Kerbal Space Program’s Career mode offers a compelling blend of strategy and sandbox gameplay, challenging players to build a space program from the ground up. Many new players wonder What To Do In Kerbal Space Program Career mode to progress effectively and enjoyably. Often, the initial stages can feel grindy if approached without a clear strategy. This guide provides a mission-based approach to kickstart your Kerbal career, focusing on efficient progression and fun from the very beginning, without tedious grinding.
Early Career Missions: Mastering Kerbin and its Surroundings
The initial phase of your Kerbal Space Program career should focus on mastering the basics around Kerbin. These early missions are crucial for gathering science, earning funds, and unlocking vital technologies.
Mission 1: Atmospheric and Booster Recovery. Your very first mission should be a simple atmospheric flight, reaching around 7,500 meters before splashing down in the ocean, ideally Booster Bay if accessible. This mission efficiently completes early contracts and gathers initial science points from atmospheric flight and recovery. This quick mission jumpstarts your science and funds, providing a solid foundation for further exploration.
Mission 2: Kerbin Orbit and EVA Science. Next, aim for orbit around Kerbin. This mission introduces orbital mechanics and allows for valuable EVA reports and orbital science experiments. Returning safely to Kerbin after collecting science is key to progressing through the tech tree and gaining more funds.
Mission 3: Mun Orbit and Advanced Science. Orbiting the Mun is the next significant step. This mission expands your scientific opportunities with new biomes and introduces interplanetary travel. Conducting EVAs and various science experiments in Munar orbit provides a substantial science boost and prepares you for landing missions.
Mid-Career Missions: Landing on the Mun and Minmus
With orbital missions under your belt, it’s time to set your sights on landing on celestial bodies. The Mun and Minmus are your primary targets in this phase.
Mission 4A: Crew Rescue Spaceplane. Before landing, consider a rescue mission. Designing a spaceplane for a Kerbin orbit rescue not only adds variety but also expands your Kerbal roster with valuable Scientists and Engineers, crucial for later missions.
Mission 4B: Satellite Constellation Launch. Simultaneously, launch a probe or satellite capable of fulfilling multiple satellite contracts in a single launch. Positioning this satellite in Munar orbit provides valuable communications relay for future Mun missions and beyond, fulfilling contracts efficiently.
Mission 5: Mun Landing – Armstrong Memorial. Your first landing should be a momentous occasion. Send a single Kerbal lander to the Mun, targeting the Armstrong Memorial if possible. Planting a flag and conducting surface science on the Mun marks a significant milestone in your space program.
Mission 6: Apollo-Style Mun Missions with Prime Crew. Utilize your “prime” crew (Jebediah, Bill, Bob) for Apollo-style missions to the Mun. Employ a Command/Service Module (CSM) and Lunar Module (LM) setup to conduct multiple landings across different Mun biomes. This maximizes science return and experience for your veteran Kerbonauts.
Mission 7 & 8: Minmus and Expanded Mun Operations. Repeat the Apollo-style mission concept for Minmus, leveraging the “prime” crew and then your “backup” crew (Val and rescued Kerbals). Minmus’s low gravity offers unique landing challenges and scientific opportunities. Following Minmus, return to the Mun with your backup crew to further explore different biomes and gain expertise in Munar operations.
Late-Career Goal: Duna and Interplanetary Exploration
Reaching Duna signifies a major leap in your Kerbal career. By this point, you’ll likely have unlocked a significant portion of the tech tree and accumulated substantial funds.
Mission 9: Duna and Ike Expedition. Launch a fully upgraded Apollo-style mission to Duna with your prime crew. Include a lander capable of surface excursions on both Duna and its moon, Ike. This interplanetary mission opens up a new realm of exploration and scientific discovery.
Tips for an Enjoyable and Efficient Career
Career mode doesn’t have to be a grind. The key is to learn to work with the parts you have available. Early tech tree nodes provide surprisingly capable parts. Focus on efficient rocket designs and developing your piloting skills. Many players mistakenly believe that extensive grinding for science around Kerbin or repeatedly taking contracts is necessary. As demonstrated by the mission plan above, reaching Mun orbit by your third launch and landing on Duna within ten launches is achievable without tedious repetition.
Spending time mastering basic parts and learning efficient flight techniques makes you a better player overall. It reduces reliance on mods like MechJeb, which, while helpful, can detract from the core gameplay experience, especially for new players. Actively piloting and managing missions is where much of the fun lies in Kerbal Space Program.
By following this mission-focused approach, you can effectively progress through Kerbal Space Program’s Career mode, unlock advanced technologies, and explore the Kerbol system without feeling bogged down by grind. The early game is a crucial learning phase and can be incredibly rewarding when approached strategically, setting the stage for even more ambitious missions to come.
