Kerbal Space Program

[WarpedWiseMan]

Kerbal Space Program is a (currently) free to play rocket simulator that is tons of fun. Essentially, you build a rocket using the tools available and control the launch, stages and flight orbit of your creation with the help of brave farmers turned astronauts, the Kermans.

If you like rocket science, mathematics, physics and/or explosions in space, give the game a try. The fan base has created a bunch of mods for more gear to strap to your rocket should you enjoy the basic game.

Are you Jeb Kerman enough to play?

Construction:



Launch:



Liftoff:



Orbit:

[Radenk]

Old news, but still fun.

[MagicManICT]

Old news, but still fun.

May be, but I've not seen it before. Fun toy!

Thanks for the link, WWM!

[preacherzero]

It's fun but pretty bare bones.

If you like this but want more depth, give Orbiter Sim a try, it has every tiny detail you can imagine, I'm currently docked to the ISS on a pitstop before heading to the Moon to resupply my base.
All built in realtime using real orbital mechanics and simulations. It's taken me about four months to construct a small semi-permanent manned base, the only thing that's a bit "unreal" is the vessel I'm using atm which is a sexy mod called the DG spaceplane.
It also does atmospheric flight simulation very well and there is anactive massive community with literally thousands of mods available, everything from starships to historically accurate Apollo craft to Blackbird spyplanes, ground crews, the list is endless, it can be as basic or as complex as you like.

It's a steep learning curve but HnH players should have no problem with that, the first time you manually achieve orbit you'll be stoked, the first time you manually dock with ISS you'll be thrilled and the first time you land on the Moon you'll feel like a pro and you'll come away having learned a hell of a lot abot the mechanics of real space exploration.

I heard of a guy who did a realtime manned trip to Mars too, that's a bit much for me but I do have a probe on the way there.

http://orbit.medphys.ucl.ac.uk/
Give it a shot sometime.

[MagicManICT]

It's a steep learning curve

Like this?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/ ... gcurve.jpg

[DDDsDD999]

Fucking Jebediah, fearless son of a bitch.

[SaintGilbert]

Fucking Jebediah, fearless son of a bitch.

I was under the impression he was on crack or something.

[clutchV]

Its not bad

[DatOneGuy]

It's a steep learning curve

Like this?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v298/ ... gcurve.jpg

Not DF steep, but decently so.

[WarpedWiseMan]

Fucking Jebediah, fearless son of a bitch.

Courtesy of Dirk Rockgroin via another forum.