Most people experience Kerbal Space Program as a game of trial and error—strapping on more boosters until something works. The One Man Space Agency (OMSA) takes a different approach.
This is a digital engineering logbook documenting a "Realistic Progression One" (RP-1) campaign where every mission is treated as an engineering project. The focus is on the whole engineering lifecycle, and managing the project, rather than just the flight itself.
The "One Man"
I am a Master's Aerospace Engineering student - specialised in spacecraft engineering - based in the UK.
This project is a way to combine my enjoyment of Kerbal Space Program, arguably the inspiration for my 'astro' career, with real engineering methodologies to both improve my own skills & knowlege - but also to share it with anyone interested enough (or bored enough!).
The Mission
The goal is to carry out this playthrough as 'realistically' as possible - as far as can be done with one guy, a bit of a spare time, and a 'video game' setup that may possibly be more mod than original.
We are using a modpack based on Realism Overhaul, RP-1, and Principia - with a few tweaks. This means:
- N-Body Physics: Gravity from other bodies matter. Orbit planning gets real.
- Real Fuels: Propellant chemistry as seen in - real life. Cryogenics boil off; ullage is a problem; engines have limited ignitions.
- Signal Delay: Light lag is real. Probes must be autonomous.
- Failure is an Option: Engines fail. Tanks rupture. TestFlight brings risk and reliability into the equation.