[w.i.p]
About
Kerbal Space Program (often abbreviated KSP) is a space program simulator developed and published by Squad. Released in 2011, the game is currently in the alpha stages of development. On March 20, 2013 KSP was made available on steam.
Gameplay
Kerbal Space Program allows players to create and develop their own space program within a fictional solar system filled with planets and moons. The player creates multi-stage space vessels to be piloted by Kerbals, small green humanoids whom inhabit the world of Kerbin. The game also features a hanger for building air and space planes, a system for recruiting new Kerbonauts, and fully persistent space missions allowing for rendezvous and the construction of space stations.
Kerbals
Kerbals are the denizens of Kerbin. They have green skin, large heads, bulging eyes and are approximately 1 meter in height. The player can order the Kerbals to leave their capsule perform space walks, maintenance, lay flags, or just goof around. Kerbals are shown to be dimwitted and prone to accidents as shown in the backgrounds of assembly buildings and the games various trailers (shown below).
Reception
Kerbal Space Program has been praised by the scientific community for it’s accurate portrayal of physics. The game has been used as an education tool to explain the fundamentals of gravity and other laws of physics. Youtuber and astronomer Scott Manley has helped popularize Kerbal Space Program with videos of tutorials and other game related content. Within 5 hours of the games release on Steam it reached the top 5 of best sold games and is currently the #3 best seller for linux on Steam.
Derivatives
Jedediah Kerman
Jedediah Kerman is a permanent Kerbal who is renown for his fearlessness and badassery, often laughing maniacally regardless of the situation. His demeanor has led to the creation of advice animals and fan art.
[Editors note, feel free to request editorship if you have something to contribute]