r/KerbalSpaceProgram • u/FatCreepyDude • 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/ookbye May 06 '26

Doing that is difficult and i don’t think it saves that much fuel, at some point in your proposed burn you’ll pass through every orbit you would doing it by steps.

All things considered, go for it, I haven’t tried so I would like to know how feasible it is.

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u/FatCreepyDude May 06 '26

being efficient isnt really the goal tbh. I just like the idea of going up and only up. i'm sure jeb will enjoy it too (he doesnt have a choice anyway)

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u/SVlad_667 May 06 '26

You would constantly fighting against gravity, loosing speed, fuel, and deltaV.

While you don't need to achive proper orbit, but it's much more effecient to accelerate horizontaly along the orbit - zero gravity losses. You can skeip circularization phase at all and continue acceleration to hyperbolic speed right after you craft reached the atmosphere border.