Getting to orbit

**Getting to orbit** is the second mission for most players after suborbital flight. It usually requires a 2-stage rocket to get to orbit; however, more experienced players could make it with a single stage.

## Rocket

The rocket usually must have 2 stages, but it is not needed. The Example Rockets tab has such.

If you're using your own rocket, make sure that it is symmetrical, and its Delta-v is higher than 2500 m/s.

### First stage

The first stage consists of a Hawk engine, with 2 4×8 fuel tanks and one 4×4 fuel tank. It is capable of reaching a suborbital trajectory.

### Second stage

The second stage consists of a 4×8 fuel tank, a 4×4 fuel tank, an astronaut capsule and a parachute. The capsule is used for returning the astronauts from orbit.

## Mission

### Launch

At launch, the first stage must fire correctly or it will fail the mission. Tap on the first stage engine to turn it on. If you are using default solar system, after launch in the upper left corner an angle indicator should occur (current angle / target angle), and the only thing you must do is to follow it. If it doesn't, fly straight up until you are 350–500 meters off the ground. After reaching that altitude, turn to one side slowly (preferably right; left in the real solar system), reaching an angle of 75 degrees before stage separation.

### Ascending and orbit insertion

When the first stage runs out of fuel, separate the first stage by tapping the separator on the first stage or using staging. If you use it, the second stage engine should turn on automatically. If it doesn't, tap on the second stage engine to turn it on. Immediately turn sideways when the apogee (or the highest point of the trajectory) reaches more than 30 kilometers (the height of the atmosphere). Continue firing until the trajectory wraps around the Earth. The achievement *Reached low Earth orbit* will appear if you did it successfully and the perigee (lowest point above Earth) is above 30 km. For the *Reached high Earth orbit* achivement, the orbit shall be entirely above 560km, and side boosters would be required to reach it regarding the example of rocket given on this page (see Moon Mission page for a rocket able to reach high Earth orbit).

### Deorbiting and return

When you are ready to deorbit, fire the engine retrograde (that means you will face the engine towards the direction of travel, indicated by an arrow). After the rocket's perigee (lowest point of an orbit) falls below 15 km or lower, it is time to separate the capsule. When reentry (the time of which the rocket enters the atmosphere) occurs, face the heat shield towards the direction of travel. The rocket will be exposed to temperatures of up to 3500 degrees Celsius, or 6300 degrees Fahrenheit. When the altitude drops below 700 and 1000 meters, deploy the parachute. After a few moments the capsule will likely successfully arrive back at Earth, completing the mission.

### Other tutorials

You can also watch this tutorial in YouTube (Orbit Tutorial by Stef Morojna)

## Activities

*See also:*
There are many activities while in orbit.

* Sending satellites to orbit
* Testing orbital maneuvers
* Building space stations
* Assembling large rockets
* Parking orbit for waiting for interplanetary transfers
* Many more...

## See also

* Getting to Mars
* Getting to the Moon