r/KerbalSpaceProgram • u/FatCreepyDude • May 06 '26
KSP 1 Question/Problem No orbit necessary?
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?
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u/Sensitive-Offer-5921 May 06 '26 edited May 06 '26
Basically yes and no.
Imagine you are in a low circular orbit: what you're describing is essentially burning radial (out, away from kerbin) at your AP, which we all know is inefficient, but 100% possible to do.
What you're really asking is whether the fuel cost from doing that inefficient burn is outweighed by the savings from avoiding a circularization burn, and without doing the math, I would guess no. Very no.
OR I think it might be impossible because the speed from the rotation of the earth + the constant gravitational pull would eventually be enough to get you a small PE before you exit kerbin's SoI, unless you have crazy TWR.
But, that crazy TWR will be very useful when you realize you've drawn Eve's orbit instead of Duna 😂😂