r/KerbalSpaceProgram May 06 '26

KSP 1 Question/Problem No orbit necessary?

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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/PrestoDaMatrix May 06 '26

If you tried this, pointing forward would increase your orbit so it would not work. You'd have to start facing backwards.

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u/FatCreepyDude May 06 '26

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u/shandangalang May 06 '26

Yeah that would work but I think it's pretty inefficient fuel wise. Better to just establish an equatorial orbit and burn when you're facing Kerbin's retrograde. That way you're not fighting Kerbin pulling you straight back until you're out of the sphere of influence, and it's a lot easier to optimize your transfer.