Kerbal Space Program 2 is a challenging but incredibly rewarding game that allows you to design, build, and launch rockets into space. The game requires a combination of creativity, scientific knowledge, and engineering skills to achieve success.
Building your first successful rocket in Kerbal Space Program 2 can be an intimidating task, but with the right approach, you can make it happen.
In this guide, we will walk you through the essential steps to take when building your first rocket
Building Your First Rocket
Before moving on to the main steps here are 4 things that are essential for making a rocket:
- A command module
- At least one fuel tank
- At least one engine
- A parachute
Note: To achieve a successful rocket launch and return from orbit, it is crucial to maintain a thrust/weight ratio of 1 or higher. To ensure this, closely monitoring the Engineer’s Report is essential.
Choosing the right engine is a critical step in designing your first successful rocket. The engine you choose will have a significant impact on the rocket’s performance, including its speed, fuel efficiency, and ability to reach orbit
Selecting the Right Engine
KSP2 offers four types of engines: launcher, sustainer, orbital, and deep space. So, we will be giving you some insights on these engines that will help you to choose the right engine for a successful launch.
- Launcher engines: Basic and light engines in KSP2. They work well for a staged launch where you want to get rid of a big part of your rocket’s weight soon after take-off. Attaching a launcher engine to the module you want to discard can help reduce weight and improve performance.
- Sustainer engines: The second basic engine type in KSP2. While not the most powerful, they are versatile and suitable for both launch and sustained flight. As the name suggests, they can keep your rocket going for an extended period. For mid-range flights, consider using them as a hybrid engine that can work for both launch and orbit. If you’re just starting, I recommend using a sustainer engine as your primary choice for the first rocket launch
- Orbital engines: Designed for mid-range missions, such as orbiting and return trips. An orbital engine is optimized for maintaining orbit and is highly fuel-efficient but has lower thrust. For a first flight, consider using a sustainer engine as it offers a balance of thrust and fuel efficiency and can still take you to orbit
- Deepspace engines: They are optimized for long-distance trips beyond the outer solar system. However, at the stage of building your first rocket, you can safely ignore these engines for now. They are not necessary for initial flights and may not provide much benefit until you’re ready to explore deeper space.
The Importance of Decouplers and Staging in KSP2 Rocket Design
Although decouplers are not mandatory for a successful KSP2 rocket design, they play a vital role in ensuring a smooth launch. Especially when using multiple engines, installing a decoupler above each engine enables you to discard the extra weight when an engine stage runs out of fuel, allowing for a more efficient and effective ascent.
Now comes the launch part.
- To activate the next stage of your rocket during flight, press the green “Go” button located in the lower right-hand corner of the screen.
- Once you’ve launched, the “Launch” button is replaced by the “Go” button.
- The stages of your rocket are listed from bottom to top just above the button.
- You can edit the stages of your rocket even on the launchpad, giving you greater control over when you want to activate each stage
We hope this guide helped you with your first successful rocket launch in KSP2
And if you got any questions just let us know in the comments section below
