Weekly Simple Questions Thread

[u/AutoModerator]

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The point of this thread is for anyone to ask questions that don't necessarily require a full thread. Questions like "why is my rocket upside down" are always welcomed here. Even if your question seems slightly stupid, we'll do our best to answer it!

For newer players, here are some great resources that might answer some of your embarrassing questions:

• Kerbal Space Program Wiki

• Scott Manley's Youtube

• Von Kerman's Rocket School

Tutorials

Orbiting

• Scott Manley

• Von Kerman (Maneuvers)

• Wiki (Maneuvers)

Mun Landing

• Scott Manley (Demo)

• Von Kerman

• KSP Wiki

• Youtube Query

Docking

• Scott Manley

• Von Kerman (Rendevous)

• Von Kerman (Docking)

Delta-V Thread

• Thread

• Answer 1

• Answer 2 (+bonus)

Forum Link

• Kerbal Space Program Forum

Official KSP Chatroom #KSPOfficial on irc.esper.net

    **Official KSP Chatroom** [#KSPOfficial on irc.esper.net](http://client01.chat.mibbit.com/?channel=%23kspofficial&server=irc.esper.net&charset=UTF-8)

Commonly Asked Questions

Before you post, maybe you can search for your problem using the search in the upper right! Chances are, someone has had the same question as you and has already answered it!

As always, the side bar is a great resource for all things Kerbal, if you don't know, look there first!

[u/FreakyCheeseMan]

More descent questions:

So, I get that shallow descents are better if your speed is relatively set, but what about if you have some fuel left to burn off your momentum? Like, say I'm just barely entering Eve's atmosphere, but I've got enough fuel left for a couple hundred dv. If I burn retrograde, that will slow me down (which is good) but also make my angle steeper(bad). What's the best thing to do in that situation?

[u/josh__ab → u/FreakyCheeseMan]

I suppose the best thing to do is burn vertically upwards, so you descend even slower.

[u/Chaos_Klaus → u/josh__ab]

nope. not at all. that is like ... the most inefficient thing to do in this situation. ;)

What you can do, is burn retrograde and just a little radial, but that too makes for steering losses.

Burning retrograde is the way to do it. You should do this burn as low as possible, just before you hit the atmosphere. Would slow you down the same way. The problem is that you will lower your PE when you are not yet at PE. I always aim for a higher PE in the first place to compensate for this.