How a space simulator recreates the legendary era of the Space Race

Space · Published 4 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Kerbal Space Program is expanding its universe beyond simple orbital physics. The new Making History expansion introduces a sophisticated mission builder and a library of parts modeled after the most iconic spacecraft from the United as well as the Soviet space programs.

The Making History expansion for Kerbal Space Program introduces a significant leap in player agency through a new mission builder. This component utilizes a drag-and-drop scripting system, allowing users to assemble, save, and share custom-designed campaigns. Beyond user-generated content, the expansion features a story mode with pre-built missions inspired by real-world human spaceflight milestones.

The expansion's technical depth is bolstered by a massive influx of new parts and skins designed to pay homage to the 20th-century competition between the United States and the Soviet Union. Players can now access hardware modeled after the Soviet R-7 rocket and the American Titan II. The update also introduces larger stages, including a version of the Saturn V moon booster, and skins for the shuttle's external tank and the Space Launch System core.

For those interested in the capsules themselves, the update provides a variety of new command pods. The Soviet lineage is represented by the KV-1 'Onion', the KV-2 'Pea', and the KV-3 'Pomegranate', which are based on the Vostok, Voskhod, and Soyuz programs. American history is represented through the Gemini two-seater and the Apollo lunar module, known in the game as the Munar Excursion Module (M.E.M.). While the game previously featured Mercury and Apollo command modules, these have been updated to better integrate with the new historical aesthetic.

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