🚀 How to Install Kerbal Star Systems 2 - StarCrusher96/Kerbal-Star-Systems-2 GitHub Wiki

Follow these steps to get Kerbal Star Systems 2 up and running in your KSP install.

🖥️ System Requirements

KSP Version: 1.12.x
RAM: 16 GB minimum
GPU: 1–2 GB VRAM recommended

🛑 Important: KSS2 is not distributed via CKAN.
Please do not redistribute or attempt to index this mod without permission. Manual installation ensures correct file handling and system compatibility.

📁 Step 1: Download KSS2 Files

Before installing, remove any older versions of KSS2 or Galaxies Unbound from your GameData folder.

Download the following .zip files from the KSS2 GitHub or via Discord:

KSS2_Core.zip
One or more system packs (e.g. SystemAlphaCentauri, SystemLuhman16, etc.)
(Optional) ContractPack.zip for extra career contracts

🗂️ Step 2: Install KSS2

Each .zip contains a GameData folder. To install:

Open each .zip and drag the contents of the GameData folder into your main Kerbal Space Program/GameData directory.
Let the files merge into a single KSS2 folder.

✅ You should end up with just one KSS2 folder in GameData

❌ Do not leave folders like KSS2_Core, SystemAlphaCentauri, etc., as separate entries.
Everything should be merged inside GameData/KSS2.

Your KSS2 folder should look like this:

KSS2Folder

🧠 Tip: Install your KSS2 star systems first, before layering on other visual or gameplay mods (like EVE, Scatterer, partmods, etc.). This helps avoid conflicts and makes troubleshooting much easier.

🔗 Step 3: Install Required Dependencies

Install all of the following mods:

🔗 Kopernicus (v217 or newer)
🌌 KopernicusExpansion-ER (for wormholes and FX)
🛠️ KSP Community Fixes (patches core bugs)
🧩 NiakoUtils
🌀 VertexHeightOblateAdvanced
🌀 VertexColorMapEmissive

🌅 Step 4: Visual Enhancements (Optional but Recommended)

⚠️ Use Volumetric EVE only.
Do not install Legacy EVE or EVE Redux — they are incompatible and will break visuals.

🔱 Core Visual Mods

☁️ Volumetric EVE – Volumetric clouds, auroras, geysers (paid mod)
🌅 Scatterer – Atmospheric scattering and oceans
🪨 Parallax Continued – High-detail terrain and tessellation (strongly recommended)

✨ Optional Enhancements

🌌 Singularity – Visuals for black holes and wormholes
🔥 Firefly – Re-entry visual effects
🌠 INSTANTIATOR – Pulsar effects
🔭 Distant Object Enhancement – Long-range object visibility (redundant with Scatterer)
✨ PlanetShine – Adds glow from nearby planets/moons
💡 Deferred Rendering – Enhanced lighting engine (optional)

⚙️ Step 5: Configure Your Experience

Open KSS2Settings.cfg inside the KSS2 folder to adjust gameplay settings.

🔧 Core Gameplay

HomeSwitch = False/Alva Sets your starting planet: keep Kerbin or start on Alva (Nova Kirbani).

⚠️ Not compatible with stock-altering mods.
DistanceFactor = 1 Scales interstellar distances. Options: 0.5, 1 (default), 10, 100
Rescale = 1 Resizes planetary bodies. Requires: Sigma Dimensions Options: 1 (stock), 2.5, 10

🌍 Expansions

Require the Alpha Centauri system to be installed.

PandorExpansion = True/False Adds Pandor, a lush habitable moon of Novin.
BlaloExpansion = True/False Adds the iconic Blalo, now a polluted, ancient world.
HabitableProximaB = True/False Makes Proxima b a viable homeworld.

🎨 Visual & Aesthetic

StarProperties = Stock/Realistic Sets star sizes and visuals.
DisableSkybox = True/False Enables or disables the custom KSS2 skybox.
FlareOverride = True/False Replaces all other sunflares with KSS2’s own.
StockIcons = True/False Enables KSS2’s custom icons in map view.

🛰️ Space Features

Wormholes = True/False Activates the interstellar wormhole travel network.
KerbolWormhole = True/False Enables a wormhole linking Kerbol to Alpha Centauri.
Anomalies = True/False Adds hidden deep-space content (requires Blueshift).
Exotics = True/False Unlocks rare and extreme challenges in special systems.

📡 CommNet Support

InterstellarCommNet = True/False Adds relay stations for cross-system communication.

☄️ Asteroids

SunAsteroids = True/False Enables asteroid belts in the Kerbol system.
ExtraSolarAsteroids = True/False Enables asteroid belts in KSS2 systems.

🧪 Known Issues

❌ Legacy EVE is not supported
⚠️ Green Flashes at Luhman 16 A & B – Caused by TUFX HDR. Disabling HDR in TUFX settings will fix it.
⚠️ Maneuver Tool Bug – KSP 1.12’s stock maneuver planner may break timewarp

→ Use KSP Community Fixes

screenshot

🌑 Dark Planet Bug – Set Texture Quality to Full in KSP settings to avoid black planets

💬 Need Help?

Join the KSS2 Discord for support, bug reports, and development previews.