Retrieve Kerbal From Freefall

[theShiz]

So I recently did my first mission where I had to retrieve a Kerbal from space. I built a ship with extra seats in it, and a grabber. I eventually managed to get him with the grabber and bring him back to Kerbin safely. What I had wanted to do was just get him in the cockpit with me. Is there any way to take control of a rogue Kerbal and make him get in my ship?

Edited February 21, 2015 by theShiz

[Sonny_Jim]

You can use the [ and ] keys to switch between vessels/kerbals when they are within 2.3km.

[theShiz]

I tried that, but it wasn't working. Maybe because he wasn't one of mine? It was generated by the contract.

[Taki117]

I tried that, but it wasn't working. Maybe because he wasn't one of mine? It was generated by the contract.

Doesn't matter. Switching with brackets always works, unless you are in a situation where you cannot (like moving over the surface.)

[Sonny_Jim]

Was he in the grabber when you tried pressing the [ and ] keys?

[theShiz]

Yes. I'd already grabbed him.

[RocketPilot573]

Then you cannot switch to him as he is now apart of your craft. Only way to control him is to ungrab him. Or you can just land the ship with him still attached.

[theShiz]

Thank you! Odd to think of him as part of the craft.

[tsotha]

Is it odder than thinking of him as a ship? Perhaps not. Anyway, grabbing something with the claw is functionally the same as docking with it, which itself is the functional equivalent of making one ship out of two. You can transfer fuel and Kerbals, generate power on one side and use it on the other, and share monoprop.

Heh heh. You really did this the hard way Normally you only need to grab them like that if you've used up all their EVA fuel.

[tg626]

But... can you transfer monoprop to them when "docked"?

[tsotha]

They don't use monoprop. Yet.

Does their backpack fuel get recharged? I don't know, but I doubt it.

[stibbons]

I don't use a grabber. Once your ship is closer than 2km away, you'll be able to switch to the stranded Kerbal and control it like normal. I just get to an intercept of 1000-1500m, then jetpack the stranded Kerbal to the ship.

[Hodo]

Do you mean like this?

[theShiz]

Now I just need to go up there and save the pilots of ships 1, 2 and 3...

[Taki117]

Now I just need to go up there and save the pilots of ships 1, 2 and 3...

Get out and push. EVA your kerbal (If possible, and ensure your capsule is pointing retrograde) use the EVA pack to go to the back and then push the capsule forwards, be sure to leave enough EVA fuel to climb back in, the pack with automatically refill each time.