The last mile on the Moon

1. Move toward the pad

   You start left of the pad and already moving right. Use a little right tilt (→ / D) with thrust (↑ / W) to build lateral speed, then release the direction key and watch the pad offset shrink. Releasing a direction key stops changing the angle; it does not level the craft.

2. Brake before you reach the pad

   Positive lateral speed means you are still moving right. As the pad gets closer, tilt left (← / A) and apply thrust to reduce that speed. Do not wait until you are directly above the pad to start braking.

3. Level while you still have height

   Use the opposite direction key to bring the angle close to zero. Apply thrust in short holds to slow descent, checking the speed after each one. Releasing thrust leaves inertia and gravity acting on the craft.

4. Check all four touchdown conditions

   Both feet must fit on the pad, vertical speed must be ≤9 m/s, absolute lateral speed ≤7 m/s, and absolute tilt ≤12°. All must be true together; being above the pad is not enough if you are sliding too fast.

Common mistake: holding thrust while chasing the pad, then overshooting. On the next attempt, reduce lateral speed earlier before refining the landing position.

1. Manage the speed you already have

   This mission starts with substantial rightward speed. Check lateral speed and pad offset before deciding to tilt right. The pad being to your right does not mean you should keep accelerating toward it.

2. Read wind and velocity together

   Positive wind acceleration gradually increases rightward velocity; negative wind accelerates left. It is not the direction you are currently moving. Make a small correction, release the direction key, and observe the velocity trend before correcting again.

3. Leave room to brake and level

   When the offset is shrinking but rightward speed remains high, tilt left and thrust to brake. As wind changes, aim for manageable speed and then level the craft. You do not need to stay exactly above the pad center throughout the approach.

4. Stabilize the final approach

   Before reaching the surface, stabilize attitude and descent speed while checking that both feet will fit. Lateral speed may change sign; its absolute value at touchdown must be ≤7 m/s, vertical speed ≤9 m/s and tilt ≤12°.

Common mistake: making a large opposite correction every time the wind changes sign. Watch actual velocity and correct drift that has appeared or is continuing to grow.

1. Budget before accelerating

   You start with only 48% fuel and are already moving down and right. Use that existing motion to approach the pad. Apply thrust when the trajectory needs changing; avoid prolonged hovering just to make the view look steady.

2. Thrust in holds and inspect the result

   After a thrust hold, inspect vertical and lateral speed before deciding whether to continue. Tilt redirects some thrust sideways and reduces vertical support. Excessive tilt can force you to spend more fuel.

3. Avoid repeated overshoot and recovery

   Complete most lateral braking before reaching the pad, then level while you still have height. Reduce overshoot-and-chase cycles so fuel remains available for final descent braking.

4. Use the report to improve the next attempt

   The landing limits are unchanged. If fuel runs out first, look for hovering or chasing corrections. If you crash with plenty remaining, inspect braking timing and attitude rather than trying to save even more fuel.

This recorded pass lands with about 1.8% fuel, so its margin is small. Treat it as a tradeoff example and practice calm mode first. Matching its score or memorizing key timings is not required.