Though you may have thought, by reading the title, that this is a real world space program, it’s not. This is a video game that is in a very early alpha stage, .18.2, though the game is in an early version, it has been worked on for over 2 years now. Most of the two years only one man was creating this vast open world space flight simulator up until a few months ago it was just him. The game now has a total of 11 developers, as of 2013, working to improve and create the game.
In Kerbal Space Program you goal is to get your Kerbal(s) where no Kerbal has gone before. The solar system is comprised of 6 planets; all but 2 of the planets have moons orbiting them. Each planet mimics a real life planet. In order, from the Sun named Kerbol to the outer edge of the system, the planets go like this; Moho(Mercury), Eve(Venus), Kerbin(Earth), Duna(Mars), Jool(Jupiter) and lastly Eeloo(Pluto). All the planets I have named are able to be landed on or orbited around with the right kind of power.
Before you can get to these spectacular planets you must build your rocket or space plane that performs as you want it to perform. Most rockets require at least 2 stages to reach Kerbin orbit. I will warn you though these rockets will be large, you will understand why NASA makes their rockets so mamoth. To build a space plane or a sub orbital space plane you will need to be an avid Kerbal Space program player who can learn from mistakes and improve as needed.
Once you finally make it into orbit you can allow your Kerbal(s) to get out of their cramped module and traverse the deep darkness of space with their EVA (Extra vehicular activities) packs. These packs contain thrusters that can lightly push your Kerbal around space on a limited fuel allowance. Also once in orbit of Kerbin or any other planet you desire, you can dock two ships together, as long as they both have the part that allows it to happen. Docking is a process that will take hours of refinement and practice to become proficient at it. Then when you are ready to shoot for the stars you can plan out your flight so it goes as perfect as possible. This tool allows you to plan your trajectory and see where you might intercept specific planets on the trajectory you have created.
Lastly the solar system is yours to explore. At the moment there really is no limit to what you can do with your space craft in Kerbal Space Program. You can conduct an Apollo style mission to the moon or even crash into the sun! Everything you can observe in the Kerbal Space Program can be observed on the surface. The entire solar system is open to your imagination and all of its crazy rocket ideas that will send your Kerbals to the heavens or even to heaven.
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