UI request: Travel time graph for Habs launched from Earth

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galith
Posts: 13
Joined: Tue Jul 11, 2017 2:05 am

UI request: Travel time graph for Habs launched from Earth

Post by galith »

As a relatively new player, I find the way launch windows for hhabs change to be somewhat frustrating. The modifier for Mars, for example, goes from something like +8% to +30% in a one or two day range around September 6, 2024. I realize this is due to orbital mechanics works, not a decision by the game designers, but I can find no way to predict these changes other than trial and error.

So my request is for an interface with a graph or a table showing what the modifier was/will be on various days, so players can see when windows are opening up and plan accordingly. One could build such a table by running the game and writing down values each day, so I assume this wouldn't require much on the fly caculation in game. I believe it is never necessary to wait before launching, that launching sooner will always get you there before launching later, but knowing when a good window is coming up influences things like technology prioritization and how much boost is spent on low earth orbit stations.
PAwleus
Posts: 106
Joined: Fri Mar 19, 2021 12:58 pm

Re: UI request: Travel time graph for Habs launched from Earth

Post by PAwleus »

galith wrote: Sat Mar 18, 2023 2:04 pm I believe it is never necessary to wait before launching, that launching sooner will always get you there before launching later, but knowing when a good window is coming up influences things like technology prioritization and how much boost is spent on low earth orbit stations.
I agree that such information would be helpful for a player - it would be even more helpful than you realize because there actually are circumstances when waiting before launching is beneficial, eg. I waited over 10 months before launching my interplanetary Escorts with Advanced Pulsar from Earth to Saturn and I was still able to arrive over 4 months sooner (from almost 100 weeks expected travel time I went below 40 weeks in this 10 months period).
neilwilkes
Posts: 184
Joined: Sat Oct 01, 2022 10:44 am

Re: UI request: Travel time graph for Habs launched from Earth

Post by neilwilkes »

That's a really good & valid point about waiting - if the launch window is wrong then it really can (and often does) take longer than delaying for the right window would. This is of course absolutely realistic, but a concept that new players will struggle to comprehend at first I think, being used to other games with the 'instant resolution' approach.
It's one of the many reasons that I love this game so much
PAwleus
Posts: 106
Joined: Fri Mar 19, 2021 12:58 pm

Re: UI request: Travel time graph for Habs launched from Earth

Post by PAwleus »

The problem is that, at least in case of ships, the Earth Launching Windows shown in-game are misleading and it's sometimes worth waiting even after their limits. This is why some time ago I feature-requested Transfer Planner to show the Optimal Launching Window (or Windows) and not just from Earth but from any place to any place chosen in the Solar System.
mbiodude
Posts: 6
Joined: Wed Dec 28, 2022 5:42 pm

Re: UI request: Travel time graph for Habs launched from Earth

Post by mbiodude »

Seconding the motion.

The game clearly calculates or has a bunch of data, it knows when the launch windows are, shouldn't be too hard to make a graph. What the player really wants is a way to see ahead and plan based on this information, which the in-game physics/astronomy nerds would have. The transfer planner button for ships is helpful! Just wish there was one for probes and habs. Obscuring this doesn't serve an in-game purpose.
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