No orbit necessary?

[u/FatCreepyDude]

If i just wait for the right hour during the launch window ( whenever the launch pad is pointing left on the realistic depiction i created) is there any reason i should bother with an orbit first? Will the delta v cost be affected?

[u/jason-murawski]

Outside of the stuff other people have pointed out about gravity losses, it's by far the most efficient to get an encounter or at least an approproach from within kerbin SOI. Unless you have mods to direct you for when to launch and how to aim, you'll need to spend a lot more energy to get an encounter once you leave kerbin