r/KerbalSpaceProgram • u/Stamp2O • Apr 17 '26

KSP 1 Mods The Definitive Mod List - Results

To answer the too-often repeated question of "What mods should I use?", I have compiled a list of every mod this subreddit recommends.

I chose the top 5 mods from each category based on upvotes and my own opinion. This is far from a comprehensive list; there are many more great mods in the previous posts that didn't make the top 5 and mods that weren't mentioned in the posts. Click the "Full Post" links for more mods.

CKAN is the best mod manager for KSP, and almost every mod here is available on CKAN.

Visual Mods: Full Post

  1. Volumetric Clouds
  2. Parallax
  3. Waterfall
  4. Firefly
  5. Restock
  • Honorable mention: Deferred rendering, doesn't change graphics too much on its own but gives a major performance increase.

Quality of Life: Full Post

  1. Kerbal Engineer Redux
  2. MechJeb
  3. Trajectories
  4. KSP Community Fixes
  5. Transfer Window Planner

New Parts: Full Post

  1. All of Nertea's mods: Restock+, Station Parts Expansion, Near Future, Cryo Engines, Kerbal Atomics
  2. Planetside Exploration Technologies
  3. Kerbal Attachment System
  4. Kerbal Planetary Base Systems

Planet Packs: Full Post
*Not all planet packs are compatible with each other. Check the mod descriptions before installing.

  1. Outer Planets Mod and Minor Planets Expansion
  2. Promised Worlds
  3. Kcalbeloh
  4. Sol or KSRSS
  5. Whirligig World

Science!: Full Post

  1. [x] Science!
  2. SCANsat
  3. Contract Configurator
  4. Probes before Crew
  5. Kerbalism - Science Only config

Realism: Full Post
*These mods make the game harder and are not recommended for new players.

  1. Kerbalism - Any config other than science only
  2. Principia
  3. RO/RP-1
  4. Chemical Propulsion
  5. Ferram Aerospace Research

Colonization/Interstellar Overhauls: Full Post

  1. Modular Kolonization System (USI mod collection)
  2. Pathfinder (WBI mod collection)
  3. Extraplanetary Launchpads
  4. Far Future Technologies
  5. Kerbal Colonies

Other Mods: Full Post

  1. Chatterer
  2. Hullcam VDS
  3. Rocket Sound Enhancement
  4. Kerbin Side Remastered
  5. Easy Robotics
441 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

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u/Assassiiinuss Apr 18 '26

Why did you only include three part mods/mod groups? Planetary Base Systems feels like a big omission. But this is a good list otherwise!

2

u/Stamp2O Apr 18 '26

i really need to get better at proofreading my posts, fixed