Kerbal Space Program

What is Kerbal Space Program?

Kerbal Space Program (KSP) is a game where the players create and manage their own space program. Build spacecraft, fly them, and try to help the Kerbals to fulfill their ultimate mission of conquering space.

Your Mission...Career Mode!

Your task in Kerbal Space Program will be to go as far as possible in career mode. Here are some helpful hints to get you started:

The first time you start a game, make sure to choose CAREER MODE.
In career mode, you earn money and science points by completing contracts.
You start out with a limited choice of equipment for your rocket. This is by design. As you earn science points, you'll be able to unlock more equipment.
In order to successfully earn science points you'll need to retrieve your spacecraft after landing.
Once you've earned your science points, you'll need to trade them in at the Research and Development Center.
When accepting contracts, it's helpful to do only one or two at a time since many of them have a deadline and require very specific task requirements.
The KSP wiki has a very helpful tutorial to get you started in career mode.

The Launch Compound

Mission Control: Area to accept contracts to earn money, space points and reputation.

Vehicle Assembly Building: This is where you will construct your rockets.

Launch Pad: The launch point for all standard rockets.

Tracking Station: Useful location to find your vessels when you have multiple rockets in space.

Research & Development Facility: Redeem your space points here to gain access to additional rocket parts

The Contract System

The contract system is new to Kerbal Space Program. The idea is that your space program is a for-hire company that can earn money and space points by accepting and completing contracts. Each contract has a star rating that shows the difficulty level. In addition, the contract description will give you information such as at what height you need to be to complete the specific task. You'll want to make sure you read this section very carefully. The Objectives section has all of this important information.

Note: Each contract has a time limit. I'd suggest limiting yourself to one or two contracts at a time.

Other Ways to Earn Space Points

There are a variety of experiments that you can complete to earn space points without using the contract system. Here are just a few of the ways to earn them.

While in a new location (in space, on a planet, on the launchpad), right-click on your pod and create a crew report. Don't forget to choose either to save it (notepad) or transmit it (if you also have an antenna).
Add a Mystery Goo Containment Unit and observe it in a new location by right-clicking on it.
Retrieve your vessel after flying into space and successfully landing back on Kerbin.