Eve Surface Landing

Navigating a dense atmosphere and high gravity in the Kerbolar system.

Eve is one of the eight planets in the Kerbolar system (alongside Moho, Kerbin, Duna, Dres, Jool, and Eeloo) and serves as a primary target for advanced spaceflight challenges. As an analogue to Venus, it presents unique difficulties due to its dense atmosphere and high gravity. The game features a pseudorealistic orbital physics engine that allows players to execute real-life maneuvers like Hohmann transfers to reach this distant world. While the standard game's Sandbox mode does not include pre-set missions specifically for Eve, players can undertake Eve-related contracts in Career and Science modes, or play pre-set scenarios in Scenario mode, often setting their own challenges such as landing on all five moons of Jool, demonstrating the program's capability to handle complex interplanetary travel.

Quick Facts

Target body: Eve

Lore & Background

Eve is orbited by Gilly, a small captured asteroid that serves as its only moon. The planet itself acts as an analogue to Venus within the game's solar system simulation. Unlike the Mun or Minmus which orbit Kerbin, Eve requires significant delta-v to reach due to its position in the system. The planetary system consists of eight planets (Moho, Eve, Kerbin, Duna, Dres, Jool, and Eeloo), with Eve sitting between Moho and Kerbin. Because the game utilizes patched conic approximation rather than n-body simulation, planets do not exert gravitational effects on each other, making orbital transfers predictable despite the complex environment.

Reader's Guide

To reach Eve, players must utilize the map view to plot maneuver nodes for interplanetary transfers. The game's physics engine simulates Newtonian dynamics, meaning rocket thrust is applied based on engine placement and joint strength limits. Players must manage fuel and thrust carefully, as joints have limited strength and too much force will break a vehicle apart. Missions can be player-set, allowing enthusiasts to attempt the challenge of landing on Eve despite its hostile conditions.

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