Kerbal Space Program
SPACE-FLIGHT SIMULATION GAME (Early Access 2011 / Full 2015) by SQUAD (MEXICO) then acquired by Take-Two Interactive. Design + build + fly ROCKETS for the KERBAL alien race — a comic-tragic space program to reach orbit, moons, planets. Signature: REAL-WORLD ORBITAL MECHANICS + rocket engineering; realistic physics + orbital tranfers. Also comedic tone via KERBALS (green humanoid aliens who often die spectacularly). Enormously educational — used by REAL NASA + SPACEX ENGINEERS. KSP2 released 2023 (Early Access) — divisive reception.
Quick facts
Category
Video Games
Type
Individual
Players
1–1
Duration
~3600 min
Where played
indoor
Country of origin
🇲🇽 Mexico
Estimated origin
Early Access 2011; Full release 1.0 2015; KSP2 Early Access 2023 (troubled development)
Olympic
No
Popularity
regional
How it works
Objective
Build career space program: reach orbit, land on Mun, visit planets, return safely; achieve tech tree completion.
Rules
Basic rules
GAME MODES: Sandbox (unlimited parts), Career (progression + budget), Science (progression only)
Signature 3 modes.
BUILD rockets by attaching parts (engines, fuel tanks, capsules, decouplers, landing gear)
Signature parts-based rocket building.
REAL ORBITAL MECHANICS: elliptical orbits, transfer windows, gravity assists
Signature realistic physics.
KERBAL characters: pilots, engineers, scientists (each with progression + specialties)
Signature Kerbals.
REVERT + QUICKSAVE: save-scumming allowed for learning — huge learning curve
Signature save-friendly design.
MODDING scene enormous: RSS Real Solar System, Realism Overhaul, Interstellar
Signature mod ecosystem.
Scoring
Career score via missions + tech tree completion; sandbox has no formal score.
Win condition · Personal goals; complete tech tree; visit all planets.
Equipment
PC (Steam, GOG) + limited console versions
PC + limited consoles
Mouse + keyboard essential
Standard controls
Terminology
- Kerbal
- Green humanoid aliens (Jeb, Bill, Bob, Val are the 'original four').
- Mun
- Moon-analog orbiting Kerbin (Earth-analog).
- Delta-v (Δv)
- Change in velocity budget — determines what missions are possible.
- Kerbin
- Home planet — Earth-analog with 600km radius.
- Rocket Equation
- Real physics equation determining Δv from fuel + engines.
- Hohmann Transfer
- Efficient orbital transfer maneuver between two orbits.
Where it is played
Famous names & records
Famous athletes
- Squad (developer)
- Various NASA + ESA + SpaceX engineers have publicly used KSP for education
- Scott Manley (Youtuber, KSP evangelist)
- Matt Lowne (Youtuber, KSP challenges)
Sources & provenance
- Kerbal Space Program— Take-Two Interactive
- Wikipedia — Kerbal Space Program— Wikipedia