Struggling to get to the Mun in Kerbal Space Program? You’re not alone—but this tutorial breaks the process down step-by-step so that even new players can make the journey without frustration. Whether you’re just starting out in career mode or looking to brush up on the basics, this guide covers vehicle design, maneuver planning, efficient landing, and safe return.
1. Understand the Delta-V Requirements
To reach the surface of the Mun and return to Kerbin, you need about 5,000 m/s of Delta-V from launch to landing. Here’s the breakdown:
- Launch from Kerbin and reach low orbit: ~3,500 m/s
- Transfer to the Mun: ~900 m/s
- Capture and circularize in Mun orbit: ~300 m/s
- Land and return from Mun surface: ~1,200 m/s
Having a margin of safety is always wise, especially for new players.
2. Building the Rocket
Let’s build a simple and effective Mun lander and return vehicle. Use the mod Kerbal Engineer Redux to track Delta-V and TWR. Here’s what you need:
Lander Stage:
- Command pod (1-seater) with a heat shield and parachute
- Terrier engine (efficient in vacuum)
- Fuel tank sized for ~2,000 m/s Delta-V
- Landing legs, solar panels, and batteries
- Check TWR for the Mun (should be >1, preferably >2 for safe descent)
Transfer Stage:
- Fuel tank and a Terrier engine again
- Designed to provide ~1,500 m/s Delta-V to transfer to Mun and capture into orbit
Launch Stage:
- Larger booster engines to provide ~3,500 m/s to get into orbit
- Check TWR on Kerbin (aim for 2–2.5 during launch)
This three-stage design is simple, reliable, and effective for early Mun missions.
3. The Launch
- Launch straight up initially
- Begin gravity turn around 1 km altitude, slowly tilting to 90° (east)
- By 30–40 km altitude, you should be nearly horizontal
- Circularize your orbit at ~80 km altitude
Use your transfer stage to finalize the orbital burn, allowing your boosters to fall back to Kerbin—reducing orbital debris.
4. Plotting a Mun Transfer
- In map view, hover your mouse over the ascending/descending nodes to align your orbit (0° is ideal)
- When the Mun is on the horizon, create a prograde maneuver node to transfer
- Use focus view on the Mun to fine-tune
- Target periapsis of ~10,000–15,000 m above the Mun’s surface
5. Circularizing at the Mun
- Burn retrograde at your periapsis to circularize your Mun orbit
- Efficient and safe for planning descent
6. Landing on the Mun
There are two popular landing methods:
- Stability Assist Retrograde Burn:
- Set SAS to retrograde
- Burn until touchdown
- Kill Horizontal Velocity First:
- Burn at the horizon to cancel sideways motion
- Then focus on vertical descent
Use Kerbal Engineer to monitor:
- Vertical and horizontal speeds
- Thrust-to-weight ratio (adjust throttle to stay just above 1 TWR)
Tips:
- Try to land under 10 m/s to avoid damage
- Use quick saves frequently, especially during landing attempts
- Aim for flat terrain to avoid tipping over
7. Returning to Kerbin
- Launch from Mun and turn toward 90° heading immediately
- Lower gravity and no atmosphere means you can launch more horizontally
- Perform circularization burn once you hit your desired apoapsis
Plan your return maneuver:
- Burn prograde when the Mun is on the side closest to Kerbin
- Aim for a Kerbin periapsis around 40 km for a safe re-entry
8. Re-Entry and Recovery
- Kerbin’s atmosphere will do most of the work for slowing you down
- Ensure your heat shield is facing forward
- Use your parachute to land safely
And just like that—you’ve returned from your first Mun mission.
Key Takeaways
- Use Delta-V maps and Kerbal Engineer Redux to track efficiency
- Always give yourself margin for maneuvering and errors
- Learn to monitor TWR, orbital nodes, and periapsis
- Many of the strategies for reaching the Mun apply across the Kerbol system
Congratulations! You’ve now learned the easy and effective way to reach and return from the Mun. These fundamentals will serve you well for more ambitious planetary missions.
As always, thanks for watching, and fly safe!
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