Publisher Private Division and developer Intercept Games have announced Kerbal Space Program 2 launches via early access in early 2023.

The hotly-anticipated spaceflight simulator is launching via early access on February 24th, 2023 for Windows PC (via Steam, the Epic Games Store, and more). As previously reported, the console versions on Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 will come sometime later.

Here’s a rundown on the early access release:

Kerbal Space Program 2 from Intercept Games and Private Division is the sequel to the acclaimed space flight simulation game Kerbal Space Program. The original Kerbal Space Programis one of the most beloved games of all time and, years after its release, it’s bigger than ever before. Its sequel, Kerbal Space Program 2, has been fully redesigned from the ground up to meet the demands of modern and next-generation space exploration, all while maintaining the monumental foundations of the first game. Build a space program, construct powerful spacecraft, and navigate expansive celestial bodies as youexplore cosmic mysteries.

Releasing in Early Access as an homage to the original game’s launch, KSP 2 will allow players to see features as they are built and provide feedback to shape this exciting game through development. New features will periodically be added through Early Access thatwill captivate veteranand returning players, as well as usher in a whole new wave of Kerbonauts to the ingenious and comedic world that has entertained millions.

Key Features:

• Major upgrades during Early Access: Get a front-row seat as major new systems come online, including the addition of new star systems,interstellar travel technologies, colonies, multiplayer, and more. Become part of the development process by contributing feedback throughout the Early Access periodand be the first to play exciting updates the moment they are released.
• Improved onboarding: Kerbal Space Program 2 will create a whole new generation of spaceflight experts who will find themselves accidentally learningthe fundamentals ofrocket science. New animated tutorials, improved UI, and fully revamped assembly and flight interfaces allow both experienced and novice players to quickly put their creativity to the test without sacrificing any of the challenge from the original game.
• Customizable parts and new space-flight technology: In Kerbal Space Program 2, the astoundingly inventive creations that KSP is known forwill be taken to a whole new level. Players will be delighted and challenged by a new generation ofengines, parts, fuel, improved variants, procedural parts systems, and much more. The overhauled vehicle assembly interface includes part sorting and a blueprint view formaking precise adjustments. And of course, new part coloring allows you to customize your creations like never before.
• Rich new environments to explore: Unprecedented detail, variety, and realism make each celestial body a rewarding destination. Clouds, atmospheric scattering, and an all-new terrain system combine to take your breath away, from ground level all the way to orbit!
• New tools to optimize your exploration of the universe: Along with other massive new UI/UXimprovements, you can now use time warp while accelerating and plan complex maneuvers with easeusing the new non-impulsive maneuver planner. New sphere of influence and atmosphere indicators takethe guesswork out of interplanetary maneuvering!

Key Features to come during Early Access:

• Next Generation Technology: As the game updates progress, players will gain access to a whole new setofnext generationtoolsand technology including newengines, parts, fuel, and much more. This new techwill not just create novel puzzles for players to solve, but will also enable new feats of space explorationwithinand beyond the originalKerbolar System.
• Colonies: Brand new toKerbal Space Program 2are colonies. Colonies not only pose their own physicschallenges, but alsorequireresource gathering to build structures, space stations, habitations, and uniquefuel types. Eventually, these colonies become advanced enough for vehicle construction,propellingdeepspace exploration and beyond.
• Interstellar Travel: Next-gen tech, colonies, and systematic resource gathering all lead to a whole newlevel of exploration: interstellar travel. InKerbal Space Program 2, interstellar technologies pave the wayto a host of newstar systems andcelestial bodies, each comprising novel challenges and harboring secrettreasures. Among them: Charr, a heat-blasted world of iron;Ovin, a ringed super-Earth with relentlessgravity;Rask and Rusk, a binary pair locked in a dance of death;andmanymore to reward exploration.
• Multiplayer/Modding: The technological developments made to the foundations ofKerbal SpaceProgram 2willbuild on the belovedmodding capabilities of the original game, as well as deliver on thelong-requested addition of multiplayer.Soon players will be ableto share the challenges of deep spaceexploration. More details on these features will be revealed at a later time.

Here’s a new trailer: