Why "MFD Transfer" let me choose ONLY for the Moon?

[Lele81]

Hi, I've another question, I prefer for this one another Thread 'cause it's a bit more specific....

I managed (thanks to manuals and tutorials) to do a trip from earth to moon using the basic program MFD TRANSFER...the first step is choosing the TARGET.
(notice that I'm talking about TRANSFER; because TRANS_X it's hard to understand...for now, I understood a bit how Transfer works...I'll concentrate on Trans_x later!!!)

My problem is that...if I'm on Earth,in TRANSFER TGT it let me choose only transfers to Moon, or to ISS...MIR...
And Also if I'm orbiting around the moon, I can choose ONLY going to "Earth".
I would like to choose for example MARS (in the futur also others, but let's begin with MARS....or VENUS).
Why cant I choose mars???
With transfer it seems I can only go from Earth to Moon and from Moon to Earth....why?

 

[TMac3000]

You can only target objects orbiting the reference body (Earth in this case). If you are trying to go to another planet, press REF, and then choose "Sun".

PS--I know TransX is a pain, but trust me: take the time to learn it. It's harder, but a bit more accurate for interplanetary transfers.

EDIT:
Scratch the PS, since I just you had already said you were going to work on TransX in the future. Sorry.

 

[garyw]

Transfer MFD is for going to minor bodies orbiting around major bodies. If you were in orbit around the sun you could select Mars with Transfer MFD.

If you want to go to Mars from Earth you'll need either TransX or IMFD.

 

[Lele81]

I'm sorry for answering only now.
Well thank you, if I change the reference body I can also go to Mars from Earth! But I noticed that it's quite impossible to di with transfer MFD!!

However yes of course, I'll surely begin to use TransX!!! I only wanted first to understand "perfectly" how to do a trip earth-Moon with transfer.

But...do you think is more simple to learn TransX or IMFD? I don't care wich one is better...for now, I'd like to know the simplest between those two!

Thanksssss

 

[Tommy]

Actually, you can get to other planets using only Orbit, AlignPlanes, and Transfer. It's difficult, to say the least, so it's actually easier to learn Trans-X or IMFD and use them. Which is easier is debatable, and largely a matter of preference. I myself find IMFD easier. The Mars tutorial in "Go Play in Space" (the essential Orbiter tutorial - get it if you don't have it!) uses an older version of IMFD, but you can use that tutorial with newer versions as well. If you browse the forum, you'll see a few threads about the relative merits of each.

 

[TMac3000]

But...do you think is more simple to learn TransX or IMFD? I don't care wich one is better...for now, I'd like to know the simplest between those two!

TransX! Next question...

 

[astrosammy]

IMFD is easier, you just need to to a few clicks to go anywhere. But you are more satisfied when you made a flight with TransX.

 

[Tommy]

Whichever you choose, this tutorial will help you understand the mechanics of a transfer, and explains the various types. While written for IMFD 4.21, it applies to newer versions of IMFD and TransX as well.

[ame="http://www.orbithangar.com/searchid.php?ID=3403"]Tutorial: Concepts for Interplanetary MFD 4.2.1[/ame]


Also, even if you use TransX, IMFD's Map program will be very useful. It is quite accurate (more so than IMFD's other programs or TransX) and can be used to help "fine tune" a trajectory earlier than you can without it. On a recent flight to Mars (source plane transfer) I ejected, and made no corrections before the plane change. Immediately after the Plane change I made a course correction with translational RCS using IMFD's Map, and I think another about midway from the plane change to Mars. I didn't need Planet Approach, and the Base Approach burn was only 4 seconds.