Tutorial: Basic Probe And Satellite Building (2024)

Probes and Satellites are two different things. This tutorial intends to help you understand what they are, what they do, and how you can build one in Kerbal Space Program.

A probe is an unmanned spacecraft that travels through space to collect science information, sent back for scientists to study.

A natural satellite is a celestial body orbiting a planet. For example, the moon is Earth's natural satellite. In-game, the Mun and Minmus are the two satellites of Kerbin.

An artificial satellite is a man-made craft orbiting a celestial body. The adjective is dropped when it is clear what type of satellite is mentioned. As this tutorial is about satellites launched by Kerbals, the satellites mentioned in this article are all artificial satellites.

Probes and satellites are generally much smaller than manned vehicles, and thus require less energy to launch them into orbit. You can build them in either the VAB or the SPH, but this tutorial will focus on the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB).

Contents

  • 1 Specifications
  • 2 How To Build A Basic Satellite
    • 2.1 Step 1: Build your satellite
    • 2.2 Step 2: Build a rocket to launch your satellite into orbit
    • 2.3 Step 3 - Finishing
  • 3 What if it blows up?
  • 4 What if it the First Stage doesn’t have enough thrust?
  • 5 See also

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!

Specifications

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

How To Build A Basic Satellite

Step 1: Build your satellite

First you need an unmanned command module right at the top of the rocket. You can choose from the range of unmanned command modules. The Probodobodyne Stayputnik looks cool, but it has no SAS. The OKTO and HECS have limited SAS capabilities and are cheap, making them good for early career satellites. The OKTO2 and QBE are very light but have no reaction wheels. The RC-001S and RC-L01 Remote Guidance Units, MK2 Drone Core, and HECS2 have excellent batteries and reaction wheels with full SAS, but are expensive, making them a good choice for late game career and sandbox missions.

Under the Command Pod, you should add some Rechargeable Batteries. I used the Z-1k Rechargeable Battery Bank due to its high Electricity Composite of 1000 E; Use about three of them together for 3000 units of Electricity. Add two OX-4L 1x6 Photovoltaic Panels on both sides of the Battery Banks with the symmetry option (the 'x' key) in the VAB.

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 RV-105 RCS Thruster Blocks, two ROUND-8 Toroidal Fuel Tanks and a small Liquid Fuel Engine at the bottom of the probe; the LV-909 Liquid Fuel Engine is a good choice.

You also need an Antennas to control your probe and transmit scientific data back to Kerbin. For example, you could use one Communotron 16 right on the top of your command module.

Lastly, you will need to add a separator (like the TS-18 Stack Separator) right below your engine, and a fairing below that. Now, build a rocket to launch your satellite into orbit.

Step 2: Build a rocket to launch your satellite into orbit

This is an example rocket that can do the job. Of course, you can design your own or use the one from another tutorial, provided it can reach the intended orbit of your satellite.

Satellite and Rocket on Launchpad

Stage One: This stage needs to be as short as possible so itdoesn’t wobble about when you launch and needs to be aerodynamic to reduce drag. Attach a Rockomax Brand Adapter below the separator. Use a Rockomax X200-8 Fuel Tank and an Advanced Reaction Wheel Module, Large between the Fuel tank and the Adapter.

Put a Rockomax Brand Adapter 02 at the bottom and make sure the flat end is pointed up (use W,A,S,D,Q,E to rotate the part). Finally, add a LV-N Atomic Rocket Motor and another separator below.

Stage Two: This stage will be your main launch engine. Add anotherRockomax Brand Adapter and attach to it a Rockomax Jumbo-64 Fuel Tank with one Rockomax "Mainsail" Liquid Engine for your centre of thrust.

Add TT-38K Radial Decouplers; eight will do. Use the symmetry mode and set to 8. Attach BACC "Thumper" Solid Fuel Boosters to these decouplers. Make sure they are all programmed in the stage bar to the right of the screen when in the VAB.

Another way is to simply add a Rockomax Jumbo-64 Fuel Tank below the probe/satellite and then a Rockomax "Skipper" Liquid Engine.

Make sure you save!Use a name you'll remember or can recognize (For example, “Kerbal Orbital Probe Mk1”).

To launch your rocket into orbit, see this tutorial.

Step 3 - Finishing

Decouple the satellite from the final stage. Extend all your antennae/solar panels/thermal control systems and admire your glorious creation!

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 Mk-55 "Thud" Liquid Fuel Engine on the sides of the craft. A symmetry mode of 3 should be enough to give it extra power.

See also

  • Category:Tutorials: to guide you through the finer points of the Kerbal Space Program.
Tutorial: Basic Probe And Satellite Building (2024)

FAQs

Does KSP have a tutorial? ›

Feel free to check out the Kerbal Space Program Media Page for tutorials, channels, and other videos exploring what you can do in KSP.

How to build a satellite in KSP? ›

Steps
  1. The first step is to build a satellite. ...
  2. Next, to power the satellite, add batteries. ...
  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. ...
  4. Finally, build a rocket that will carry the new satellite to the designated orbit.
May 30, 2022

How to get a satellite into orbit in KSP? ›

Steps to Orbit and Back
  1. Launch Preparation. Set thrust to maximum by hitting Z. ...
  2. Accelerate to 100 m/s. Launch by hitting the space bar and keep the rocket pointed straight up until the vehicle's speed is 100 m/s. ...
  3. Pitch 10 degrees East. ...
  4. Stage. ...
  5. Get apoapsis above 70 km. ...
  6. Get periapsis above 70 km. ...
  7. De-orbiting. ...
  8. Re-entry.
May 8, 2023

What is a probe in KSP? ›

Probes and Satellites are two different things. This tutorial intends to help you understand what they are, what they do, and how you can build one in Kerbal Space Program. A probe is an unmanned spacecraft that travels through space to collect science information, sent back for scientists to study.

Does NASA actually use KSP? ›

He (Doug Ellison) notes that many at NASA use KSP to experiment in ways that their more unforgiving real-world environment wouldn't allow them to do. In essence, they can do a rough test of the many strange ideas that never quite make it off the 'sketch on a napkin'.

Is Kerbal Space Program beginner friendly? ›

Even though Kerbal Space Program is a challenging game to play, it doesn't mean players need to play it in the most difficult setting. So, new players do well in starting the game on a lower difficulty setting since it'll give them leeway if they make a mistake.

What is the easiest planet to orbit in KSP? ›

Duna orbits Kerbol with an inclination nearly identical to that of Kerbin, making it one of the easiest planets to encounter.

How realistic is Kerbal space? ›

While the game is not a perfect simulation of reality, it has been praised for its largely accurate orbital mechanics; all objects in the game except the celestial bodies are simulated using Newtonian dynamics.

Are satellites useful in KSP? ›

But when you get further away from Kerbine you need communication satellites to be able to control probes when there is no Kerbal on board. This also is needed if you are on the dark side of a planet, when the planet blocks the direct communication with your space center.

Can you orbit the moon in KSP? ›

Once you have gotten into the Mun's SOI, warp to periapsis, turn towards the retrograde vector on the Navball, and activate the engine (Z key). You can cut the engine once you enter a circular orbit around the Mun. Quicksave the game and name it "Mun Orbit".

What is the smallest satellite in KSP? ›

Gilly is a lumpy rock wandering around the orbit of Eve. It's by far the smallest natural satellite that the Kerbal Astronomical Society has discovered.

What is the Karman line in KSP? ›

The furthest extent of an atmosphere, defined as the point where the velocity required to generate aerodynamic lift equals orbital velocity. It is also a term irl, on Earth the Karman line is ~100km or 60 miles. Kerbin's Karman line is at 70km, Eve's at 90km, Duna's at 50km, Jool's at 200km, and Laythe's at 50km.

What is the hardest planet in KSP? ›

  • Moho is the hardest to get to.
  • Tylo is the hardest to land on.
  • Eve is the hardest to return from.
Jan 29, 2024

What is the asteroid used for in KSP? ›

Once captured into a stable orbit, asteroids can be converted into space stations by attaching suitable parts to them with additional claws. Anywhere from 50% to 95% of an asteroid's mass consists of ore, which can be mined and converted into various fuel types for ships.

What is the point of planes in KSP? ›

Planes are highly efficient for traversing Kerbin and, after an interplanetary journey, other celestial bodies with sufficient atmosphere. They are ideal for contracts taking place on Kerbin.

Does Kerbal Space Program have a demo? ›

The Demo version is free to download and play, and will remain so forever.

Is KSP a learning game? ›

Pros: Playing and participating with a rich online community helps students learn content and skills.

Is KSP kid friendly? ›

This game is great for kids seven and up, not because it's violent or scary it's just pretty hard to play and isn't for kids who want to learn with their screen time. In this game you learn about physics, aerodynamics orbital mechanics, money managing, geography and much more!

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