How the computer game “KSP 2” inspires real space careers

Since its release in 2015, “Kerbal Space Program” – “KSP” for short – has gained a huge following. The mix of crafting, trial and error, and slapstick elements inspire millions of players around the world – many of them real aerospace engineers.

“KSP” is known not only for its scientific rigor, but also for its steep learning curve – it takes many hours to really get into the game. Countless “KSP” fans can attest that the effort is worth it.

However, the fans had to wait a long time for a successor to the space simulation. After several postponements, “Kerbal Space Program 2” was released in February 2023. The sequel should be much more beginner-friendly and also offer a lot of new features – planetary colonies, interstellar travel, and a multiplayer mode, for example. However, “KSP 2” is currently still in Early Access and has plenty of bugs planned as well – and many features haven’t been implemented yet.

The simulation also has many fans in organizations such as NASA and ESA. Of course, anyone involved in space travel has some advantages in the game – as well as being one of the best judges of how scientifically accurate the game really is. So how does “KSP 2” fare in the reality check? To find out, we spoke to Ilaria Roma and Daniel Wischert, who both work at ESA (European Space Agency).

Ilaria Roma has only recently started playing “KSP” and “KSP 2”, but with growing enthusiasm. Daniel Wischert has known and appreciated the game since his student days. How realistic do you think the game is? Can it really accurately simulate real space travel? “I was surprised how well the game represents reality,” says Ilaria Roma. “It would be a great design tool, especially in the area we’re working on at ESA.” In the Concurrent Design Facility, a multidisciplinary team of experts designs future space missions – and powerful tools are needed to present these missions in all their planning steps. The ESA does have first-class tools for this, Roma emphasises. The visualization tools and intuitive user interface of “KSP” and “KSP 2” still command a lot of respect.

Daniel Wischert is impressed that the developers have incorporated real scientific and engineering concepts into the gameplay: “As an aerospace engineer, I can confirm that many of the challenges and limitations in the game accurately reflect what we experience during real space missions.”

At the same time, Wischert emphasizes that it is still a game – with some simplifications and a lot of creative freedom. “All in all, ‘KSP 2’ offers a good balance between realism and fun,” says the expert.

Wischert finds the physics of the game to be very realistic – especially the spaceflight mechanics and rocket technology. “It’s really impressive how the game models the thrust-to-weight ratio, the delta-v and the specific impulse of the rocket motors,” says Wischert.

“But of course there are big differences between us humans and the little green Kerbals with their cute personalities. Both us and them love space exploration – but the Kerbals have a special knack for surviving even the most ridiculous starship mishaps,” he says with a smile. Ilaria Roma also praises the precise space flight mechanics of “KSP 2”: “All objects in the game – with the exception of the celestial bodies – are simulated with Newtonian dynamics.”

However, there are also things that are simply too complex to represent faithfully. Ilaria Roma gives the example of assembling a space station: it is possible in the game, but in reality it is much more complex. Daniel Wischert points out that the sheer size of space can’t really be represented in the game: “In ‘KSP 2’ you can travel to other planets relatively quickly, but in reality interplanetary travel can take years or even decades,” he says . However, Wischert does not want to complain about this obvious lack of realism. “I’m just glad my Kerbals don’t have to pack snacks during ten years of travel,” he says with a wink.

In the past, the game’s “KSP” developers have repeatedly collaborated with the major space agencies: ESA has contributed digital components from its BepiColombo and Rosetta missions to the game, among other things. It is not surprising that ESA and Co. supporting the game – after all, it indirectly helps recruit young people. “I am totally convinced of the pedagogical content of the game,” says Ilaria Roma. “Firstly, it stimulates and promotes creativity. Secondly, it gives deep technical knowledge that would otherwise have to be learned with dry equations – which puts a lot of people off.”

Daniel Wischert describes “KSP” as “an excellent tool that inspires the next generation of space explorers”. The game generates passion for the subject by making tangible the fun and challenges of space travel. In a playful way, one can understand how much work is involved in launching a rocket – and also the enormous importance of teamwork. “Who knows,” says Wischert, “maybe it will inspire some of these younger players to become aerospace engineers or astronauts themselves one day?” ESA certainly wouldn’t mind.