tree first.

[@fireball4285]

At 5:01, how did you get the docking port to be above the parachute? Thanks!

[@MikeAben]

There's a fairing base below with the interstage nodes turned on.

[@fireball4285]

@@MikeAben Thank you!

[@mkikmkikowy8984]

how did i get this maneuver at 333 delta-v ??? 24:52

[@Ktulu789]

Man! That rocket looks awesome! Someday I'll go there, and beyond, and it will be all thanks to you! One thing about Isp that I can't wrap my head around. What does it do? I mean physically. If I was on a rocket with two engines, one with higher Isp and one with lower Isp... What would I feel using one vs the other? On the other hand, what does the propellant "feel"? Is it propelled faster? Isp means that less propellant is used per time, right? (I'm not sure) How and why? And how using less propellant per second is better? I have read some documents about Isp and I can't click the information in my head xD 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@MikeAben]

Great question! Isp is directly correlated with the exit velocity of the propellant. The higher the exit velocity, the more thrust you get per kg of propellant, thus the more efficient the engine. Specifically, Isp = v_e / g_0, where v_e is the exit velocity of the propellant, and g_0 is the acceleration due to gravity at the surface of the Earth/Kerbin.

[@Ktulu789]

@@MikeAben so, of I was on a rocket with a higher Isp I would feel more acceleration? Or the same? Thinking of a comparison between two engines with same thrust but ten times the Isp.

[@MikeAben]

@@Ktulu789 Acceleration is a product of thrust. If you were on a rocket with the same thrust but with 10 times the Isp, you would feel the same acceleration but your fuel gage would be going down much more slowly. I wish I could say 10 times more slowly, but it isn't linear. Bloody logarithms!

[@Ktulu789]

@@MikeAben I think I'm understanding. Would I be wrong if I don't care about Isp but just thrust and ∆V? And for launches also TWR

[@MikeAben]

@@Ktulu789 But the higher the Isp, the more dV you'll have. Once in space, thrust isn't as important. Think of Isp as the fuel economy of a car. If your planning a long distance journey with no fuel stations along the way, fuel economy would be very important.

[@QuackF5]

I somewhat do not like how I have to go back 30 videos or just eyeball his booster that he places. A tiny bit of extra time but still great videos!

[@TommiKomulainen]

In the previous rendezvous videos you could launch whenever, match periapsis with the target orbit, and then do one more orbit for the encounter. Wouldn't that work here as well? Or would it be massively less efficient / slower?

[@MikeAben]

That would be less efficient and more work. When rendezvousing with just a single target it's better, and easier, to just time your launch.

[@natehubbard1017]

If you put a probe into solar orbit when you want to check, wouldn't that measure dunas phase angle properly? I'm not home to check but I will try it later!

[@MikeAben]

If you checked right when the probe left Kerbin's SOI, then yes, but as the probe moves away from Kerbin the phase angle wouldn't be correct anymore.

[@natehubbard1017]

@@MikeAben yeah I see that now. Would be a pain to keep dipping in and out of Kerbin soi just to check the angle.

[@shawnp6653]

Spreadsheet? Space? Win!

[@aaronjohnson951]

Mr aben still commenting a year after the upload? True champion

[@dozyproductionss]

how did you make that docking port go above the parachute? I downloaded the file and it still doesn't really explain how it was done. Thank you

[@MikeAben]

It's done with a fairing with the interstage nodes turned on. kzbin.infoSr5vLDb3uoQ?si=mL_4N0sXKoHALQji

[@Skydreamer223]

why use fuel pipes if the main engine only fires up after separation?

[@johnroscoe2406]

Do stock Eve and back one day if you ever have the time. For some reason whenever I get an Eva approach with a manned craft, it's not longer an approach once I complete the node perfectly (0.0m/s right on the dot). It always ends up being just too short and it's maddening trying to get the approach back. I sent a probe in to Eve orbit just fine but a manned mission just to fly-by is escaping me.

[@MikeAben]

If you're trying to get an Eve encounter with a single burn from LKO, it's tough. If the burn is a long one, then you'll almost for sure to be off. The maneuver node assumes that the burn is done instantaneously. You shouldn't try and correct for it until you are outside Kerbin's SOI.

[@MrSpruce]

Dangard Kerman and his crew have been stranded on Duna for one in-game year now. It's high time to rescue them!

[@monie8100]

Hi Mike, do you do Livestreams some time? I am new to your channel so sorry for asking. I really like your videos a lot and would love to see you doing livestreams. You are the best KSP-youtuber I know, keep this high quality content going and you will be recognized a lot more ! Edit: also sorry for possible bad english, I am trying to learn it but its not easy for now :D

[@MikeAben]

No worries, Mo Nie. I live stream on KZbin every Monday and Thursday at 2PM EDT (6PM GMT).

[@monie8100]

@@MikeAben great to hear! What kind of streams are you doing? Tutorials or more fun videos like building existent rockets or playing historical missions?

[@MikeAben]

@@monie8100 Right now I'm doing a modded career game. The featured mod is Kerbalism which changes how the science works, adds life support, engine failures and more. I just landed my first kerbals on the Mun. If you go to my KZbin page, you'll see the latest stream there.

[@xboydubose7254]

What mods tell the phase angle I can't find any for 1.12

[@billy_bobs9349]

pro tip 1.12 added a maneuver tool that will automatically make a maneuver node to where you want to go eliminating the need for the phase angle

[@xboydubose7254]

I have a request for a video you should make. I can land on the Mun and I can get to Duna, but I can never return back because I run out of fuel too quickly, even though the rockets are premade and specifically for what I'm trying to do. So to help me and other people that have this problem you should make a video about saving more fuel. If you have any tips for this either make a video like I said or leave it in the replies, though I prefer for you to do both

[@MikeAben]

I do have videos on getting back from the Mun and Duna. What I present is the most economical way of doing it. I'm not sure what else to add to those.

[@xboydubose7254]

@@MikeAben I use too much fuel before landing causing me to not have enough fuel later when I reach my destination like getting into Kerbin orbit for example

[@MikeAben]

@@xboydubose7254 It just sounds like you need more practice. I'll put a link to my Mun landing video, but the main thing I would suggest is quick saving before the descent and keep trying until you're happy with the result. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJrTdH6efq6EocU

[@DoubleLand]

id like it if you would show how to build the craft because us console players cant download other players ships and its feels more rewarding know that you built it. pls

[@_RandomPea]

Think if we tried to create this of ps4 it would be extra super laggy ? Lol 🤣

[@DoubleLand]

@@_RandomPea true lol

[@_RandomPea]

@@DoubleLand I've built a 2 module mun base and the whole thing jitters around so much I'm going to recover my pilots and leave it well alone

[@DoubleLand]

@@_RandomPea yeah it sucks when you put a lot of work in something just for it to get buggy or make your game super laggy

[@Trpaslika]

Excellent tutorial, thank you. I recently attempted this using the phase angle and I did not know the game's phase angle went through Kerbin! No wonder I couldn't get a good campture ejecting Kerbin's SOI when the read out displayed 44 degrees!

[@Joppe253]

How on earth did you attach the clamp on top? Right above the parachute there's 3 structural elements connected to the clamp, but I can't tell which they are and whatever part I try the clamp just won't connect :(

[@MikeAben]

It's a fairing base with the interchange nodes turned on.

[@scottwilliams846]

I like budgeting in the extra 950 because I know I will not be super efficient, but if I am, then I can come into a parking orbit coming home from wherever I go.

[@shortzshorts]

How do you put things inside the Hitchhiker Storage Container?

[@MikeAben]

You can drag them over when in the VAB.

[@randomrocketofficial7020]

after hours of trying to get to duna by myself, i'm like lets watch the tutorial. 30 minutes later i'm on duna

[@trblmkr5139]

gotta hate them stock plumes... HIDEOUS lol but this is a great tutorial, very well explained and relatable. Thanks!

[@simonjennings9932]

I've had this game for 8 years and never realised the atomic engines didn't need oxidizer :O

[@jakelineham1789]

yo did you upload these builds to the steam workshop i might missed it in the vid if so whats it called please

[@MikeAben]

They're not on Steam Workshop, but there are links to craft files in the description.

[@thehobbist5544]

@@MikeAben You probably wont see this, but by any chance do you have a craft file of the booster you used in this mission? I can only find the craft file for the lander and the commander.

[@MikeAben]

@@thehobbist5544 That's the whole thing. There were two launches that docked in LKO.

[@thehobbist5544]

@@MikeAben Yes im so sorry! I was dumb and just assumed the booster didn't come with it, sorry for wasting your time, I understand now and I am almost to Duna!

[@MikeAben]

@@thehobbist5544 No worries.

[@ShockedCaucasian]

I had NO idea you could adjust the timing with that button and not dragging lol.

[@vgames1543]

Say, could you do an updated video, because Kerbal Alarm Clock and Transfer Window Planner are now part of the game? I have never used the mods so a tutorial would be sweet.

[@MikeAben]

Probably, but it won't be for a while. This series is going on a summer hiatus. Gotta work on RL for a while.

[@vgames1543]

@@MikeAben No problem bud, private life has priority ;)

[@LeonidSaykin]

Strange, I feel like not lightning a central core with the boosters at the ground zero is wasted potential. I like new booster design.

[@Cby0530]

The real life Titan 3c/e and 4 did that as well.

[@mef9327]

*Another awesome video.* I have a Duna window coming up and am planning two simultaneous missions (a relay network and a manned landing). *Does anyone know what needs to be done to re-install KSP but keep the save data?* Recently my game started crashing almost every time I try to rendezvous with my station around Mun. The problem doesn’t occur until after entering Mun’s SOI. I start loading previous saves further and further back sometimes needing to go all the way back to before launch to get it to work. I don’t want to risk that happening on a long-term mission where so many other objectives/missions are being completed during the Duna travel time. I’m wondering if a fresh install is needed. I got KSP from Steam but am not at all familiar with how the reinstall works with saving my game/progress. Also, I assume I’ll need to re-install the mods I use (only Engineer, Transfer Window Planner, and Alarm Clock). Alarm clock has reminders I’d like to retain if possible. But, that’s a secondary objective. Any advice from anyone here is appreciated.

[@MikeAben]

Your game is saved in a folder with the same name as whatever you called the save. You'll find it in a folder called Kerbal Space Program/Saves. Kerbal Space Program is likely in your Steam folder: Steam/SteamApps/Common. Take your save folder (or the whole save folder) and copy it somewhere else. Reinstall the game. When done, copy your save folder back. If you are modding the game, I would strongly recommend keeping the game in your Steam folder stock. Make a copy of the Kerbal Space Program folder. Mod and play from the copy. That way game updates pushed through Steam won't break your mods.

[@mef9327]

@@MikeAben Thank you so much, Mike. I didn't know it would be that easy. I was concerned that a save file might be have dependencies on other files that will change after reinstall. I also didn't know I could play the game from a different folder. I assume to start the game from a different folder I just run one of the executable files in the KSP parent folder. I see one called "KSP_x64.exe" and one called "Launcher.exe". The icon that Steam put on my desktop points to Steam with a rungameid so that doesn't reveal which file. But, I can try them to figure out which one. Thanks again for the help. Loving all the videos. Excited to see the Duna part two.

[@MikeAben]

@@mef9327 No problem. Yeah, it's pretty easy. I just run KSP_x64.exe. I've made shortcuts that I pin to my taskbar (Windows), but you can also link them to the Steam library if you want.

[@jebediahkerman7080]

Bro i made a space ship a litle more different than this 1 and now i got to burn for 1h54min and that thing is huge so plus the lag its going to take around 2h30min

[@noidea9952]

So, you could calculate the phase angle from Kerbin to Duna by the complicated math shown here, or you could Just put a protractor up to your screen. Hehe.

[@dabakonader]

5:42 Y E S.

[@thereapingracoon4620]

Thanks for this

[@danielschons7691]

can i use atomic trusters on duna

[@MikeAben]

Sure, though they can be an awkward engine to build a lander around.

[@izackschnoor1003]

great job

[@fatmike5038]

I use a protractor up against my screen and it works pretty good for me

[@personpeoplepeoplepersons5722]

WHAT WAS THE PROBE BODY FOR!?

[@MikeAben]

So I don't need a pilot on the lander.

[@raf444]

god I love mechjeb

[@captain_ajr4942]

Yeh I can’t get a close encounter

[@MikeAben]

Have you tried the new stock transfer tool?

[@arstotzka333]

Why does the lander rocket flip so easily for me

[@colekimball4945]

I wonder if you could launch a satellite to an orbit that keeps it always on the dark side of the earth, and use that to calculate phase angles. EDIT: Looks like this is physically possible irl, but not in KSP since Lagrange points don't exist in it. Bummer.

[@MikeAben]

Yup. You answered your own question.

[@colekimball4945]

@@MikeAben Yeah, I thought I was onto something there for a minute. Thank you again for these tutorials. Thanks to you I just landed on the Mun last night for the first time!

[@laurentpetit7646]

why not put a satellite in orbit, whose role would simply be to be able to read the phasing via the tracking station

[@MikeAben]

You could certainly do that. I usually have an LKO station that I do that with, but the 1.12 update has just made this whole process easier.

[@mdstrobe]

Isn't autostrut a mod or am I crazy?

[@MikeAben]

It's stock. It's their noodly rocket fix.

[@mdstrobe]

@@MikeAben ugh, I’ve never seen it on my game. I gotta check again.

[@MikeAben]

@@mdstrobe You may need to turn on Advanced Tweakables in the settings.

[@GodzillaJawz]

You don’t need to do any docking for a Duna mission

[@chlorophylte7487]

thanks.

[@BananaMike07]

If anyone makes this on console id recommend sandbox it crashed and deleted my science save

[@scottwilliams846]

Poodmond. Am I spelling that right? Poodmond ksp antenna spreadsheet. Edit: I looked it up, it's PoodMund, not Poodmond.

[@thinkingronin6178]

all these calculations are easy when the sun accounts for 99.98% of the mass of the solar system.....

[@Ethan-mv2un]

I appreciate the effort you put into these, but I think you are a little too pedantic with the numbers... I just shoot out and rely on gravity to catch me half the time.. gravity is your friend, don't worry so much about angles and nodes and timing..

[@CrazyStranger11]

For some people, numbers and optimisation are part of what makes this fun!

[@akho47]

N U C L E A R not NUCULAR fucking hell how do people make that mistake

[@MikeAben]

Alu-min-e-um

[@akho47]

@@MikeAben Correct now say nuc-le-ar

[@MikeAben]

@@akho47 toe-ron-no

[@schurlexd6972]

Alumenum

[@Aermydach]

noo-kill-ar