You can get the same ksp2 experience with ksp1 and the seemingly infinite amount of mods available.
Want more realistic everything? Mods for that.
Want to make a jumbo jet that can also travel to Ike?there’s Mods for that.
Want everything to be reskinned to look different? You better BELIEVE there’s mods for that.
And the best part is if you own ksp1 (or at least if you have it on your computer to play, wink wink) it’s free! No need to pay for a full game that’s just been modified slightly, now you just slightly modify it yourself. (or mod it so heavily that startup takes 20 minutes and if you don’t use the part search function you’ll be scrolling for hours)
When I’m depressed, having someone sitting on the couch in my living room scrolling on their phone is infinitely more meaningful to me than someone who is miles away and texting me a lot or offering to help with things. It’s probably part of my neurodivergence but having the person close in proximity while at least sort of paying attention to the room makes me feel less alone than having 10 people trying to check in on me all day.