Welcome to the first edition of our official newsletter, KSP Loading ! Do you want to get the latest news about everything KSP? Then here is the place to be. In KSP Loading we will share all current developments of KSP intermittently between each update and more, so without further ado, lets begin!

Update 1.6

As you probably know by now, we are currently working on update 1.6 as part of our plan to deliver quarterly updates. These quarterly updates will keep offering exciting new content that will enhance our players game experience, as well as overall improvements to performance and bug fixes. A key aspect of our work in recent months has been in limiting the impact on mods. As many of you have noticed, the majority of mods that worked on 1.4 did so for 1.5 as well. Thats not to say there wont be any issues with existing mods when there are updates, but we will continue with this effort as we know that mods are an essential part of KSP and of what makes it great.

Part Catalogue Revamps

Fuel Tank Adapters

For the last couple of weeks we have been teasing throughout our social media channels bits and pieces of what we are preparing for update 1.6 and, as you have seen, we are continuing the revamping effort of the part catalogue; focusing particularly on giving life to older parts that arent optimized or simply look outdated. One of such parts is the Kerbodyne ADTP-2-3 Adapter. The purpose of this adapter was to accommodate the Rockomax and the Kerbodyne S3 fuel tank series, but it never really matched with the designs of either tank series. With a total remaking of the adapters diffuse, normal, and specular texture maps, as well as with the introduction of a brand new variant, this adapter will now seamlessly blend between these two tank series and its variants. We are looking into the possibility of giving the ADTP-2-3 Adapter fuel carrying capabilities as it has been suggested by the community.

Click here for the high-res images

Other adapters that received the good ol makeover treatment are all three TVR Stack Couplers. After the introduction of new variants for the the FL-T tank series in update 1.4, these adapters no longer match the tanks they were supposed to fit. Therefore, we needed to revise the TVR series and create brand new diffuse, normal, and specular texture maps for them to combine with all of the different versions of the FL-T tank series.

Click here for the high-res images

Similarly, both the FL-A5 and the FL-A10 Adapters got a well-deserved makeover. Designed for connecting 1.25m parts to 0.625m parts, these adapters got their UV maps optimized and received new diffuse, normal and specular texture maps. Additionally, a new variant that will match with the orange FL-T tank series was included.


Click here for the high-res images

As part of this adapter renovation effort, the team also gave both the Rockomax Brand Adapters a well-deserved face-lift. Both parts got their UV maps optimize, brand new texture maps and a new variant to combine with the orange FL-T tank series. The geometry of the large Rockomax Brand Adapter was also updated to give it a smoother shape.


Click here to see more and high-res images

The new Spark

The team also gave the iconic 48-7S Spark Liquid Fuel Engine a full-fledged aesthetic makeover. We wanted to enhance this engines versatile nature by including 3 very different variants that will also increase the customizability of your creations. The geometry was completely redone and the detail of the tubing of the engine was carefully crafted. New textures were also created for this part and a new emissive texture for the throttle animation was added.


Click here to see the high-res images

The Mk2 Lander Can

We also took the opportunity to give Seans Cannery Mk2 Lander Can a brand new face-lift. We wanted this command module to be more in-line with comparable parts, so we reduced its mass and added a second top hatch. In an attempt to broaden the creation possibilities with this part we also added a third attach node to the back of the module and included a slimmed down butter stick variant ideal for manned rovers. The default variant, on the other hand, will have a pair of built in service bays. The IVA view of this command module is also being worked on to match with its new look.

Click here for the high-res images

New Features

Activate Navigation to a Launch Site

Visual enhancements arent the only thing that have been on our agenda. In fact, there is a quality of life feature coming to update 1.6 that will help any stray pilots find their way back to any Launch Site or Runway. From the Map View players will now be able to activate the navigation system towards the KSC, the Woomerang Launch Site, the Island Runway, Dessert Launch Site or any mobile Launch Site set by a mission creator. Activate Navigation to a Launch Site will target the chosen location and add a navigation mark in the NavBall.

Click here to see an animated gif showcasing this feature.

The Bug Hunt

Additionally, we have spent some time in the bugtracker identifying bugs that needed to be mercilessly squashed. For starters, in order to have more consistency between modes, the team made an adjustment to the SAS functionality on probes in Sandbox and Science game modes. Some of these probes had full SAS functionality in these modes, even though their description said otherwise, and these adjustments correct this. However, the SAS functionality on probes will be togglable from the game settings, with the old behavior being the default setting. The dV calculator in the burn time indicator included in update 1.5 had some bugs, and the team went straight ahead to figure out what the problems actually were, and of course fixed them. This included fixing the handling of docking ports and multiple nuclear or ion engines within the new Burn Indicator functionality. The flashing of the Burn Indicator and the display of dV before the launch of a vessel was also a problem that we fixed in the past weeks. Moreover, the Vernor Engines now use Liquid Fuel and Oxidizer correctly on the Engineering report, and we also fixed an issue that drained the fuel from tanks when the fuel availability icon was double-clicked. These are only a few examples.

KSP Enhanced Edition

In other news, we want to let console players know that KSP Enhanced Edition is getting a substantial update that among other things includes many improvements and an update to Unity 2017, which will improve performance. We will be sharing the process with you and revealing the content of this update in the upcoming months.

A new Website is coming!

We are also working hard on giving our website a new, sleeker look. Soon, youll be able to see the results for yourself; we are eager to see what you think.

Meet the team

We also want to take this opportunity to introduce you to our new Lead Artist, Rafael Stylushead Gonzalez. You have already seen his work these past weeks, including the new Key Art, the Halloween images and many things included in update 1.5. Here are a few words from him:

I was born and raised in Mexico City. I worked in the animated movies industry for nine years, most of that time as an art director, supervising from concept art to final product, illustration is my expertise, always mixing different techniques from 2D and 3D and sometimes traditional.
I love video games and movies and everything involved in their development. Also I work from time to time in webcomics as a colorist. I joined the Kerbal team as lead artist during the KSP 1.5 release and since then I have been producing, learning and enjoying a lot!

Ghouls in Jool Halloween Challenge - The best short stories!

Even though Halloween is behind us, we want to share with all of you some of the best short stories we were delighted to receive in the Ghouls in Jool Halloween Challenge. The challenge consisted of submitting spooky short stories based in the Kerbal universe and...oh boy did we get some chills Unfortunately, we couldnt fit all stories here, but if youre in the mood to read what our fantastic community came up with, click here.

Here are what we thought were the top three stories. Enjoy!

1.- The Heart of Jool by Ultimate Steve

Falling.
Deeper and deeper, away from everything I have ever known.
Falling through the flashes of lighting. Will I be struck, or crushed?
Kerbin. So far away now. I am the first witness of Alien Thunder.
Will I be the last? The only? And how long until I meet death?

Gravity.
I can feel it everywhere. Jool, pulling me closer still.
The helmet creaks. The others would never hear.
The ones who died along the way - The helmetless pilot.
The crushed engineer. The scientist locked outside.

Whoosh.
And the world drew Golem Thirteen to its ultimate fate.
Noises, growing louder ever still. But always, nothing
But the menacing fog around the Heart of Jool. Until a voice,
Menacing, kind, Evil and holy, speaks out from the void above.

Hello.
No - it couldn't be! The ancient legend was true! Have I met Evil?
Tell me, child, what do you know of me, the Deep Space Kraken?
The devourer of ships, destroyer of worlds, the embodiment of Death.
Yours truly - but have none considered a force stronger than I?
Which?
Regret.

CRACK!
Long ago I destroyed ships, devoured worlds, killed mercilessly.
My helmet gives way, great Kraken! In moments I shall meet Death!
I met Death long ago, banished by the Universe to the Heart of Jool.
And tell me, great Kraken of Deep Space, what do you mean by this?

Child,
With power comes destruction. At the top I ruled dust.
I fell. From everything, wishing I could go back to mend it.
Wishing the dust would absolve my crimes. In you I see me.

And unlike me, I can save you.

Pop.
The visor gave way to the intense aether, crushing instantly.
The last I would see, before my final toxic breath, would be
The haunting yet noble face of the Kraken of Deep Space
Against the backdrop of the cruel, unrelenting Heart of Jool.

HOLD!
T Minus Five. The launch pad. But how? The crew, all still alive.
Golem Thirteen would stay on the ground. And then was a sound.
Indeed, it was The Kraken of Deep Space. Gone in a blink, he said
Goodbye and nothing more, with a smile that shook me to the core.

But I am now certain I will remember that great regretful ghoul.
The one who saved me from the void in the Heart of Jool.

Clank!
Startled, research forgotten, the two scientists looked up. They had both definitely heard it this time. This time it was undeniable.
Okay, maybe you werent dreaming earlier apologised Jedfen, but neither of them seemed pleased by this prospect.
Jedfen and Hencott were familiar with all the regular noises of Outpost V., but this noise was not one of them. They knew the steady whirring of the solar arrays as they tracked the sun, the hum-thud of antennae realigning, and the wet slap of sloshing fuel. Clanking was something new, and it was coming from outside!

Clank!
The two locked eyes, panic growing at the realisation they were not alone. Something was knocking against the outside of their laboratory!
Should we call mission control? suggested Hencott
We cant replied Jedfen, wondering if Hencotts stupidity might be higher than indicated, Did you forget that its night here for two more days? We need to be facing sunward to get a signal to Kerbin
Maybe the supply ship came back? Hencott proposed weakly, but that ship had launched weeks ago, the kerbonauts were alone.

Clank!
WE HAVE TO STAY CALM!! shrieked Jedfen, momentarily losing his cool What would Jeb do?
We need more information said Hencott, taking deep breaths, We need to know what is making the noise, one of us will have to go outside
Silently both Kerbals stood to face each other, and proceeded to play rock-paper-scissors

Clank!
That noise came from near the north window Jedfen said into the handheld radio.
Copy. Approaching now. I think I see someth but the staticky reply was cut short by a yelp! Then laughter! Then ominous silence
Minutes passed, but the radio only hissed. Amidst rising dread Jedfen moved to the suit rack, compelled to go help, but he was too late! The airlock began to cycle, something was coming in! Armed with a jumbo-sized snack bar Jedfen prepared himself to defend the outpost.
Through dramatic billowing gasses Jedfen saw him step from the airlock, grinning, and holding something that was attempting to wriggle free. Looking closer, he saw cradled firmly in Hencotts arms an adorable tiny rover!
Where did that come from?! he asked, tension dissolving into curiosity.
Some earlier mission? laughed Hencott, I think it was trying to charge power by the window light! Can we keep it?
Control cant say no if they cant contact us!

Every year during the three hundred and thirty-third night, mysterious things start to happen at the KSC. None of the KSC staff want to stay that night, as weird noises abound around the Center. The only exception is Mortimer Kerman, who gleefully volunteers to be the caretaker for that night, from his usual haunt in the Admin building. In the deserted Astronaut Complex, ghostly footsteps and flushing toilets are heard. The great radio dishes of the Tracking Station creak and squeal as they turn, but only during that night. Pale apparitions are seen streaking down the runway, rising briefly before vanishing below the waves, while the big display screens at Mission Control fill with static. Even though the VAB is shut down for that night, the cranes and other machinery start moving with nobody at the controls. Fire and smoke bloom on and around the empty launch pad as a muted roar is heard, and hundreds of tiny glowing krakens scurry around the Research and Development center. A steady tap-tap-tapping punctuated with whirring fills the Spaceplane Hangar, without a soul in sight. They call it "Sotreum ed Aid"

When day finally breaks on that seemingly endless night, everything grows quiet again, and Mortimer starts to look sad. The tiny glowing kraken all vanish without a trace. But when the brave kerbonauts start arriving at the Astronaut Complex, they are shocked to find all the kerbals that had been KIA during the last four hundred days sitting around, drinking koffee...