Pitch up (rotation mode) / Translate forward (translation mode)
S
Pitch down (rotation mode) / Translate backward (translation mode)
A
Yaw left (rotation mode) / Translate left (translation mode)
D
Yaw right (rotation mode) / Translate right (translation mode)
Q
Roll CCW (rotation mode) / Translate up (translation mode)
E
Roll CW (rotation mode) / Translate down (translation mode)
Z
Toggle RCS translation mode
When RCS translation mode is active, WASDQE keys command translational thrust via RCS thrusters instead of rotation. The HUD displays “RCS TRANS” when translation mode is active. Rotation input is set to zero during translation mode; translation input is set to zero during rotation mode. Both modes can coexist with main engine thrust and autopilot attitude modes.
Thrust
Key
Action
+ (Equal / Numpad+)
Increase thrust 10%
- (Minus / Numpad-)
Decrease thrust 10%
Thrust is incremental — each press adds or removes 10%. Thrust level persists until changed.
Attitude Modes
Attitude modes orient your ship automatically toward a reference direction and hold it there. Press H to disengage any active mode.
Key
Mode
Description
H
Hold / Disengage
Stops rotation (rate damping); disengages active mode
P
Prograde
Nose toward velocity vector
Shift+P
Retrograde
Nose opposite velocity vector
J
Normal
Nose along orbit normal (perpendicular to orbital plane)
Shift+J
Antinormal
Nose opposite orbit normal
K
Radial
Nose perpendicular to velocity, in orbital plane
Shift+K
Antiradial
Nose opposite radial direction
L
Local Horizontal
Nose along horizontal velocity component
Shift+L
Local Vertical
Nose along radial direction from body center
G
Target
Nose toward selected target (requires target)
Shift+G
Anti-Target
Nose away from selected target
Y
Target Prograde
Nose along relative velocity toward target
Shift+Y
Target Retrograde
Nose against relative velocity toward target
Display Toggles
Key
Toggle
T
Tracers (position history lines)
V
Velocity vector (3D arrow)
O
Angular velocity vector (spin indicator)
N
Orbital path with event markers (Pe, Ap, AN, DN, ESC, IMPACT)
B
Body markers (names and distances)
C
Crosshair (center reticle)
UI Windows
Key
Window
I
Orbit Diagram
U
Ship Systems (navball, gauges, proximity)
Shift+U
Ship Specs (detailed ship class data)
Shift+D
Settings (display and audio options)
Shift+C
Chat
Shift+A
Automation
Shift+T
Target Dashboard (requires target)
? (Shift+/)
Keyboard Controls
Target Management
Key
Action
X
Cycle to next target
Shift+X
Cycle to previous target
Escape
Deselect current target
Targets include other ships, stations, and Lagrange points. When a target is selected, target attitude modes (G, Shift+G, Y, Shift+Y) become available.
Ship Actions
Key
Action
R
Open spawn location selector
Shift+R
Quick reset to Earth LEO
F
Dock / Undock (when near a station)
Utility
Key
Action
M
Toggle map view
Escape
Close open dialog, menu, or deselect target
Map View
Control
Action
Mouse drag
Rotate camera
Scroll wheel
Zoom in/out
Click body/ship
Select and view details
B
Toggle system browser tree
M
Return to cockpit view
Menu Bar
The menu bar at the top provides access to all controls via mouse:
Game — Settings, Logout
View — Map View, System Browser, Orbit Diagram, Ship Systems, Ship Specs, Target Dashboard, Chat, Automation, all display toggles, Audio
Ship — All attitude modes (including target modes), Spawn Location, Dock / Undock