Kerbal Space Programis a tried and true space simulation game that tasks you with sending dozens of rockets into the cruel grasp of outer space, all filled and managed by adorable aliens known as the Kerbals. You are responsible for building the ships, letting you send all your terrible creations to be thrown back to earth by the game’s robust and realistic physics system.
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If it’s becoming difficult to find things to do in the base game, and you’re not quite ready to jump intoKerbal Space Program 2, then mods may be what you need. From mods that add new quality-of-life mechanics, to ones that improve the game’s presentation, there is sure to be a mod for you.
10Kerbal Attachment System
Kerbal Attachment Systemis a mod byIhsoftthat, if you’re unable to guess, adds a new slew of ways to attach different vessels to each other without docking them. Not only does this mod add simple connectors, but also tow-bars for vehicles and even electric winches.
Overall, the mod might be a bit dry in the creativity factor (no, you won’t be seeing your Kerbalsattacked by Zoidberg Mudcrabslike in Skyrim), but it’s hard to argue that it doesn’t bring a new level of versatility to the base game– there’s even a type of attachment that is used purely for resource transfer between two undocked vessels, meaning you can keep a flow of resources going with a decent amount of distance between vehicles.
9EVE: Environmental Visual Enhancements
Sometimes what a mechanics and science-focused game like Kerbal Space Program needs is a little bit more attention to visual detail– this is where theEVEmod byWarwickAllisoncomes in. It’s a fairly simple mod, adding a few new visual effects to see when looking at the planet from space.
The core additions are clouds and city lights– the Kerbals' home planet now has light beaming from its continents to represent cities, and every planet has clouds to visually represent that they have atmospheres. It’s funny to think that Kerbal Space Program, a game concerned with rigorous physics simulations, forgot about the things that make up the very atmospheres that its ships are breaking through.
8Kerbal Inventory System
Kerbal Inventory Systemis a quality-of-life mod byIhsoftthat adds inventories for both vessels and Kerbals. Now, Kerbals have backpacks that can store a few small items, and vessels can be equipped with different-sized containers to make them the perfect mules.
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What’s so useful about this? The inventory systems give you the unique ability to carry tons of spare parts into space, making adding to existing projects a breeze. Additionally, you can have some fun by using the limited inventory space to build a ship completely from scratch, as the creator included tools that make this possible.
7Kerbal Planetary Base Systems
Kerbal Planetary Base SystemsbyNils2778is a mod that makesbuilding your own baseson other planets more interesting by adding new buildings for you to use, such as greenhouses and laboratories. The creator does a great job of making all the new parts look like they’re native to the game, providing a faux vanilla experience.
Given how difficult it can be to get bases on other planets, since you need to fly the parts of the buildings either in pieces or in one full go, this mod is worth it so that your efforts can at least provide a more stimulating result. Some of the buildings even have real functions, like the greenhouse allowing your Kerbals to farm in their new environment.
6TweakScale
TweakScalewas originally created by Gaius Goodspeed, but is being maintained currently byLisiastin their absence. TweakScale has a simple premise: what if you could change the size of any part available to you in Kerbal Space Program?
By changing the size of parts, you also effectively change their efficiency; a scaled-up fuel tank will consequently have more fuel in it, and a larger engine will provide even more power. It’s also great if there are size mismatches between several parts you want to use in concert– but verify you take into account the changed stats of the newly scaled item.
5KSP Interstellar Extended
KSP Interstellaris a mod byFreethinker79aiming to add a progression system through the ages of space technology, spanning the 70s, 80s, contemporary era, and distant future. Your end goal in this progression is to reach technology that is theoretically possible in real life, but unlikely to ever be feasible.
If you’re itching for a challenge that will test your Kerbal skills, this progression path is worth a try– new downsides to the powerful technology, like the troubles of transporting and storing antimatter, add a twist to the gameplay that is sure to keep you on your toes.
4Near Future Propulsion
Near Future Propulsionis a mod from the Near Future collection byNertea_01that simply adds new, power-hungry engines to play with in your vessels. There are 14 engines included in the mod, each with its own size and power– you’re going to need to use Xenon gas in addition to the new Lithium and Argon gases to fuel these engines.
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These engines guzzle fuel like nobody’s business, so it’s recommended that this mod is used in conjunction with other items in the Near Future collection to reach the power necessary to get these beasts off the ground. Otherwise, just make sure you’re prepared to put in the work to get these powerful machines running.
3KW Rocketry
KW RocketrybyWinston & Kickasskyleis a mod that seeks to add new, well-balanced parts to Kerbal Space Program for use specifically in the Vehicle Assembly Building, a tall construction zone that is used primarily for building rockets.
The sheer versatility of the mod on top of its interest in pushing a realistic aesthetic makes it worth a download, especially if you’re not entirely sold by the appearance of some of the offered vanilla parts. The engines all sound amazing, and the parts have consistent, real-world designs that look great flying through the sky.
2Chatterer
TheChatterermod, originally created by Lannic-ann-od and maintained byAthlonic, adds sounds that mimic the chattering that you might hear from a communication device on a real spaceship. This has no impact on gameplay, and is purely a fun little detail to liven up your expeditions.
While not completely revolutionary, the Chatterer mod goes a long way to make the experience of flying a ship feel more involved– the engine is no longer your sole source of audio, giving you the idea that you’re manning a rocket that genuinely takes a team of people to be kept from blowing up.
1The Maritime Pack
The Maritime PackbyFengistallows you tolive all your seafaring dreamsin your favorite space simulation game, giving you a ton of boats and submarines to use on any body of water you want to explore. If space just isn’t the final frontier that you dreamed of, it might be time to go back to the sea.
Many of these new aquatic vessels can carry cargo, making the whole experience an additional angle to play at if you’ve already mastered the air– there are even casual boats that serve no practical purpose besides giving you something nice to look at.
