Parchute Roulette

[mjl1966]

Exact same setup each time: MK1 capsule, interstage fairing on top, parachute on bottom node.  I can launch the EXACT SAME SHIP three times in a row, and at least once I am guaranteed to kill a Kerbal.

Problem is simple:  I move the parachute to the bottom of the stack, pull the ripcord at 1000 meters and cross my fingers.  I will either hear "click click click" as I frantically tap the spacebar or that satisfying ruffle as the chute actually opens.  Even if I manage to right click and actually click the "deploy chute" button, it simply will not open.  It's not shredding, tearing off, etc.  It simply either opens or does not, under the exact same conditions, with the exact same craft.

Anybody else seen this?

[Superfluous J]

1 hour ago, mjl1966 said:

Exact same setup each time: MK1 capsule, interstage fairing on top, parachute on bottom node.  I can launch the EXACT SAME SHIP three times in a row, and at least once I am guaranteed to kill a Kerbal.

Problem is simple:  I move the parachute to the bottom of the stack, pull the ripcord at 1000 meters and cross my fingers.  I will either hear "click click click" as I frantically tap the spacebar or that satisfying ruffle as the chute actually opens.  Even if I manage to right click and actually click the "deploy chute" button, it simply will not open.  It's not shredding, tearing off, etc.  It simply either opens or does not, under the exact same conditions, with the exact same craft.

Anybody else seen this?

I've had stages not want to trigger sometimes, but it's never been something a few violent, panicked smashes of the spacebar didn't fix.

Usually the problem comes from moving stuff around in the staging stack, like you said you did. Try putting the parachute in the correct place in the VAB and then trying it, or (better) devoting an action group to parachutes.

[Randazzo]

Are these stock parachutes?

Did you run out of electricity?

How'd you get them on the bottom of the pod?

[mjl1966]

22 hours ago, Randazzo said:

Are these stock parachutes?

Did you run out of electricity?

How'd you get them on the bottom of the pod?

stock.  no, plenty of juice.  (first thing I checked).  I have a single chute at the base of a staging faring on top of a MK1 pod.  (The top part of the fairing holds a docking port) 

I think it has something to do with the staged fairing base.  If I just put the chute right on the pod, I'm good to go. 

[Randazzo]

@mjl1966 I'm having a hard time picturing this, but if it has anything to do with a fairing it's possibly that "Cannot deploy while stowed" poltergeist.

Edited December 31, 2015 by Randazzo

[mjl1966]

10 minutes ago, Randazzo said:

@mjl1966 I'm having a hard time picturing this, but if it has anything to do with a fairing it's possibly that "Cannot deploy while stowed" poltergeist.

Am what's that? #Randazzo

[Randazzo]

6 minutes ago, mjl1966 said:

Am what's that? #Randazzo

Objects cannot be deployed or activated while stowed, but the detection (as to whether an object is actually stowed) can be hit or miss. A search should bring you up numerous results.

https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=KSP+%22cannot+activate+while+stowed%22

Edit: I am guessing at this though, since I can't picture how you set this up with stock parts. Procedural fairings, yes. Stock, no.

Edited December 31, 2015 by Randazzo