Kerbal Space Program News

KSP Loading…: Leading up to something special

Welcome to our official newsletter, KSP Loading…! If you want to learn about all the current developments of the KSP franchise, then this is the place to be!

And now, let’s talk about everything KSP!

Kerbal Space Program Update 1.12 on PC

Coinciding with the game’s 10th anniversary, Kerbal Space Program is getting ready for its 12th major free update since its official release, and it’s going to be epic! This update will be packed with brand new content such as new parts, features, revamps, and more! Buckle up, and let’s learn about some of the content that will be included in this upcoming update.

[h2]Eeloo and Pol Texture Revamps[/h2]
With update 1.12, our effort to revamp all the celestial bodies within the Kerbal solar system will finally come to an end. Eeloo, the distant frozen dwarf planet, and Pol, the smallest natural satellite of Jool, are now looking better than ever with new high-quality textures & shaders. Surely many astronauts will take this opportunity to revisit them and explore what lies within these remote destinations.
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[h2]Revamped and Rotating Docking Ports[/h2]
All the docking ports have gotten a well deserved aesthetic revamp. Among the bundle of requested features & quality of life additions we’re including in the 1.12 update, we are giving players the ability to rotate docking port collars added to docking ports. Lining up attached craft perfectly has never been easier!
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[h2]New Solar Panels[/h2]
This update will also include 4 brand new photovoltaic panels, including enhanced versions of the SP and OX-4 series, but also two large circular retractable solar panels with very cool deployment methods.

[h3]SP-10L 1x5 Photovoltaic Panels[/h3]
This large retractable solar panel is an enhanced version of the SP series. With a five fold increased solar array area, the SP-10L will provide improved electrical charge generation. This solar panel also includes a case to protect this sensitive technology when it is not being used.

[h3]OX-10L 1x5 Photovoltaic Panels[/h3]
The OX-10L 1x5 is a larger version of the OX-4 series of solar panels. It includes advanced heat radiators, and a deploying bracket to keep the panels safe when launching, although these panels are not retractable once deployed, so beware…

[h3]OX-10C Photovoltaic Panels[/h3]
The crown jewel of the new circular retractable solar panels, the OX-10C provides a great output of electrical charge with a very decent solar array area. When folded it is compact and easy to transport, but although it deploys very graciously, it won’t retract back.

[h3]SP-10C Photovoltaic Panels[/h3]
The SP-10C photovoltaic panel also has a circular design that folds itself on command, making it an excellent alternative if you’re looking for versatility.

[h2]Ground Anchor[/h2]
The Ground Anchor is a brand new element in KSP, that when paired with EVA construction, will give players the ability to anchor their vessels to the ground or create a solid foundation for bases.
The deployable ground anchor will work as other deployable parts, so it will have to be put into a Kerbal’s inventory and then use the deploy functionality to have it successfully anchor itself to the ground in order to build a base from.

Watch a gif of the Ground Anchor in action here.

KSP 2

Kerbal Space Program 2 has also had a few developments since our last KSP Loading.
For instance, last week we released the third episode of the KSP 2 feature series, which delves into Intercept Games' mission to onboard the next generation of space industry experts with new tutorials, UI/UX improvements, quality of life features, and more.
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Additionally, in the past few months we have released two additional dev diaries for KSP 2, including a very interesting and informative look into what a game producer actually does in the development process of a title. You can check it out here!

And, if you've ever wanted to dive into the technical side of KSP 2's development, this dev diary goes into the intricacies and challenges of drawing accurate orbits that look stellar, and how orbit tessellation turned out to be the solution to this problem in KSP 2. You can check it out here!

Finally, don’t forget to check out the Kerbal Space Program 2 - Show and Tell Highlights from February & March, where the KSP 2 team has shared some really neat footage of some of the stuff they’ve been working on recently, like new power generation modules for colonies, colony fuel factories, new engine exhaust effects, and some amusing kerbal skin experiments.
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Remember, you can share and download crafts and missions on Curse, KerbalX, the KSP Forum and the KSP Steam Workshop.

That’s it for this edition. Be sure to join us on our official forums, and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Stay tuned for more exciting and upcoming news and development updates!

Happy launchings!

Here's how Kerbal Space Program 2 will use cartoons to get you into orbit

Space knower and Iain M. Banks reader (check his bookshelf) Scott Manley says Kerbal Space Program is a "gateway drug to physics", which I sort of agree with. For me, the rocket sim was an education in things like "apoapsis" and "periapsis", and I felt slightly more informed for having played it. But it’s not a good teacher, really, which is one of the things Kerbal Space Program 2 hopes to remedy. The game will still be tough, the processes still hugely complex, but you’ll hopefully be able to play it without needing to consult a smart friend or a YouTube playlist.

Kerbal Space Program 1.11.2 is live!

Hello Kerbonauts!

Kerbal Space Program 1.11.2 is live!

This small patch focuses on fixing a few remaining bugs from the last update that were causing some headaches to players.

Check out this patch's Changelog for further details:

ChangeLog:
=================================== v1.11.2 ============================================================
+++ Bugfixes
* Fix craft can wobble or even have some parts destroyed when interacting with parts and inventory slots during EVAConstruction in Flight.
* Fix NRE on returning to physics range of RCSFX on command pods causing game to become non-savable or usable in some cases.
* Fix the Place Anywhere 1 linear RCS part thrusting the wrong way.
* Fix same part collisions invalidating valid EVA construction placement on some parts.
* Fix Resource App resource totals UI display for EVA kerbals carrying multiple resources including EVA propellant total on every resource.

Remember that you can help us find bugs/issues by reporting them into our bugtracker and that you can also upvote reports to make them more visible.

Happy launchings!

Kerbal Space Program 1.11.1 is live!

Hello Kerbonauts!

Kerbal Space Program 1.11.1 is live!

This patch includes a few improvements to the base game, such as the ability to use multiple kerbals to assist engineers moving heavier parts in EVA Construction Mode. Additionally, the construction panel now shows the manipulation weight limit and the assistants count, which will be useful to embark in larger in-situ engineering projects, plus several other cool things - like a revamp to the MK1 and Mk2 spot lights. The patch is also packed with bugfixes, mostly related, but not exclusively, to the 1.11 Some Reassembly Required update, among a handful of other neat surprises.

Check out this patch's Changelog for further details:

=================================== v1.11.1 ============================================================
+++ Improvements
* Extend Science results UI delay for Dzhanibekov EVA experiment so player can see the effect better.
* Enable smaller SEQ parts to be usable in construction mode so they can be moved and adjusted. They cannot be stored inside inventry modules.
* A screen message will now appear when a non-engineer kerbal attempts to repair a part with the repair kit. Also, a Screen Message will also show if the repair kit amount was insufficient.
* Cargo parts filter now includes researched but not purchased parts, even allowing purchasing them from the filtered view.
* Added Thrust Limiter field to Kerbal Jetpacks so finer control is possible.
* Kerbals can now assist an Engineer in construction to move heavier parts.
* Construction panel now shows manipulation weight limit and assistants count.
* Reduce the wait time between dropping a part and when physics kicks in.
* Action group edit name button can now be accessed with arrows and axis inputs.
* Allow pickup of debris parts in EVA construction mode.
* Playing a science/sandbox game in which Kerbals are restricted to class traits but all probes have access to all SAS modes is now possible.

+++ Localization
* Numerous KSPedia fixes in multiple languages.
* Fix EVA Construction Mode KSPedia slide text overlap in Japanese.
* Fix Cargo Mode KSPedia slide title for Russian.
* Fix for a range of construction contract vessel names for all languages.
* Fix missing Japanese translation for Engine Stops Under in part description.
* Fix Spanish translation for vessel part requirements.
* Variable correction in spanish for Engineer on vessel requirement.

+++ Parts
* Place Anywhere 1 Linear RCS Port now has a shrouded variant.
* Revamped MK1 and Mk2 spot lights.
* Added new white variant for MK1 and MK2 spot lights.

+++ Bugfixes
* Fix background icon not appearing when first picking a part from inventory.
* Fix when detaching a part from a vessel keep it's orientation and don't reset it's orientation to the default position.
* Fixed some NREs when using menu navigation with directional arrows on the Action Groups panel.
* Fix waypoint marker for rover construction contracts disappearing.
* Fix orientations of parts in EVA construction mode including surface/detach and attachnode attach.
* Fixed issue causing parts to highlight red while cursor is on inventory PAWs.
* Fix UI in editor scene not showing that part autostruts are forced to grandparent when they are attached to dynamic nodes.
* Fixed bug causing weld animation to not play in some situations.
* Fix parts being anchored above the surface if lifted by robotics parts.
* Fix Editor getting stuck if you delete the root part when in cargo mode.
* Fix part stacking key from affecting all parts picked from the toolbox after its use.
* Fix Inventory part tooltip getting stuck when storing a part in the inventory from the Editor work area and immediately summoning it.
* Fix the editor cargo UI not scrolling when the mouse positionis in between slots.,
* Fix attaching parts in EVA construction mode within the range of a robot arm scanner.
* Fix AttachNodes not displaying when the root part of a vessel is outside the construction range, but the part is and shoudl be valid as an attachment.
* Fix partdatabase.cfg handling when running KSP from an alternate folder/location.
* Fix issues with parts that have trigger colliders when rotating/moving them in EVA construction mode.
* Fix deadline to include CB multiplier on vessel repair and construction contracts.
* Fix placed flags falling down.
* Fix extended tooltip not being updated on variant change for cargo part mass.
* Fix exploit that allowed to produce infinitely many stackable cargo parts using the stack logic.
* Fix for inventories for kerbals on command seats coming up twice in the Construction/Inventory UI in flight.
* Fix EVA kerbals on ladders generating phantom forces.
* Fix CoL marker positioning in EVA Construction/Flight Scene.
* Fix EVA construction losing detached parts and invalid highlighting when exiting EVA Construction with a detached part on the mouse.
* Fix Repair contracts not completing if they use the same craft as a previous contract of the same type in the same save game.
* Fixed an issue that locked up the game when kerbal tourists were passed out in command seats and the game was saved after landing.
* Fix satellite construction stock craft being created as debris, they will now be probes.
* Fix errors when using the rotate and move tool in EVA construction mode on wheels and landing legs.
* Fix EVA kerbals unable to use static ladders (Ladders on Launchpads and buildings, etc).
* Fix crew transfers out of a part does not update its PAW.
* Fix parts with variants in construction mode reverting back to the base variant when attached.
* Fix issue that occurs with Plant Flag being active during construction mode.
* Fix trajectory changes during rotation caused by MinRBMass being too high
* Fix error caused by symmetrical parts in KAL action set if parts get decoupled individually.
* Fix Jetpack andf EVACylinder refill only working with EVA Propellant.
* Fix Smoke FX on twin boar engine.
* Fix bug that caused individually dropped parts to slide on the ground.
* Fix Actions from Symmetry counterparts showing multiple times in the ActionGroup Editor.
* Fix an NRE and partial loss of VAB/SPH functionality occuring when selecting a Subassembly after placing the original part in any symmetry mode while the Save Subassembly window is open in the editors.
* Fix discarding merged craft throwing an NRE in Editors.
* Fix dropped parts being teleported to the ground when dropped in the air above the ground.
* Fix NRE when placing a part buried in the ground in EVA construction mode.
* Fix Placing wheels past the collider for the ground (half buried) will cause the craft to bounce uncontrollably during EVA construction mode.
* Fix Construction Mode Parts dropping causing immediately large physics effects on vessels.
* Fix parts during Eva Construction mode beingpicked up, dropped, or attached when a UI element is blocking the pointer. This was resulting in unwanted click-through.
* Fix Kerbals not falling off the bottom of the ladder when the Kerbal stop at the end of ladder option was set to false.
* Fix where activating the staging would fail if the vessel had no stage available and gained one after a new part was attached in EvaConstruction during flight.
* Fix kerbal jump force scaling to use their combined body mass and inventory mass and prevent death-inducing high jumps.
* Fix NRE that caused the game to lock up when a cargo container was the root part and it was re-rooted.
* Fix the deploy animation being played when taking a deployable part out of the inventory in the VAB/SPH.
* Fix the Communotron 88-88 appearing unbroken in satellite repair contracts.
* Fix Contract strings to clarify Base contract, Satellite Contract, Station Contract and Grand Tour contracts and specify that the new vessel must be built and launched complete (cannot be built in parts using EVA construction).
* Fix cargo parts being inconsistently rendered as 2D icons with no transparency when hovering the cursor over PAWs and Construction Panel.
* Fix selected cargo parts as icons getting stuck when hovering between cargo panel and a PAW inventory in the Editor Scene.
* Fix selected cargo parts during EVA Construction mode that were taken out from an inventory slot not being returned when closing the Construction mode while still holding them.
* Fix selected cargo part as a stack icon not blocking actions on other cargo part while holding the stack.
* Fix EVA kerbal occlusion inside fairings and cargo bays.
* Fix hatches being obstructed by the robotic arm range trigger, or it's front border.
* Fix lights playing their on/off animations when activating the "Turn Light On" and "Turn Light Off" action groups and the light was already in the target state.
* Fix shift-key bleed through to thrust the jetpack when placing or adjusting a part in construction mode.
* Fix out-of-context screen message when a part is attached to a dropped part in construction mode.
* Fix selecting color on lights placed in symmetry only affects one of the lights.
* Fix changing scenes resets light color.
* Fix lights reset to white after configuration.
* Fix light color doesn't persist on saved craft when the lights are Off.
* Fix lights emmisive textures do not update when adjusting RGB values with action groups or the KAL in flight mode.
* Fix the Clydesdale engine nozzle shining in the VAB.
* Fix attachment node size on SEQ-24 container.
* Fix node attach issue on Aerospike.
* Fix weld aim hitting the node instead of the attachment point when welding.
* Fix being unable to assign the Undock Action on Docking Ports. We have reverted the 1.11.0 fix in favor for a different solution in the future.

+++ Modding
* Allow reload of Tech Tree via static methods in any scene via cfg file reference or Database config nodes. LoadTechTree is now static.
* Ability to have Cargo parts be Construction-able. Note that ModuleCargoPart needs to be before ModuleInventoryPart for this to work.
* Added reinitResourcesOnStoreInVessel in moduleCargoPart and applied to Jetpack and EVAFuelCylinder. This flag controls whether the resources in the part will be reinitialized to full when the part is stored inside a vessels inventory modules.
* For parts using ModuleLight, the light turning on/off is controlled by code now, instead of using an animation.
* Fix setting light color via part cfg was being ignored.

=================================== Making History v1.11.1 ================================
+++ Bugfixes
* Fix the servicemodules shielding antennae on launch when the shrouds are turned off.
* Fix KAL being unselectable in action pane in the mission builder.
* Fix the missing Robotics icon category in the action pane.
* Fix surface attachment issues with the LV-Tx87 Bobcat.

=================================== Breaking Ground 1.6.1 ===================================
+++ Improvements
* Added screen message when dropping Deployed Science parts in EVA Construction mode to clarify how to deploy.

+++ Localization
* Added translation and fix for message that appears when repair kit quantity is not enough.

+++ Bugfixes
* Fix issue impeding Kerbal to fall after picking up ROC sample.

Tonight at 6PM EST EJ_SA will be hosting some lead developers on his stream! Tune in to take a look at the 1.11.1 patch and have some fun!

Remember that you can help us find bugs/issues by reporting them into our bugtracker and that you can also upvote reports to make them more visible.

Happy launchings!

The best Kerbal Space Program mods

Kerbal Space Program (KSP) is a game about going to space... you might even call it a space game. It's a space (game) where you plan, design, and fly the bold explorers, scientists, and engineers of Planet Kerbin up towards the final (and only) frontier. It's also a great game for mods, and KSP mods represent some of the most creative community creations around.

In KSP (and upcoming sequel Kerbal Space Program 2), you must assemble all of the craft and machines, plan out the missions, and you even do the piloting while pushing ever further into the unknown. Realistic physics, particularly when it comes to issues of literal rocket science and transfer orbits, thrust/weight ratios, are going to become your close and hated friends.

There are a range of needs when it comes to modding Kerbal Space Program. Some of you may just want more parts to build your rockets. Some of you may not actually like being a literal rocket scientist and need some utility mods to make the experience easier. Some of you, apparently, have trouble telling the time and so need an in-game alarm clock. There's a mod for every need, and we've tried to pull together a collection of top mods that suite a range of these requests.

Read the rest of the story...